Chapter 856: Honest People Deserve to Be Taken Advantage Of! Leaving a Role…

……

"At around 11 a. m., Liu Liu Yifei arrived at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport with her assistant. Watching Shu Chang and Han Jianu, both in casual attire, accompanied her. Tang Yan and her studio's vehicle picked them up at the airport."

"According to a source in the know, Liu Liu Yifei's trip is indeed for a Disney role. She is yet another well-known international actress coming to audition for *Hua Mulan*, following a number of top-tier Asian actresses!"

"The naval-themed commercial blockbuster *Operation Red Sea*, with the Navy's Political Department as the lead producer and co-produced by China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, and Lin Nan Pictures, co-directed by directors Guo Fan and Director Lu Yang…"

"…wrapped all its overseas scenes yesterday noon in Casablanca, Morocco. The crew members will board their flight today afternoon, domestic time, and head back home."

"Starring Chen Kun, Ni Ni, Ni Ni Dahong, Yuan Hong, and others, bringing together over forty well-known actors and veteran performers in the industry…"

"…the large-scale ancient costume political drama *The Rise of Phoenixes*, with an investment of up to 500 million RMB, officially started filming at 9 a. m. sharp this morning at the Tang Cheng Film and Television Base in Xiangyang."

"The red carpet for the opening ceremony of the 70th Cannes International Film Festival will officially begin in two hours… A large number of Chinese-language filmmakers, actors, and stars will appear one by one, walking the red carpet…"

All morning, the internet had been flooded with blockbuster film and entertainment news, with the one about Liu Liu Yifei being the most eye-catching, sitting firmly atop the trending searches.

No other reason — it's the *Hua Mulan* news. And up to now, among all the auditioning actresses, Liu Liu Yifei's resume is the most dazzling!

Moreover, she and Lin Dao Da can boost each other. After all, the latter being approached by Disney is no longer a secret in the industry.

"So what you're saying is, Sister Liu Yifei and the others are going to hang out in Shanghai for a day and a half first, and only audition the morning after tomorrow? Then what's the audition content? An audition and a screen test shouldn't be the same thing, right?"

Facing Zhao Zhao Jinmai's curious inquiry, Lin Nan first nodded, then seriously explained: "The audition for *Hua Mulan* is far more difficult and far more complicated than a screen test!

A screen test is only about acting skills and suitability for the role, while an audition involves a much more comprehensive set of things, with much higher requirements:

From language requirements to the understanding and personal interpretation of the character, from personal cultivation, image, international fame and influence, to physical fitness…

…including the most basic requirements for an action actor — stamina, strength, explosive power, martial arts foundation… To put it simply, compared to several rounds of auditions, the screen test stage can practically be skipped."

After listening to Lin Nan's eloquent explanation, not only did Zhao Zhao Jinmai subconsciously gulp, her face full of lingering fear, but Wu Jing and the others were equally dumbfounded and astonished.

"Lin Dao, can you beat Sister Liu Yifei at home?" Zhao Zhao Jinmai blurted out in confusion, and the entire crew fell into dead silence in an instant, the atmosphere turning bizarre.

"What kind of question is that from a little kid? Is a wife meant to be hit? Are you going to find a boyfriend who hits you in the future? Look how scared you've made Lin Dao, his face is… hehe…"

"Exactly, what kind of questions are you asking all day?" Picking up Wu Jing's mischievous thread, Lin Nan scolded classmate Mai Mai in annoyance, and glared at Wu Jing as well.

Then, after a moment of thought, he instructed: "By the way, thinking about it again, let's redo that long take of Liu Liu Peiqiang just now. Mai Mai, your long take before is the same."

"Don't do that, Lin Dao. I put a hundred percent of my emotion into that take, an outstanding performance, especially the last one — you even said it was acted very well… no need to shoot a se…"

Amid the laughter of Zhang Zhang Ruoyun and the others, Wu Jing immediately backed down. And Zhao Zhao Jinmai, with a bitter face and a resentful expression, hurried after Lin Dao Da.

Her previous long take had also been quite a struggle — she acted while crying, and it took a long time, it wasn't easy at all. "Lin Dao, I was wrong…"

……

Hong Kong Island, Emperor Motion Pictures.

"How much so far?"

"As of last night, 22 days since release, the cumulative total box office has reached 1.35 billion. Counting today, although there are still 8 days before it leaves theaters, the daily box office is only a little over 3 million."

Huo Huo Wenxi reported with a smile on her face. *Ip Man 4*, with a cost of 200 million, had a total box office approaching 1.4 billion — the only film in the *Ip Man* series to break 1 billion, and also the one that made the most money.

"What about the celebration banquet?" Yang Yang Shoucheng was also all smiles.

According to Hong Kong circle custom, the celebration banquet should have been held when the film first broke even; but mainland companies almost never like popping the champagne halfway, so all along, the cooperation between Emperor Motion Pictures and Lin Nan Pictures has followed the latter's opinion.

However, this one is the finale of the series, and it also created a high box office, so the celebration banquet really should be held properly!

"Director Yue Jun's intention is to hold it on the 30th, the location still in the capital."

"Good, then you go oversee it, make it grand. By the way, has Lin Dao said whether he'll come back to attend?"

Facing her boss's expectant gaze, Huo Huo Wenxi shook her head helplessly. "The filming of *The Wandering Earth* has entered its final stage, Lin Dao won't come back."

"Alright, since filming is busy, then forget it." Yang Yang Shoucheng sighed, then thought of another matter: "What's the situation on Jiang Wen's side now?"

"The reply from that side is that they can wrap within half a month, and will complete post-production before the end of the year. Director Jiang hopes we'll cooperate, starting from early next year, to increase the intensity and investment of publicity and distribution…"

"That's really a rare thing. He's never before emphasized publicity matters again and again like this.

Tell him that Emperor Motion Pictures will provide all the help it can for *Hidden Sword*, and we also hope this film of his won't disappoint me, after all, the cost is a full two times that of *Ip Man 4*!"

"Understood, Chairman Yang."

While Emperor Motion Pictures was discussing Jiang Wen, the latter was also "holding forth" at the *Hidden Sword* crew.

"When have you ever seen a film I directed where I wasn't the lead? Even for *Hua Mulan*, they could still arrange a role for me.

But they objected, saying my achievements as an actor are far inferior to those as a director… I don't know if that's praising me or scolding me? Damn them, haha…"

"What they mean is that everyone has their own role, you can't hold two positions at once, you can't be both the director and one of the leads. You want to be both the director and the lead, and Disney's side doesn't only have you as a director candidate."

Zhou Yun weakly pulled a punch, instantly choking up Director Jiang Da. Around them, Liao Fan and the others were all barely holding back their laughter.

"Fine, fine, I don't even care, it's time-consuming and laborious, and I might not even get it. If they invited you to audition for and play 'Hua Mulan', I might still pay some attention… As for now? Let's just see where the 'flower' lands."

Jiang Wen said with a laugh, saving his face while also showing off a dose of macho affection, immediately making the crew burst into laughter.

"Didn't they say Liu Yifei arrived in Shanghai today?" Zhou Yun hurriedly changed the subject, and glared at Jiang Wen. The meaning was obvious: we're an old married couple, aren't you embarrassed?

"Then our poor Lin Dao Da, he'll have to step up! No, no need to feel sorry for him, he deserves to be worked to death, hehe…"

……

On the morning of the 21st, as the news broke that Guo Fan, Director Lu Yang, Zhang Yi, Yu Nan, Xu Jiao Xu Jiao Junyan, and others had landed at the capital airport, *Operation Red Sea* once again made it onto the trending searches.

Why did it take the crew nearly a whole day to get back? That's because there are no direct flights between the two places, and a transfer is required…

Lin Nan, who was with the crew, didn't pay much attention to this group of soldiers under him. He only made a phone call to Director Lu Yang, and that was because of *Detective Chinatown 2*.

Lin Dao Da was more concerned about Miss Liu's situation, but Miss Liu was clearly in a great mood. At this very moment, she was out "Shopping" in Shanghai with Watching Shu Chang and Han Jianu!

"These three people, really, once they put on their sunglasses they don't love anyone! Their eyes only have clothes, jewelry, perfume, leather bags…"

Wu Jing sidled up to Lin Nan, glanced at the video call open on the phone screen, clicked his tongue and sighed, teasing.

And on the screen, wasn't it a luxury store? Han Jianu, the director, personally held the camera — in her words, she was "laboring without complaint", only because Rich Lady Liu had promised to give her a new-style Wang Wang Baobao.

"Director Wu, you're talking as if your wife Xie Nan doesn't like these things?" Watching Shu Chang appeared in the frame and fired back.

"That's why I'm laboring without complaint, acting in films to support the family." Wu Jing pretended to sigh.

After chatting for a while, Lin Nan had Han Jianu end the video call…

The crew is about to start filming, and another supporting role is about to wrap (sacrifice)!

To tell the truth, the first time Lin Nan learned of this actor Yang Xia Haoyu was because of Ning Ning Caishen's "Dragon Gate Escort Bureau," and after that came Western Film Studio's "Laughing Jianghu Sword Discussion Records."

This actor is also the type who looks mature beyond his years and is a late bloomer, and he's genuinely solid in both serious dramas and comedies!

"All units, prepare…"

In the green-screen studio with no real props, all the actors for this scene immediately got into character, and after a single "action," the camera officially began rolling.

……

Lin Nan Pictures.

Director Lu Yang sprawled carelessly in the office the company had set aside for him, cracking sunflower seeds and scrolling through the news.

That afternoon, the comeback drama "Entrepreneurial Age" starring Yang after her giving birth started filming without any warning, and likewise "without any warning" landed the front-page headline of the entertainment section.

Netizens and industry insiders once again saw that "Huang the Sect Leader," who had been "hopping around" on Weibo, hyping and promoting for Yang;

Only now, as a new father, he seemed a bit slovenly — in the promotional video he had recorded himself, he had already ballooned into a double chin.

"Director Lu, your energy is really something! You actually came to the office in the afternoon? Look at Director Guo — he's already planning to sleep for two solid days at home."

Yue Jun's laughter pulled Director Lu Yang's attention away from the gossip news, and the latter set down his phone and quipped:

"Generously counted, he only has fewer than ten days of vacation — of course he's got to grab every moment to rest, right? I'm not in a hurry. Before 'Detective Chinatown 2' starts filming, I've got plenty of time — I can play around for ages."

In the middle of speaking, Director Lu Yang took the project preparation plan Yue Jun handed him and started flipping through it.

"Huh? I just said I had plenty of time, and now I'm getting slapped in the face?" Director Lu Yang looked at Yue Jun speechlessly, his face full of disdain.

"It does look pretty rushed, but actually Crystal Pictures has already done all the preliminary prep work for us and handled the relevant paperwork — when the time comes, we just head over and shoot. Of course, Director Lu, you'll need to go over early to scout locations, get familiar with the environment, and lock down the shooting spots and camera positions and all that."

Yue Jun explained — this matter hadn't been written into the film's project book.

Director Lu Yang nodded upon hearing this. "Public project announcement in early June, start casting and confirming all roles except the original cast; then two months of prep and rest, start filming in early August!

Oh right, will Wang Wang Baoqiang's schedule work out? I thought he was still on the set of 'The Island'? And what about his pay contract — how's his divorce lawsuit going?"

Faced with Director Lu Yang's string of gossip questions, Yue Jun was a bit speechless. He adjusted his wording for a moment before speaking:

"Huang Bo gave a clear answer — 'The Island' can wrap by the end of June, or early July at the latest, so Wang Wang Baoqiang's schedule is fine.

As for the gossip you asked about, sigh… how should I put it? Good people get screwed over, that's all!"

"What the hell?" Director Lu Yang was instantly intrigued.

"To get custody of his son as quickly as possible and comfort his mother, he made huge concessions. On the property division in the divorce suit, he accepted out-of-court mediation and got absolutely fleeced.

If you go back and check the news from a while ago when you get home, you'll see it — they've officially divorced, it's just that Enlight Media helped suppress the trending searches.

Also, photos of the woman's beaming face when she went to handle the property division paperwork were snapped and posted — and she was accompanied by her mother and the father-and-son surnamed Song, and boy did they make a killing!"

As for the lawsuits against Song for embezzlement and economic crimes, Wang Baoqiang is still pressing on, refusing to let go… that's the big one — he's determined to send Song to prison!"

Yue Jun was sighing, and Director Lu Yang was sighing too. "That is fucking disgusting!"

"Let's keep talking about the movie. When I was reading the script on the set of 'Operation Red Sea' earlier, 'Detective Chinatown 2' seemed to have two female roles with a fair amount of screen time. Is the company planning to release both of them, or keep one in-house?"

"Keep one, release the other."

"Got it, I understand — keep the female lead. So who are the co-producers this time?" Director Lu Yang asked with a smile — he seemed to have already guessed who it was being kept for. And honestly, it did feel like a pretty good fit.

"Honestly, I'm not entirely sure on that one, but it's bound to be just those usual few — no new partners are getting in. Let's table this until the start of next month — this is something Lin Dao decides personally."

…………