Chapter 230: Everyone Wants It

The news that "Inception" needed two Chinese actors was like an exploded nuclear bomb, exploding in the film and television circle. For a time, domestic actors with slightly more connections tried every possible way to inquire about specific news.

Then, a piece of news spread: "Inception" needs one male actor and one female actor.

It is not known how old the male and female actors need to be, but they are probably between 25 and 40 years old.

So, any actor in this age group entrusted relationships and found connections, all for an audition opportunity.

However, no matter whose connections these actors used, there were really not many that could actually reach Cao Yang.

Since "District 9" broke the domestic box office record and he won the Oscar for Best Director, his status and influence were very different from before.

Most people would not easily "push" actors to him; the relationship was not there, and they couldn't open their mouths anymore.

What's more, this is a project with an investment budget of 1.5 billion, so they dared not open their mouths easily.

Huang Xiaoming, who was filming in Jiuzhaigou, naturally heard this news too.

Not only him, but the entire crew, including producers, directors, staff, and actors, were discussing this matter in their spare time.

Huang Xiaoming has developed well in the past two years and also took on the unbroadcast-but-hot "Return of the Condor Heroes," which is exactly when he is in high spirits.

"25 to 40 years old?"

After Huang Xiaoming learned this news from his assistant, his heart was restless, and he could no longer suppress the thoughts in his heart.

According to the previously signed actor contract, "Return of the Condor Heroes" started filming in October last year and would take six months, which means it would probably wrap up in April.

It is already March now, so there is only a little over a month left.

Looking at the progress, it is actually about the same; it shouldn't exceed it.

The preparation period for such a large-investment sci-fi film as "Inception" is estimated to be about half a year, which means his schedule is definitely no problem.

Actually, even if the schedule conflicted, as long as he could sign "Inception," almost everyone knew how to choose.

After finally finishing the rival scene with Little Dragon Maiden today, Huang Xiaoming was just about to find a place to make a phone call, but didn't expect Little Dragon Maiden to follow him.

"Brother Xiaoming, you have collaborated with Cao Dao; is his new film really investing 1.5 billion?"

Huang Xiaoming really wanted to pretend he didn't hear and walk away quickly, but this didn't fit his consistent style.

"Why, do you also have ideas about Cao Dao's new film?"

"Of course, who doesn't want to be in Cao Dao's new film? However, judging from the news that came out, my age doesn't fit."

"A budget of 180 million USD, isn't it 1.5 billion? This is a super-production, domestic... even in Hollywood, it's a big deal."

Especially after talking about these few numbers, Huang Xiaoming's heart was more urgent, then he waved his hand at Little Dragon Maiden, "I have something to do, I need to make a phone call, let's talk next time."

After speaking, without waiting for Little Dragon Maiden to reply, he left hurriedly.

Finding a place where no one was around, he found Cao Yang's mobile phone number, his fingers moved several times, but he didn't press it.

With a self-deprecating smile, he was still too impulsive. Without enough information, if this call was made, it would not only make Cao Dao unhappy but also leave Cao Dao with the impression that he didn't know how to advance or retreat.

And, in case Cao Dao refused on the phone, there would be no room for maneuver, and no matter what relationship he found later, he would not be able to appear in Cao Dao's new film.

He flipped to the phone number written as Mom Cui and dialed it.

"Teacher Cui, are you busy?"

Cui Xinqin is the head teacher of the class that Huang Xiaoming and the others are in, which is called the Beijing Film Academy Star Class. For Huang Xiaoming's call, she knew clearly in her heart why the other party made this call.

"Xiaoming, are you still filming?"

"I'm still in Jiuzhaigou, and I'll go to Yandang Mountain for filming in a few days." Huang Xiaoming said hurriedly.

"Is it for Cao Dao's new film 'Inception'?"

Cui Xinqin asked.

She received quite a few similar calls today; Little Swallow, Chen Kun, Guo Xiaodong, He Lin, Yan Danchen, etc., almost all the students she had taught had called.

As everyone knows, Cao Dao doesn't value fame when choosing actors, and his requirements for acting skills are not high; what he values most is that they fit the role positioning.

"Ha, Teacher Cui, nothing can be hidden from you. I just wanted to ask you, do you have any inside information?"

Cui Xinqin valued Huang Xiaoming the most in the '96 acting class she taught, almost treating him like a godson, so Huang Xiaoming was very respectful to Teacher Cui and spoke very casually.

"This really doesn't exist."

Cui Xinqin pondered for a while and said in a low voice:

"After Cao Dao came back, he has been busy with another film. Regarding the candidates for 'Inception', I guess he already has plans. You film well; if there is really an audition, I will try my best to fight for you."

Huang Xiaoming suddenly felt extremely lost. Does Cao Dao already have candidates?

Several people instantly appeared in his mind: Liu Ye, Chen Kun, Duan Yihong, and Wu Qihua.

As for others, such as the Four Heavenly Kings with greater fame in Xiangjiang, or Li Li Lianjie and Cheng Long, Huang Xiaoming just had this thought, and he denied it himself.

If it's not needed by the role, Cao Dao likes to use "old" people. In the eyes of such a big director, the fame of these domestic actors is really not important, even if it is Li Li Lianjie and Cheng Long.

Can I be considered an "old" person in Cao Dao's eyes?

Huang Xiaoming couldn't help but ask himself.

Then, he thought of the other film Teacher Cui mentioned. After restraining his lost mood, he pretended to be indifferent and asked: "Teacher Cui, do you know about Cao Dao's other film? Does it still need actors?"

Cui Xinqin looked around her and saw no one paying attention, then said in a low voice:

"I heard this is a film about ballet. Cao Dao wants to find a few actors who can dance. Your dance foundation is not good, but there is a role with heavy screen time that doesn't need a dance foundation..."

Huang Xiaoming thanked her hurriedly. It was already very difficult to get this information; at least compared to actors who knew nothing, it was already one step ahead.

After hanging up the phone, he whispered to himself, a film about ballet?

It seems I need to know more about ballet.

As for "Inception"... Huang Xiaoming sighed, forget it, no one can help me, let's look at God's will.

Xiangjiang media is very strange. Wu Qihua previously played so many roles with Cao Yang, and his salary rose from the initial external quote of 300,000 to 3 million, but they didn't like to report it much.

However, a "District 9", in the reports of Xiangjiang media, is a "pure" Hollywood blockbuster.

Even if Wu Qihua was just a "foreigner" who didn't show his face, in the mouth of Xiangjiang media, he became the main role second only to Depp.

Many media even shouted that Wu Qihua is another Xiangjiang actor who killed into Hollywood after Bruce Lee, Cheng Long, Li Li Lianjie, and Chow Yun-fat.

These media published Wu Qihua's photo in the newspaper, wrote "District 9" under his photo, and then used big words to write the figure of 468 million USD behind it.

Some tabloids were even more exaggerated, saying that Wu Qihua topped the list in Xiangjiang with one film, and no film with any Chinese actor participating had ever won such a high box office.

Following this was Wu Qihua's salary quote; although it was still 3 million, it became USD.

Wu Qihua was not only not proud, but he was afraid first.

He asked his agent, "Is my salary quote too high? Does anyone dare to hire me?"

The agent comforted him: "A quote is a quote, and it's different from the actual situation. For example, if it's Cao Dao's film, even if there is no salary, we are willing to participate. You don't have to worry about your salary being too high. Just like Chow Yun-fat, he quotes 8 million USD externally; what does he rely on? You participated in films that won European awards, much more than him.

You also starred in 'District 9'; this one film can make you fly high. Now the exchange rate of USD to HKD is 7.8, that is 3.65 billion HKD! Who has such a high box office? Cheng Long can't do it.

A quote of 3 million USD is already very affordable."

Wu Qihua sighed with a wry smile; he hadn't adapted to this change yet.

In his heart, although he had heavy screen time in "District 9" and could barely be considered one of the main actors, he didn't show his face throughout the whole process. This salary changed from HKD to USD, and there was always a feeling of being unsteady.

The agent patted Wu Qihua's shoulder and asked in a low voice: "Cao Dao's new film investment of 182 million USD, you should know, right? Isn't it said that there will be two important roles for Chinese people? Why don't you call Cao Dao?"

"Inception" is a big topic even in Xiangjiang. Cheng Long's film investment is big enough, often 40 or 50 million USD, but it is not a concept at all compared to 182 million USD.

According to the current exchange rate, 182 million USD, even if converted into HKD, is over 1.4 billion, a super-large project.

Wu Qihua shook his head, "If Cao Dao thinks I'm suitable, he will naturally call me. What would it count if I called?"

The agent was also a bit regretful. If he could participate in this super project, as long as the box office was not low, Wu Qihua's salary could definitely be on par with Chow Yun-fat.

!

But having collaborated with Cao Yang for so long, he also knew that this kind of thing could not be taken the initiative, so as not to make Cao Dao unhappy.

Just thinking about it, suddenly Wu Qihua's phone rang.

Wu Qihua was stunned for a moment after looking at the phone number, then hurriedly connected.

"Okay, okay, no problem, goodbye Director Ning."

After the agent heard Wu Qihua's last sentence, he jumped up from the sofa. He knew there was a director named Ning Hao who was Cao Dao's assistant. Could it be him?

He looked at Wu Qihua who had already hung up the phone, swallowed his saliva, both nervous and a bit excited.

"Was it Cao Dao's assistant Director Ning who called?"

Wu Qihua had been smiling from ear to ear since receiving the call.

"Yes, Director Ning said to let me keep the schedule for the second half of the year."

"'Inception'?"

"'Inception'!"

"Fuck! You bastard are going to make it big!"

The agent slapped Wu Qihua's shoulder hard, making the latter wince instantly.

The two were excited for a long time, and the agent suddenly thought of a question: when signing the contract in a few days, how should they quote?

"Your salary?"

Wu Qihua slapped the agent's shoulder hard, and the one who winced this time became the agent.

"Are you really planning to quote 3 million USD?"

The agent shook his head hurriedly, "That's impossible. How about quoting 3 million HKD?"

"Why think so much? Whatever is written on the contract when the time comes, that's what we take. Are you planning to bargain?"

Seeing Wu Qihua raise his palm jokingly again, the agent jumped back and nodded, "You're right!"

Ning Hao hung up the phone and immediately diligently filled Cao Yang's cup with water, his face full of smiles, and said with a thick face: "Little Junior Uncle, the assistant director of 'Inception'..."

"Stop."

Cao Yang was so angry he laughed, "How many times have I told you, don't call me that blindly."

"I'm willing."

Ning Hao said with his neck stiff, "You and my mentor Tian Zhuangzhuang are like brothers; what's wrong with me calling you Little Junior Uncle?"

Cao Yang waved his hand powerlessly, "Is your 'Crazy Stone' all done?"

"Hmm hmm."

Ning Hao nodded and said with a smile: "Just waiting for Little Junior Uncle, when you have time, take a look to see if there is anything that needs to be changed."

"Do you have any requirements for the schedule?"

Ning Hao grinned, "No, Little Junior Uncle, you just handle it."

Cao Yang thought for a while and asked: "I'll put you in the summer vacation slot; do you dare to go?"

Ning Hao put away his grinning face and started to think.

This is his first film to be released on a large scale, and it must be very important to him.

The summer vacation slot is a fiercely competitive slot, but it is also one of the best slots in a year.

It is easy to achieve results, and it is also easy to flop in the competition.

Then, Ning Hao suddenly thought, what am I worried about? Cao Dao is the producer, executive producer, and screenwriter; his name comes with heat and publicity, doesn't it?

To put it impolitely, who knows me? But as long as Cao Yang is written as the screenwriter and executive producer, seeing this name, most people will walk into the cinema, right?

So, what else is there to consider?

Ning Hao grinned again, "If Little Junior Uncle says go to the summer vacation slot, then go to the summer vacation slot; of course I listen to Little Junior Uncle."

Cao Yang had a headache again. This guy's face is really not generally thick, then waved his hand, "Get out."

"Alright, Little Junior Uncle, did you agree to let me be the assistant director of 'Inception'?"

"We'll see, I'll consider it. You go be an assistant director for 'Black Swan' first."

After Cao Yang finished speaking, he pushed a piece of paper to him, "Send an audition invitation to these people; I want to see if their image meets the requirements."

"Alright."

Ning Hao took the paper and looked at the names on it: Chen Shu, Wang Likun, Lv Yi, Liu Shishi...

Behind the names are their simple introductions, and several of them have backgrounds from the Beijing Dance Academy.

Ning Hao didn't find it strange either. "Black Swan" is a story about ballet, so it's normal to find actors with dance skills.

After Ning Hao left, Cao Yang started to consider who would be more suitable to play the role of the stage play director in the film.

In the original film, this role had a kissing scene with the female lead, and Cao Yang deleted all of them.

However, in order to express the character and let this role "activate" the female lead, Cao Yang added some more perverted things to this role.

For example, more explicit, more filthy, and more perverted language, and he let the female lead seduce him, guiding the female lead to use her hands to touch his handle.

For the latter point, just use a body double.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 231 =====