Chapter 241 Casting Completed
Of course, the news of the North American auditions could not escape the coverage of reporters. Not only that, there were also paparazzi following the entire process and providing detailed information about the audition personnel.

As a Hollywood star with both good looks and talent, Leonardo DiCaprio is naturally interviewed by reporters.

"Leon, how was the audition?"

Judging from Gu Wei’s previous casting practices, responses were basically given on the spot.

As an actor who has worked with Gu Wei, Leonardo is favored by many people. After all, he not only starred in "Interstellar", but also participated in "Inception" produced and invested by Gu Wei.

"Haha, Gu's movie story is pretty good, and the script is guaranteed, but it conflicts with my upcoming schedule."

Leonardo did not get the role of the male lead, which made the reporters who interviewed him a little excited, as it was one more piece of news to report.

On Twitter, reporters and paparazzi quickly updated the news.

"Director Gu was quite strict in casting this time, and Leonardo didn't even get the role."

"You can't see the report, that's because they don't have the schedule."

"What about the others? How did Will Smith and Tom Cruise's auditions turn out?"

When the news spread back to China, many netizens discussed it. After all, those who could audition for the male lead were all top-notch superstars.

The selected domestic celebrity artists are also paying attention to this matter. Everyone wants to know which Hollywood superstars will be co-starring in this movie.

Will Smith's performance was very good and had strong box office appeal. However, like Leonardo, he had scheduling issues and had to join the crew more than a month later.

When the project of "2012" was first launched, Gu Wei had already considered the scheduling issue and would consider casting whoever was available. After all, there are many top male stars in Hollywood.

"Will, you know, this movie is a 3D version, and the real-life shooting is expected to take about half a year, so in terms of time..."

Gu Wei said it very directly. The two of them were in contact frequently and were good friends.

"Oh, what a pity. I hope we can have a chance to work together in the future."

Hearing this, Will Smith was a little disappointed, but the other party was a top superstar after all, and he had no shortage of big-budget movies. He just felt a little regretful that he couldn't work with Gu Wei this time.

"Will, when you have time, I'd like to invite you to play a guest role."

"Like Matt Damon in Interstellar?"

"Yes."

"No problem, Gu, I'd love to be a part of it."

If it were any other director, Will Smith would still have to think about it, but the one in front of him was different. He won the Oscar for Best Actor by collaborating with him. Will Smith had no reason to refuse Gu Wei's invitation.

The relationship between the two is not just a simple interest relationship, but also a friendship.

After seeing Will Smith off, Gu Wei sat in a chair and looked at the next audition list.

Reid and Warner staff in the next room were still auditioning other actors. Gu Wei was mainly responsible for the leading roles, and the rest could just be reviewed after selection.

Otherwise, if Gu Wei needs to audition hundreds of actors one by one, then the Tomorrow's Star Film and Television Company will be equivalent to raising a bunch of useless people.

"Boss, has the male lead been decided?"

Reid pushed open the office door and said to Gu Wei.

"Not yet, how are you doing?"

"It went well. Here's the list."

As he spoke, Reid handed over a document that contained densely packed information about the actors, along with photos and confirmed roles.

.........

Domestically, the box office of "Three Guns" has grown rapidly.

It exceeded 100 million in four days and exceeded 200 million in eight days.

Zhang Weiping has predicted that this film will definitely set a new record.

“It’s only a matter of time before it surpasses Assembly, and Founding of a Republic won’t be an obstacle.”

Judging from the box office alone, this is true. According to the rules, the movie is likely to exceed 500 million.

However, netizens who watched the film were not polite and would not hold back just because you are the "national teacher".

The colorful costumes and props, and the lines that sounded like those from a Chinese opera, made netizens curse.

The criticism is even harsher than that of "The Promise". After all, the actors they chose are still good-looking. At least you can spend your money to see handsome men and beautiful women.

As for this movie, many netizens described it as disgusting.

The result is that after the box office reached 200 million, it did not go as predicted. It cannot be described as being cut in half, it was simply that there was no movement all of a sudden.

Now, Zhang Weiping, the producer, was unhappy.

Facing the media reporters, Reality bombarded him with questions about the screening rate.

Zhang Weiping felt like he was surrounded by other movies, stuck in the middle and unable to move.

Then the ridicule began.

What about China Film Group Corporation introducing imported films to suppress domestic films, and the domestic theater chains' screening schedules are unfair.

Not only that, he also criticized his partner Han Sanping.

What's so great about China Film Group now? It has turned the Huabiao Awards into a party of China Film Group. Han Sanping is the only one in power and he can get rid of anyone he doesn't like.

Now he just doesn't like us, targeting director Zhang Yimou and me, Zhang Weiping, and also bringing up the issue of corruption.

Even Gu Wei was criticized a few times, and a casting was widely reported, wasting media resources.

"This guy must be mentally ill, biting people everywhere."

Gu Wei complained on the phone.

"Don't worry about him. He just relies on his own strategy. Otherwise, who in the circle would care about him?"

Han Sanping, as the person who was criticized the most, simply did not respond and let the heat slowly die down. If he responded, it would be exactly what Zhang Weiping wanted.

The other party was just firing everywhere to increase the popularity of the movie, but the sequelae of doing so were also obvious. No one wanted to continue playing with him in the future. "How is the progress over there? When will you be back?"

"Before the end of the month, everything else was decided except the male and female lead."

Gu Wei replied that the casting will be confirmed on the 20th, and then the contract will be signed. Plus, the release date of Despicable Me 2 will be set, so it will be around this time.

...

Auditions in North America are still ongoing, and Gu Wei plans to use four to five days to confirm all the actors.

In 1986, the movie "Top Gun" made Tom Cruise a global idol.

The man in front of us is also called one of the four most handsome men in Hollywood by the media. With an official height of 173cm, he is not tall and mighty according to the aesthetic standards of European and American people, but relying on his amazing looks and outstanding acting skills when he was young, he has still become the dream lover of countless people.

But looking at Tom Cruise in front of him, Gu Wei discovered that he was at most 1.7 meters tall, but that was not the point, as this was not a model selection.

"Hello, Director Gu Wei, I'm Tom Cruise."

When the other party comes in, he is the first to say hello.

"Hello, Tom, let's get started."

The script lines have been given to the other party in advance, and now it’s just a matter of performing some clips on the spot.

The five-minute performance of lines and body movements was over quickly.

"Boss, how do you feel?"

Reid, who was sitting next to him, looked at Gu Wei who was in deep thought and asked.

"Well, I always feel like something else is missing."

In the end, Gu Wei did not give a direct reply, but asked the other party to go back and wait for news.

"Boss, next up is Matt Damon. Do you need to call him in?"

Looking at the next person on the list, Reid spoke up.

Hearing this, Gu Wei nodded and signaled the assistant beside him to call someone in.

...

On the other hand, Wong Kar-wai's "The Grandmaster" was announced to have started filming in a high-profile manner.

At the press conference, Zhang Ziyi was asked the most questions by reporters.

He asked a lot of questions, from about the breakup to being rejected for an audition by director Gu Wei.

Throughout the entire press conference, no matter what happened to other people, at least Zhang Ziyi's face was dark.

It is a fact that she lost all her resources in Hollywood and returned to China to develop her career in disgrace. It is also a fact that she was dumped. The ink-throwing incident had a huge impact on her.

...

When it comes to Hollywood's male superstars, almost all of them have gone through marriage and divorce.

Except Leonardo, who always likes Eighteen.

Just like actor Nie Yuan said, to shoot a movie or TV series, one has to spend several months together on the crew. Sometimes, in order to find the feeling, both men and women have to maintain their emotional state. The result is that it is easy to fall in love because of the drama.

"Damon, long time no see."

After the filming of "Interstellar" was completed, Gu Wei hadn't seen him for a long time and felt that the other party had matured a lot.

Now that he saw the other person, he couldn't help but speak first.

"Long time no see, Gu."

The two smiled at each other and hugged each other.

"Damon, let's get started."

The final decision will still be based on acting skills and feelings.

"OK."

Matt Damon made a gesture, took a deep breath, and then began to perform to the air.

At this moment, Gu Wei was watching next to him. To be honest, Matt Damon's performance was better than he had imagined, probably because he had another daughter.

In him, Gu Wei saw the image of a qualified father, which was consistent with the role positioning.

Like everyone else, after the five-minute performance, Matt Damon waited for Gu Wei to speak.

"Damon, can you please improvise a scene where you are separated from your daughter?"

After thinking for a moment, Gu Wei said.

"no problem."

Matt Damon didn't hesitate, gathered his emotions, and then started.

"How's it going? Gu."

"Perfect, congratulations, Damon."

Matt Damon was very happy to get such a role. Although he has appeared in many blockbuster movies, this was his first time to act in a movie with a budget of 300 million US dollars.

The next day, after the roles were confirmed, Ryder announced the male and female protagonists.

After many auditions, Gu Wei finally chose Nicole Kidman for the female lead instead of Sonny Newton from the original time and space, and the other party did not have the schedule.

Charlize Theron was not suitable in terms of age, and although she came to audition, Gu Wei still rejected her and chose Kidman, who was older.

After all, the pairing of the male and female protagonists still needs to be chosen according to the background of the story. You can't choose an 18-year-old female protagonist when the male protagonist is in his forties. Once you do this, it will easily distract the audience.

……

(End of this chapter)