Chapter 358 Are You Pretending Here?

Timo said without hesitation:
"The protagonist Wesley shows many different personalities, from being a coward who swallows his anger to bursting into revenge after becoming rich.

It requires sufficient acting skills to support it.

In addition, considering that the male protagonist grows up to be a powerful killer, and the scenes of leaping 100 meters and jumping off a train,
He should have a strong physique, handsome appearance and agile skills.

The heroine is the hero’s instructor. She has a cold expression from beginning to end. Her greatest charm to the audience should be her coldness…”

Bradt took over the conversation:

"We imagine that Nicolas Cage or Tom Cruise would be suitable candidates.

Of course, if you can invest more and invite Angelina Jolie to play the leading role, the box office will definitely explode!"

The two male stars he cited as examples are both first-tier stars, both white, and both have strong box office guarantees.

As for Angelina Jolie, she is currently at the center of controversy because of her marriage problems, and she is sexy enough to bring in the expected audience.

Du Sheng smiled slightly, but shook his head slightly:

"Timo, I agree with your casting criteria, but I have reservations about the candidate recommendations."

They both looked at Du Sheng:
"Who do you think is suitable for the male lead?"

Du Sheng smiled confidently:

"A man with a strong physique, charming handsomeness, agility and outstanding acting skills is sitting in front of you."

Bradt and Timo looked at each other, then looked at Du Sheng, and then laughed:
"Du, your joke is not funny!"

Du Sheng whistled and said leisurely:

"Look, I even have a lot of changeable personalities!"

Bradt saw that Du Sheng didn't seem to be joking, and his face trembled:
"Du, it's better not to tell such jokes, otherwise it won't be very funny."

Du Sheng calmly put away his smile and officially revealed his cards:
“This is not a joke.”

Bradt's expression changed, and he wanted to refute something.
Timo motioned him not to speak, turned to Du Sheng and said in a deep voice:
"Du, I know you are the first Chinese world boxing champion, and I also know that you are an excellent actor.

But considering the global box office guarantee, it is better to invite a well-known white male star from Hollywood!"

He didn't want to fall out yet, so these words were considered quite tactful.

But the meaning is very clear, the yellow race is not suitable.

"Timo, you just said that this movie abandons personal heroes and warmth, and the main attraction is the surreal action scenes.

This means that the male protagonist is just an introduction throughout the film, and it doesn’t matter who he is.”

Du Sheng said calmly:

"Also, the protagonist's story is set in motion by the death of his father. Simply setting his father to be of mixed Asian descent would have avoided the problem."

Bradt sneered and said:
“You have never worked in Hollywood, so you have no idea how picky the audience and casting are here.

No one would believe that a yellow-skinned man playing the leading role could make the box office a global hit! "

Du Sheng's eyes suddenly turned cold:
"Can I understand this as racial prejudice?"

Timo knew what was going to happen, and waved his hands hastily:

“Du, don’t get me wrong, we are not racist.

But you have to admit that the global box office is mainly in the West, so Hollywood usually invites white people to star in the films, so that the audience will buy in and the box office will be hot! "

Now the beacon country is raising the flag of freedom and democracy, and we cannot be labeled as racist, otherwise we will have no chance of survival in the future.

Du Sheng did not care about this, but corrected Timo's words:

"No, Timo, you are confusing a concept, the character selection is not determined by skin color.

Do you think that none of the movies starring Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li and others are popular?
In fact, as long as the audience thinks the actor playing the leading role is attractive enough, they don’t care about the minor details at all.”

Seeing that Du Sheng was unmoved, Timo couldn't help but get a little impatient:

“Du, maybe you are very good in the East, and even have a box office guarantee in Asia, but it is undeniable that you can’t be compared with Cheng Long and others, right?
To put it bluntly, Western audiences have gradually grown tired of the yellow race's martial arts routines. In the past two years, even Jackie Chan and Jet Li haven't had a movie that grossed over 100 million yuan!"

At this point, he emphasized:
"Besides, this is a $5500 million investment. We don't want it to go to waste. To be safe, it's better to find a white actor who can carry the box office!"

Even though it was Du Sheng's funds that were lost, Timo did not want to be labeled a failed director.

As a newcomer, he was afraid that his career in Hollywood would be ruined.

Du Sheng remained calm as ever and laughed:
"In that case, how about we make a bet?"

"What's the bet?"

Bradt, who was about to increase his firepower, was stunned and said subconsciously.

"In a few months, a movie called House of Flying Daggers starring me, Liu Dehua and Zhang Baizhi, directed by Zhang Yimou, will be released with an investment of only 3000 million US dollars."

Du Sheng said indifferently:

"I bet it will make over $100 million worldwide."

They all know who Zhang Yimou is. Two years ago, his movie "Hero" earned $1.8 million at the global box office.

But that film's main box office revenue came from the East, starring international superstar Jet Li.

It is said that times have changed and the market is changing too fast.

Given this year's general environment, although Jet Li's popularity and pay have soared, the market is expecting his soon-to-be-completed film "Danny the Dog" to gross over 100 million yuan.

Moreover, how can the yellow people in front of us be compared with them?

What’s more, how could a movie with an investment of only 3000 million US dollars dare to challenge the global box office of over million?
They would never agree!

Bradt immediately shouted: "Don't dream, this is impossible!"

Du Sheng ignored Bradt and looked at Timo:
"Do you dare to take this bet?"

"What are you betting on? If your movie grosses over 100 million, you will be accepted as the leading actor?"

Du Sheng smiled slightly:
"Yes."

Bradt reacted, his face flushed and he shouted:

"Damn it, you didn't plan to do this from the beginning, did you?"

Du Sheng's face was indifferent. He said:

"What else? Do you really think that with just a few words from you, there will be fools willing to invest 5500 million?"

Teemo sighed in frustration, feeling like he was on a pirate ship.

Although Du Sheng had argued with them about the investment amount before, this is normal in any negotiation.

They were mentally prepared for this.

After all, investment cooperation is a tug-of-war. The more Du Sheng haggles, the more they feel that the other party is sincere.

But they never expected that Du Sheng had actually dug a pit in advance and was waiting there!

Timo organized his words and said helplessly:

"Du, if you insist on your own opinion, then this project will be difficult to advance, and I can't take such a big risk."

Although it is tempting to make movies in Hollywood, compared with his future prospects, he would rather go back to Rakshasa to make movies and continue waiting.

Du Sheng was a little surprised and showed some kindness:
“Timo, I specifically set up a million-dollar salary guarantee for you in the contract.

It would be a shame if you gave up just like that.”

This guarantee is designed to ensure that the director and actors are in place, so that even if the film is not completed or the actors are replaced, they can still get a million-dollar salary.

Many Hollywood movies will deliberately write this blank check in order to get a big-name schedule.

The reason why Du Sheng provided salary guarantee for Timo was because the movie "Wanted" was his masterpiece.

Although he has a rough memory, he does not have the ability to replicate it.

If you rashly replace someone else, the risk of failure will greatly increase, so there is no need to make random changes.

It was precisely because Du Sheng gave this guarantee that Timo's attitude had always been relatively gentle, in sharp contrast to the furious Bradt.

Teemo tried to make a last-ditch effort:

"Du, even if we put aside race, what we need is a well-known actor with box office appeal, and you can't do that at the moment."

Du Sheng smiled slightly and said:
“That’s true, but people don’t stay the same.

This comes back to the question of taking a gamble, and I believe you can afford these few months."

Bradt widened his eyes and pointed at Du Sheng.

"what do you mean?"

Timo frowned. Wait for a few months and bet on his fame rising?
"Since you think I'm not popular enough right now, let's wait until House of Flying Daggers is released."

Du Sheng took his time and finally revealed his purpose:

"I believe that by then, I will have met all the requirements of the protagonist, and it won't be too late to start the project then."

In fact, due to investment issues in the previous life of this movie, the leading actor was a small-time star outside the third tier.

What popularity and appeal is there?

The main publicity gimmick is also the sexiness of the female lead, Angelina Jolie.

But it’s hard to say that right now.

Moreover, he didn't have any spare money to invest for the time being, so he decided to occupy the spot first.

Bradt was a little frustrated:
"Damn it! Have you forgotten the contract stipulations? You must deposit the funds into the account within the agreed time!"

Du Sheng remained calm and motioned for the team behind him to move forward:
"Mr. Xu, could you please explain the additional agreement on page 8 to Bradt?"

The lawyer arranged by the Ye family was well prepared and said calmly:
“Since the project was shelved due to internal disputes within the crew, the producer has the right to withdraw its investment without being held liable for breach of contract.

The controversy here includes the selection of male and female protagonists.”

According to the agreement, Du Sheng is an investor and also has the right to appoint producers to the crew, with interest protection being the top priority.

Therefore, the effectiveness of this additional agreement is obviously higher than other treaties.

If the two parties cannot reach a consensus on the protagonist, Du Sheng does not need to pay the money, or he can withdraw his investment after only a short stay.

Bradt didn't understand what was going on. He suddenly saw stars and slammed the table and stood up:

"Fuck! You are cheating, I'm going to sue you!"

Being fooled by the Orientals whom he looked down upon, Bradt felt like a joke and his anger erupted like a volcano.

"Shut up, don't think I don't know what you are planning!"

Du Sheng said coldly:

"You have been trying to steal my funds from the beginning, aren't you pretending to be here?
As the crew coordinator and producer, you didn't mention insurance, union protection, etc., isn't your purpose just to circumvent supervision and make money? "

.........

(End of this chapter)