Chapter 103 Cooperation
Someone had already reported to Han Sanping the news that Zhou Xingxing was coming to visit the set.

The latter is currently busy with the preparations for "The Promise", although the company has made a lot of money from its cooperation with Jiang Heng.

But a company as big as China Film cannot rely too much on Jiang Heng and must always support other directors.

Upon hearing that Zhou Xingxing was coming to Beijing suddenly, Han Sanping immediately sensed the opportunity.

He immediately called Jiang Heng and asked him to receive him first and he would come over soon.

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Heng smiled and said, "It's easier this time. Director Han will be here soon!"

Zhou Xingxing felt a little restrained after hearing this.

Now that I know more about the mainland film market and know the importance of the vice chairman and general manager of China Film Group, I am more determined to invite China Film to participate in the investment.

After chatting for about half an hour, Han Sanping arrived. Jiang Heng looked at his watch and said, "It's time for the crew to start filming. You guys chat first. I'll treat you tonight!"

Han Sanping said: "Hey, when we get to the capital, of course I will make the arrangements!"

Jiang Heng didn't argue with him and went back to filming with a smile.

On the set, he was still acting opposite Tang Yan.

The little girl had more contact with Jiang Heng and finally became less reserved. They chatted with him during breaks in filming under the pretext of asking for advice, and they became more familiar with each other.

"Hey, Director Jiang, Master Xing is coming. He's not going to make a cameo appearance, is he?"

"Yup!"

"Wow, the cast of our play is so impressive! Many people will go to the cinema just to see the stars!"

"Yes, so you have to work harder. There are so many people supporting you. If you don't perform well, you will be scolded!"

Tang Yan instantly looked pitiful, "I tried my best. Director Jiang, you know I have never learned this before!"

Jiang Heng nodded slightly, "So, after the filming is finished, go and take the entrance exams for the Central Academy of Drama or the Beijing Film Academy!"

"Oh fine!"

Tang Yan had a pitiful face in front of Jiang Heng, but turned around and smiled happily, thinking in her heart, "Should I go to the Central Academy of Drama or the Beijing Film Academy?"

With the identity of the heroine in Jiang Heng's new film "Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother", it would be easy for Tang Yan to get on with any of them.

Precisely because we have choices, we often fall into the trouble of happiness.

In the evening, Jiang Heng attended the banquet arranged by Han Sanping and also invited Tang Yan.

Sitting in Jiang Heng's car, the latter's heartbeat quickened, and the words her best friend had said before instantly came to her ears.

"Don't be nervous. You are an artist of our company. We are taking you there just to see the world. Although Zhou Xingxing's new play will definitely not use you as the heroine, as for the supporting actress, forget it! You don't have to think too much about it later. Just think of it as a reward for you to have a big meal because you are too tired from filming recently!"

Hearing this, Tang Yan let out a long sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Then I'll just focus on eating!"

In order to reduce production costs, the crew basically ate boxed lunches during filming.

The quality of the meals for the main creative staff is several levels higher, but it still can't compare with the big meals in the hotel. It makes everyone in the crew very greedy.

After driving to the hotel arranged by Han Sanping, Jiang Heng led Tang Yan into the reserved private room.

The decoration inside is magnificent and the dining table is also very large.

Han Sanping, Zhou Xingxing, Hong Jinbao and several senior executives from China Film, Star Emblem, iQiyi and Tencent Film, about a dozen people, sat in one seat.

Before the food and drinks were served, they still discussed the investment issues of "Kung Fu".

Han Sanping said directly: "Director Jiang, China Film has invested in more than ten movies this year, especially the movie you and Kai Ge made, which cost a lot of money! Now it's the end of the year and the budget is limited. China Film can only squeeze out 3 million (US dollars)!"

Jiang Heng looked at Zhou Xingxing, "In other words, there is still a gap of 12 million US dollars?" Zhou Xingxing nodded with an embarrassed expression.

Twelve million US dollars may not sound like a lot, but if converted into RMB, it is almost 100 million!
With such a huge investment, not to mention that he doesn't have that much liquidity, he wouldn't dare to invest even if he did.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Heng said calmly, "Okay, I'll take care of the rest. Well, let's draw up a contract and finalize the details of the cooperation so that I can deposit the money into the crew's account!"

Zhou Xingxing was stunned. He didn't expect Jiang Heng to be so straightforward. This was an investment of hundreds of millions!

There are many wealthy people in Hong Kong, so it is quite difficult to attract such an investment.

Otherwise, in history, he would not have sought investment from Columbia Pictures!

"Mr. Jiang, thank you for your trust in me. Don't worry, I will definitely make this film well!"

It is said that Stephen Chow has a withdrawn personality. If other Hong Kong stars were to go to the mainland to solicit investment, they would definitely be toasted.

However, he just solemnly stated that he would definitely make the movie well.

But everyone present also believed that he would make a good film, and his reputation as a tyrant on the set was not an exaggeration.

When Tang Yan, who was standing by, heard this, he felt that his "three views" had been refreshed. It turned out that there were people who could decide on investments of hundreds of millions just by waving their hands, just like buying vegetables!
Speaking of which, the moment Director Jiang said he wanted to invest, he looked so handsome!
Seeing Tang Yan's expression like a little fangirl, Tin Kai Man couldn't help but look bitter.

More than half of the investment in the movie "Kung Fu" was provided by Jiang Heng, and he also brought in female artists under his management. Could it be that he wants to designate the female lead? This is a difficult matter.

Fortunately, Jiang Heng didn't mention the heroine at all during the meal, and Zhou Xingxing didn't seem to have expected it either. He only talked about what kind of effect he wanted to achieve in the filming.

Sammo Hung was very interested in this and actually got along very well with Stephen Chow, and eventually decided to invite him to be the action director.

After hearing this, Jiang Heng thought to himself, this time the two of them wouldn't end up breaking up halfway like in history!

Of course, he couldn't say anything in advance about something that hadn't happened yet.

In the following days, executives and legal affairs officers from the three companies gathered together to sign the contract, and one of the most important funding issues for the crew was resolved.

During this period, Zhou Xingxing stayed in the crew of "Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother", watching how Jiang Heng filmed the movie and asked many questions about the special effects scene design.

Finally, they took out the script of "Kung Fu" and discussed how to shoot several fighting scenes.

As a result, the scene that Jiang Heng described with just a few casual words was exactly what Zhou Xingxing wanted.

"Well, Director Jiang, why don't you be the producer of the film?" Zhou Xingxing suggested.

Jiang Heng did not refuse, and eventually he was named the producer and supervisor of the film "Kung Fu".

Talking about actors, Feng Xiaogang was recommended to play the role of the boss of the Crocodile Gang.

Zhou Xingxing, who had always been striving for perfection and was very slow in filming, suddenly found that since he came to Beijing and met Jiang Heng, the preparations for the film "Kung Fu" were almost taking off.

If things continue like this, the filming will start in early 2002 and it will be released in theaters during the Lunar New Year holiday!

"Director Jiang, I didn't believe you when others said you were a genius before, but this time I am really convinced! No wonder you can make a special effects blockbuster every year, you have so many good ideas!"

Jiang Heng chuckled, "Starting from next year, we won't be producing one film per year anymore. I plan to speed up the process and produce three films in two years."

"Are you going to release a new movie again?" Zhou Xingxing wondered.

"Ok!"

"What are you filming?"

"The Matrix, the sequel!"

(End of this chapter)