Chapter 173 Invitation

The four beauties’ guest appearance was just a small episode. After they left, the crew entered into the intense filming process again.

During this period, Zhang Yimou and Zhang Weiping came to visit the set.

Because "Hero" made a lot of money, Xinhuamian Company started shooting the blockbuster "House of Flying Daggers", which was completed at the beginning of the year.

The special effects shots in the film were all completed by the Good Times Special Effects Company under Jiang Heng’s name.

For this reason, Zhang Yimou often went to Jiang Heng's place, and even agreed to play a cameo role in the film.

In the rest area, Zhang Yimou talked about the shooting plan for his next film and expressed his desire to make a historical epic with an investment of an astonishing 400 million yuan.

Jiang Heng thought about it for a moment and thought it should be "Curse of the Golden Flower".

According to the original history, Zhang Yimou also filmed a movie called "A Solo Journey of Thousand Miles" during this period.

But looking at the situation, Zhang Weiping must be in a hurry to make money, so art films were put on the back burner.

Unfortunately, this film not only failed to make money, but instead lost a lot of money.

There are many reasons.

A lot of messy things were also exposed, such as Zhou Runfa's arrogance.

This film cost 40 million yuan in salary and invited Chow Yun-fat to star in it.

The price was not a problem, after all, Zhou’s fame and status were there at the time.

However, when it came to the official signing of the contract, Chow Yun-fat made an additional request, which was that a luxury RV must be provided to facilitate his family to visit the set.

This request was immediately strongly opposed by producer Zhang Weiping, who believed that the film set already provided a lounge and the hotel had been arranged, so providing a motorhome was completely unnecessary.

The two argued endlessly about this, Zhou Runfa insisted that this was his necessary condition, while Zhang Weiping repeatedly emphasized that the budget was limited.

Finally, with the mediation of Zhang Yimou, the crew provided a motorhome.

However, what made Zhang Weiping extremely annoyed was that Zhou Runfa's family hardly used this RV during the filming, which was very infuriating.

Not to mention changing the script and threatening to quit at any time, but during the release of the film, Chow Yun-fat refused to participate in the promotional activities arranged by the crew, which was a bit unkind.

If you think that Zhou Runfa was just at odds with Zhang Weiping, you are totally wrong.

A few years later, his old friend Wu Yusen was preparing to film Red Cliff and wanted Zhou Runfa to play the male lead Zhou Yu. However, Zhou made more than 100 suggestions according to Hollywood standards, which the crew naturally could not meet. In the end, Zhou Runfa quit the role, which made Wu Yusen very passive.

To be honest, mainland filmmakers and audiences used to look at Hong Kong stars through a filter, but later they realized that it was not the case.

But at this moment, Zhang Weiping wanted to invite Chow Yun-fat to play the leading role, and also wanted to invite Jiang Heng to play the second prince in the film, which was the role played by Chow Jielun in the original film.

Jiang Heng sneered when he heard this, "What did you say?"

Zhang Weiping was stunned when he heard this, and quickly said, "It's a co-starring relationship, and the pay can be negotiated!"

Jiang Heng let out a sigh of relief and didn't utter the word "get out". He originally wanted to give him a reminder, but now he was too lazy to say it.

"Well, I'm still busy here. I'll entertain you two another day!"

After saying that, he stood up and left, leaving the two looking at each other in bewilderment.

Zhang Weiping was confused and couldn't guess why Jiang Heng was angry.

"What's wrong? Are you fine?"

Zhang Yimou seemed to be thinking, "Maybe it has something to do with Zhou!"

"Really? They are both from Hong Kong and have always had a good relationship?" Zhang Weiping said.

In his impression, Jiang Heng and Zhou Runfa should have a good relationship.

When "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was being prepared, it was Jiang Heng who suggested to Li An to invite Chow Yun-fat. Chow Yun-fat later made a free cameo appearance in Jiang Heng's "Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother". No matter how you look at it, they have a good relationship!

Zhang Yimou smiled bitterly, "Who knows? Maybe Director Jiang doesn't want to play someone else's son?" "This...!"

Zhang Weiping thought to himself, can this be considered a reason?

As a professional actor, the role…

It took me halfway to realize that Jiang Heng was a minor actor in his early years, and later switched to become a director. Apart from starring in "Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother" and guest appearances in "Hero" and "SPL", he has not played any other roles.

So from the perspective of professional identity, he certainly cannot be considered a professional actor, and his mentality is certainly not that of a professional actor.

From this perspective, this may indeed be the reason.

Zhang Weiping thought about this and smiled bitterly: "This matter has not been accomplished, and it seems that I have offended someone!"

Zhang Yimu said: "I'll make it up to you later!"

Zhang Weiping nodded, "That's the only way!"

At this moment, he still didn't dare to offend Jiang Heng.

Firstly, Jiang Heng has greater fame and reputation, so it would not be good for him to make enemies with him.

Furthermore, Jiang Heng is a shareholder of China Film Red, the largest cinema chain in China. If he is offended, it will affect the cinema chain’s screening schedule.

But he felt that he was also a big shot in the film and television industry, and he was a little angry that Jiang Heng was so ruthless.

I secretly thought, "Without Zhang the butcher, we won't eat hairy pigs. You're not the only idol for young people. I can spend more money to find Zhou Jielun. If this movie makes a lot of money, hehe!"

No mention was made of the departure of Zhang Yimou and Zhang Weiping, but it was said that for a period of time afterwards, many directors came to visit the crew.

They said they were visiting the set, but in reality they were all visiting for the filming of a new movie. Some wanted to invite Jiang Heng to make a cameo appearance, while others wanted to discuss the production of special effects.

For example, Feng Xiaogang has already completed the script of "Night Banquet", but he is still a little unsure, so he came here just to talk nonsense.

Zhou Xingxing's "CJ7" has entered the preparation stage, and he came to ask Jiang Heng if he was willing to participate in the investment.

Zhou Xingxing is really a person who has been bitten by a snake once and is afraid of ropes for ten years. After he lost money on "A Chinese Odyssey", almost all the films he made afterwards made money. However, he just doesn't dare to invest independently and insists on capital participation.

In his opinion, Jiang Heng, who has strong financial resources, fame and status, is simply the best partner.

As for Zhou Xingxing's proposal, Jiang Heng naturally agreed without saying a word.

There is no reason to refuse such a good way to make money.

Zhou Xingxing expressed his gratitude, and then said with some sadness: "After this movie is finished, I will no longer appear on the big screen!"

Although Jiang Heng already knew this, he still looked "surprised".

"why?"

Zhou Xingxing smiled and said, "Because I'm old now. I don't have a handsome face anymore. Why should I take photos? I should just grow old gracefully and leave the opportunity to the young people!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Heng couldn't help but give a thumbs up on his right hand.

To be honest, some people in the circle are trying hard to look younger, which is quite disgusting.

"Amazing! It's amazing to have such awareness!"

Zhou Xingxing laughed, "What's the big deal! By the way, do you need me to make a cameo appearance in your movie? I won't be acting in it again in the future!"

Jiang Heng understood what he meant, which was to make it clear in advance that after "CJ7", he should not mention the guest appearance again. He would not agree to it, not that he was not giving him face.

"Okay, then, to support your last movie, I'll also make a cameo appearance in your film."

Zhou Xingxing heard this and said solemnly, "Thank you!"

(End of this chapter)