Chapter 36 You Play the Monkey King

After his first film failed at the box office, Wu Jing was abandoned by the film industry and couldn't find any roles to play for quite some time.

He had no choice but to film TV series, and starred in "The Sequel to Water Margin" and "Tai Chi Master".

The ratings and reputation of "Tai Chi Master" were pretty good, which made him a little famous, but it did not greatly improve his resources.

Apart from the rising star director Jiang Heng who asked him to play a supporting role, no one else asked him to play a supporting role.

The reason is simple.

In the late 90s, there were not many martial arts and action film and television scripts in the mainland film and television market, and even if there were good roles, they had to be obtained through fame and connections.

There are more martial arts and action movies in Hong Kong and Taiwan, but in an era of overall market downturn, the competition is also quite fierce.

Wu Jing only has connections with Yuan Heping and Zhang Xinyan in Hong Kong and Taiwan, because "Kung Fu Kid" was directed by these two people.

But because of the box office failure, Wu Jing didn't dare to contact these two people. He just stayed there depressed, not knowing where his future lay.

Originally in history, Yuan Heping would have planned to shoot "The Flying Dagger" at the end of 98, but due to the abortion of "The Matrix" project of Hua Na Company, he returned to Hong Kong early. By chance, the role of Ah Fei fell into the hands of someone else.

Wu Jing was depressed in the capital, not knowing what he had missed.

But the call from Jiang Heng let him know what he would get.

"Hey, bro, are you home?"

Jiang Heng was several years younger than Wu Jing, and knowing his future achievements, he was always polite to him.

Wu Jing was flattered. He was just a nobody, but a big director like Jiang Heng actually treated him as a brother. It was really a great honor for him.

"Home, home, Director Jiang, you, you're back from abroad!"

"Well, I'm back. The post-production is complete and it's ready to be released next month!"

Wu Jing was extremely surprised. "Great! If there's anything you need me to do before the film's release, just let me know!"

Jiang Heng smiled, "I really have something to ask you!"

Wu Jing said, "Then let's find a place and talk while we drink?"

"Okay, where are you now? I'll drive to pick you up!"

Wu Jing was not shy and immediately reported a place name, then asked: "Can you find it? Or I can take a taxi there!"

Jiang Heng smiled, "No need, when I have nothing to do, I often drive around the city, maybe I know it better than you do!"

Wu Jing thought to himself: "How is that possible!"

But he didn't know that Jiang Heng was talking about the previous life, not this life.

More than half an hour after the call was hung up, Jiang Heng's car drove to the agreed location. Wu Jing looked at the BMW 728 in front of him and was extremely envious.

After getting in the car, I exclaimed, "This car is so beautiful!"

Jiang Heng said: "Don't be sentimental, you will be able to drive this car in less than two or three years!"

Wu Jing subconsciously said: "How is it possible?"

He immediately thought of a possibility and looked at Jiang Heng standing beside him, feeling both expectant and anxious.

"Well, I'm planning to make a movie, and I want you to play the leading role!"

When Wu Jing heard this, it was as if a thunderclap sounded in his ears, and he was completely stunned.

Jiang Heng has only made two films so far. No one knows how much the investment was for one of them, but the global box office exceeded 4 million US dollars.

I don’t know how much the movie did at the box office, but the investment cost was over 100 million.

He should be talking about the third film, the investment cost of which will definitely not be small.

Even my senior brother Jet Li might not have such an opportunity!
"Really?"

Jiang Heng laughed and looked at his Rolex. "I can make hundreds of thousands every minute. Why would I lie to you?"

"Right!"

After Wu Jing confirmed that it was true, he could no longer suppress his excitement.

He rubbed his face twice and asked, "What do you want to shoot?"

"Journey to the West!"

"I play Sun Wukong?"

"Correct!"

"Are you going to film Havoc in Heaven?" "No!"

Wu Jing was a little confused, "What are we filming?"

"Shituoling!"

"lion……!"

Wu Jing thought about the descriptions of the three monsters in the original Journey to the West, which was also quite fascinating. "It must be a big investment!"

"At least 100 million!"

“That’s quite a lot!”

Jiang Heng nodded slightly, but he was actually a little uneasy.

Although the stories in "Journey to the West" are wonderful, foreign audiences may not like them or understand them.

The plot of escaping from the mouth of a dinosaur may be a little bad, but even brothers from Africa and South America can understand what the movie is about.

As for the box office, it’s hard to say.

His "super microscopic computer" has video deduction and generation capabilities that are countless times superior to the AI ​​video tool Sora. It doesn't cost any money to shoot special effects blockbusters, so he will never lose money.

He is afraid of a "nominal loss" which would ruin his reputation!

Seeing that Wu Jing was still in a daze, Jiang Heng didn't waste any time and drove to a small Northeastern barbecue restaurant nearby.

We asked for a private room, ordered a lot of skewers and beer, and started drinking!
Seeing Jiang Heng skillfully using a pencil sharpener to peel green onions, Wu Jing wondered, "Aren't you from Hong Kong?"

"Ah, what's wrong?"

"Do you also eat shallots with barbecue over there?"

“No way!”

"You learn fast enough!"

Wu Jing was a little puzzled, "Why do I feel like you grew up in the city?"

Jiang Heng smiled, "Maybe I was from here in my previous life!"

"I can't say for sure!"

Wu Jing raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp along with Jiang Heng.

He was very excited and had a lot to say, but he didn't know where to start.

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "Do you believe in fate?"

"Did you talk to the ancestor like this back then?"

Wu Qizu once studied at the Shichahai Martial Arts School for a period of time, and became a disciple of Wu Jing's senior brother, making him his nephew.

In addition, both of them have the surname Wu and were born in 74, so they had a particularly good relationship when filming " Million Years BC".

The two often drank together and talked about some things before joining the group, which made Wu Jing extremely envious.

Jiang Heng laughed, "That's about right. What I asked him at the beginning was, do you believe that this world is virtual?"

"Then do you believe it?"

“I kind of believe it!”

"No way!"

"Then do you know that if artificial intelligence develops to a certain level, AI tools can be used to convert text into video. A person who has never existed in reality can appear vividly in the video. Do you think the people in the video will feel real...?"

"Wait, wait, what does artificial intelligence mean? And what about AI? You're exaggerating...!"

Wu Jing got a headache after listening to this. He had been attending a martial arts school since he was young, so he really didn't know much about things like science!

"Uh, let's just talk about the script!"

"Okay!" Wu Jing said after drinking a glass of beer.

"Have you ever read the original Journey to the West?"

Wu Jing shook his head, a little embarrassed, "I've only watched the TV series!"

Jiang Heng patted his head helplessly, and suddenly felt that the wine he drank was a bit unnecessary. He should have told Wu Jing directly: You will play the Monkey King in the new movie Lion Camel Ridge, with an investment of more than 100 million yuan, and it will be released worldwide!

(End of this chapter)