Chapter 108: Familiarity Born from Scolding
This year, for Zhou Xun, was like standing on the shoulders of Lady Luck.
A "painted skin" that she almost rejected…
Not only did it win her the Best Actress award at Venice, one of Europe's top three film festivals…
It was even about to help her become the brand ambassador for the luxury brand Chanel.
Happiness came too quickly, making people dizzy.
When her agent, Zeng Jia, told Zhou Xun the news, Zhou Xun was still a little disbelieving.
It was only after Zeng Jia confirmed it repeatedly that it was Chanel's "Lagerfeld" who personally selected Zhou Xun.
All of this was thanks to Zhou Xun's brilliant performance in "painted skin."
I heard that Chanel's Lagerfeld also watched "painted skin."
When he saw Xiao Wei, played by Zhou Xun, he immediately decided that Zhou Xun would be Chanel's first Chinese brand ambassador.
Although a brand ambassador is slightly less significant than a spokesperson…
Being recognized by Chanel was already enough to make over ninety-nine percent of actresses in the industry envious, jealous, and hateful.
The more popular Zhou Xun became, the more Director Li of Rongxingda felt a pang in her heart.
Because Zhou Xun had already clearly stated that she would not renew her contract with Rongxingda.
When Li Chen received a call from Zhou Xun, he thought she was also asking about a role.
But Zhou Xun immediately said, "Director Li, do you want to sign me? I'm giving you a chance, you know. If you're too late, it'll be too late."
Li Chen laughed and said, "Too late for what? Such a big tone?"
"Did you forget about our bet? I just won't sign with you. If I ask you to act, I'd like to see if you dare to say no!"
Zhou Xun was depressed: "Alright, I have nothing to say to you! Forget about signing!"
"Alright, no more jokes. One word: if you want to come, I welcome you. It's up to you."
"But I have to say this upfront: if you sign with me, you won't have that much freedom. You can't take on just any role!"
"You've probably heard about this from Yang Siwei and Tangtang."
Zhou Xun was in a great mood and laughed, "Of course I know that. So it's settled then."
Only a fool would take outside jobs after signing with Rongchen Film and Television.
This year alone, Rongchen Film and Television produced seven or eight movies.
That doesn't even count the several TV series and Chiyou Films in Hollywood.
She took outside jobs at Rongxingda because Rongxingda had no resources!
With top-tier resources like Rongchen Film and Television, only someone with a screw loose would go looking for food outside!
"Hmm, it's settled. Clean up things with Rongxingda and come report to Yang Siwei!"
"No problem!"
After hanging up the phone, Zhou Xun's mood became even more joyful.
Huayi Brothers was good, but how could it compare to Rongchen Film and Television?
If she went to Huayi Brothers, she would inevitably have to compete for resources with the two Bingbings, but it would be different if she went to Rongchen Film and Television.
There's no need to compete at all; resources are superabundant.
Li Chen sighed softly. After all the twists and turns, Zhou Xun still signed under him.
Huayi Brothers would probably be jumping with anger again, and public opinion would also be buzzing about him poaching Rongxingda's talent.
First, Yang Mi terminated her contract and signed with him, and then Zhou Xun's contract expired and she also signed with him.
He couldn't explain it clearly even if he had a hundred mouths.
But he wasn't afraid. "Zhou Gong feared the day of rumors, Wang Mang was humble before usurping the throne!"
Zhou Xun's acting skills were beyond reproach. His company's resources were like a database; he could accommodate several more Zhou Xuns.
Li Chen called Yang Siwei and explained Zhou Xun's situation to her.
Yang Siwei gave a thumbs up and laughed, "Boss, it should have been like this a long time ago. I thought you were afraid of Huayi Brothers and the rumors and didn't dare to sign Sister Xun!"
"Alright, less flattery. Do a good job with public relations; don't let some villain trip us up again!"
"Don't worry, boss!"
As soon as Yang Siwei left, she called Zhou Xun.
"Sister Xun, you finally made the most correct choice. You weren't completely muddled!" Yang Siwei said.
"How so?" Zhou Xun asked with a smile.
"Between Huayi Brothers and us, only a fool would choose Huayi Brothers. The competition for 'first sister' between the two Bingbings there, plus you, would make for a perfect Variety show."
"What show?"
"Yaqian and You Guess Guess Guess!"
"Hahaha, you're right, it really is!"
"Actually, I've been waiting for your boss to open his mouth to me! But your boss, he's something else, never says a word! If it weren't for waiting for him, I would have agreed to Huayi Brothers a long time ago!"
"Sister Xun, I'm not trying to be a wet blanket, but even if you were an Oscar Best Actress, my boss wouldn't actively approach you!"
"That's true. Your family has a big business, and you don't rely on artist management to make money!"
"The profit from just one movie is equivalent to several or even more than ten years of profit for other companies!"
"Enough said. I welcome your joining in advance."
The next day.
Chiyou Films first announced the news of "the thieves" in Hollywood.
Immediately, four domestic companies—China Film Group Corporation, Shanghai Film Group, Wanda, and Enlight Media—simultaneously announced that they would jointly invest in and produce "the thieves."
Rongchen Film and Television also released casting information.
An ensemble cast, with no distinction between leads and supporting roles.
Male Lead 1: Around 45 years old, introverted personality, with at least three previous works.
Male Lead 2: Around 55 years old, with at least three previous works.
Male Lead 3: Around 40 years old, not tall.
Male Lead 4: Around 30 years old, tall build.
Female Lead 1: Under 22 years old, with martial arts training.
Female Lead 2: Around 40 years old, noble temperament.
Chinese actors meeting the above requirements can send their resumes to the Rongchen Film and Television company email by January 15th for the first round of screening.
The results of the first round of screening will be announced before January 31st.
The second round of auditions will be held at the end of February.
As soon as the casting news was released, the industry immediately became agitated.
Except for Male Lead 1 and Male Lead 2, there were no requirements for previous works for other roles.
This indicated that newcomers were also welcome. In less than half an hour, Rongchen Film and Television's email was flooded with resumes from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland artists.
Li Chen quickly scanned through them and saw that even Andy Lau had submitted a resume.
Li Chen immediately called Andy Lau.
The call was quickly connected.
"Hua Ge, why did you also submit a resume? Even if you didn't, you'd still be among the candidates I'd invite for an audition," Li Chen said with a smile.
"Really? That's good. I thought everyone said I was box office poison, and maybe only Director Li could help me take off that hat."
"What box office poison? That's a script problem, it has nothing to do with you."
"For the role of Male Lead 1 in 'the thieves,' I thought of you from the beginning."
"But then I felt that Hua Ge, your appearance is too upright, and Male Lead 1 is a villain, so I was a little worried. So I still decided to have an audition before making a decision."
"Director Li, there's no need to explain. This is all as it should be. The more it's like this, the more it shows that Director Li is a qualified director," Andy Lau said with a smile.
As soon as Li Chen hung up the phone, Yang Siwei and Tangtang knocked and entered together.
Tangtang still looked a bit unnatural.
"What's up?"
"Boss, what do you think of Luo Jin for the role of Male Lead 4?" Yang Siwei said with a smile, while Tangtang looked slightly embarrassed.
Li Chen glanced at Tangtang, who quickly explained.
"Boss, although Luo Jin is not yet thirty, he's practiced martial arts since he was young, and his build is quite tall, isn't it?"
Tangtang's expression made Li Chen laugh: "Is that all?"
Both nodded.
"Tell him to come directly for the audition when the time comes. It's best if he works out for the next month or so. He might have a better chance if he has some toned muscles then," Li Chen said with a smile.
Although Luo Jin was a bit delicate-looking, that role didn't have many lines anyway, so it was worth considering.
Tangtang breathed a sigh of relief, and Yang Siwei laughed, "I told you there'd be no problem with the boss! Tangtang was still afraid you wouldn't like this kind of thing!"
"What's there to it? Living in this world, how can one be detached from human relationships and social conventions? But next time, you don't need to drag Siwei along; you can just come and say it yourself!" Li Chen said with a smile.
"I understand, boss," Tangtang said with a slight smile.
Tangtang's personality was really developing in the direction of a silly, sweet girl. How come she seemed to have a 'love-struck' brain as soon as she fell in love?
It seems he must never arrange such roles for her in the future, otherwise wouldn't she just fall deeper and deeper?
However, Li Chen would also not frequently give Tangtang acting jobs.
Nor would he allow his artists to casually appear on Variety shows.
Happy Camp invited Tangtang, but Li Chen had Yang Siwei politely decline.
If you want to be an actor, don't think about Variety shows.
Actors of Gong Li's caliber, they spend half a year before and after filming a movie, months studying the script, months experiencing life.
That's what makes a qualified actor.
And Gong Li never considered herself part of the entertainment industry.
So, the goal Li Chen set for Tangtang was a maximum of two plays per year.
She wasn't Zhou Xun, born to do this, who could finish one play and immediately jump into another.
As for Yang Mi, Li Chen's plan for her was the same.
One or two plays a year, then diligently fulfilling her duties as a student and solidifying her foundation.
Wang Jinghua of Orange Sky Entertainment also sent over the resumes of suitable artists in her hands.
Tony Leung Ka-fai, Rosamund Kwan, Liu Jialing, Xia Yu.
Huayi Brothers was the most frustrated. After checking around, none of their artists met the requirements, as if the thresholds were set specifically against Huayi Brothers.
And they didn't even get a share of the investment!
Little Wang was more than just a little angry. If he had known that the cooked duck, Zhou Xun, had flown away again, he probably would have wanted to kill Li Chen.
When Li Chen returned home, he found that the maserati in the garage was gone. No need to think, Miss Liu must have driven it away.
Miss Liu, having obtained her driver's license, had adopted his maserati as her personal car.
It seemed his recent order for a Porsche Carrera GT was quite prescient.
He hadn't even settled down when Jiang Wen called again.
After some casual talk about the box office of "painted skin," Jiang Wen still didn't say what he wanted.
Li Chen was impatient and about to hang up when Jiang Wen finally spoke.
"Brother, I'm asking you for a favor. The role of Female Lead 2 in your movie, 'the thieves'…"
After hanging up the phone, Li Chen was speechless. Liu Xiaoqing was over fifty, and Jiang Wen had the nerve to bring her up.
Li Chen only agreed to let Liu Xiaoqing audition; he wouldn't guarantee anything else.
Jiang Wen thought Li Chen would give him face, but he didn't expect it to be just an audition, so there was no need to owe this favor.
He hadn't been home for long when Miss Liu called him over for dinner.
When he arrived at Miss Liu's house, he was surprised to find Shu Chang there, her eyes still red.
Liu Xiaoli sat opposite the two, seemingly a bit helpless.
Miss Liu sat next to Shu Chang, handing her a tissue.
"Director Li…" Shu Chang wiped her eyes, looking up at Li Chen weakly.
"Auntie, what happened? Did Xixi get into a fight with Shu Chang?"
"What nonsense!" Miss Liu angrily threw a pillow at him!
Li Chen caught it with both hands and sat next to Liu Xiaoli, not knowing what play the two were putting on.
Liu Xiaoli then explained, "Li Chen, it's like this: Changchang, this child, took on a role in a play, but now they're suing her for overlapping her schedule and affecting the normal filming progress of the crew."
"She's so scared she doesn't know what to do, and her agent is similar, also without a backbone."
"Tell me, what should we do now?"
Li Chen glanced at Shu Chang: "So, did you actually overlap your schedule?"
Shu Chang nodded guiltily.
"Was it stated in the contract that you couldn't overlap your schedule?"
Shu Chang thought about it. It seemed there was, and then she nodded again.
Li Chen chuckled, "Then what are you crying about? I thought you were being wronged! Now you know to be afraid, what were you doing before!"
Shu Chang was silent for two seconds, then burst into tears again!
As if Li Chen had done something to her.
Miss Liu frowned and said, "Li Chen! She already knows she's wrong, why are you still scolding her!"
Li Chen laughed and said, "Knowing you're wrong is useless. From my perspective, this matter is simple."
"Just settle it privately. Apologize, and whatever amount the crew asks for, as long as it's not an exorbitant demand, pay it and make peace."
"Otherwise, if it goes to court, Shu Chang will not only lose the lawsuit but also lose her reputation!"
"If an artist loses a good reputation, it's like ending their career. No good resources will come looking for her anymore."
"If I remember correctly, she once said that she wouldn't take on any more roles after getting into university!"
"The internet has a memory. When this matter blows up, someone will inevitably bring up old issues."
Shu Chang stopped crying. She hadn't expected Xixi's boyfriend to know so much about her affairs.
If he hadn't mentioned it, she herself would have almost forgotten she said that.
Liu Xiaoli nodded repeatedly, thinking Li Chen's analysis was very reasonable.
"Changchang, Li Chen is right. You can't listen to your agent."
Shu Chang pouted and nodded, "I know, Auntie. So, what do I do now?"
Shu Chang looked at her best friend pitifully, her eyes pleading.
Miss Liu looked at her boyfriend.
Li Chen quickly said, "For this kind of thing, just find someone to go with her. Have a good attitude. How old are you? You started as a child star, do you think you're an old veteran actor already?"
"And overlapping projects? Look at Gong Li, when has she ever overlapped projects!"
Li Chen remembered something and found it amusing: "You two are truly best friends; both your agents are muddle-headed! You should replace them as soon as possible, otherwise, they'll sell you out sooner or later."
Miss Liu gritted her teeth in anger, and Shu Chang's face turned crimson.
Liu Xiaoli smiled, "Alright, alright, since the matter is resolved, let's eat first. I'll go with you tomorrow, Changchang."
"Ah, thank you, Auntie. Actually, there's no rush; a day or two late is fine."
Li Chen, however, disagreed: "Auntie is right. Let Auntie go with you tomorrow. The golden time for crisis public relations is within 48 hours."
"If you go too late, and they file a lawsuit, you'll regret it when it's too late!"
Now Shu Chang didn't dare to speak up. She kept looking at Li Chen at the dinner table.
Only today did she feel that Xixi's boyfriend was much more mature than both of them.
Although he had scolded her a few times, she didn't feel embarrassed at all; instead, she felt warm inside.
No one had scolded her for many years.
"Do I have flowers on my face, Shu Chang?"
"Ah, no, no," Shu Chang's face turned even redder.
Miss Liu glanced at her best friend suspiciously, wondering why her face was red.
After dinner, Shu Chang stayed overnight at Miss Liu's house.
The two slept together that night.
"Xixi, when your boyfriend scolded me today, I actually felt a sense of familiarity. Do you think I'm crazy?"
Miss Liu wanted to say, "You're not crazy, you're…"
She couldn't bring herself to say that word, so she just smiled it off.