Chapter 213: Following Public Opinion
Sina Entertainment News:
“The 26th Golden Rooster Awards, scheduled to be held in Suzhou on October 23rd, announced its nominations yesterday.”
“Director Yin Li’s ‘cloud and water ballad’ received 8 nominations, including Best Picture, becoming the biggest winner.”
“Feng Xiaogang’s ‘the banquet’ only received two nominations: Best Supporting Actress and Best Sound Recording.”
“Zhang Yimou’s ‘curse of the golden flower’, however, was completely shut out.”
“The Secretary-General of the Film Association stated in an interview with the media yesterday: ‘Most commercial blockbusters registered, but we didn’t select them. It’s that simple.’”
Netizens, however, were not buying it.
“Out of the six nominations for Best Picture, five are main theme films!”
“Golden Rooster is still Golden Rooster. I’m not surprised that ‘full city of golden armor’ and ‘the banquet’ weren’t nominated!”
“‘still life’ and ‘Tuya’s Marriage’ weren’t nominated either! Fine, if Golden Rooster isn’t independent, can it still be called Golden Rooster?”
“The wording is so skillful, ‘most’ commercial films registered.”
“Without Rongchen Film and Television’s participation, how can it be called ‘all’?”
“Xiao Li Zi had foresight, not to pander to Golden Rooster’s chicken feet!”
Huayi Brothers General Manager’s Office.
“I told you not to bother with those freeloaders! Even with CCTV, it’s just old wine in a new bottle. Why insist on going there just to get slapped in the face!”
Xiao Gang Pao cursed, completely ignoring Wang Zhonglei’s grim expression.
Wang Zhonglei was also very angry.
Given that the Hundred Flowers Awards were disgraced last year, even Old Man Chen resigned.
This year, CCTV took the lead for the Golden Rooster Awards.
He and Zhang Weiping were both old foxes, so how could they not give CCTV face?
But unexpectedly, ‘the banquet’ and ‘curse of the golden flower’ still ended up as background for main theme films.
Instead, Li Chen once again stole the limelight.
Although Feng Xiaogang was cursing, he was clear-headed. He didn’t dare to openly challenge CCTV.
He could usually scold those old fuddy-duddies in the Film Association.
But when it came to CCTV, he had to act like a quail.
Southern Weekend reported:
“Recently, the popular online novel ‘ghost blows out the light’ has attracted the attention of many investors.”
“Renowned Hong Kong directors Johnnie To and Xu Ke have both shown great interest in ‘ghost blows out the light’.”
“However, according to a Singaporean investor, the film and television adaptation rights for ‘ghost blows out the light’ were already acquired by Rongchen Film and Television in early 2006.”
“Reporters called Rongchen Film and Television, who confirmed the news.”
This news reported by Southern Weekend excited the vast number of ‘ghost blows out the light’ fans.
“The copyright is in Xiao Li Zi’s hands, please don’t ruin ‘ghost blows out the light’ with some five-cent special effects for short videos.”
“I’ll be satisfied with special effects comparable to ‘painted skin’. Please don’t ruin it domestically!”
“When will it be filmed? Xiao Li Zi isn’t saying a word! If you don’t have money, we’ll crowdfund for you!”
“Xiao Li Zi is so rich he’s practically poor.”
“I don’t care who plays Hu Bayi, but if Shirley Yang isn’t cast correctly, I’ll send you razor blades!”
The heated discussions among netizens and book fans quickly made it to the top few headlines of the entertainment section on portal websites.
Now, not only Hong Kong, but several film and television companies in mainland China also paid attention to ‘ghost blows out the light’!
Wang Zhonglei was exhausted. Ever since Rongchen Film and Television emerged, his Huayi Brothers had been suppressed everywhere.
“Is this novel really that popular?” Wang Zhonglei asked weakly.
Only he and his assistant Xu Li were in the office.
“President Wang, it is indeed very popular, with shockingly high click rates.”
“The most crucial thing is that it’s not only popular in mainland China.”
“There are also many original fans among Chinese people in the Two Shores and Three Regions and Europe and America.”
“I heard that not only Johnnie To and Xu Ke are interested.”
“That Singaporean investor originally intended for Jia Zhangke to direct it.”
“But upon inquiring about the copyright, Rongchen Film and Television had already acquired it.”
Wang Zhonglei rubbed his forehead: “So, they all gave up?”
Xu Li nodded, carefully saying: “I heard that’s the case.”
He added silently: After all, Rongchen Film and Television doesn’t lack money, let alone people.
Wang Zhonglei let out a long sigh: “It’s better to resolve enmity than to foster it. Go contact Yang Siwei.”
“If Rongchen Film and Television plans to produce it themselves, tell her that our Huayi Brothers is willing to buy a 20% share at a three-times premium.”
Xu Li breathed a sigh of relief: “President Wang’s foresight! This kind of project is too beneficial for our Huayi Brothers!”
Not only Huayi Brothers was tempted, Yu Dong of Bona Film Group also felt a stir.
His relationship with Li Chen had always been cool.
They didn’t have much interaction at the premiere of ‘The Sun’.
He could only bridge the gap through Han Sanping, the boss.
Not only film and television companies in the industry, but artists in the industry were also privately inquiring through various channels.
Firstly, because the discussion generated by the novel was indeed astonishing.
Secondly, because even renowned directors like Johnnie To and Xu Ke were interested.
If these actors remained indifferent, they truly deserved not to become popular.
The busiest was Yang Siwei, the CEO of Yixin Media.
Since Li Chen was unreachable, Yang Siwei and Yu Miao naturally became the targets of inquiries from all sides.
Even Liu Yifei wasn’t spared.
“Yifei, what do you think of me playing Hu Bayi?”
Liu Yifei swore she had heard that sentence at least dozens of times in the past two days.
Huang Xiaoming, Hu Ge, Zhu Yawen, Luo Jin—these people didn’t ask Li Chen, they all came to her to fish for information.
Even Murong Fu, who had coached her acting in ‘Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils’ before, called her.
“You’re good at anything you play, Ming Ge!”
Liu Yifei was almost gritting her teeth.
Huang Xiaoming seemed to have heard something different.
Huang Xiaoming chuckled: “In that case, if Director Li really wants to film it.”
“Send me a message then, and I’ll volunteer myself.”
Liu Yifei patiently said: “No problem, Ming Ge.”
Artists under Rongchen Film and Television were also discussing animatedly.
“I’ve read the original, and I think Shirley Yang and I are a good fit.”
“Not only do we both have the surname Yang, but our personalities and figures seem tailor-made for me.”
“Oh, come on, Mi Mi, I remember you said the same thing about the role of Zheng Wei.”
“Something about being very similar to your personality, tailor-made for you.”
“And what was the result! But I do think I’m quite similar to Hu Bayi!”
“Shut up, Xiao Zhu!” Yang Mi’s face turned red in the QQ group.
Zheng Wei was an eternal pain in her heart.
Just as the online discussions were endless, and netizens and original fans were strongly demanding that Rongchen Film and Television step forward to respond to the issues of public concern,
Rongchen Film and Television’s official website released a piece of news.
“‘ghost blows out the light’ was originally planned to be delayed for a few more years, but since netizens strongly requested it.”
“‘ghost blows out the light’ has been included in Rongchen Film and Television’s 2008 film slate plan.”
“As for the male and female lead candidates that netizens are concerned about, Rongchen Film and Television will endeavor to find suitable actors based on the original characters’ characteristics.”
“At the same time, Rongchen Film and Television will develop ‘ghost blows out the light’ following the model of foreign IPs.”
“‘ghost blows out the light’ will be built into the first domestic major IP adapted from a best-selling novel.”
As soon as the news broke, netizens and original fans cheered.
They even began to spontaneously discuss suitable candidates for Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, and Wang Pangzi on forums and message boards.