Chapter 72: Don't Go to Japan
Emperor Entertainment Group and Li Chen tacitly avoided mentioning what happened that day, as if it never existed.
Two days later, Emperor Entertainment Group held a press conference.
It was announced that Emperor Entertainment Group and Rongchen Film and Television would jointly invest 40 million yuan to co-produce the crime drama "father's love is like a mountain."
As soon as the news broke, the media rushed to report it.
Huo Wenxi, the artist director of Emperor Entertainment Group, accepted a phone interview with a reporter.
She stated that the script for "father's love is like a mountain," like "new world," was provided by Director Li Chen.
The story's excitement was no less than that of "new world."
This film was expected to meet the audience at the end of October.
For a time, Hong Kong Island, enjoying the spectacle, was not afraid of making things bigger.
They all discussed that Emperor Entertainment Group was clearly going to challenge China Star.
Because the film "Black Amnesty," produced by China Star, which received nothing at Cannes, was also released at the end of October.
Netizens in China had already been bewildered by Li Chen's series of dazzling moves.
Winning gold at Cannes, planting a flag in Hollywood, and establishing a project in Hong Kong.
He was simply a 'walking headline.'
He had a halo wherever he went.
Just as netizens were discussing whether Li Chen, Andy Lau, and China Star were going to collaborate again, Li Chen had already quietly and discreetly returned to Beijing.
He first went back to the company, where Wu Ershan had already taken "painted skin" to Sony.
The special effects for "painted skin" didn't need to compete with major Hollywood productions.
The focus was on aesthetics, and Li Chen felt that with Wu Ershan's artistic attainments, he could completely make the final decision.
Li Chen asked his assistant to contact Zhang Jin.
For the role of ip man, the first person Li Chen thought of was Zhang Jin.
He had been a stunt double in Li An's "crouching tiger, hidden dragon" and had acted in "Hero."
His physique was similar to ip man's, he was a national Wuying-level athlete, and his kung fu foundation was beyond doubt.
Moreover, he had participated in many films, and last year's "Water Moon Cave Sky" also showed remarkable performance.
Furthermore, Li Chen felt that when the 'suit thug' fought, it was more visually appealing than Donnie Yen.
Back then, Donnie Yen, to film ip man, first controlled his diet and lost dozens of pounds to barely fit ip man's lean image.
However, Li Chen did not plan to use him.
After filming one ip man, with a 3 million yuan salary, he dared to ask for 30 million yuan for the second part.
Raymond Wong was easy to talk to, but Li Chen wasn't that good-natured.
As for the female lead, Li Chen also didn't use Lynn Hung.
Her looks and figure were indeed eye-catching.
But she was too tall.
Every time Li Chen saw Lynn Hung looking down at Donnie Yen in the movie, he felt it was quite jarring.
Even ip man's descendants commented that ip man's wife was not as strong as in the movie.
She was a very gentle woman.
When Zhang Jin received the call from Rongchen Film and Television, he was a little flattered.
He had no connection with the now popular Rongchen Film and Television; how could they contact him?
He heard that it was Director Li Chen, the boss of Rongchen Film and Television, who specifically asked to contact him.
With the doubts in his heart, Zhang Jin immediately set off for Splendid Diamond without a word.
Li Chen didn't expect him to come so quickly and had originally planned to meet him tomorrow.
Li Chen saw that it was almost dinner time.
He then smiled and said, "I didn't expect you to come so quickly. At this time, let's have dinner together."
Zhang Jin smiled readily and said, "Director Li can decide; I happen to be in Beijing."
"Hearing that Director Li wanted to see me, I had to be proactive."
The two left Splendid Diamond together.
Getting into the car, the driver took them to a private restaurant.
Neither Li Chen nor Zhang Jin were indecisive people.
After two glasses of wine, Li Chen brought up the ip man project.
Although Zhang Jin had anticipated it might be an acting offer, he never expected it to be a leading role.
He had been in the industry for many years.
He had been Chow Yun-fat's martial arts teacher and Donnie Yen's stunt double.
He had also been the martial arts director for Hollywood's "Charlie's Angels 2."
He had acted in many films and TV series.
But without exception, all were supporting roles.
He had always been neither popular nor unpopular, but Zhang Jin never thought he was much worse than Jet Li.
Let alone Donnie Yen and the others.
For so many years, he had never given up on his dream.
He never expected such a great and sudden good fortune to fall upon him so unexpectedly today.
Seeing Zhang Jin lost in thought, Li Chen could probably guess his state of mind.
Coming back to his senses, Zhang Jin suppressed his overwhelming excitement.
He raised his glass, stood up, and said, "Director Li, I am a martial artist and not good with words."
"I will just say one thing: Thank you."
After saying that, he drank it all in one gulp.
Li Chen took a small sip and said, "Since you have no problem, come to the company to sign the contract once the script is approved."
"The company has already contacted the descendants of ip man in Hong Kong. You will go to Hong Kong to familiarize yourself with Wing Chun for the next few months."
"No problem, Director Li."
After parting ways with Li Chen, Zhang Jin was still uncontrollably excited.
He immediately made a phone call: "Honey, I'll be in Hong Kong tomorrow. I, I'm going to book the flight now."
After hanging up, Ada Choi was still a bit puzzled, not knowing what her boyfriend was suddenly going crazy about.
Li Chen returned home, washed away the dust of travel, changed into a refreshing casual outfit, and then went to find Miss Liu.
When Miss Liu saw Li Chen, she was pleasantly surprised and said, "Weren't you supposed to come back tomorrow?"
Seeing Miss Liu wearing a white sleeveless top and a yellow pleated skirt, looking like a charming girl next door.
Li Chen was delighted and smiled, "I missed you. I couldn't wait to see you. Is that not allowed?"
Miss Liu's smile bloomed, and she went forward to link arms with Li Chen.
Li Chen's heart stirred: "Auntie isn't home?"
"Mom is taking a shower. Look how scared you are."
Li Chen said guiltily, "I'm not scared. When I came today, I didn't plan on going back alive."
"Succeed or die!"
The two sat on the sofa, and Miss Liu paused, then smiled again: "You're going to come clean with Mom?"
Li Chen playfully tapped Miss Liu's nose, dotingly saying, "You're smart."
"Besides, Auntie probably figured it out already."
"No one knows a daughter like her mother. If I keep hiding it, it would be a disadvantage instead."
Miss Liu's smile was sweet, and she comforted her boyfriend, saying, "Don't worry, I'm here. Mom won't make things difficult for you."
"Then I'll entrust my life and death entirely to Miss Qianqian," Li Chen said with a smile.
The two chatted about interesting things that had happened recently, mostly Li Chen talking and Miss Liu listening.
Speaking of the coming-of-age ceremony, Miss Liu had invited many people.
"Xiao Zhu said he couldn't make it. Blame you for recommending him to audition for "crossing the guandong."
"Uh, what a legitimate reason," Li Chen said with a smile.
"Jin Ge, Changchang, and Xiao Ming Ge can come," Miss Liu said.
Just as they were chatting happily, Miss Liu suddenly became a little downcast.
"After my birthday, I'm going to Japan. It'll be for over a year."
Li Chen was also reluctant for her to leave and gently held Miss Liu's hand.
Miss Liu looked up, and their eyes met, both seeing the other's reflection.
"Actually, you don't need to go to Japan at all. Don't you want to be a woman like Audrey Hepburn?"
"Now your popularity is soaring, and it's the perfect time to transition to the big screen."
"As for the music scene, if you really want to develop in that direction in the future, there are many choices."
"Don't go to Japan."