Chapter 81: Where is the Strength of One Superpower and Many Strong Powers?
Wu Bin's addition made Li Chen's Rongchen Film and Television even more powerful.
Emperor Entertainment Group was very efficient and announced the cast list for father's love is like a mountain.
Li Weijie: Zhang Jiahui
Wife Ayu: Guan Yonghe
Ravin: Deng Cuiwen
Du Peng: Jiang Haowen
Li Ping: Tang Yan
Emperor Entertainment Group had informed Li Chen in advance, and Li Chen felt there was no problem.
Although many of these actors were from Emperor Entertainment Group or had good relations with Emperor Entertainment Group,
their acting skills were online, and there were no fillers.
Yang Siwei also returned from Hong Kong.
On June 14th, the day before the Premiere of shoplifters,
the filing information for ip man was posted on the General Administration's official website.
On the same day, Rongchen Film and Television, China Film Group Corporation, and Emperor Entertainment Group jointly announced
that they would co-invest in and produce the large-scale biographical action film, ip man.
For a time, artists in Hong Kong and the mainland entertainment industry, especially martial arts stars, all turned red-eyed.
Without any surprises, this film would most likely still be released overseas.
This was an opportunity to step onto the international stage.
No one wasn't envious.
The phones of Emperor Entertainment Group, China Film Group Corporation, and Rongchen Film and Television were all bombarded by acquaintances.
But the final answer was that, except for the open casting for the female lead,
other male roles would be by invitation only.
Moreover, the casting rights were solely decided by Rongchen Film and Television.
Female artists naturally geared up, while male stars each tried their best to use their connections.
To see whose connections were stronger.
Li Chen had Yang Siwei seize the opportunity to announce the conditions for the open casting of the female lead, Zhang Yongcheng.
The requirements were for female actresses to be beautiful, between 25 and 35 years old.
Applicants could send their personal information, along with a full-body photo in a cheongsam, to Rongchen Film and Television's email before the 20th of this month.
Wang Changtian called him, although he was also very envious,
he was very discreet and didn't mention investing, only joking,
“Little brother, let Enlight Media handle the promotion and distribution for father's love is like a mountain and ip man.”
Of course, there was no problem with that; Li Chen had already planned to hand over the promotion and distribution to Enlight Media.
It's not like he could go to Bona Film Group.
As soon as the news was announced, the company's email received no fewer than fifty resumes in less than an hour.
Li Chen opened them and looked.
Li Bingbing, Mei Ting, Yan Danchen, Zeng Li, Ada Choi, Charmaine Sheh...
Some were charming, some were heroic, some were strong, some were...
Li Chen was dazzled, selected a few, and then closed his computer.
As soon as he closed his computer, Yang Siwei knocked and came in.
Seeing her boss rubbing his eyes, she asked with a smile, “Boss, what's wrong? Are you getting lost in the dazzling array?”
Li Chen laughed and said, “Exactly, anyone who didn't know would think I was holding a beauty pageant.”
“Boss, every time the company casts, I'm the one who suffers the most.”
“My phone battery died from all the calls, everyone I know and don't know is trying to get close.”
“Fan Bingbing just called me, do you know what she said?”
“What did she say?” Li Chen asked, humoring her.
“She said with a smile: Siwei, I'll be honest with you.”
“Actually, I changed my age on my ID card, I'm actually born in 1980.”
“This year I'm already 25.”
Yang Siwei imitated Fan Bingbing's delicate tone, perfectly.
“Haha, I'm dying of laughter,” Yang Siwei laughed in a very unladylike manner.
Li Chen didn't speak, he just stared at Yang Siwei, with a half-smile.
“Bo-boss, why are you looking at me like that?”
Yang Siwei's laughter died down under his gaze.
She awkwardly tried to make conversation.
“Siwei, you finally have some schemes, but unfortunately, you've used them on the wrong person,” Li Chen said, annoyed.
“Boss, look at what you're saying, aren't I also thinking for the company?”
Seeing that her boss had seen through her little scheme, Yang Siwei no longer hid it and laughed as she defended herself.
“Tell me, how are you thinking for the company?”
“Boss, how did you figure it out?” Yang Siwei's answer didn't match the question.
“Your blog, interacting with Fan Bingbing for no reason, do you think I'm blind?”
“Ah? Is it very frequent? I feel like I'm spreading my attention evenly?” Yang Siwei said shamelessly.
Mainly because Yang Siwei, ever since the last public relations incident,
had become famous in the industry, practically giving a professional lesson in crisis public relations to agents.
Coupled with her position as the publicity director of Rongchen Film and Television,
and the fact that Yang Siwei herself was very good at marketing herself,
she frequently interacted and left comments with celebrity artists on her blog.
The number of people following her was no less than those first and second-tier stars.
“Stop talking nonsense, get to the point.” Li Chen ignored Yang Siwei's self-praise.
“Boss, this is what I'm thinking.”
“I'm the company's publicity director, so I need to exercise my initiative.”
“I can't let the boss worry about everything.”
“Don't you agree, Boss?”
Yang Siwei flattered him.
“Stop messing with me, get to the point!” Li Chen cursed with a smile.
Yang Siwei chuckled.
“In the half-year I was at Huayi Brothers before, I got very familiar with Huayi Brothers' artists, and even more so with Fan Bingbing.”
“In my opinion, Fan Bingbing and Huayi Brothers will part ways sooner or later.”
“After all, with two Bingbings, while both are cherished, there's still a difference in closeness and priority.”
“Bingbing Jie (Sister Bingbing) and Xue Jie's positions at Huayi Brothers are as solid as a mountain, no one can shake them.”
“Over time, with Fan Bingbing's personality, she's bound to seek other opportunities.”
“I think Fan Bingbing's potential is no less than Tangtang's.”
“Our company's resources, even if a few more Bingbings came, wouldn't lead to Huayi Brothers' situation!”
“Moreover, our company doesn't have a 'top sister'; if there were one, it would definitely be Yifei, wouldn't it?”
Yang Siwei smiled obsequiously.
“So, you two hooked up?” Li Chen couldn't help but laugh.
“Boss, what 'hooked up,' that sounds awful!”
“It's mutual affection, you're interested, I'm interested, a willing match.”
“It's just that no one has made it clear!”
“But I believe Fan Bingbing definitely has the same idea.”
Yang Siwei said with certainty.
Li Chen nodded with satisfaction, two years of growth.
Yang Siwei was finally slowly transforming into Yang Tianzhen.
To have taken a liking to the 'Eight Billion Sister,' he didn't know if it was good vision or a karmic connection.
“Boss, do you think so too? Then should I reply to Fan Bingbing and have her come for an audition?”
Yang Siwei climbed up the pole.
“Director Yang has already made such a big statement, how can I refuse you?” Li Chen said with a smile.
“Let her come for the audition, but I can't guarantee she'll pass.”
“Boss, that's the rule, she definitely knows that,” Yang Siwei said with a smile.
“Besides these female artists, there are also many men!” Yang Siwei changed the subject and laughed again.
“Like Donnie Yen, Zhao Wenzhuo, Zhou Zhaolong, Louis Fan...”
“The agents of all these people have contacted me.”
“I told them that the male lead has already been confirmed, but other roles can be considered.”
As the two were talking, Li Chen's phone rang.
Yang Siwei was about to leave, but Li Chen raised his hand, gesturing for her not to.
Because it was Miss Liu calling.
“What's wrong? I'm at the company.”
“Alright, they're using connections through you, tell her to contact Yang Siwei.”
After hanging up, Yang Siwei had already guessed the general idea.
She gossiped, “Boss, who found Yifei?”
Li Chen didn't answer directly.
“You just advocated for a Fan Bingbing who wasn't old enough.”
“Before that even got warm, Xixi is now speaking up for an overage Xu Qing, it's really interesting...”
Yang Siwei frowned, “Xu Qing, how would she have any connection with Yifei?”
“Could it be Zhang Jizhong?”
Seeing that her boss didn't reply, Yang Siwei wisely left.
Yang Siwei's guess was correct; it was indeed Zhang Jizhong who had found Liu Xiaoli.
Li Chen knew everything in his heart.
Even if Miss Liu didn't explicitly say it, he had a general idea.
Bearded Zhang had a 10% share in Red Star House.
Human relations, indeed...
The industry was buzzing, and there was also much discussion online.
“This is the fourth one! I'm keeping track for Director Li; note, it's the fourth project approved.”
“It's still the first half of the year! At this rate, Director Li will have gathered the 'Eight Legions of Dragons' by the end of the year!”
“Damn, it used to be a scramble among many, but now it's completely one superpower and many strong powers.”
“Many strong powers my ass! Compared to the strongest Huayi Brothers and Rongchen Film and Television, where is the strength?”
“Is it because they have more artists? Is it strength in numbers? That's hilarious!”
“They won't have many artists soon!”
Li Chen felt truly heartbroken when he saw these online comments.
Heartbroken for the Wang brothers.
Especially the last sentence, 'they won't have many artists soon,' which was simply malicious.
And it was mostly from people within Huayi Brothers who knew the inside story.
shanghai dreams had been released for almost two weeks, and its box office hadn't even reached 2 million, which was terrifying.
Li Chen didn't find it strange.
In its previous life, shanghai dreams had also won a Jury Prize and its final box office was only four million.
This time, it received nothing, so the current box office was normal.
The next day, the Premiere of shoplifters was held at the Political Consultative Conference Auditorium.
Compared to the small-scale event for shanghai dreams, Han Sanping went all out.
He wished everyone in the world knew about it.
After all, besides Rongchen Film and Television, the other producer was China Film Group Corporation.
With Yang Dong of China Film Group Corporation and Han Sanping appearing together, who would dare not show face?
Many people from various associations also came.
The fifth-generation directors, led by Zhang Yimou, were basically all present.
Sixth-generation directors like Jiang Wen and Lu Chuan were all there.
Mainland first-tier artists, spearheaded by Zhang Ziyi, dared not be absent.
From Hong Kong, Andy Lau and Tony Leung Ka-fai, two Best Actor winners, led the way.
Below the first tier, Han Sanping didn't invite anyone.
Li Chen's principal and teacher, Tian Zhuangzhuang, also came to show support.
Yang Shoucheng, Jackie Chan, and Stephen Chow were also among the invited.
Both sides of the red carpet were already filled with movie fans.
This spectacle was simply like a grand festival for Chinese filmmakers.
Li Chen knew that most people were curious about how Li Chen's film shoplifters managed to win the Golden Palm.
From 3 PM onwards, artists continuously walked the red carpet.
The screams of fans on both sides never stopped.
Li Chen, along with the shoplifters crew, had also arrived early.
Even Li Chen himself marveled that such a scene could only be orchestrated by Han Sanping.
The media finally managed to catch Li Chen.
Each of them was like a long-awaited rain after a drought.
“Director Li, as the youngest The Golden Palm director in the country, what do you want to say at this moment?”
“I want to say, can you let me in first?”
The media burst into laughter, naturally not letting him go.
“Director Li, we heard that shoplifters sold well at Cannes, can you disclose the specific amount?”
“Yes, after the Premiere, I will tell everyone.”
“Director Li, we heard that after winning the Golden Palm, the Olympic Organizing Committee once invited you to participate in the selection for the Olympic Chief Director in September...”
How to answer this? People from the Olympic Organizing Committee had indeed contacted Li Chen.
But how could Li Chen agree? There were over 100 candidates, and eventually, only 13 remained.
Although Li Chen was offered the treatment of directly becoming the 14th candidate,
Li Chen knew his place.
Each of these thirteen people had a team behind them and had been preparing since the end of last year.
Even if he crammed at the last minute, going would only make him a supporting role for Zhang Yimou, so he politely declined at the time.
Moreover, for a 22-year-old college student to win among a group of established Chinese and foreign directors,
it seemed like a pipe dream.
...
At the critical moment, Yang Siwei's mountain-like figure pushed forward, shouldering everything alone.
“Dear media friends, if there's anything else you'd like to ask, I'll answer you.”
“Today, Director Li is the host, so please let him go in first.”
“After the Premiere, there will be time for questions from all media, thank you.”