Guangxian Media, in the conference room, Wang Changtian is meeting with the production department to discuss the screenwriter and director candidates for "Four Famous Catchers 2".
Originally, the script of the first film was written by Cheng Jiashang and two other screenwriters. Now that Cheng Jiashang has replaced it, the script will definitely not be available.
After listening to the production director's report, Wang Changtian frowned and asked, "Tan Guangyuan, are Chen Shuzhen still unwilling to continue to be the screenwriter of the second part?"
Tan Guangyuan is one of the screenwriters of the first part, and Chen Shuzhen is one of the screenwriters of the second part. If they can stay, there will be no problem with the script.
However, the contact with the production department was not smooth, and I was rejected twice in a row.
"Director Wang, they said that if Cheng Jiashang hadn't directed it, they wouldn't have participated in the writing of the sequel. They also said..."
Wang Changtian said coldly, "What else can you say?"
The production director was a little helpless and continued, "They said they were working with Cheng Jiashang, not us Guangxian."
"snort!"
Wang Changtian snorted coldly, his face full of disdain.
"I think they forgot who gave them the money in their hands!"
There was obvious anger on Wang Changtian's face, and behind his transparent-framed glasses, his small glasses narrowed slightly.
These Xiangjiang people, after taking his money, will not cooperate with you in the end.
Each small team only has eyes for Cheng Jiashang, not even him as an investor.
They may have forgotten that this is no longer ten years ago!
I don't have time to deal with them now, the most important thing is to prepare for the movie.
Wang Changtian asked again, "Do you have any good candidates?"
The production director said, "We have tentatively confirmed two candidates. One is He Jiping, the screenwriter of "New Dragon Gate Inn", "Reporter", and "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate", and the other is martial arts novelist Xu Haofeng, who is currently in theaters in "The Generation".
"The Grandmaster" he also participated in the screenplay."
Wang Changtian nodded. Needless to say, He Jiping is a well-known gold medal screenwriter who is good at a variety of themes.
When he just graduated from the Chinese Theater Literature Department, Renyi specifically asked the Ministry of Culture for an extra spot and recruited her.
Xu Haofeng does not have many works, but "The Grandmaster" is also a martial arts film. It has been released for 13 days and the total box office has reached 270 million, which is considered an absolute success.
However, Wang Changtian remembered that He Jiping had cooperated with Tsui Hark many times, and Cheng Jiashang was half of Tsui Hark's apprentice.
"Director Wang and He Jiping only have a cooperative relationship with the directors in Xiangjiang, and their work focus has shifted to the mainland, so there should be no problem." the production director explained.
"Okay, you make an appointment and I'll talk to her."
"Where is the director?" Wang Changtian asked again.
"We think Li Rengang is good and we can ask Cheng Xiaodong to be the action director. In addition, Qin Xiaozhen from the first film is willing to stay and continue to be the second director."
Qin Xiaozhen is Xiangjiang's top assistant director. She has strong scene control skills and can also do the work of a director. She can be called a gold medal deputy.
Almost every major director who makes a movie wants to ask him to be his assistant, or even give him the title of director and co-direct.
She was still under Wu Yusen's disciples in her early years, and everyone knew about the grievances between Wu Yusen and Tsui Hark.
Tsui Hark originally asked Wu Yusen to film "A Better Tomorrow". After it became a hit, Tsui Hark, as an investor at the time, wanted to start the second part immediately.
Although Wu Yusen didn't want to be so hasty, Tsui Hark was his good friend and great benefactor, so he could only make a prequel.
However, the two had different ideas. The script of this prequel was changed many times by Tsui Hark, but Wu Yusen finally endured it and finished filming.
Next, Wu Yusen wanted to film "The Hero", but Tsui Hark refused. He was worried that he would be too stubborn and his personal style would be unacceptable to the audience. He also wanted him to film "A Better Tomorrow 3".
As a result, Wu Yusen left Tsui Hark's studio and found investors with the help of Fa Ge to film "The Bloody Heroes".
"A Better Tomorrow 3: Sunset Song" can only be filmed by Tsui Hark himself.
Although the relationship between the two parties has softened on the surface over the years, they themselves know what is actually going on.
It’s not surprising that Wu Yusen’s apprentice doesn’t care much about Cheng Jiashang, Tsui Hark’s half-apprentice.
The director circle in Xiangjiang is so full of factions that you can't get around those few people even if you go around and around.
As for Li Renggang, he is known as the third generation of martial arts film directors in Hong Kong. The first generation is Chuck Ce and the second generation is Xu Ke.
However, he and Xu Ke had already fallen out because of "Black Man 2".
Guangxian had collaborated with him on "The Legend of Hongmen Banquet" before, but it was not considered a success.
Fortunately, Southeast Asia sold for a little money, and Guangxian only invested a small amount and made a fortune from the issuance fees.
Seeing that Wang Changtian had some doubts, the production director explained.
"In fact, the biggest shortcomings of the two movies "Three Kingdoms: Seeing the Dragon Disarm" and "The Legend of Hongmen Banquet" are the plots, costumes and the history of the audience's perception. The other art, action, photography, and soundtrack are all first-rate.
"Four Famous Catchers" is not a historical novel, it is just a martial arts novel, and the first part has already been greatly changed. If Li Rengang is allowed to film it, at least it will not be worse than the first part."
Wang Changtian thought for a while and nodded.
"Make an appointment with Li Rengang for me. I'll talk to him."
"Forget it about Cheng Xiaodong, let Li Rengang handle the action guidance."
At the end, Wang Changtian added a sentence.
"The Legend of White Snake" directed by Cheng Xiaodong was turned into a scumbag by Guang Xian, and it almost had a lower box office than "Painted Wall".
Originally, Cheng Xiaodong was interested in a period blockbuster like "The Beauty of the Country", but the disastrous failure of "The Legend of White Snake" directly caused him to go back to action directing. In a short time, no one asked him to be a director.
...
Although Guangxian's replacement of Cheng Jiashang has not been officially announced, it has been confirmed.
Everyone in the industry is speculating why Wang Changtian did this.
Senior executives of major companies and some well-informed people basically know what is going on.
There is no airtight wall in the world, let alone no deliberate confidentiality in the first place.
Privately, many people say that Tang An is too overbearing. For example, Teng Huatao, who was "cheated" by Tang An, has not yet gotten over the shadow of the failure of "Waiting for the Wind" and hates and fears Tang An.
But it was just a private chat with a close friend. If word got out and Tang An found out, he might be retaliated in some way.
Some people think that these are all basic operations. Cheng Jiashang offended someone who shouldn't be offended. If someone else was in Tang An's position, they might be more cruel and direct.
They are all waiting to see the result, and no one is going to intervene. Two major companies are dealing with one person, and even if they want to, they can't.
...
A week has passed and this matter is still fermenting in the circle, but there has been no movement from the person involved.
In a private club, Cheng Jiashang was having a gathering with several friends. In addition to Zheng Zhiwei, there were also several other friends, including Chen Shuzhen and Tan Guangyuan, the two screenwriters of "Four Famous Catchers".
Compared with the previous few days, Cheng Jiashang was in a much better mood.
Chen Shuzhen and Tan Guangyuan are talking about their refusal to write the script for "The Big Four 2".
"Guangxian is going too far. "Four Famous Catchers" is your project, Lao Cheng. They will change people whenever they say. It is impossible for me to cooperate with them again." Tan Guangyuan said with an indignant look.
Cheng Jiashang raised his glass and toasted everyone with a smile, "It's still Old Tan and Old Chen Zhongyi. Without you two, I wonder where Wang Changtian will find a suitable screenwriter!"
"It's easy to say, this is not authentic, and we can't watch it."
Tan Guangyuan waved his hand, and then said, "It's just that Qin Xiaozhen seems to have agreed to Guangxian's stay, which is so unjust."
Cheng Jiashang didn't take it seriously, "If she wants to stay, she can stay. She can't make a blockbuster movie herself, so Guang Xian still needs to find another director."
Zheng Zhiwei said with a smile, "We have contacted all the directors in Hong Kong who can make martial arts films to see who Guang Xian can find to make them!"
Everyone raised their glasses and drank another drink.
They have not been idle these days. Although Cheng Jiashang is half of Xu Ke's apprentice, his energy in the Xiangjiang film industry is not small, and he can be regarded as a faction of his own.
Basically, Cheng Jiashang has contacted most of the directors who have made martial arts movies in Hong Kong. Except for a few directors who can't talk, and who can't pick up what others left, they have basically contacted them.
.
We were chatting and laughing while eating, drinking, and the atmosphere was so cheerful.
Suddenly, a ringtone interrupted their chat.
Cheng Jiashang smiled apologetically and answered the phone.
"Hello..."
"What!"
As if he had heard some terrible news, the chopsticks in his hand fell on the table, he knocked over the wine glass with his hand, and even spilled it on his pants.
Everyone who had been chatting happily just now looked at each other, wondering what news Cheng Jiashang had heard that made him so rude.
After two sentences, Cheng Jiashang hung up the phone.
He slammed his cell phone on the table, his face was gloomy and his eyes were filled with anger.
Seeing his appearance, everyone probably guessed something.
"Guangxian has confirmed the screenwriter and director."
"Who is it?" Tan Guangyuan asked in shock.
There are definitely not many people in the Mainland who can make martial arts movies. Wu Ershan from the Han and Tang Dynasties is one of them, and there is also Zhang Yimou, but none of them can take on this film.
There are quite a few people in Xiangjiang who can make martial arts films, but they have approached most of them and received clear answers.
Some people with high qualifications who cannot be persuaded will not pick up this sequel.
"The screenwriter is He Jiping, and the director found Li Renggang!"
Cheng Jiashang gritted his teeth and said two names.
"Li Renggang?"
Everyone was puzzled when they heard this name.
Zheng Zhiwei said, "Why would he accept this film?"
Although Li Renggang is incomparable to Xu Ke and Chen Kexin, and his qualifications are far inferior to those of Cheng Jiashang, he can get along much better in the mainland than Cheng Jiashang.
Seven years ago, the action film "Raiders" was a huge success and was included in the collection of the National Museum of China. This was also the first time that the National Museum included a film in its collection!
This action film is a joint investment from five countries and regions around the world, with a cost of HK$100 million.
The copyright fee sold in the United States and Europe was 10 million US dollars, which was only 20 million lower than that of "Heroes".
It was sold for US$2 million in South Korea and nearly US$15 million in global overseas markets.
Although there are some tricks in it, the overseas copyright fee of US$15 million was scary enough in 2005.
Moreover, none of his three subsequent blockbusters, "The Legend of the Dragon", "The Legend of Hongmen Banquet", and "The Golden Guard" did not have big-name stars and big productions. How could they be considered for a mid-level production of only 60 million yuan like "The Four Famous Catchers".
They didn't ask Li Renggang before because they thought he might not like the movie.
In addition, Li Renggang had no friendship with them.
Everyone thought for a while and then advised the Cheng family to call Li Renggang and talk.