When Li Yi mentioned Luo Xian's words, he suddenly understood.
Could it be that the decline of Hong Kong movies is also the decline of some veteran actors?
I haven't been a big brother for a long time. For those old actors in Hong Kong who were active in the golden age, they really don't need to say that kind of mentality, they all understand it!
"Brother Wu, I think it should be quite suitable!" Chen Weijie said suddenly.
Li Yi was startled for a moment. The eldest brother Wu that Chen Weijie was talking about, Li Yi naturally knew that he was a veteran actor in Hong Kong, and there were two reasons why he was called eldest brother Wu.
Big Brother Wu's original name is Chen Wu. He can be said to be one of the most senior martial arts veterans in Hong Kong. Superstars such as Cheng Hu have to call Chen Wu "Big Brother" in front of him.
Moreover, in that chaotic era, Wu Xing was not only responsible for filming, but also responsible for the safety of the crew. It can be said that in that era, Chen Wu was famous even in the world.
Therefore, he is often invited to guest star as a gangster in gangster movies, because he does not need to act at all, it is enough for him to act in full character.
The momentum is absolutely sufficient!
It's just a pity that with the decline of action movies, martial arts movies, etc., and the loss of the glory of Hong Kong movies, Chen Wu's old-school style has gradually been eliminated by the times.
When Chen Weijie mentioned Chen Wulai, Li Yi thought, not to mention, it was really appropriate.
Because, to a certain extent, Chen Wu and Song Zihao are actually quite similar. They were both former gangsters. However, Chen Wu used to be the eldest brother in the entertainment industry, but now he can almost be said to be idle at home and no longer the eldest brother.
It's been many years.
But Li Yi was also a little hesitant: "But is eldest brother Wu too old?"
Although Song Zihao is a gangster and has been in prison for three years, he cannot be an old man at that age. However, Chen Wu is already over sixty years old. Obviously, in Li Yi's opinion, Chen Wu is not suitable for this.
"That's true!" Chen Weijie nodded.
"I do have a candidate, but I don't know if he will be willing to play." At this time, You Ningsheng suddenly said with a smile.
"Oh? Uncle You, please tell me who it is?" Li Yi asked.
"Hong Jiu!" You Ningsheng said a name that surprised everyone.
"Hong Jiu?" Chen Weijie couldn't help but scratch his head.
Li Yi was certainly not unfamiliar with the name Hong Jiu, but he was also a little stunned.
If Chen Wu is the eldest brother of martial arts, and even top stars like Cheng Hu in the entertainment industry have to call him eldest brother, then the name Hong Jiu is the real big brother of the world.
Yes, that's right, literally.
Hong Jiu is a man of the world. He came to power in the 1990s. It can be said that Hong Kong was the golden age of cinema. Hong Jiu is definitely a figure that must be mentioned.
At that time, countless societies were involved in the film and television industry to make money. It could be said that it was extremely chaotic. Even Chen Weijie was once forced to film a movie with a gun pointed at his head.
It's just that for these societies, although this method can be used for a while, it quickly arouses the public outrage of the entire entertainment industry. To put it harshly, the societies of that era were indeed very good, but in fact they were nothing more than in the eyes of the real rich people. Just a short mule.
Hong Jiu's company began to clean up its reputation very early, and then became the only film and television company with a dark background that survived. What's more, many gangster movies of the year were produced by Hong Jiu's company.
It can be said that at that time, Hong Jiu and the Kowloon Film and Television Group were definitely at the big brother level in Hong Kong films.
It’s just that Hong Kong movies have declined. The Kowloon Film and Television Group also dropped from its highest market value of nearly 10 billion to only 500 million after the millennium! The market value has shrunk by more than 90%!
Of course, this has a lot to do with the fact that Kowloon Film and Television Group clung to the Hong Kong film market back then.
Hong Jiu also often makes guest appearances in movies, but because his identity is relatively sensitive, most of the time he does not play roles such as gangsters.
However, as You Ningsheng said, if we are looking for a prototype character for Brother Hao, then Hong Jiu can definitely play the role in his true colors.
The more Li Yi thought about it, the more he felt that Hong Jiu was suitable. However, to be honest, Li Yi didn't think it was possible for Hong Jiu to play a role like Brother Hao.
"Actually, it's not impossible." Luo Xian suddenly laughed and said.
"Oh? How do you say that?" Li Yi looked curious.
"As far as I know, Hong Bin, the second son of the Hong family, is also an actor now," Luo Xian said.
Li Yi immediately understood what Luo Xian meant.
However, he frowned a little: "It's just that there doesn't seem to be a suitable role for him in this movie, right?"
"No, no, no, I'm not talking about "A Better Tomorrow", I'm talking about you!" Luo Xian said.
"Me?" Li Yi frowned.
To be honest, he doesn't like to commit to anything, especially when it comes to actors.
"I think we can give it a try. If Hong Jiu is really willing to come out, this movie will be more interesting." You Ningsheng said with a smile.
"Do you think he will be willing to star?" Li Yi still felt it was unreliable.
Even in those days, people were unwilling to play similar roles even if they had guest roles. After all, these were not the same years.
The background of the society is definitely not something that can be used, and this thing is very sensitive. Although it has been so long, the Hong family has long been cleared.
But the former boss is the boss. To play the role of a has-been big brother like Song Zihao, wouldn’t Hong Jiu be shameless?
But having Hong Jiu play Song Zihao was indeed a stroke of genius, and even Li Yi couldn't help but feel a little moved.
After all, the eldest brother plays the eldest brother, and the big brother plays the big brother. It’s exciting to think about it, isn’t it?
"How about giving it a try?" Chen Weijie also thought it was quite exciting and encouraged.
"Then give it a try." Li Yi thought for a while, and there was nothing wrong with giving it a try anyway. Even if the other party doesn't want to, it doesn't matter.
And Li Yi really doesn't worry about what Hong Jiu thinks. With his current status, he is no longer afraid of these things.
Hong family!
It is said that a skinny camel is bigger than a horse.
Don't look at the Hong family's Kowloon Film and Television Group, whose market value has long since declined, but the Hong family is still the same Hong family.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Of course, it is definitely not as good as it was back then.
Hung House, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong Island.
Hong Jiu received an invitation and a script. To be honest, when he first got it, Hong Jiu was completely confused.
After reading the script, although he had to admit that the script was really great, when he saw that Li Yi actually invited him to play the role of Song Zihao, for a moment, Hong Jiu was furious.
Because what is the role of Song Zihao?
What does it mean to be a has-been gangster? What do you think about asking yourself to play a has-been gangster?
Naturally, Hong Jiu felt that Li Yi was connoting him.
"What's wrong? Why are you so angry?" Mrs. Hong asked in a funny tone.
"Look at this, it's so deceiving!" Hong Jiu threw the script to Mrs. Hong and said.
Mrs. Hong took the script and read it.
"This script, tsk tsk, is indeed Li Yi! This film has attracted a lot of attention from the outside world, but what's wrong?" Mrs. Hong was a little confused.
"He invited me to play the role of Song Zihao!" Hong Jiu said.
Mrs. Hong was startled for a moment, then said: "Apart from anything else, he really made the right choice to play this role, and his vision is really vicious."
"Haha, even you think so, hey!" Hong Jiu was quite discouraged.
In fact, he himself doesn't know that he is indeed a has-been gangster.
After calming down, Hong Jiu had to admit that this character's state of mind was really similar to his own.
"I haven't been a big brother for a long time!" Hong Jiu muttered this line. He was talking about Song Zihao, but maybe he wasn't talking about him?
"It's just that this kid is too disrespectful!" Hong Jiu laughed angrily.
"Why do people give you face?" Mrs. Hong asked instead, not taking it seriously.
"Yeah, why should people give me face?" Hong Jiu thought of Li Yi's brilliant achievements and his current identity and status, and said with self-deprecation.
Don't look at him, Hong Jiu is still considered the number one figure in Hong Kong Island, but it also depends on who he is compared with. Don't look at Li Yi as just a director.
But his net worth has long surpassed that of many Hong Kong wealthy families.
And in terms of influence, it goes without saying.
Although the film and television industry is said to be an entertainment industry, it also belongs to the cultural category.
Li Yi's influence has long been not limited to the three-thirds of an acre of Hong Kong Island, but has spread throughout the country and even the world.
Therefore, to put it bluntly, Li Yi is now the real big brother in the film industry, and he, Hong Jiu, and Kowloon Film and Television, even to put it bluntly, are not as good as some stars from the mainland.
In the early years, the Hong Kong circle still had great influence, but now, with the rise of mainland capital, the Hong Kong circle has long since declined.
In the past, movie stars from the Mainland could only play roles for newcomers from Hong Kong in movies, but now, this situation is unthinkable.
So this invitation initially seemed like Li Yi was mocking him as a has-been actor, but to be honest, in Li Yi's eyes, there might not really be any difference between him and other actors.
Maybe to some young actors, he Hong Jiu is an out-and-out big shot, but for someone like Li Yi who is a big asset in the film and television industry, he really may not be taken seriously by others.
None of the big guys in Hong Kong's film and television industry could get any benefit from Li Yi back then, let alone now.
"Reject it! I, Hong Jiu, will not fall to this level!" Hong Jiu said calmly.
"Wait a minute!" Mrs. Hong stopped her.
"Huh? What?" Hong Jiu looked at Hong Tai dissatisfied.
"I think this might be an opportunity." Hong Tai said.
As Hong Jiu's virtuous wife, it can be said that Hong Tai contributed a lot to the success of the Kowloon Film and Television Group.
Hong Jiu frowned and asked, "Opportunity?"
"Yes, if we can get on Li Yi's boat, we need to think about the children anyway." Hong Tai said.
Hong Jiu sighed, of course he understood what Hong Tai meant.
The eldest son will definitely inherit the family business in the future, and their original plan was to hand over the film and television business to their second son Hong Bin.
Now that Hong Bin has entered the entertainment industry as an actor, he is actually familiar with the entertainment industry in advance.
But if you want to make a living in the film and television industry, what better way is there than to cooperate with Li Yi?
You know, even if Li Yi’s movie investment share is ten times higher, people are rushing to get it. It’s not that his movies really have such a high return on investment, but this name has a huge impact on many people.
force.
Every one of Li Yi's movies can be said to be the focus of everyone's attention.
"Do you think it's possible?" Hong Jiu said it was a lie to say he wasn't moved, but he quickly shook his head because it was indeed unlikely.
"Why is it impossible? If we use this as a bargaining chip, it may indeed be impossible, but it won't be a problem to close the relationship and get his commitment to Bin Tsai and the Kowloon Film and Television Group.
Even if we just build a little relationship and let him say a few words, it will be of great benefit to Abin's future development!" Hong Tai said.
"But, I play this role." Hong Jiu admitted that what his wife said made sense, but he still couldn't lose his face.
His identity as Hong Jiu is not a secret, but it does not mean that he is willing to admit that he is really a has-been gangster brother. He also wants to save face!
"Haha, it's just that there is no silver here. If you don't admit it, can you change everything?" Mrs. Hong was very open-minded.
"Moreover, if you play such a role, it will help reverse the public opinion of the outside world."
Hong Jiu frowned. Although he didn't want to admit it, he had to say that these were indeed facts.
His identity as Hong Jiu can be said to be almost universally known on the Internet.
And if it was back then, which media would dare to arrange him like that? This actually explains the problem.
However, he, Hong Jiu, also wants to save face.
If you are willing to look down, as Mrs. Hong said, it may not be a bad thing!
While Hong Jiu was struggling, Li Yi didn't wait because of this.
The main reason is that he really wanted to make this film. He has to admit that the feeling of making an old Hong Kong film is indeed very special.
Li Yi also liked "A Better Tomorrow" very much.
However, at present, only Lin Jinrong has been confirmed to play the role of Song Zijie, and Hong Jiu has been confirmed to play the role of Song Zihao. But for the role of Xiao Ma, Li Yi thought that there should be many people suitable for it, but now it seems that it is really troublesome.
of.
He did meet a few people he thought might be suitable, but they all disappointed him in the end.
He did not limit himself to local actors in Hong Kong Island, but after seeing them, he knew he was wrong.
The role of Little Ma is indeed not something that a mainland actor can play, because he has an authentic Hong Kong city atmosphere, and this kind of atmosphere and feeling are obviously not something that a mainland actor can play.
Some things can be changed, but some things really can't be changed.
Market heroes like Xiao Ma are a major feature of Hong Kong Island. It was actually easy to find suitable candidates for this kind of actors in Hong Kong Island in the past, but in this era, it is really difficult.
The old actors are too old and are not suitable. Young actors are really in short supply here on Hong Kong Island.
It can be said that there has been a big gap.
It's really hard to find suitable actors at Xiao Ma's age.
Therefore, Li Yi could only expand the scope of casting.
At this moment, what Li Yi didn't expect was that Hong Jiu actually responded and accepted the role without any requirements.