The King of Huayu Science Fiction

Chapter 520 Ye Wenjie's Casting and Exploding Word of Mouth
The premiere of "The Wandering Earth" at the Metropolis Film Festival once again ignited the film market that had been silent for more than half a month.

There are no heavyweight domestic movies in May [-]st, or the domestic movies that were thought to be heavyweight are a bit misfired, only the account-sharing movie "Thunder's Agents" has killed all directions.

Objectively speaking, the quality of "Thunder" is still good. As Marvel's anti-hero team-a team carefully selected from prisoners, it is a bit like the Suicide Squad.

Moreover, this superhero team started with TV dramas, taking the light-hearted and humorous comedy route, and the quality is also on the standard line. The movie does not pull the hips, so the audience popularity is not bad.

It’s just that the entire genre of manga movies has entered the downward channel in China, and the fever has long since subsided. On the one hand, there are reasons for the rapid rise of DreamWorks, and on the other hand, many domestic audiences have indeed entered the stage of aesthetic fatigue for the theme of manga.

Therefore, the box office of the best-performing "Thunder Agents" in April and May is only 18 billion. In addition, there are no dark horses in other films, so these months have become a veritable off-season.

Finally, there was news of a heavyweight blockbuster, and the fans became excited again. "The Wandering Earth" is equivalent to sounding the clarion call for the summer vacation in advance.

Of course, the opening of the Shanghai Film Festival is not the premiere, and most of the audience for the opening screening are celebrities, directors and other insiders and some audiences who bought tickets for the opening screening.

In the few days after the opening of the Shanghai Film Festival, only one show was played every day in the theaters designated by the four film festivals.

At the same time, there are also small-scale screenings in several other first- and second-tier cities. The total number of screenings in the country is planned to be less than 600, with an average of less than 100 screenings per day. This scale of screenings can be called pocket-sized.

Nowadays, the scale of ordinary screenings of movies is more than a thousand. If it is too much, there is not much difference between the so-called screenings and the official releases. Tens of thousands of screenings can be "pointed" in a day.

For example, although "Eight Hundred Revelation" is still one month away from the official release date, it has already started screening at the same time as "The Wandering Earth". Rhythm.

Moreover, the so-called first round of advance screenings of "Eight Hundred Revelations" exceeded [-] screenings.

Obviously, after the opening of the film festival, Jingying's fear of "The Wandering Earth" has increased to a higher level, and it is preparing to enter the venue in advance to secure the film schedule.

……

"Yes, it has that charming melancholy flavor peculiar to Persia..."

"The script is really good."

"Living up to the reputation..."

In a dim movie screening room, accompanied by the bright lights, Chen Jingxing and several judges were commenting on a movie in the main competition unit that they had just watched, the movie "Castle of Dreams" from Persia.

A typical eye-catching Persian literary film.

There are 15 shortlisted films in the main competition unit of this year's Shanghai Film Festival. Basically, Chen Jingxing and the other six judges have to watch three films a day, which is quite sufficient in terms of time.

After all, the judges at the Shanghai Film Festival are far less exaggerated than Cannes. Locking people in a house and judging the results within two days, it feels like an expert in major domestic exams writing questions in a confidential environment.

It was Chen Jingxing's first time as a judge of a film festival, let alone the chairman of the jury, but the process of watching the films shortlisted for the main competition unit was not difficult, and it was even quite unexpected.

The film quality of this year's film festival is really good.

Especially today I watched a total of three movies, one is "Escape from the Town" from Mexico, one is the domestic suspense crime film "Desperate Risk", and the other is "Castle of Dreams" from Persia, a powerhouse of art films.

It is quite rare that every film is on the standard line. Even Chen Jingxing, the crime film "Desperate Risk", which is the lowest quality among the three films, can score 6.5 points.

"The quality of this year's movies is really good. Director Chen, you really attracted Phoenix to us as the chairman?" Hao Lei's tone was a little teasing.

In addition to Chen Jingxing, the chairman of the main competition jury, there are six judges, the domestic actress Hao Lei, the well-known Hong Kong producer Shi Nansheng, and the other four are foreign directors or screenwriters.

Usually with such a lineup of judges, the language barrier is a problem.

Fortunately, everyone can communicate and comment smoothly with each other in English and body language

It's just that Chen Jingxing, Hao Lei, Shi Nansheng and other Huaguo judges will subconsciously communicate with each other in Chinese.

"Hey, my role as the chairman is to increase the exposure of the film festival. I can't influence the quality of the film. I can only say that this year is indeed a big year."

Chen Jingxing didn't think it was really a masterpiece attracted by his domineering aura, but it was true luck.

After exchanging their feelings about the three movies they watched before, Chen Jingxing turned the topic to Hao Lei personally: "Sister Hao, are you nervous about your schedule next year?"

Hao Lei laughed: "Do you think I look like someone with a tight schedule?"

Although Hao Lei can be regarded as a big Tsing Yi, she really doesn't have much commercial value, so despite her reputation, she really doesn't have many film appointments.

Nowadays, the entertainment industry is an era of traffic. Without the blessing of stars, no matter how good the acting skills are, it is difficult to receive a good show or a leading role.

Not to mention that actresses themselves lack box office appeal, and they still followed the literary route in the early days. Coupled with their awkward age, they can only play supporting roles in various film and television dramas under the name of an old drama.

However, Chen Jingxing liked Hao Lei's acting skills very much. Although his talent was not as good as Mr. Zhou's, it was difficult for him to rival him.

Chen Jingxing actually wanted to invite Hao Lei to play Ye Wenjie in "Once Upon a Time on Earth".

Ye Wenjie is a prominent character in the whole story of the Three-Body Problem, the source of the invasion of the Three-Body Problem, the culprit, and the biggest villain.

But it is not an ordinary villain, it can be called the most eye-catching female character in the three bodies, not even one of them.

After all, although Cheng Xin, the Holy Mother, is more involved and has a larger role in the scene, she is basically a tool person in Da Liu's writing, and the charm of the character is lacking.

The filming of "Once Upon a Time on Earth: Prelude" has already been filmed, and the movie "Once Upon a Time on Earth" has also been put on the agenda within the company, and the casting of the movie has been brewing in his brain.

As Ye Wenjie was the soul of the first film, Chen Jingxing had many candidates in mind, and Hao Lei was at the top of the list.

Hao Lei's sensitivity and temperament are really suitable for this kind of extreme female character with rich psychological activities and extremely complicated personality.

Ye Wenjie's line is one of the three lines of narrative in the movie, with the largest time span, involving teenagers, young adults, middle-aged and old people. It stands to reason that different actors should be selected to play different periods.

Adolescents, young adults, middle-aged and elderly people may need at least three actors.

But Chen Jingxing didn't want to shoot like this, this story line is too important, movies are different from TV dramas, TV dramas are long enough, there is enough transition time.

The script of "Once Upon a Time on Earth" is just over two hours long, and Ye Wenjie is just one of the lines, and the time is not enough.

Different actors playing different age groups will destroy the effect of presentation and interrupt the smooth viewing experience.

So Chen Jingxing only planned to invite an actor to act out Ye Wenjie's life.

The solution is actually not difficult: CG facial age reduction technology.

Of course, this technology can not only make you younger, but also make you older.

This technology has been used in many film and television dramas in Hollywood, and the current top-notch effects are very strong and quite realistic.

The only downside is that it burns money.

Burn in seconds.

But for the project "Once Upon a Time on Earth", the money is still affordable.

So the only drawback can also be overcome.

And Hao Lei not only meets Chen Jingxing's requirements in terms of acting skills and temperament, but also fits well when she is young. Through age reduction and age increase, it is enough to cover Ye Wenjie's life.

"My schedule can't be scheduled for next year at all. There is only one variety show that I may shoot at the end of the year." Hao Lei blinked her eyes, her tone could not hide her expectation: "Director Chen, is there a suitable role for me?"

It is well known that Chen Jingxing is filming "Interstellar", and the casting of "Interstellar" has been decided long ago, and there is no publicized film plan after that.

If Chen Jingxing could ask such a question, it is very likely that there is a movie role considering her.

And it is very likely that it is Chen Jingxing's own movie.

Although Hao Lei had the title of goddess of literature and art in the early days, she also preferred literary films in her career. After all, she was able to ignore the objections of her then boyfriend Deng Chao in order to make literary films, and even became the trigger for the two to break up.

But the so-called situation is stronger than people, people can't always treat money like dung, and there are very few people in the entertainment industry who can escape the word fame and fortune.

She even started accepting variety shows, not to mention commercial movies.

What's more, fame and ideals in the entertainment industry are inseparable.

If there is not enough commercial value, there are not enough cafes, and it is difficult to get good resources.

Chen Jingxing's movies are irresistible to most actors, and Hao Lei is no exception.

The other party's nod made it even more difficult for her to restrain her surprise.

Opportunities in the film and television industry are much more important and rare than abilities.

Hao Lei gave up her efforts to maintain her reserve, her eyes glowed: "Is it Director Chen's new movie?"

"The script has already been released, and it's called "Once Upon a Time on Earth." Chen Jingxing responded to Hao Lei's question: "That's right, it is the same film universe as the TV series "Once Upon a Time on Earth" that has already been completed."

"You can think of him as the kind of superhero IP that has both TV dramas and movies. I said before that "Once Upon a Time on Earth" is a science fiction film and television series, including movies and episodes.

And Ni's role is the heroine of the movie. "

It is also true to say that Ye Wenjie is the heroine of the first movie "Once Upon a Time on Earth".

"Mistress?"

Hao Lei was simply pleasantly surprised.

You must know that the film and television dramas she has starred in in recent years rarely have the role of the leading actress, and most of them are supporting roles.

Even Chen Jingxing's invitation, she subconsciously thought it was a supporting role.

For a middle-aged actress like her, if she can't act in an idol drama, it is almost impossible to take on the lead role, especially the heroine of a movie.

The heroine of Chen Jingxing's movie is much higher than expected.

Of course, it could also be Wan Qian's fringe heroine in "Source Code".

"It's not a lace mistress."

Chen Jingxing seems to have read Hao Lei's thoughts, and he is naturally familiar with the audience's teasing of the female characters in his films.

"It's a very complicated and attractive female character, no less than "The Center of the Earth", of course, it's not as good as the heroine of "The Center of the Earth", but trust me, you will never be disappointed.

Of course, the script cannot be given to you now, and there is still a lot of time before filming, maybe next year, but after the film festival is over, you can come to DreamWorks to see the storyline of this character. "

Except for another judge from Hong Kong Island, none of the foreign judges knew that Chen Jingxing had decided on the heroine of his future movie in a few words.

But even though she couldn't understand Huaguo's language, all the judges could see Hao Lei's obvious expression of surprise.

It's just that everyone is unfamiliar, so it's not easy to ask directly, and today's three movies have been watched, and after a while of communication, the judges left the viewing room.

Only Chen Jingxing and Hao Lei were still communicating about the filming appointment of "Once Upon a Time on Earth". While talking, Xiang Xuan walked in.

"Boss, "Apocalypse Eight Hundred" seems to have a good reputation, is it really that good? Shall we also expand the screening?"

The Golden Goblet Award of Shanghai Metropolis Film Festival is divided into the main competition drama unit, documentary unit, animation unit and short film unit.

Chen Jingxing and the other six judges are only responsible for selecting the feature film unit of the main competition, which is of course the most important award.

Other units have their own professional judges to judge awards.

Xiang Xuan is the chairman of the judging committee of the animation unit. Besides him, there are two other animation directors from abroad who are jury members.

As the director of "Kung Fu Panda" and "Wall-E", Xiang Xuan, one of the four founders of Mo, is now undoubtedly the No.1 animation director in China.

Although he is not as famous as Chen Jingxing, Guo Fan, Tian Xinye and other directors, he is already a well-known figure in the animation industry.

He is currently working on "Kung Fu Panda II", but there is more time, because the animated film scheduled to be released by DreamWorks during the Spring Festival next year is "Inside Out", and another director named Zhou Hao is in charge.

Xiang Xuan, who was not busy with work, was also brought in by Chen Jingxing to be the chairman of the judges of the animation unit.

In terms of qualifications, it is definitely qualified, even super qualified.

Last year, the organizing committee of the film festival actually invited Xiang Xuan to be a judge of the animation unit. At that time, he was already famous for "Kung Fu Panda", but the production of "Wall-E" was relatively tight, so he declined.

Chen Jingxing didn't show any worry: "No need, half a month has passed between "The Wandering Earth" and "Eight Hundred", and it's not a head-on collision. The marketing department's publicity plan itself is hunger marketing, there is no need to follow "The Wandering Earth" The rhythm of "Eight Hundred"."

However, he still turned on the mobile phone that had been turned off during the viewing, and browsed the public opinion on the Internet.

After "The Wandering Earth" had a burst of word-of-mouth on the opening night of the film festival, with the screening of "Eight Hundred Revelation" the next day, "Eight Hundred" also received word-of-mouth feedback.

The two films, one after the other, exploded with strong word-of-mouth almost at the same time, which also excited the melon-eaters and the media.

　The missing chapter will be added tomorrow

　　
　
(End of this chapter)