China Entertainment's whatever you want

Chapter 744 Legend
Time has entered December.

On the first day of the month, the Hollywood blockbuster "Terminator: Dark Fate" and Makoto Shinkai's new film "Weathering with You" entered the market strongly.

The "emotional card" of the return of classic movies can often arouse a wave of movie-watching enthusiasm among the audience.

The [Terminator] series is undoubtedly a "masterpiece" in the hearts of countless science fiction fans.

When the "iron triangle" combination of James Cameron, Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton returns after 28 years, there will definitely be a lot of people who will go to the cinema to "return" a movie ticket.

Unlike the previous "assembly line works", "Terminator: Dark Fate" produced by Cameron is more in line with the classics in style and plot, and is called a "more orthodox sequel" by fans.

Of course, it is not easy to restart or continue a big IP, and the new "Terminator" cannot escape the criticism of "harvesting sentiments" and "too deep routines".

In the end, the film grossed over 3 million yuan in its first three days and received a Douban score of 1.9, which is obviously not comparable to the reputation of "Terminator" and "Terminator 7.2: Judgment Day."

Another highly anticipated work released on the same day is Makoto Shinkai's new film "Weathering with You".

With the huge box office success of "Your Name" in mainland China, Makoto Shinkai has also gained more Chinese fans.

However, in comparison, "Weathering with You" is not as good as its predecessor in terms of online discussion and box office reputation. Although it also earned 1.5 million yuan in the first week, there is still a certain gap with "Your Name"'s performance of 3 million yuan in 2.86 days.

Unfortunately, neither "Terminator" nor "Weathering with You" could shake "Better Days" from its position as the box office champion.

This youth crime drama starring Gu Wei and Zhang Zifeng has been the domestic weekly box office champion for three consecutive weeks.

After 17 days of release, the total box office exceeded 20 billion, becoming the fifth domestic film in 2019 to exceed 20 billion in total box office.

The other four are "The Wandering Earth" and "Crazy Alien" at the beginning of the year, and "My People, My Country" and "The Captain" last month.

In 2019, there were five movies with box office revenue exceeding 5 billion yuan, two of which were starred by Gu Wei, with a total box office revenue of nearly 20 billion yuan.

Maoyan also raised its forecast box office for "Better Days" to 23 billion yuan.

".Brother Wei is awesome, you are worthy of it. Your new movie is a big hit. A feature film has earned over 20 billion yuan at the box office, almost catching up with last year's "Dying to Survive"."

When Gu Wei returned to the crew to film, he was congratulated by people around him.

"The release date was quite good. The three films released during the National Day holiday had passed, and there were no big movies released in the market. It just so happened that Better Days was of good quality."

Gu Wei said modestly.

"How come there are no blockbusters? There was Maleficent 2 before and Terminator after. Every year before the Lunar New Year holiday, a number of Hollywood blockbusters are released, and this year is no exception.

However, the box office is far behind that of "Better Days".

Brother Wei, your box office appeal in the domestic film industry is simply unrivaled!"

Speaking of age, Xin Zhilei, who is 86 years old, is 6 years older than Gu Wei, and she always calls him Brother Wei without any reluctance.

This is her second time working with Gu Wei. When they were filming "Life Events", everyone in the crew, including the staff, only called Gu Wei three names: "Brother Wei, Teacher Gu Wei, and Mr. Gu".

In the current crew of "Joy of Life", only senior big names like Chen Daoming will call Gu Wei by his name when chatting with him.

Sometimes when she looks at Gu Wei, she would think, although they are both actors, the differences between them in all aspects are too big!
Xin Zhilei graduated from the Central Academy of Drama and entered the entertainment industry in 2011. Her first drama in life was the TV series "Painted Skin" starring Ling Xiaosu and Xue Kaiqi, in which she played a small supporting role.

Later, she hung out in the circle, went to film crews to look for opportunities, and played many supporting roles. It was not until 2015 that she got the opportunity to play the leading female role in the movie "The Map of the Yangtze River".

However, he did not become a huge hit, but he became more famous and got more acting opportunities.

She has good acting skills, a good image and temperament, and has also created some well-known roles, such as Gu Yao in "Mr. Love" and Concubine Shujia in "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace".

However, up to now, his fame is only at the third or fourth tier level in the circle, and most of the acting opportunities he gets are for major supporting roles.

Xin Zhilei had known Gu Wei before. It was said that he had an extraordinary family background and he paid for his own movies while he was still studying at the Beijing Film Academy.

His debut movie was the masterpiece "Knife of the Assassin", in which he played the male lead and Liu Yifei played the supporting role.

Later, he continued to rise and paired with top female stars born after 85 such as Yang Mi and Zhao Liying, and became the top star of the new generation.

Then he starred in one movie and TV series after another and has reached his current position. No one can refute the fact that he is the best actor in China.

With this experience and looks, this is what the male protagonist in a domineering CEO novel should be like, right?

"Hollywood movies are no longer popular in China. Only Marvel movies still have some traffic, and very few others can get high box office.

How was your audition this time? Did you succeed?"

"what"

Xin Zhilei, who was stunned by Gu Wei's face, reacted.

“It worked, my audition went well and I’ve got the role.

These days, my team is working with the crew of "Fanhua" on the contract."

Gu Wei took a leave to promote the movie, and Xin Zhilei also took two days off to audition.

“Congratulations! Although Wang Jiawei’s filming process has been criticized, we have to admit that his works are rare masterpieces.

This is his first time directing a TV series, and I believe "Fang Hua" will be an excellent work.

Maybe you will become famous overnight with this drama!"

Gu Wei stated the truth in a joking tone. Xin Zhilei really came into the attention of the general audience after "Fang Hua".

The character Li Li she played was mysterious, beautiful and charming, and was very popular.

With the popularity of the TV series and the fame of the role, I became a first-line actress, and all kinds of business and film and television resources came to me.

When "Fan Hua" was popular, Xin Zhilei was 38 years old. She became famous in middle age and is considered a typical late bloomer in the entertainment industry.

"Hahaha, I'm borrowing your good words. I've acted in so many dramas over the years and I'm still not very popular. If [Flowers] can be popular, then I don't mind following Director Wang for three to five years."

Xin Zhilei has a hearty laugh, a typical Northeastern personality, and is not fussy about details.

Regardless of whether she can become famous or not, Wang Jiawei's TV series are rare and good resources for her, and it is something to be happy about that she can get the role.

"In fact, compared to [Flowers], I think that shooting [Joy of Life] and the previous [Life Events] might make me a little famous.

After all, it’s your play, Brother Wei, so it’s bound to be a hit whether it’s a movie or a TV series.

You are recognized as the "entertainment industry's nanny". Many female artists in the circle are trying their best to film with you.

I feel like I’m really lucky this year to be able to work together on two dramas in a row!"

"It's not as exaggerated as you say. This nickname should not be taken seriously." Gu Wei smiled and waved his hands.

“Why not take it seriously? People in our circle understand best the meaning of the saying ‘Small fame depends on promotion, big fame depends on luck’.

Brother Wei, it seems like you haven't failed in all these years.

For example, Jingtian has spent so much resources over the years but has never become popular. However, at the beginning of this year, the drama "Sito" became a hit, and in the second half of the year, "The East Palace" made Meng Ziyi popular again.

It’s said in the industry that Brother Wei, you’re very lucky, and working with you will bring you some luck, that’s why you’re so popular.” Xin Zhilei said seriously, and it seemed like what he said was not nonsense, but something that was really circulating among the artists.

"Is there such a rumor?" Gu Wei opened his eyes wide. It was the first time he heard of it.

Xin Zhilei nodded slowly: "Really, I also heard it from other actresses when I was chatting with them during filming." Gu Wei was speechless.

"By the way, when you went to the audition, did you know who the other leading actors of [Flowers] were besides you?"

Xin Zhilei thought for a moment and said, "It's lucky actually. Director Wang Jiawei originally wanted to find all Shanghai local actors to play in [Fang Hua]. Several leading actors have been decided, but there is no suitable actor for the role of Li Li.

So he found a few actresses in the circle who were of suitable age and appearance to audition, and I finally got the role.

After you refused, Director Wang asked Hu Ge to play the male lead, and the two main female roles were played by Ma Yili and Tang Yan. "

Gu Wei nodded. Without him as the butterfly, everything remained the same.

In fact, it is not surprising. There are only a few famous actors in Shanghai, and if you look for them by their place of origin, the choices are very limited.

After returning to the crew, Gu Wei concentrated on filming.

In the remaining part of Fan Xian's scenes in Northern Qi, the actors who played opposite Gu Wei were completely replaced.

Among them, Xin Zhilei's Haitang Duoduo has the most scenes.

"Teacher Gu Wei, Teacher Xin Zhilei, my name is He Landou, and I play the role of Emperor Zhan Doudou of Northern Qi. Please take care of me during filming."

In the crew, Gu Wei was discussing today's scene with Xin Zhilei while holding the script. A short-haired girl of short stature with a chubby face came over, holding the script and timidly greeted the two of them.

"Hello~" Gu Wei responded with a smile and looked up and down at the girl in front of him.

He was also a little surprised.

In the original novel, the Northern Qi Emperor Zhan Doudou was a woman who disguised herself as a man to become the emperor. The original version of "Joy of Life" also hired a female actress to play the role, and she didn't have many scenes.

Gu Wei had some impression of the original Zhan Doudou. Although he didn't know the name of the actress, it was definitely not He Landou in front of him.

"What's your name?" Xin Zhilei confirmed.

"He Landou~" The little girl didn't mind and repeated her name.

"Your name
Uh. It fits the role pretty well."

He Lan scratched his head amusedly.

"My teasing is funny~"

"Is this your real name?" Gu Wei asked curiously.

He had an impression of the girl in front of him because he had watched "A Year in the Mountains".

Starring Liu Shishi and Liu Yuning, He Landou played the role of Princess Yang Ying of the Wu Kingdom. Coincidentally, she also dressed as a man in the beginning of the drama.

[A Year Across the Mountains] was Liu Shishi’s first costume drama after her comeback after marriage. It was heavily promoted at the time, so Gu Wei watched some of it.

It can’t be said to be bad, it is considered to be an average costume drama, with some advantages but also many flaws.

Liu Shishi has returned to her family for many years. Although she still has a certain popularity after her comeback, it seems that the only thing she can show off is her demeanor.

Whether it is in a TV series or outside publicity, on the red carpet, etc., as long as there is news about Liu Shishi, she will always be tall and straight with an elegant demeanor.

Everyone knows that you have learned dancing. It is an advantage to maintain a good posture at ordinary times, but it is not good to keep a straight body in a TV series. I feel that I am not as relaxed as when I played in "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" and "Startling by Each Step".

In addition, the male lead, Liu Yuning, was unanimously criticized by netizens for being ugly, saying that he has a rat-like appearance.

In fact, Gu Wei thinks he looks okay and not as exaggerated as netizens say.

But he is really tall, over 1.9 meters.

The average height of male celebrities in the entertainment industry is getting higher and higher. There are very few people of Huang Xiaoming and Deng Chao's generation who are over 180cm tall.

Gu Wei is 185cm tall, which makes him one of the tallest male stars of the same age.

But for the new generation of male stars, it is normal to be over 180cm tall, and there are many who are over 190cm tall. Liu Yuning, Zhang Linghe, and Hu Tianyi are all over 190cm tall.

“It’s my stage name.

My real name is He Lan. After I entered the industry, because I always posted some funny videos, fans often wrote "He Lan is really funny" in my comments. Gradually, this name became "He Lan Dou", so I used this name as my stage name. "

"Puchi~" Xin Zhilei started laughing after she said that.

"Your stage name is really right, you are really funny"

"I think this stage name is pretty good," He Lan said with a silly smile.

"Please sit down~" Gu Wei pointed to the chair next to him.

"Xin Zhilei and I are just rehearsing the scene in the palace, and you have a line in it, so let's do it together."

"Thank you, Teacher Gu Wei!" He Landou sat down with an excited look on her face. She was already very excited to meet Gu Wei today, but she didn't expect her idol to be so approachable.

"You don't have to call me teacher, just call me Brother Wei in the crew~"

"Brother Wei!" He Landou shouted without hesitation.

"Um~ Brother Wei, can you sign an autograph for me? I'm your loyal fan!

I have seen all the dramas you have acted in, and my favorites are "Dear, Got a Love So Beautiful" and "You Are My Glory".

Han Shangyan and Yu Tu are so handsome!"

"No problem. After the filming is finished, I'll give you some autographed photos." Gu Wei agreed with a smile.

It is not strange for celebrities to have idols. With his achievements over the years and various popular works, many new generation artists regard him as an idol.

Just like many celebrities like Zhou Jie Lun.

"Brother Wei is different. Your fan base is so huge that even the little girls in the same industry like you," Xin Zhilei next to him joked.

"Alas, there is nothing I can do. If being handsome is a sin, then I am already unforgivable. God originally wanted me to make a living by testing my looks, but I insisted on testing my talent.

Being liked by everyone is what I should bear, I'm used to it!"

Gu Wei sighed deliberately and spoke in a funny tone, which made He Landou and Xin Zhilei on the opposite side laugh.

The filming of this scene in the Northern Qi Palace went very smoothly. Gu Wei and Xin Zhilei are old partners, and what is rare is that the young actor He Landou also performed very well.

After a scene was finished, the three of them walked out of the venue in their costumes and came to the lounge.

"Boss, someone is here to visit you~"

As soon as he sat down, Yang Dan came over and said with his head down.

"Who is it?" Gu Wei was a little surprised, because no friend had told him in advance that they would come to visit the set today.

"It's Sister Mi"

(End of this chapter)