Full-time actor

Chapter 483 [48] A big gamble!
Chen Yu really didn't expect that Li An would tell him so much for a second male role in "Lust, Caution".

He really looked down on it, not because he had become arrogant because of his status, but because there was really no need for it.

Because he is not even interested in the male lead, let alone the second male lead.

However, there are still many actors in China who are interested in Li An's movies.

If there is an interview opportunity for a film directed by a big director like this, many people will definitely give it a try!
In Chen Yu’s previous life, when the casting for the female lead “Wang Jiazhi” in next year’s “Lust, Caution” was underway, many actresses in China actually participated in the audition.

Even including Liu Yifei.

However, Tianxian could not accept this scale. Besides, she was too young and not very suitable for the role of Wang Jiazhi, so she did not accept it.

In fact, the most important issue should still be the issue of large scale.

Otherwise, the fairy would probably agree.

Because this is a good opportunity to make an international impact.

There are also Gong Huang, Zhou Xun and others. They all actually had ideas about this role, but in the end, they all had difficulties with the issue of scale.

This movie is not just about stripping or nudity, but it has a lot of real XO shots.

In fact, many reporters interviewed Li An about these shots after the release of Lust, Caution. Li An's answer at the time was: They cannot be removed because they are related to the portrayal of the leading female character, which means they must be there to highlight the central idea of ​​the film.

This is also the reason why the actors did not dare to continue.

As for Chen Yu, scale is one aspect, but politics is the key; acting in this kind of film has a great impact on his career.

The film "Lust, Caution" was shot very well by Li An and received a high score on Douban. It glorified the invaders and whitewashed them thoroughly. The film itself is also somewhat controversial.

In China, a version with 30 minutes cut from the film was even released, and it took in over 9000 million at the box office.

Seeing Li An staring at him with burning eyes, Chen Yu certainly couldn't say that he refused because of the film itself; after all, the movie hasn't been made yet, and Li An hasn't even shown him the script, so how did he know there was something wrong with the movie?

So this answer is definitely not appropriate.

"Director Li, I've read this novel by Eileen Chang, but I don't really like it!"

"But can you show me the script? Is it the role played by Kuang Yumin?"

Chen Yu smiled, it was all just a rhetoric anyway.

"Yes, Kuang Yumin!"

The smile on Li An's face became even wider. From the name Kuang Yumin, it was obvious that Chen Yu had read the novel, otherwise he would not have blurted out this name.

He obviously didn't know that Chen Yu only knew about the novel through the movie he made.

In his heart, he even developed a strong liking for Chen Yu. This currently famous young actor is not just a kung fu star, he also reads a lot in private!

In terms of acting, his performance may be even better than his actions themselves.

Lust, Caution, by Eileen Chang is definitely not her most famous work, and it cannot be ranked among her many works throughout her life.

Chen Yu has read it and found that the knowledge is indeed good.

"When I finished reading this novel, the first thing that came to my mind was you!"

"..."

Li An really didn't show any airs as he was talking to Chen Yu about something related to "Lust, Caution".

He really felt from the bottom of his heart that Chen Yu was suitable for the role of Kuang Yumin, the second male lead in "Lust, Caution".

If he had been attracted by Chen Yu's fame and acting skills before, now he really felt that Chen Yu was the ideal Kuang Yumin in his mind.

Especially Li An, who is the kind of director who has extremely high requirements for actors, so he is even more eager to recruit talented people.

Chen Yu could see the desire in his eyes.

In his previous life, Li An had actually looked for many people for the second male lead, but there were very few actors who matched Kuang Yumin's image and temperament. Often many actors had acting skills but their temperament did not match, while some who did match the role did not have acting skills.

In the end, he had no choice but to find the role played by Wang Laoer. There were social skills involved, and Wang was also a singer. It could be said that he had acting skills, but they were slightly better than those of ordinary people.

This is a big regret for Li An, and he has spoken about it publicly in the media.

"Director Li, has the male lead for this script been confirmed?"

Chen Yu asked casually.

It would be boring to sit on the plane anyway, and there were still more than ten hours to go before reaching the United States, so he could only chat with Li An.

"For now... we have a candidate!"

Li An smiled, and Chen Yu understood the meaning of his words: "For the time being?"

"Well, Director Wang Jiawei recommended Tony Leung to me. I've seen several movies he starred in, and he fits the role of the leading man, but—"

Li An suddenly laughed.

The smile was a bit inexplicable.

"what happened?"

Of course Chen Yu knew that the leading male actor in "Lust, Caution" was Liang Chaowei.

But what does this sudden smile mean?
"Tai Wai is just a backup. I really want director Zhang Yimou to play the leading male role!"

puff--

Chen Yu almost spit out his coffee.

Zhang Yimou plays the leading male role in "Lust, Caution"?
"Very surprised?"

Li An rubbed his hands and smiled, "In fact, after I finished reading Zhang Ailing's novel, the image of Mr. Yi, the male lead, in my mind is exactly like Director Zhang Yimou!"

"..."

Chen Yu really couldn't help it.

In his mind, he imagined Zhang Yimou filming that large-scale scene.

"No, no, it's too eye-catching..."

Chen Yu was completely defeated.

"Then...Does Director Zhang know about this?"

The gossip fire in Chen Yu's heart was burning fiercely, and he was just like a spectator.

“I have looked for it!”

"I told him about this backstage at the Academy Awards yesterday!"

"He said he's filming a new movie, so he might not have time, but he will read the script!"

"..."

Fortunately, there is no time, otherwise Zhang Yimou would have vomited blood after reading the script?

It's actually no problem for Zhang Yimou to be an actor. He started out as an actor and his acting skills are actually at the level of a movie emperor. "Old Well" won the Hundred Flowers, Golden Rooster and Tokyo Best Actor awards, which is better than 99% of the male actors in the circle.

Li An obviously knew this, so he decided to give it a try, and he was also very familiar with Zhang Yimou.

"That's why I looked for other people. I also looked for Huazai!"

"Finally, I listened to director Wang Jiawei's advice..."

Chen Yu had never heard of the information Li An mentioned, and he thought the other party had recognized him at first sight.

Unexpectedly, the person they wanted at the beginning was Zhang Yimou.

This incident must have actually happened in the previous life; it’s just that Chen Yu didn’t know it.

"What about the female lead?"

Chen Yuke was very curious about the character of Wang Jiazhi.

Li An should have a candidate in his mind, right?

"Shu Qi!" "I want her to play the role, but..."

Li An shrugged and smiled politely, "She refused. This role has special requirements and requires a large-scale sex scene. Have you read the part in the novel?"

"Well, Wang Jiazhi needs to sleep with Mr. Yi to gain his trust!"

"Yes, so this drama will have several erotic scenes, and it is unavoidable..."

An enhanced rendering of a movie.

However, Shu Qi had filmed some very revealing films in his early years and now he is in urgent need of clearing his name, so he is definitely unwilling to do so.

For things like this, usually only newcomers who are willing to stand out will agree to it.

In her previous life, Zhang Ziyi was very interested because Li An’s previous film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” made her taste the sweetness of becoming famous overnight.

But Li An felt that she did not fit the role.

So we made an agreement with her that if we couldn’t find a suitable one, we would choose her; but in the end, Li An found her... and Zhang Ziyi missed out on the role.

"Director Li, are you sure you want to start filming this movie?"

Seeing Li An talking incessantly, Chen Yu felt that "Lust, Caution" had to be filmed. Zou Wenhuai might be disappointed. Li An was not in a hurry, and Chen Yu didn't care either, it was just a matter of sooner or later.

But Jiahe definitely can't wait.

"Almost. I have asked my partner to customize the script!"

James Schamus is Li An's personal screenwriter. The two have been working together since "Pushing Hands", including "Brokeback Mountain", which is also his work.

He understands Western people's taste in film and television better, so the adapted scripts cater to the West.

"Well, actually Mr. Zou from Golden Harvest has approached me and wants you to make a new film too!"

Chen Yu came close to Li An and said, it was obvious that Zou Wenhuai had not called him yet. Li An seemed a little surprised: "Did he tell you?"

"Yes, Sister Xiang Ning also knows about it. The three of us were discussing this matter at noon!"

Chen Yu had nothing to hide. It would be beneficial for all parties if he spoke out about this matter. "We want to make a biographical film about Bruce Lee. I think you are a good choice to direct it. After all, Pushing Hands is about an old Tai Chi master and his life in the United States!"

"Bruce Lee... this subject matter is indeed very challenging!"

Li An's face showed a hint of interest, but the movie "Lust, Caution" was already in preparation, so he was in a dilemma for the moment.

"Director Li, you don't need to worry about it. I'm just telling you something!"

Seeing his embarrassment, Chen Yu couldn't help but smile.

Li An waved his hand and said, "I'm not embarrassed. If Zou Sheng really wants to film and come to me, I have to think of some tricks!"

There was no way he wouldn't give face to Zou Wenhuai.

"He wants you to play Bruce Lee?"

Li An looked at Chen Yu, and Chen Yu nodded: "Yes, I think this role is very challenging for me!"

"Biography needs to be supported by acting skills, but Bruce Lee himself is also a martial arts master. I think these are the two aspects I am best at!"

Kung Fu + Performance!

This is different from a pure kung fu movie.

Bruce Lee's biography is definitely not just about fighting and killing. It also includes growth, philosophy, family, etc. All these factors are in between.

Just like the personal movie of "Joker", it is not strictly speaking a superhero movie, but the transformation of a comedian's life.

Ordinary directors cannot capture the essence of this kind of personal biography.

Before, Chen Yu was concerned about the box office, so there was no problem with Ye Weixing shooting the film; but now, if the box office and word of mouth are to be a hit at the same time, only a master-level director can do it.

Because only they can explore many stories beyond the film.

Just like "Oppenheimer", if someone else had filmed it, it might have been about the birth of the atomic bomb, without any exploration of the human side.

"Let me think about it!"

Li An basically saw through Chen Yu's choice and understood the meaning of his words.

Just like every time he directs a movie, it is a challenge, Chen Yu is also challenging his own role; if a Bruce Lee and a Kwong Yu Man were put in front of him, he would definitely play Bruce Lee without hesitation, because this role is very challenging for him.

Kuang Yumin is more of a role that cannot make much waves; but Bruce Lee is different. Once the film becomes a hit, it will drive Chen Yu's personal influence in the world.

There is a huge difference in the value of these two characters.

What's even more terrifying is that it is very likely that Chen Yu's status in Hollywood will be increased to the level of Bruce Lee.

More influential than Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

He can become the incarnation of Bruce Lee and his continuation... Given that Bruce Lee has such a huge influence around the world, this momentum is extremely terrifying.

And for Li An, of course, he also has a film that can serve as the centerpiece of his life.

His "The Wedding Banquet", "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"... although they are famous all over the world, even "Brokeback Mountain", are not super high-grossing works, but only won the reputation and recognition of his directorial ability.

“You don’t need to worry too much about investment!”

"How much budget do you need for Lust, Caution?"

Chen Yu knew clearly that the cost of "Lust, Caution" was 1500 million US dollars, with Jiang Zhiqiang paying the lion's share. After the failure of "The Hulk" in Hollywood, he could no longer get big investments, and "Brokeback Mountain" had not yet been released, so everything was unknown.

Moreover, "Brokeback Mountain" is not a commercial film, with an investment of only about 1000 million.

"More than 1000 million US dollars!"

Li An looked at Chen Yu, but Chen Yu smiled and said, "Then Bruce Lee's movie is 10 times better than his!"

It's a big gamble.

Chen Yu is not short of money at the moment, what he lacks is influence. In his opinion, 1 million US dollars is still affordable.

The Reborn's vision is definitely bigger than anyone else in Hollywood.

At worst, after losing money, he can invest more, buy some stocks, and make it back in other ways; besides, there is the money-making machine over at Marvel, so Chen Yu really doesn't need the 1 million.

But for Li An, an investment of 1-2 million US dollars is definitely a huge deal.

"..."

So, Chen Yu could see a hint of shock on his face.

1 million?

He is the only one who received an investment of over 1 million in Hulk.

Besides, in Chen Yu's opinion, although "The Hulk" failed and the filming can only be described as mediocre, it is very ideological.

Rather than being a story about the Hulk superhero, it is more of a story about two injured and extremely self-centered people redeeming each other. He shot it in a very oriental way, and it is very philosophical.

The story is actually pretty good, the graphics are just terrible.

This is his Oriental understanding of a superhero, which is different from that of Westerners.

So if he were to film Bruce Lee, it would definitely be much better.

"Let me...think about it!"

"When Mr. Zou calls me, I'll talk to him. I originally thought that he was the one leading this project, but now it seems that you are also very interested in it?"

"Of course!"

Chen Yu smiled and said, "No one can resist the temptation of Bruce Lee's role!"

"Like no one can say no, Batman!"

Li An understood the meaning of Chen Yu's words. Bruce Lee represented the recognition of all audiences in China and the United States, just like in 05, Batman was the most popular hero in China.

Superman and Spiderman are still ranked below him!
The same is true for Americans, of course.

(End of this chapter)