The king of ghost horse comedy

Chapter 68
In fact, ever since Xu Guanwu just returned to Hong Kong from the United States, seeing the low morale of the company, he felt panic, and wanted to start shooting new movies immediately to inspire people.

It's a pity that I was so busy dealing with the Zhao family and the preparations for the establishment of the theater chain that I forgot about it.

Seeing Hong Jingbao, Cheng Long, Yuan Biao and others now, Xu Guanwu couldn't help apologizing.

"Sanmao, Aaron, Abiao, I'm sorry! I kept you idle for so long." Xu Guanwu apologized, "How are you doing recently? Have you thought about a new movie?"

Hong Jingbao, Cheng Long, and Yuan Biao quickly stood up, "Mr. Xu, how dare you apologize to us? In fact, our new play has only been completed for more than a month. We have not filmed during this period. It’s also a good time to think about new works.”

"More than a month is enough to make a movie. I'm really sorry to delay your fortune. I heard that Aaron's salary has already been called [-] Hong Kong dollars." Xu Guanwu laughed.

"Mr. Xu, I owe my fame today to you. I will not betray the company." Cheng Long scratched his head and said sincerely.

Xu Guanwu also knew that Cheng Long was a man of loyalty.

When he left Luo Wei and switched to Golden Harvest, it was also because Luo Wei had gone too far.

Back then Cheng Long was praised by Luo Wei and starred in several kung fu movies, but none of them were hits.Later, Wu Siyuan recognized a hero with his eyesight, and took him to shoot two films, "Serpentine Hand" and "Drunken Master", and all of them were hits.

At that time, because the first "Serpentine Hand" was a big hit, when filming the second "Drunken Master", Wu Siyuan directly offered a super-high remuneration of [-] Hong Kong dollars, which completely shocked Cheng Long, because he was in Luoyang at that time. Only the company paid [-] Hong Kong dollars for a movie.

After Luo Wei saw that Cheng Long's two films were very popular, he took him back to make a film for himself, but the salary for one film was only [-] Hong Kong dollars, which was only double the previous one.

But Cheng Long's reputation is no longer what it used to be, not to mention that after going around outside, his vision is greatly different, so he naturally sneered at the [-] Hong Kong dollars.

Coupled with the fact that Luo Wei's ideas are outdated, knowing that kung fu comedy is popular, he didn't make it, but instead vigorously criticized it. Even Cheng Long's filmed "One and a Half Ways of the Rivers and Lakes" was sealed in a box and would not be released until two years later. Afterwards, Cheng Long's kung fu comedies filmed in Golden Harvest sold well again and again, and then they were dug out from the bottom of the box and released.

It can be said that Luo Wei himself bears most of the responsibility for the split between Cheng Long and Luo Wei.

Naturally, Xu Guanwu would not be as rigid and stingy as Luo Wei, "After thinking about it for more than a month, do you have any good ideas?"

"I have a little immature idea," Hong Jingbao scratched his head with a silly smile, "Director Zhang Cheh recently made a movie called "The Five Patriarchs of Shaolin". It's a movie about Shaolin lay disciples."

"Oh, what is the plot of the story?" Xu Guanwu asked curiously.

Although he also has a script specially prepared for Hong Jingbao and the three of them at the moment, but if their own thinking is not bad, then Xu Guanwu is willing to support their own ideas.

After all, he knows that there are not many classic kung fu movies he can remember, and now he only uses one less. Therefore, in order for the company to develop steadily in the future, it is necessary to stimulate the potential of other people.

Seeing Xu Guanwu's very interested expression, Hong Jingbao immediately told the plot of the story he was thinking about.

The more Xu Guanwu listened, the more surprised he became. He found that the movie Hong Jingbao was talking about had actually been watched before, and it seemed to be the movie "San De Monk and Chong Mi Liu".

"Sanmao, what's the title of your movie?" Xu Guanwu asked in surprise after hearing it.

"I haven't decided on a title for the time being, what about "Shaolin Layman Disciples"?" Hong Jingbao said with a smile.

"What do you think is called "San De Monk and Chong Mi Liu"?" Xu Guanwu shook his head and said the name from his memory.

Hong Jingbao's eyes lit up when he heard this, "Mr. Xu is smarter than me, and he chose a better name."

"Okay, don't praise me." Xu Guanwu waved his hand, "After listening to it, I feel that this story is good, so I can pat it. You can start preparing."

When Hong Jingbao heard that Xu Guanwu decided to invest in filming, he couldn't help jumping up and down, "Thank you, Mr. Xu."

"Chong Mi Liu, the leading actor of this movie, is naturally played by you, so who are you planning to invite Monk Sande?" Xu Guanwu asked curiously.

"I haven't thought about it yet," Hong Jingbao scratched his head and said, "But if I'm the leading actor, I'm not well-known enough. It's better to find a more famous and popular star as a foil."

"Monk San De has already found Luo Lie. His "The First Fist of the World" is popular in North America, and it is very popular in Southeast Asia." Cheng Long suggested from the side.

"The remuneration listed is very expensive, and it costs 10,000 Hong Kong dollars for one day of filming. As a leading actor, it takes at least ten days of filming, so it is [-]+ Hong Kong dollars." Yuan Biao raised objections.

"The movie he starred in was a hit, that's why he dared to ask for a high price. I don't think it's a disadvantage to invite him to star in 10,000+." Cheng Long argued.

Seeing Cheng Long and Yuan Biao arguing, Xu Guanwu suddenly thought of a funny thing, which was also about this list.

This Luo Lie is filming with Zhang Che, and Wang Yu is the first generation of disciples of Director Zhang, but if Wang Yu is counted as a disciple, Luo Lie can only be counted as half.

Because he often went to film other directors' films, Director Zhang Da sometimes asked him to film films, but he couldn't be found.

Since "The First Fist of the World" became popular in North America and sold tens of millions of dollars at the box office, Luo Lie has become the most popular Kung Fu star, and his reputation is no less than that of Bruce Lee.

However, after this person became famous, he didn't cherish his feathers like Bruce Lee. He took too many pictures, and he just took the money.Regardless of the leading role or supporting role, and regardless of the storyline, whether it is a bad movie or not.

"The director will do what he is called." This is what Luo Lie said himself.

Later, there were too many people looking for him, and as the salary rose again and again, Luo Lie called out a daily salary of [-] yuan, and he was the first in Hong Kong.

However, the films he starred in were more popular than those in which he played a supporting role, so a Taiwanese film company offered [-] Hong Kong dollars to invite him to be the starring role.

[-] Hong Kong dollars only for one day of filming, how did you manage to lead the role?

It turned out that this is how they filmed it. After Luo Lie's family was beheaded by the enemy, he roared "I want revenge", and then covered his face all at once.Then, the substitute put on the mask to complete all the scenes for him. On the same day, he took a close-up shot of killing all the enemies and removing the mask.

Thinking of this, Xu Guanwu let out a chuckle, thinking that the filmmakers at that time were really fucking geniuses.

Xu Guanwu burst out laughing, and made Hong Jingbao and the others laugh.

"In front of Mr. Xu, you two are arguing, what a shame." Hong Jingbao reprimanded him as a big brother.

In a word, both Cheng Long and Yuan Biao lost their temper.

"Mr. Xu, you make the decision." Hong Jingbao said with a smile.

Xu Guanwu thought about it, and felt that it would be a good idea to invite Luo Lie to act.

Although this person takes too many films, his acting skills are very good, he can kung fu himself, and he also has a high box office appeal.Even if the salary is a bit high, it is not unsupportable.

"Sanmao, just use him. Make arrangements as soon as possible after you go back." Xu Guanwu nodded.

Hong Jingbao quickly agreed with a smile.

Seeing that Hong Jingbao's project was approved, Cheng Long and Yuan Biao were not only happy for the senior brother, but also somewhat envious in their hearts.

Seeing the expressions of both of them, Xu Guanwu couldn't help laughing and said, "Aaron, do you have any thoughts recently?"

"Mr. Xu, I also have an immature idea." Cheng Long said with a smile.

Xu Guanwu has long known that Cheng Long is a caring person who is willing to work hard.

I don't know how many kung fu stars are popular in Hong Kong, but there are only a handful of them who have been popular from the 70s to the 21st century.

Cheng Long is undoubtedly the longest-lasting one among the many movie stars in Hong Kong, which is inseparable from his hard work and strict requirements.

Once many movie stars in Hong Kong become popular, they immediately take advantage of their popularity and act in many films to make money.But Cheng Long has always maintained strict requirements on himself, and strives for perfection in every play.

It took a full two years to film "Project A", which is enough to prove his seriousness.

"Since you have an idea, let's talk about it." Xu Guanwu smiled.

Seeing that Xu Guanwu was very interested, Cheng Long boldly stated his thoughts.

Xu Guanwu couldn't help clapping his hands when he heard this, but it turned out that Cheng Long planned to shoot "Crossing the Jianghu with One and a Half Ways".

This movie is Cheng Long's first attempt at nonsensical kung fu comedy, subverting the previous model of martial arts kung fu movies.

In all the previous martial arts kung fu movies, the male protagonist has many adventures, he has learned the world's best martial arts, and when he kills the enemy, he will embrace the beauty.But this play tells the story of a boy who only knows one and a half tricks, wandering around the rivers and lakes, cheating and abducting.

"Aaron, your story is very innovative. How did you come up with it?" Xu Guanwu asked curiously.

"Mr. Xu, I just saw that the current kung fu movies are all the same and the routines are outdated, so I wanted to change it." Cheng Long smiled honestly.

"The idea is very good, but I can't let you make this film for the time being." Xu Guanwu said.

Cheng Long was stunned for a moment, "Mr. Xu, why is that?"

"Aaron, your idea is too advanced, and I'm afraid the audience won't be able to accept it." Xu Guanwu explained, "After a few years, the audience's taste has improved, and we will do better when we shoot again. In this way, you don't have to be discouraged. Take advantage of this time, take it back and polish it."

Xu Guanwu knew that Cheng Long's idea was very good, but to make a blockbuster movie, he had to choose a good timing.

Launching such a subversive work with nonsensical elements prematurely is simply unacceptable to the current audience's taste.

Just like the "Owl" played by Er Dongsheng, Jiang Dawei, and Qin Pei, the plot is funny and the plot is subversive. All the elements of future nonsensical movies can be found in that movie.

But it's a pity that the movie was released too early, and the audience in the early 80s couldn't accept it, which also made the movie a disastrous box office failure.

Seeing that his project had not been approved, Cheng Long was immediately discouraged.

"Aaron, don't be discouraged. If you don't have a good script, then I have one that suits you quite well." Xu Guanwu said with a smile.

"Really, Mr. Xu? What is it?" Cheng Long asked in surprise.

"I only have one story for the time being. After I tell you, you can find someone to adapt it into a script." Xu Guanwu said.

In the Hong Kong film industry, professional screenwriters are mainly divided into two categories. One is to act as the director's think tank, enriching the director's ideas, or collectively creating scene scenes.For example, the "Group of Seven" collectively created by New Art City, Huang Bingyao, the "Master of the Bridge King" under Hong Jingbao, You Yunhai and Ye Tiancheng, members of the "Galaxy Creation Group" under Du Qifeng, and so on.

Although this type of screenwriter has contributed a lot, but because he seldom controls a movie alone, he is less famous and his status is relatively low.

The other type can provide a complete story and script for a movie. This type of screenwriter has a higher status in the crew and is also known as the "play master".The more successful ones include Nanyan, Liu Tianci, Zhuang Wenqiang and so on.

The screenwriter Xu Guanwu told Cheng Long to find was the first type of screenwriter mentioned just now.

Cheng Long nodded knowingly, and listened attentively to Xu Guanwu's story.

Yuan Biao also listened carefully.

What Xu Guanwu told Cheng Long was the "Laughing Fist Strange Trick". The difference from "Snake-shaped Hands" is that Cheng Long's character in this play is more lively and agile, and the way to defeat the enemy in the end is not as straightforward as Bruce Lee Instead, he played the style of stalking and "unbeatable".

Cheng Long memorized all the stories he told, "Mr. Xu, I have memorized them all."

"En, very good." Xu Guanwu nodded, and seeing Yuan Biao also looked eager to try, he couldn't help but smile, "A Biao, with the company's current manpower, it is already very difficult to open two plays at the same time. So I can't open a new movie for you for the time being, so how about you playing a supporting role in the movie of the two brothers?"

Although Yuan Biao was inevitably a little disappointed, he soon cheered up, "Thank you, Mr. Xu!"

"Well, don't worry, after the new play of your two senior brothers is finished, I will personally tailor a script for you." Xu Guanwu smiled.

"Really?! That's really great." Yuan Biao said in surprise.

Although Xu Guanwu only wrote two scripts, both of them were very popular at the box office, and they are also quite popular in the Hong Kong film industry.

Knowing that he was going to write the script for himself, Yuan Biao was naturally very happy.

"Then you all go down and make arrangements, and try to finish the film as soon as possible and release it as soon as possible." Xu Guanwu said with a smile.

"Mr. Xu, there is another embarrassment." Hong Jingbao said suddenly.

"Oh?! Is it about funds? Don't worry, although the company used most of the funds to rent theaters, there is no problem at all with the remaining funds to make two kung fu movies. Besides, Taiwan's " Snake Shaped Hands" and "Fat Qian Han" are about to be released, and the box office share will be remitted soon." Xu Guanwu explained.

"Mr. Xu, what I want to talk about is not the issue of funds, but the issue of filming personnel." Hong Jingbao frowned and said, "We used to borrow personnel from Golden Harvest for filming, but now our two families have parted ways. It’s hard to pull it together.”

"Can other independent film companies find someone?" Xu Guanwu asked, "Shaw Brothers has a lot of staff, and there are also many people who often come out to earn extra money."

"Mr. Xu, I think that if the company wants to become bigger and stronger, it is better to establish its own fixed team as soon as possible. In addition, post-production such as printing, subtitles, dubbing, and soundtracks must also keep up." Hong Jingbao said, "Of course this is just my job. It’s just a little opinion, Mr. Xu, you can ignore it.”

"No, what you said are all good words, and I will definitely accept them." Xu Guanwu said with some emotion.

Compared to Hong Jingbao who was calm and solid, Xu Guanwu felt like a monkey, jumping up and down all the time, unable to calm down.

If it wasn't for the fact that he had the memory of his previous life, he would have been played to death by others.

For example, the establishment of a theater chain, if he hadn't done it blindly, he wouldn't have done it so hastily and without the slightest preparation.Seeing that the theater chains have been established, they have not prepared the film to be released.

And the agreement reached in private with the Bamboo Union Gang led to the split with Golden Harvest so quickly that the whole company was not prepared, and he was entirely to blame.

"It seems that it's best to discuss things with others in the future." Seeing Fatty Hong's foresight, Xu Guanwu couldn't help but confess.

(End of this chapter)