Chapter 1670: Launch

Jiang Wen naturally had no idea about the 'wonderful life' Zhao Fusheng had arranged for him. He was currently busy to the point of dizziness, with a whole pile of Future Films matters to handle. Old Jiang now felt like a donkey, always working hard with his head down, while that guy Zhao Fusheng was a landlord and moneybags!

And now, this guy was going to screw him over again!

“No way.”

Jiang Wen looked at Zhao Fusheng with a face full of grievance: “I don’t mind you leaving Beibei at my place. Zhou Yun has time anyway, she can take care of both kids. But why do I have to go stay with you?”

Zhao Fusheng sat on the sofa in Jiang Wen’s house, grinning: “I’m bored all by myself. You don’t have anything to do at home anyway, right?”

Then he turned to Zhou Yun: “Zhou Yun, do you mind? Do you need Old Jiang to stay home and keep you company?”

Meeting Zhao Fusheng’s knowing smile, Zhou Yun shook her head helplessly: “No, no, fine, okay?”

She wasn’t stupid. If she didn’t agree, Zhao Fusheng might say who knows what.

That guy was becoming more and more shameless. They say the rich and powerful should be dignified and reserved, but not Zhao Fusheng. He was no different from before. You’d never guess he was a super-rich man.

“See, your wife doesn’t mind.”

Zhao Fusheng laughed: “Just come with me.”

“…”

Jiang Wen had a curse in his heart but didn’t know if he should say it.

Still, he knew Zhao Fusheng must have something to discuss with him, otherwise he wouldn’t go to all this trouble.

“Fine, I’ll go with you, okay?”

Helpless, Jiang Wen resigned himself. He could never win against Zhao Fusheng anyway.

After packing a few things and having his assistant send them to Zhao Fusheng’s place, Jiang Wen and Zhao Fusheng had dinner at Jiang Wen’s house before heading back to Zhao Fusheng’s home.

“What’s going on? Why do you insist on me staying over?”

Jiang Wen asked Zhao Fusheng, puzzled.

“For work, of course.”

Zhao Fusheng smiled: “Get ready. Early next year, we’ll launch that film, ‘The Bullet’.”

“Really?”

Hearing this, Jiang Wen’s eyes lit up, and he looked much more energetic.

Ever since Zhao Fusheng gave him the script, he had been obsessed with this film, wanting to make it. But Zhao Fusheng had turned him down several times.

Now, Zhao Fusheng was actually proposing to start the project, which caught Jiang Wen off guard.

He even wondered if he had misheard.

“Of course it’s true.”

Zhao Fusheng shot Jiang Wen a look: “First, set up the project, then make the budget, and assemble the crew. I estimate actual filming won’t start until at least 2008.”

“No problem.” Jiang Wen nodded.

As an insider, he knew better than Zhao Fusheng how long a film takes from early preparation to actual shooting.

Many people always think Hong Kong films are classics, but in fact, we have to admit that many of the Hong Kong films we call classics aren’t that classic.

There are too many flaws, so many that you might forget them soon after watching.

That’s the nature of popcorn movies.

So-called popcorn movies are those you watch while eating popcorn. Watching a movie with popcorn and cola is part of movie culture.

But eating popcorn didn’t originate with movies; it originated with American soap operas.

As everyone knows, American soap operas are long and funny. When enjoying such shows, having popcorn as a companion can enhance the pleasure.

Imagine: after laughing at a joke in a soap opera, you stuff a big mouthful of popcorn and chew—how enjoyable!

When American movies entered the commercial era, some films were just silly time-killers. How to make audiences enjoy them better? Popcorn, the good companion of soap operas, came in handy.

Truly good films need careful polishing and refinement.

Most classic films in cinema history are like that; only a few are exceptions.

“How much are you planning to invest?”

Jiang Wen asked Zhao Fusheng.

After all, one of the most important things for a film is investment. Simply put, if you don’t have enough money, you’re bound to face trouble. Cheap special effects have screwed people over before.

Zhao Fusheng smiled, thought for a moment, and said: “How about this: I’ll give you a hundred million, but you can’t exceed forty million in spending, okay?”

“That much?”

Jiang Wen was stunned, extremely surprised.

Maybe this wasn’t a big investment or big production in Hollywood, but in China, an investment of over a hundred million was undoubtedly shocking.

In fact, if it weren’t Zhao Fusheng saying this, Jiang Wen would have wondered if he was being scammed.

"Mm, the cast has to be strong."

Zhao Fusheng said seriously, "I hope that even the supporting roles have acting skills, not some idiot shoved in by someone."

He was truly fed up with those actors who had no talent and only knew how to flaunt themselves or shout on screen. In his previous life, watching those so-called traffic idols act made Zhao Fusheng sick to death.

Acting, one had to admit, required constant practice to improve.

For example, a certain traffic star kept taking roles and appearing before the audience.

The first time, maybe the acting wasn't great, but the second time, you'd at least expect some improvement, right?

Even if the second time was fine, the third time should show progress, right?

But the problem was, the traffic stars Zhao Fusheng remembered showed no improvement even after ten or eight times.

Some even considered being able to memorize their lines completely as progress. When he saw that news, Zhao Fusheng felt that the acting profession was being ruined by those bastards!

Though reluctant to admit it, Zhao Fusheng had to say that ten years later, the Chinese film and television industry was steeped in a restless, superficial atmosphere.

Veteran actors relied on their craft but got no opportunities and were paid miserably.

Traffic stars relied on looks and exposure. As for the work, no one really cared how they acted; as long as they looked good, it was fine.

As for the salary cap, it was manipulated in all sorts of ways.

To be honest, it was hard for Zhao Fusheng to like such an industry.

He wasn't a judge at the Golden Eagle Awards, casually giving a Best Actress award to a female second lead.

It was ridiculous—being pretty or handsome was enough to become famous. The entertainment industry was truly baffling.

...

...

The reason he thought of making "Let the Bullets Fly" was because Zhao Fusheng calculated that the Chinese film market was about to boom—this was the best time.

That being the case, "Let the Bullets Fly" should come out.

Moreover, Zhao Fusheng considered that Old Jiang had been pent up for too long; letting him make a good film to relax would be good.

Besides, if they started preparing now, with Old Jiang's pace, it would take at least until 2009 to finish filming. Then it could be released around 2010.

This wasn't a joke; Jiang Wen's filming speed wasn't much faster than Wang Jiawei's.

Wang Jiawei's films that took less time were actually worse—like that year's "See You Tomorrow," which was clearly a terrible film, but Old Wang insisted it was good.

It was tough on a bunch of big names in the entertainment industry, all flattering Old Wang on Weibo.

That was probably reality; stars are human too, and faced with a renowned director like Wang Jiawei, a big shot in the industry, they could only play along.

Occasionally, someone spoke the truth and got dissed.

"By the way, when are you going to check on the filming of that Olympic promotional song?" After finishing the call, Jiang Wen casually asked Zhao Fusheng.

To be honest, he wished he could start preparing for the film right away, but he couldn't—he hadn't finished his task yet. Ye Jing was still in the US and wouldn't return until after "Iron Man" was finished.

So, Jiang Wen had to manage the company's affairs for now.

"The day after tomorrow, probably."

Zhao Fusheng said to Jiang Wen, "How's it going? Filming going smoothly?"

"Of course it's smooth."

Jiang Wen smiled: "This is a political task under the watch of the higher-ups. Unless those people are crazy, who would dare to object? Wherever we go to film, one phone call and we get clearance—green lights all the way."

Zhao Fusheng nodded; that was true.

In China, administrative orders often worked better than earnest persuasion or pulling strings. For example, those stars—if it were another project, they might put on airs, but at this time, they would drop their pretenses and try to perform well, hoping to leave a good impression on the big shots above.

After all, in all of China, no one dared to provoke the SARFT, let alone the Central Propaganda Department above it.

Zhao Fusheng had never seen anyone who offended these two departments and still managed to stay in the industry smoothly.

"Let's go check it out tomorrow." Zhao Fusheng smiled: "I have to show up, otherwise those people will think our earlier hype was just a bluff."

Follow through on words—that was Zhao Fusheng's philosophy.

Jiang Wen nodded: "Alright, I'll go with you tomorrow."

"By the way, there's something I want to ask you." Zhao Fusheng suddenly remembered something and said to Jiang Wen.

"Go ahead."

Jiang Wen was a bit puzzled because Zhao Fusheng was smiling strangely, as if he was about to trick him.

"It's like this—I'm just curious, now that you're managing Future Film, have any actresses taken the initiative to contact you?" Zhao Fusheng asked with a grin.

"..."

Jiang Wen was speechless as he looked at Zhao Fusheng, then after a long while said, "Are you bored or what? Why are you interested in this kind of gossip?"

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "I'm not gossiping. I'm thinking, we could actually make a work that exposes the inside stories of the entertainment industry."

"No!"

Before Zhao Fusheng could finish, Jiang Wen's expression changed, and he looked at him seriously.