Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 306: The one who lied to you was actually Shingen

Of course Gu Ming had heard of the rumor that Kubrick ordered the crew to bully the heroine during the filming of The Shining.

But there are some differences between the two.

They had signed a contract and couldn't leave easily, so they had to endure the bullying, which led to a mental breakdown.

But he doesn't have a contract, so of course he can leave whenever he wants.

Instead, it was Kurosawa Akira who was willing to bow his head, which really surprised Gu Ming.

"But this way, I can also successfully get the role of Takeda Nobumasa."

Gu Ming was silent for a while and looked at himself in the mirror.

The training during this period was not in vain. Everything, including behavior, sitting and lying down, needed to be corrected repeatedly.

Although Takeda Nobumasa is not Shingen, his status is not low either. Naturally, he has to have the same food, clothing and other necessities as Takeda Shingen. In addition, due to the design of this character, his behavior is also to be as similar to Takeda Shingen as possible.

During this time, Tani Akira received exactly the same training as Nakadai Tatsuya.

If they didn't look different, the two of them sitting there would look like brothers.

In fact, there is one thing that Narita Toru said very correctly. If Gu Ming were to give up such a long period of training one day, he would also feel very regretful.

"So, all the bullying on the set has come to an end. I have to say, this is indeed having some effect."

Gu Ming held his forehead and felt a little emotional.

At least now he could understand the feeling of being deserted by everyone or having no one to trust.

In other words, this is the experiential school of performance.

To really experience similar thoughts and feelings!

When I returned to the set the next day, everything seemed to be the same as a few days ago.

Kurosawa Akira was still sitting there surrounded by people, but Gu Ming could clearly feel that the old man's eyes were different from before.

Gu Ming walked up to him and sat down as well, their eyes level.

"Gugu Ming, I have something to tell you."

Gu Ming nodded: "Please speak."

"I still don't think you can play the role of Takeda Nobumasa."

Gu Ming clenched his fists instantly.

Your mother!

Kurosawa really deserves a pat on the back!
Angry, but then confusion, and even a strong sense of helplessness.

Gu Ming clenched his fists, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

Of course it is impossible to really kill Kurosawa.

However, now Gu Ming felt that he had suddenly lost his immediate target.

I have been training repeatedly to become Takeda Nobumasa, and after going through so many things, what I got was a word from Kurosawa Akira.

I still think you can't play Takeda Nobumasa!
"Then what should I do? Should I die?"

Gu Ming cursed fiercely in his heart.

Kurosawa lowered his eyes slightly.

Well, the last step is finally completed.

In this way, the image of a thief who was at a loss as to what to do after leaving the Takeda family has fully emerged.

He used to be Shingen's shadow warrior, but now, he is still the thief who is driven away and trampled upon.

This kind of confusion cannot be easily described, and this is exactly what Kurosawa wants to do.

If he succeeds, he is Takeda Shingen; if he fails, he is Takeda Nobumasa.

So, he stretched out his hand and took the initiative to hold Gu Ming's hand.

"Go and become a shadow warrior. You are now qualified to star in my movie."

Gu Ming: ...?
He was like a container that had been drained of water, unable to react for a moment.

After a while, Gu Ming asked a crucial question with a bit of bitterness.

"So, can I hit you?"

Kurosawa shook his head: "No."

Gu Ming sighed: "Then I have nothing to say."

……

……

2025 years.

"Shadow Warrior Hou!"

Awei started recording today's video as before.

"Everyone must be familiar with Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece, Shadow Samurai. It was a huge hit in the early 28s, earning billion yen in domestic distribution revenue that year, which translates to a box office of at least billion yen!"

"What we're going to talk about today is some of the behind-the-scenes stories before and after the filming of Shadow Warrior. For this, I specially asked a buddy! (Brother Jie) to help me get this 1980 Japanese exclusive magazine, which deeply deciphers what happened before and after the filming of Shadow Warrior!"

Awei flipped through a few pages and began to tell everyone a vivid story.

"According to casting director Hiroaki Honda, Kurosawa actually created a complex design for the film before filming even began, personally drawing over 200 key drawings. He also recruited Katsu Shintaro, a prominent figure in swordplay films at the time, to play the role of the shadow warrior."

"The plan at the time was for the brothers, Tomisaburo Wakayama to play Takeda Shingen and Shintaro Katsu to play the Kage Samurai. However, problems arose during the preparations. Tomisaburo Wakayama refused, and Shintaro Katsu said he couldn't stand Kurosawa's dictatorial and violent language, so he left the crew."

"At that time, Kurosawa Akira called Nakadai Tatsuya..."

"Oh! Everyone's probably going to say this now. Didn't Nakadai Tatsuya make a cameo appearance as Takeda Shingen, and wasn't the shadow warrior in the second half, Furuya Akira?"

“That’s the exclusive part of the book.”

Awei turned the page.

"It is said that Kurosawa had already approached Akira Furuya long before the film was even started. At the time, Furuya was a well-known figure in the industry for his role as action director in numerous films. Kurosawa admired his ability to create scenes and earnestly invited him to be his assistant."

"The two hit it off immediately and bonded on set, becoming close friends regardless of age. According to the art director, when Katsu Shintaro left the production, Furuya Akira volunteered for the role. He ultimately passed Kurosawa's test, was cast in Shadow Warrior, and gave one of the most captivating performances of his career."

Ah Wei paused and changed his words: "The second best performance. No, no, the third best... well, at least one of the best performances in his career."

"The next step is the crucial part. What kind of test did Furuya Akira pass?"

Awei turned a page, but suddenly became stunned.

Nest.

Who is so wicked! He tore up the last few pages!
It seems I really need to ask Brother Jie about it.

So what kind of test is this? It makes me really concerned, but I have no way of understanding it.

"It seems all of this has turned to dust, hidden behind the truth of history. What kind of test it was is a mystery, but since the performance was so outstanding, it was probably some kind of secret training."

Awei shook his head and put the magazine aside.

"Let's not talk about that for now. Next, it's time for the much-anticipated reaction segment! Let's enjoy this classic, big-budget film together. This epic masterpiece was financed by Fox, orchestrated by Coppola and George Lucas, shot by Akira Kurosawa, and starred by Akira Furuya."

"Shadow Warrior!"

(End of this chapter)