It's reasonable for me to be a three-time Golden Horse Award-winning director and an all-around

Chapter 39 Cast Confirmed—Daughter of Hong Kong!

The Film Bureau has issued a new notice: The adventure/comedy screenplay "Daydreamer," written by director Lü Rui, has officially passed the review.

"Famous crosstalk performer Ma Sanli passed away due to illness at the age of 89."

"Reprinted from The Hollywood Reporter: The nominations for the 75th Academy Awards have been announced, with 'Hero' receiving a nomination for 'Best Foreign Language Film'."

"The 53rd Berlin International Film Festival is underway, and 'Hero' and 'Blind Shaft' will be competing for awards."

While the outside world was constantly making headlines, Lu Rui stood frozen in place at Ruishijie Film and Television Company, looking somewhat dazed.

He never expected that when Leslie Cheung said on the phone that he was "bringing a friend over," he was actually bringing this person!
“This is my friend, Mei Yanfang.”

"This is Director Lü Rui, whom I often mention to you."

Lu Rui paused for a moment, then stepped forward to greet her: "Hello, Ms. Mei."

The person in front of you is a legendary figure who is a household name in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan!

A famous singer and actress, founder and first female president of the Hong Kong Performing Artists Association, and revered as "the daughter of Hong Kong"—Anita Mui!

Before his rebirth, Lü Rui had only seen her in news reports.

He remembered clearly that in his previous life, it was in this year that Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui passed away one after another, becoming an unhealable wound in the hearts of countless people.

Unexpectedly, after his rebirth, he found himself intersecting with both of them by a twist of fate.

The trajectory of fate seems to have quietly shifted at this moment.

"Director Lü, hello." Mei Yanfang shook hands with Lü Rui with a smile.

Her Mandarin is as fluent as Leslie Cheung's, unlike some Hong Kong stars who can't even pronounce words correctly.

Lu Rui silently observed her complexion... Her eyes were bright and her expression was calm. She showed no signs of the haggardness often seen in cancer patients. Instead, she exuded a cheerful and energetic spirit.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he invited the two into his office.

After the two sat down on the sofa, he took out the script of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" and handed it to them.

The two huddled together curiously and watched intently.

Lu Rui didn't disturb them, but instead focused his attention on the system panel.

With the script approved, the pop-up notifications for system rewards and new tasks arrived as scheduled.

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have successfully translated "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" into Chinese and passed the Film Bureau's review.]

[Reward, Level C Talent: "Ben Stiller's Techniques for Connecting Narrative Logic and Laying Foreshadowing in Films," has been successfully awarded.]

[New task: Please advance the financing, product placement, and casting for the film "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty".]

[Reward upon completion of the mission: B-level talent: "Ben Stiller's design of narrative structures that blend reality and illusion, as well as his techniques in crew management and character development."]

The new task was almost exactly what Lü Rui had expected, except for the added requirement of "ad placement," which made him think twice.

In today's film market, the profit paths for commercial films are nothing more than box office revenue, copyright, and product placement.

The most obvious example is Feng Xiaogang's film "Cellphone".

According to data released by Huayi Brothers, the film cost approximately 2500 million yuan to produce, but the advertising placement fee for Motorola alone amounted to 700 million yuan!
With sponsorships from other brands, the cumulative revenue from product placements could very well cover most of the costs before the film's release.

This is the magic of product placement! It also gave Lü Rui a clearer direction for the commercial operation of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty".

When he was filming "Gone Girl", no one believed he could succeed.

When it came time to film "Mystic River," he simply turned down advertising sponsorship offers that came his way because he was aiming for awards from the very beginning.

But The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is different. As a commercial film with an urban theme, product placement is an unavoidable element.

Given his current fame, finding sponsors shouldn't be difficult once the word gets out.

Lu Rui had already begun to make plans in silence.

We must select suitable brands to maximize profits without causing a reputation collapse like "Zhang Dahuzi".

What he wants is a "win-win" deal that satisfies both the brand and himself!
Fortunately, he was already very familiar with this procedure.

Half an hour later, Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui finished reading the script.

What is the root cause of the male protagonist's actions in the story?

Leslie Cheung looked up at Lü Rui, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

After reading the script, he felt an indescribable emotion lingering in his heart, yet he couldn't quite grasp its essence.

A smile crept across Lü Rui's lips, and he blurted out, "Find yourself!"

Seeing that the two still looked bewildered, he continued, "Most people live like a phantom, taking external rules as their standards, while locking their inner voice in a drawer."

"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," on the other hand, suggests that the only true purpose of life is to tear off the labels others attach to you, to live your own life to the fullest, with passion and energy!

Upon hearing this, the two exchanged a glance, a look of sudden realization flashing in their eyes.

Leslie Cheung tapped the script lightly, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, as if he were swallowing a complex emotion and then gathering it again: "Director Lui, I'll take this role."

He had a very unhappy New Year, and his depression, which had been improving, showed signs of relapse.

Instead of dwelling on those troubles, why not experience the feeling of "dreaming"? No sooner had he finished speaking than Mei Yanfang, standing beside him, suddenly smiled and rested her chin on her hand, "Director Lü? What about me? Can I play the female lead? I think this role is quite interesting."

Before he could finish speaking, Leslie Cheung suddenly frowned: "Your health..."

"It's okay." Mei Yanfang waved her hand casually. "The doctor always tells me to keep a cheerful mood, go outside more often, and see beautiful things. Instead of staying at home and overthinking, I might as well go to the film set with you!"

Leslie Cheung opened his mouth, but in the end he only sighed softly, his tacit expression revealing concern.

Rather than letting her stay at home and endure her mother's bad temper, it's definitely better for her to go out for a walk.

At this moment, Lü Rui stood up from his seat and nodded with a smile, saying, "Of course."

He wanted to make a commercial film, so the more famous the actors, the better. Mei Yanfang was just right at the moment.

"Thank you, Director Lü, for your help."

Mei Yanfang smiled radiantly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Last year, she co-starred with Jacky Cheung in the movie "Men in Their Forties," which was the only time she played a real mother.

With her restrained expression and resentful eyes, she vividly portrayed a sentimental middle-aged woman.

Unfortunately, she hadn't had enough time to act before filming wrapped up.

Now, playing a single mother in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" can be seen as making up for a regret in my heart.

At the same time, Lü Rui took out his phone and called Liu Yifei directly.

As soon as he heard a "hello" from the other end, he got straight to the point: "Come to the company, I have something important to discuss."

Back during the Spring Festival, he had already mentioned the cameo role in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" to Liu Yifei, and now it's finally confirmed.

Let her play Mei Yanfang's daughter; her age is quite suitable.

Half an hour later, the Mercedes-Benz came to a steady stop in front of the Ruishijie Company.

Liu Yifei walked in, arm in arm with Liu Xiaoli.

The moment they pushed open the door to Lü Rui's office, the mother and daughter froze in place.

Is Leslie Cheung leaning against the windowsill flipping through a script?
Mei Yanfang was holding a coffee and smiling as she looked over.
This scene is more absurd than any dream!
"Yifei will be making a cameo appearance as Anita Mui's daughter this time..."

Before Lü Rui could finish speaking, Liu Xiaoli had already grabbed her daughter's wrist, her eyes shining with surprise: "Qianqian can play this role! Absolutely no problem!"

Liu Yifei belatedly came to her senses, her ears turning red, and nodded hurriedly: "I can act, I will definitely act well!"

Mei Yanfang squinted at the girl in front of her, her pink and white skirt swaying gently, and for a moment she seemed to overlap with a fragment of her memory.

Her smile deepened: "What a pretty girl, she has such a great presence."

Liu Yifei blushed slightly, twisted the hem of her skirt, and shook her head modestly: "Auntie is joking, how can I compare to you..."

"The little girl has a sweet tongue."

Mei Yanfang's heart trembled slightly, and her gaze softened unconsciously.

The doctor had long ago concluded that, due to her illness, she would never be able to become a "mother" in this lifetime.

Looking at the pearl hair clip swaying on Liu Yifei's head, a bittersweet feeling suddenly welled up in a hidden corner of her heart.

"If I had a daughter, she would be about the same age as her now, right?"

……

Leslie Cheung, Anita Mui, Jiang Wen, Zhang Fengyi, Liu Yifei...

When these names were listed on the casting list, Lü Rui was much calmer than he had expected.

The other supporting roles could be filled by Beijing Film Academy; what he really needs to worry about is the undercurrent of capital maneuvering behind the scenes of the project.

After everyone left, the office returned to silence.

Lu Rui lowered his eyes and stared at the revised investment plan, repeatedly tracing and scribbling over the number "40%" with the tip of his pen.

As night deepened outside the window, his furrowed brows were reflected in the glass.

A massive budget of 5000 million is enough to make any investor think twice before signing a contract, after all, this is not a low-budget art film like "Gone Girl".

"Smart Vision accounts for 40%, China Film Group accounts for 30%, and the remaining 30%..."

He murmured softly, and after a long while, he folded the paper and stuffed it into the drawer, having already made up his mind.

The capital market never offers help when someone is in need; it only adds to someone's success.

So he plans to redistribute the remaining 30%.

After all, the filming locations for this movie will be all over the world, and what is needed is not only funding, but also the hard power to provide assistance in foreign lands.

China Film Group, which is behind Han Sanping, is the stabilizing force, but the rest of the game must be played by true allies.

This time, Lü Rui's goal is not only to make a good movie, but also to place a special piece on the chessboard of capital!

That 30% share is both bait and a touchstone. It catches partners who can weather the storm together, and filters out speculators who flock to it for profit and abandon it at the first sign of danger!
(End of this chapter)