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

Chapter 53: Rejects Jiang Wen's Role as Male Lead for the Second Time!

On the 23rd, "Warriors of Heaven and Earth" was released in theaters nationwide.

Early on the morning of the 24th, Jiang Wen, carrying the 500 million yuan salary he had just received, went straight to Ruishijie.

"I'll pay you back first. I heard you've started two new projects, and that's exactly when you need the money..."

Lu Rui was focused on drawing storyboards at the moment. Hearing this, he waved his hand without looking up and said, "Who said I'm short of money? Go pay back what others owe. I just received a royalties, so it's enough for me."

Jiang Wen slapped his forehead: "Hey, look at my memory! Just a few days ago, there were all sorts of reports online saying that your movie made more than 5000 million RMB."

Even so, he still slammed the bank card on the table. "Fine, since we're already here, let's pay you back first. I'll pay the others later, there's no rush."

“Okay.” Lu Rui didn’t stand on ceremony and immediately called the accountant to process the transaction.

"Let me take a look at your two new scripts."

Jiang Wen plopped down on the sofa, picked up two scripts from the table, crossed his legs, and started reading.

As soon as the promotional period for "Warriors of Heaven and Earth" ended, he found himself in a period of unemployment with no acting opportunities.

He was itching to direct a film, but he didn't have a good script and couldn't find a director like Lu Chuan who was willing to be controlled by him.

So, besides returning the money today, I also wanted to feast my eyes on it.

Even if I can't direct it myself, just reading the script can satisfy my craving.

Neither script was very long, totaling less than 50,000 words, and Jiang Wen finished reading them both in less than an hour.

"This script is something special." Holding "The Pursuit of Happyness," his eyes were full of admiration as he enthusiastically analyzed, "The survival difficulties during the wave of layoffs, the emotional bond between father and son..."

Using everyday stories to reflect the changing times, hardship and perseverance are hidden in the details, a tone of finding joy amidst suffering... Are you aiming for an award?

Experts can discern the stylistic direction of a script in just a few glances.

"Yes, I plan to try Cannes next year," Lü Rui said frankly.

Jiang Wen suddenly became interested, his eyes lighting up: "How about I play the male lead?"

Lu Rui paused in his paintbrush, looked up at him for a moment, and decisively shook his head: "Not suitable."

"Why?" Jiang Wen's eyes widened.

"You have too much of a bandit-like air about you, which doesn't match the character's temperament."

"In your eyes, am I just a bandit?" Jiang Wen pouted and slammed the script on the table in a huff.

Lü Rui chuckled and joked, "Director Jiang, what I want is the sense of dejection and vicissitude in a middle-aged man. Look at your spirit and energy, you don't look like a disheartened nobody at all."

Before Jiang Wen could retort, he changed the subject, "Do you have any suitable candidates? Could you recommend someone?"

Realizing that he had no chance at all, Jiang Wen stroked his chin and began to ponder.

"Down and out, weathered..."

"Acting skills and delivery of lines must be excellent," Lü Rui emphasized.

"I've got it!" Jiang Wen slapped his thigh. "Wang Zhiwen is perfect. He's a Grand Slam winner of Best Actor awards, and his lines are among the best in the industry. You've seen 'Black Ice,' right? That line was absolutely brilliant!"

When he got excited, he even started imitating.

"I will pursue money and power relentlessly and ruthlessly, and then use them to take revenge on this despicable human society..."

Lü Rui's eyes lit up.

Wang Zhiwen is a renowned figure in the entertainment industry, with a wide range of acting skills. He can portray both the aura of important figures and the everyday life of ordinary people.

More importantly, he graduated from Beijing Film Academy.

After all, this is a graduation project, and choosing actors who are graduates of the Beijing Film Academy will increase the school's recognition during the evaluation process.

“Director Jiang, are you familiar with him? How about…” Lu Rui suddenly changed his mind before he could finish speaking, “Never mind, I’ll have the Beijing Film Academy contact him.”

The school had previously hinted on several occasions that it hoped he would take better care of the alumni.

If we can reach a cooperation agreement with Wang Zhiwen this time, the school will probably have no complaints.

"Jingle Bell--"

The sharp ringtone of the telephone suddenly rang out. Lu Rui instinctively reached into his pocket, only to see Jiang Wen pull out his phone first.

"Eat? I'm not going back for lunch. You can eat by yourself. I'm staying with Lü Rui... What are you kissing for? There are other people here. You can kiss when you get home tonight..."

Damn! This dog food is disgusting!

After he hung up the phone, Lü Rui teased, "Director Jiang, when are you planning to hold a wedding for Zhou Yun?"

In the first half of this year, Jiang Wen had already obtained a divorce certificate with his ex-wife Sandrine.

The two parties broke up amicably without any disputes.

Sandrine did not want to work in the capital and insisted on returning to Sciences Po to teach.

Jiang Wen tried to persuade her to stay on several occasions, making various promises and saying that he could support her and that she didn't need to go out and show her face in public anymore.

But Sandrine retorted: "Do you expect a female PhD like me to stay at home and be a housewife? I don't want to live that kind of life of washing clothes, cooking, and dealing with mundane household chores. I want to work, I have the right to work, and you can't interfere with that!"

And then, the ending was predetermined.

"A wedding?" Jiang Wen was taken aback.

He knew perfectly well that although Zhou Yun had never spoken, she secretly longed for a wedding with a strong sense of ceremony.

However, he had just ended a marriage and had no intention of making preparations.

"Sigh, let's talk about it later. She's suffered a lot with me, I have to..."

Before he finished speaking, his gaze suddenly fixed on the cover of the script for "Hitch".

"I almost forgot!" Jiang Wen suddenly looked up. "Have you finalized the cast for this film?"

Following his gaze, Lü Rui shook his head and said, "Not yet, the auditions will start in a few days."

"How about letting Zhou Yun give it a try?"

“Sure!” Lu Rui nodded without hesitation. “The female lead, the reporter role, we can let her try it out.”

There are four important characters in total.

The male lead is a charming relationship expert, while the female lead is a resilient and independent magazine reporter. The second male lead is a chubby middle-aged man, and the second female lead is a popular actress.

Zhou Yun's temperament isn't quite right for playing a popular actress, but as a magazine reporter, with her looks, temperament, and acting skills, she should be fine.

"Okay, then it's settled."

Jiang Wen grinned from ear to ear, then shamelessly leaned closer: "How about I play the male lead?"

"???"

Lu Rui looked him up and down, his eyes filled with suspicion.

The persona of a relationship expert and a national sweetheart seems completely out of place with Jiang Wen's "bandit-like" nature.

If he were to play the male lead, wouldn't he immediately transform into a bandit king and kidnap the female lead?
"Director Jiang, your image... doesn't seem quite right, does it?"

"Am I not handsome?" Jiang Wen asked, his eyes wide.

That self-righteous demeanor left Lü Rui speechless for a moment, and he could only remain silent.

Only he would have the audacity to say something so shameless.

Seeing that Lü Rui didn't respond, Jiang Wen pressed on, "Then do you have a suitable candidate?"

"not yet."

Lu Rui frowned and shook his head.

Commercial films need a male lead with both popularity and charisma to carry the box office; otherwise, audiences are very likely to not buy into them.

Leslie Cheung was actually quite suitable, but he's no longer planning to act, so we have to find someone else.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wen immediately laughed and said, "Since you haven't found one yet, let me recommend someone to you."

"Who?"

"Keep it a secret for now. I'll bring him to the audition later, and I guarantee he'll impress you!"

Jiang Wen got up and walked out, intending to go home first to boast to his wife and call that guy over.

The nation's sweetheart?

This character design is practically tailor-made for that person!

"Eat your meal before you leave!" Lü Rui called out to his retreating figure.

"I'm not eating anymore, I'll eat at home."

Jiang Wen waved his hand and disappeared outside the door in the blink of an eye.

……

On the 25th and 26th, Lü Rui stayed at the company drawing storyboard drafts.

It's quite lively outside, though.

The box office of "Warriors of Heaven and Earth" is heading straight for the 10 million mark.

At the Beijing Film Academy, Huang Lei, the substitute teacher who couldn't cook green beans properly, actually got together with a student and even got engaged, saying they would hold a wedding banquet after the New Year.

However, he just got engaged, and I heard he turned around and went after another woman. I don't know if it's true or not.

There was also a sex scandal at the Central Academy of Drama, with a female student and a married male teacher having an affair, causing quite a stir.

During this time, Liu Yifei called and said that the male lead for "Chinese Paladin 1" had been replaced by an unknown newcomer, and her mother was very dissatisfied and wanted to help her win the female lead role.

"The female lead? Zhao Ling'er?" Lu Rui asked instinctively.

"Yes, senior, have you played this game too?" Liu Yifei's voice was filled with excitement on the other end of the phone.

"I know a little bit about it."

Lu Rui gave a vague reply, then suddenly realized what was going on.

He thought Liu Yifei was directly chosen to play Zhao Ling'er in his previous life, but he didn't expect there to be such a connection.

Ling'er is a better match for her than Anu.

The seemingly weak but actually resilient young master of Immortal Spirit Island was the perfect match for her.

After ending the call, Lü Rui continued with his work.

On the 27th, Wang Zhiwen arrived at Ruishijie.

In just two audition scenes, he successfully won over Lü Rui with his textbook-level delivery of lines and superb acting skills.

This is the one!

Lü Rui is already looking forward to Wang Zhiwen's amazing performance after filming begins for "The Pursuit of Happyness".

"Filming starts in October, is your schedule okay?"

"Don't worry, I'll be there on time," Wang Zhiwen readily agreed.

He was also quite looking forward to collaborating with Lü Rui.

The two parties immediately signed a contract.

As for the female lead, Lü Rui has already spoken to Mei Ting, and she will make a cameo appearance.

After some twists and turns, the role of the male lead's son was finally cast as Chen Xinxu, a 7-year-old actor who played the childhood version of "Shi Hai" in "The Passionate Years".

With this, the cast of "The Pursuit of Happyness" is now finalized.

On the last day of September, the auditions for "Hitch" officially began.

At this moment, Lü Rui finally met the actor that Jiang Wen had introduced.

A triple threat artist in film, television, and music, with countless fans throughout Southeast Asia, he is also a philanthropist and investor...

If this guy were to play the male lead, he would definitely live up to the title of "the nation's love rival"!
only……

If we choose to use his advice, we'll probably have to be careful with how we spend the 1500 million investment!

As Lu Rui held the other's hand, he secretly thought to himself, "Sure enough, we can't let Jiang Wen get involved. Every film project he touches goes over budget!"

(End of this chapter)