Hong Kong Entertainment 1979: A Beating Up the Manager at the Start

The day after Li Jiangbo returned to Hong Kong, he convened a meeting.

Among the participants were: Xu Ke, Wang Jing, Johnnie To, Chen Xunqi, Lan Naicai, Clifton Ko, and others.

In the conference room of Time Film and Television.

Xu Ke flipped through the script in his hand, feeling both excited and sad.

He was excited to learn from Li Jiangbo that they were planning to use Steadicam for extensive filming this time; he was saddened that he couldn't direct.

After everyone finished reading the script, Li Jiangbo smiled and said, "What do you all think? Who would be suitable to play the male lead?"

Xu Ke rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and said, "I think Lin Zhengying is a good candidate."

Wang Jing, however, said, "I think Yuan Hua is suitable."

Johnnie To nodded upon hearing this, "Yes, Yuen Wah is definitely suitable. This character looks like a ruthless and decisive one, which seems quite fitting."

Others chimed in.

Li Jiangbo thought for a moment, then made the decision: "Let's choose Yuan Hua! Who knows where he is right now?"

Wang Jing said, "He should still be with Shaw Brothers now."

Li Jiangbo nodded, "Then I'll ask Brother Jing to make some contact and see if we can get him signed. If we can't, it won't be worth promoting him."

Wang Jing laughed upon hearing this, "That shouldn't be a problem. He just finished filming Director Chu's movie and hasn't renewed his contract with Shaw Brothers yet."

"Okay! For the martial arts choreography, let's use the Sammo Hung Stunt Team."

At this moment, Xu Ke spoke up, "Mr. Li, how about we use Cheng Xiaodong, whom we collaborated with last time?"

Li Jiangbo shook his head. "The style of this film is different from usual. Let's try working with Sammo Hung's stunt team first. If that doesn't work, then we'll try working with Ching Siu-tung."

Xu Ke remained silent upon hearing this.

Li Jiangbo asked with a smile, "Alright, who do you think will be the assistant director and who will be the co-director?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Ke, Johnnie To, and Clifton Ko all vied to have him come.

Only Wang Jing, Chen Xunqi, and Lan Naicai remained silent.

Lan Naicai remained silent because he was certain he was the photographer and didn't need to compete for these things.

Wang Jing and Chen Xunqi remained silent because they had a good working relationship and were currently preparing another script, so they didn't have time.

Li Jiangbo looked at the three of them and made a decision: "Old Xu and A-Feng will be assistant directors, and A-Sen will be the assistant director. Anyone else who's curious can come visit the set."

Li Jiangbo is preparing to film what will later be Pierre's 2008 film, "Taken".

This movie has a lot of female characters; you could fit all the female artists signed to Time Films into it.

Actually, Li Jiangbo initially planned to film "John Wick," but there were too few female characters, and the idea of ​​a dog destroying a gang didn't quite fit the traditional Chinese concept.

The version that Old Pi made started with the US, and the main characters were all American. It was a story about an old father saving his daughter in 96 hours.

Li Jiangbo's revised version is: The protagonist is a retired member of the Hong Kong Flying Tigers, and the story revolves around his efforts to save his daughter.

As for the story's location, the original version was Gallic Chicken, but Li Jiangbo has changed it to Japanese Chicken.

This would boost box office revenue and also stir up patriotic sentiments among Hong Kong people. During the War of Resistance against Japan, Hong Kong suffered greatly at the hands of the Japanese invaders.

Brother Long hasn't grown to an unshakeable position yet, and Li Jiangbo wants to try and see if he can use Yuan Hua to break into the Japanese box office market.

After the meeting, everyone left one after another.

Li Jiangbo kept Wang Jing, who was about to leave, behind.

Li Jiangbo handed Wang Jing a cigarette. "Brother Jing, contact Yuan Hua as soon as possible. I need to prepare for the training of the lead actor's stuntmen."

Wang Jing took the cigarette, somewhat puzzled. "Why are we having training again? Director Li, how big of a project are you planning?"

Li Jiangbo chuckled, "Since we're using new equipment to film, of course we have to make a different kind of movie!"

"You've got me itching to get to know you. I'll finish post-production on 'Happy Ghost 2' and then come over to see what you're up to."

Li Jiangbo nodded, "Okay! You take care of Yuan Hua first."

Wang Jing exhaled a smoke ring. "Don't worry, I'll handle this. Yuan Hua is just too honest. He's acted in so many films with Director Chu, and he's always been a supporting actor. This time you've tailored a lead role for him, how could he not be tempted?"

"Okay, then I'll leave it to you."

"Understood." With that, Wang Jing, a cigarette dangling from his lips, strolled away.

Li Jiangbo returned to his office and picked up the phone to call Hong Jinbao.

The phone rang a few times before being answered. Hong Jinbao's voice came from the other end, "Feed? Who is this?"

"Brother Sanmao, this is Li Jiangbo."

When Hong Jinbao heard that it was Li Jiangbo, his voice immediately became enthusiastic.

"Hey! Director Li! What made you think of calling me? Is there some good news you want to share?"

Li Jiangbo smiled and said, "Brother Sanmao is indeed incredibly insightful! I do have something I'd like to ask for your help with."

"Tell me what's up. I felt really bad that I couldn't help you when you came last time. I didn't expect Director Li to call me."

"For my new film, I'd like to invite the members of Sammo Hung's stunt team to be the martial arts choreographer. I wonder if Brother Hung is available?"

Hong Jinbao was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone. "Director Li, I really don't have the time. I recently started a company with Mr. Zou, and I'm busy with company matters right now."

He paused for a moment, then added, "However, I can have Ah Ying bring a few of his brothers over. He's free lately, what do you think?"

Li Jiangbo understood that Hong Jinbao was trying to make amends for what happened last time, so he didn't point it out and nodded in agreement.

"Brother Sanmao, have Ah Ying come over tomorrow. I'll have a detailed talk with him."

"No problem! I'll call him right away."

After hanging up the phone, Li Jiangbo leaned back in his boss's chair, closed his eyes, and thought for a moment.

The last time they were supposed to film "Mr. Vampire" with Lin Cheng-ying, they couldn't find anyone to lend him. Now that they're filming this movie, he's actually here.

Therefore, some things cannot be forced; if you force them, you will not get them.

A while later, Wang Jing called and said that he had already settled things with Yuan Hua, and Li Jiangbo wanted him to come over tomorrow to discuss the details.

The next morning, Yuan Hua arrived at the company on time.

Li Jiangbo sized up Yuan Hua in front of him.

At this time, Yuan Hua was only 28 years old, but nearly ten years of playing minor roles had made him look much older.

However, he fits the image of the male protagonist in the film very well.

"sit."

Yuan Hua sat down somewhat awkwardly. Yesterday, when Wang Jing called him and said that Li Jiangbo wanted him to play the male lead, he felt that the guy was lying to him.

However, he still came to Time Film Company today with some skepticism.

Li Jiangbo took a contract out of the drawer and handed it to Yuan Hua.

"I don't have too many requirements. It's a five-year contract, with at least one film per year, regardless of whether it's a lead or supporting role. The base salary is 3000 yuan per month. What do you think?"

Yuan Hua took the contract, glanced through it briefly, then flipped to the last page, picked up a pen, and signed his name.

Li Jiangbo smiled. "Aren't you going to take a closer look?"

Yuan Hua shook his head. "Director Li giving me this opportunity is a sign that he thinks highly of me."

Li Jiangbo was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

He stood up and patted Yuan Hua on the shoulder, "When the martial arts instructor from the crew arrives later, we'll go and practice a bit."

Yuan Hua stood up and nodded vigorously.