Chapter 1631 - Choosing the cast!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

The next day.

It was still the weekend.

At Zhang Ye’s Studio.

Everyone looked like they had seen a ghost.

“What?”

“What did you say?”

“The funding has arrived? Over 200 million?”

“It was all contributed by your family?”

“Director Zhang, th-this is too risky!”

“What if the movie doesn’t do well at the box office? Then what will you do?”

“Yeah, it’s too risky. You shouldn’t be putting all of your own money into it!”

Everyone in the studio felt extremely pressured. This was all of the savings and property that Director Zhang’s family had put into the movie. If they ended up losing money on it, wouldn’t it mean that Director Zhang’s family would have to sleep on the streets? None of them had expected Zhang Ye to actually do something like this. It was a gamble to the death over the movie. Furthermore, they could not understand why he was so sure that this movie would be successful even though this was only his first time making a movie. He didn’t even leave a path of retreat for himself?

“There’s no need to talk about this anymore. Making a movie is always a risk that must be taken. Now that the matter has been settled and we have the funding as well, we can finally start the show. Everyone, quickly finish the work that you have on hand. Do whatever needs to be done, and turn down whoever we can turn down. For the next few months, we won’t be doing anything else or taking any other jobs. We are going to go all out to make this movie. Our entire studio staff will form the base of the film crew of Wolf Warrior 2.”

“Director Zhang, we don’t have enough manpower.”

“Then go hire more people.”

“We don’t have any professional filming equipment either—”

“Then go buy some.”

“What about the cast?”

“I’ll select them.”

The tasks were assigned as the film crew officially entered the preparatory phase.

Although many of the studio’s staff predicted that they would end up in the film crew of Wolf Warrior 2, they still turned to the Heavens for an answer in their speechlessness when they heard Director Zhang telling them this! A majority of them had come through from television stations and used to make television shows.

But now?

What had they been doing all these years?

Filming documentaries!

Shooting music videos!

Shooting advertisements!

Making television series!

And now, they had to fucking shoot a movie next!

Sometimes, even they themselves felt that they were too ballsy!

In this world, there was nothing left that Director Zhang didn’t dare to make them film!

…

At the office.

Zhang Ye flipped open the script and started thinking.

It was time to determine the roles. Which actors should he invite on board?

He picked up a pen and started scribbling on the first page. However, he only managed to write a single line at the top of the page: Wolf Warrior 2 Cast (Draft).

Producer: Zhang Ye

Executive Director: Zhang Ye

Screenwriter: Zhang Ye

Stunt Choreographer: Zhang Ye

Assistant Directors: Ha Qiqi, Zhang Zuo

Male Lead (Leng Feng): Zhang Ye

Female Lead (Rachel): To be decided

Some of the roles still required further consideration, but he had already come to a decision for others.

So he picked up the phone and called Yao Jiancai.

Du, du, du, the call connected.

“Old Yao, what are you up to?”

“I’m eating out.”

“How’s your schedule looking?”

“I’ve got nothing lately, but I’m in negotiations to take part in an upcoming TV series that might start filming next month.”

“Have you signed the contract yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Don’t sign it then. Turn it down and leave your time for me.”

“What are you planning?”

“I want to make a movie. I’ve left a good role for you, and it’s a character that only you can play. Other than you, I can’t find anyone else who is suitable for it.”

“What? You’re making a movie?”

Then Zhang Ye made another call to action star Jiang Hanwei.

“Old Jiang, I would like to invite you to take part in a show.”

“What show?”

“I’m preparing to make a movie, and there’s a role of a veteran soldier that I would like you to play.”

“Ah?”

“Are you agreeable?”

“Make a movie? Since when did you start making movies?”

“I just decided on it recently.”

“Is it an international-themed movie?”

“No, I’m just going to make an ordinary domestic movie.”

The call ended.

He gave Yu Qian’s role to Yao Jiancai.

And Wu Gang’s role to Jiang Hanwei.

These two were the actors he was absolutely sure about. There was no need for them to audition for their roles. This was because, during the course of filming In the Name of the People, Zhang Ye learned everyone’s acting chops, how good they were, and what they could do. He was very familiar with them.

An hour later.

Yao Jiancai and Jiang Hanwei rushed over.

“Are you serious?” Yao Jiancai still had a look of disbelief on him.

Jiang Hanwei also asked, “Are you really thinking about making a movie? You’re directing and acting?”

Zhang Ye tossed the script onto the table. “The script is done, and the funding is secured. All we lack now are the actors, so why don’t you both take a look at the script.”

Yao Jiancai rolled his eyes. “Why would I read the script? Let me ask you this first: Do you even know how to make movies?”

Zhang Ye laughed and said, “Why would I not know how to?”

Jiang Hanwei pointed over at two books that were on his table. “Then can you explain what these books are for?”

The two books were:

How to Make Movies

What is Film?

Zhang Ye was extremely embarrassed. He opened a drawer and threw the two books in. “Aiya, don’t be bothered by these minor details. I was just browsing through them.”

Yao Jiancai said in a speechless manner, “You don’t know a thing about making movies at all.”

Zhang Ye boasted, “I really know how to make a movie.”

Jiang Hanwei was speechless.

Zhang Ye said, “Just tell me, are you two willing to act in it or not?”

Yao Jiancai said dejectedly, “My contract negotiations are nearly done. Is this movie of yours really reliable?”

Zhang Ye laughed and said, “If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have approached you two. How many years have we known each other? Would I scam either of you? Don’t worry, they’re definitely good roles. Wasn’t it also my first time directing a TV series during In the Name of the People? How did that end up? You two still don’t believe in me?”

Yao Jiancai said helplessly, “Alright, I understand. I’ll turn down the offer by the other party.”

Zhang Ye looked at Jiang Hanwei.

Jiang Hanwei nodded. “Alright then.”

Zhang Ye clapped his hands. “Alright, it’s settled then.”

After the two of them left, Zhang Ye continued to ponder of the roles.

At this moment, Ha Qiqi happened to bring in something.

Zhang Ye called out to her, “Old Ha, I just thought of someone. What’s the name of that American star who got replaced by Wilson on Commando 2?”

Ha Qiqi was taken aback. “He’s called Jacques.”

Zhang Ye decided on the spot. “OK, Jacques, he has a very good image!”

Ha Qiqi had also read the script. She said in surprise, “Are you thinking of getting him to play the main antagonist, Big Daddy? He’s an international C-list celebrity! Although he isn’t ranked higher than you, he’s still an international celebrity. Ours is a Chinese movie, and the role is also a villainous one. Would he even agree to come? Even if you and him were both used to hype up Commando 2, it still wouldn’t be easy to get him, right? With the funding we have, we wouldn’t be able to give him a large salary either.”

Zhang Ye said, “Help me get in touch with him. I’ll speak with him myself.”

Ha Qiqi said sweating, “You really have to gall to think that way. Alright, I’ll go and find out how to contact him.”

Very soon, they found his contact.

Zhang Ye directly called Jacques.

“Hello, Jacques?”

“Hi, who are you?”

“I am Zhang Ye.”

“Oh, it’s you? Zhang Ye?”

“Are you interested in coming to China to make a movie?”

“China?”

“There’s a movie that I’m producing, and I think you would be interested in it.”

Half an hour.

An hour.

Zhang Ye coaxed Jacques for two full hours.

Something about getting back at Wilson.

Something about taking on Hollywood!

Something about how he must retaliate!

Something about getting into the “billion-dollar box office earnings club”!

When the studio staff heard Zhang Ye’s coaxing, they felt really speechless.

Little Wang nudged her chin. “Director Zhang is at it again.”

But to everyone’s surprise, Jacques was moved by Zhang Ye. “Zhang, I’m willing to accept the role! I’ll head to China with my agent tomorrow!”

Zhang Ye smiled and said, “Alright, Jacques, I’ll be waiting for you!”

After hanging up, Zhang Ye said, “It’s settled.”

The studio staff rolled their eyes or facepalmed.

Ah? You can even do that?

You’re too good at cajoling others!

I-Isn’t this hoodwinking others?

Billion-dollar box office earnings club? That’s over 6 billion RMB!

In the history of the Chinese film market, no more than three movies had earned over a billion RMB! But you’re so casually claiming something like 6 billion RMB? Do you get uncomfortable if you don’t brag for a day? And the most speechless thing is, Jacques, you actually believed it? Oh my God! Aren’t you too honest a person! Don’t you know Director Zhang’s nickname? He’s the internationally renowned Great Trickster!

…

Selecting the actors.

Auditioning.

Buying the equipment.

Renting the venues.

The film crew of Wolf Warrior 2 had quietly been formed.

They were getting closer and closer to the day when the production would start shooting.

…

Several days later.

The news couldn’t be contained any longer.

“Zhang Ye wants to make a movie?”

“Shock! Zhang Ye crosses into the film industry!”

“It has been reported that after Zhang Ye’s failure to enter Hollywood, he will be acting in a self-directed movie!”

“Movie title revealed: Wolf Warrior 2!”

“Zhang Ye’s virgin movie production to start shooting soon!”

“Zhang Ye wants to challenge Hollywood?”

The news was too shocking!

In an instant, all of China was bursting in excitement!

On Weibo.

“Holy shit!”

“Zhang Ye has flipped out!”

“Yeah, he’s making a movie himself? He’ll be the director?”

“I’ve already said that Zhang Ye wouldn’t just sit around and do nothing after getting played by Hollywood. So Zhang Ye still had such a big trick up his sleeves!”

“Challenging Hollywood?”

“These guts, there’s really no one else like him!”

“But why do I feel it won’t work? Even if Commando 2 isn’t a box office success, it still shouldn’t earn less than 500 million USD, right? That’s equivalent to 3 billion RMB! Besides, this is the Commando franchise, and with Wilson’s name as a famous Hollywood director, it should definitely surpass 3 billion RMB! I think Zhang Ye is only going to shoot a domestic movie, right? How is he going to take on take on Hollywood with that? If he loses, that would be such a loss of face. It would surely affect Zhang Ye’s international popularity and further prove Wilson’s claims that China’s film industry is not good enough!”

“Zhang Ye is laying down everything for this!”

“I heard that he poured all of his family’s fortune into funding the movie! He even mortgaged his house!”

“That can’t be true, right?”

“It’s true. Someone from a bank revealed that Zhang Ye has really mortgaged his property. He has put all his money, honor, and reputation into making this movie! It’s like he intends to fucking fight to the death with Wilson and Commando 2!”

“Zhang Ye is a real man!”

“But why is the movie named Wolf Warrior 2?”

“Pfft, how would I know!”

“Yeah, what about 1?”

“Face-smacking Zhang must have gobbled up the first one!”

“This fellow really doesn’t follow the fucking rules at all!”

Some people were cheering for Zhang Ye.

Some people were not optimistic about this movie.

In just a short time, the entire country was in a ruckus!