Chapter 121: The So-Called Popular Celebrity
Since the script was set and the crew confirmed, all that was left was the actors.
“Young Master Ye, are you not acting? You know martial arts. Paired with your acting skills, you will surely bring out the essence of the movie!” Li Tai tried to persuade Ye Lingchen.
“I’ll pass. I don’t plan to expose myself for the time being. Maybe in the future.” Ye Lingchen shook his head.
Exposing his face had benefits and drawbacks. The benefit was a quick increase in popularity. The drawback, however, was that he would turn into a public figure which led to increased scrutiny. That would make his life inconvenient.
“Director Li, you know a lot of actors. Why don’t you select a few for me so I can have a look at them?” Ye Lingchen asked.
“Sure!” Li Tai nodded, “I know a few celebrities. I’ll contact them for you. We might as well start recruiting some supporting actors here too while we’re at it.”
All set. Li Tai then had his men spread the word on his hiring.
At the same time, Ye Lingchen and Xiao Feifei too spread the news of the hiring via Weibo.
[Huo Yuanjia is starting today. We’re looking for a lead actor, some supporting actors, and extras. Location: Hengdian Studios. Those with martial arts background will be given priority. Welcoming all those interested to come for our audition.]
That rock caused a cascade of ripples.
[Who would have thought that Y wasn’t joking. Huo Yuanjia is starting their filming!]
[It seems like it’s going to be a Kungfu movie. I’m looking forward to it!]
[Damn, Li Tai’s the director? This should be Li Tai’s first movie!]
[It seems that Y, Li Tai, and Xiao Feifei are quite well acquainted. I hope this won’t be a bad movie!]
Moments after the notice was sent, whether coincidental or not, Shi Lei too had made an open announcement. I am Hero would also enter their audition phase, welcoming everyone to register for auditions.
He even made a comparison of his movie with Huo Yuanjia, claiming that actors that took part in trashy movies like Huo Yuanjia were ruining their fame.
Faced with Shi Lei’s provocations, Ye Lingchen shrugged it off with a smile.
Li Tai was the host for lunch, treating Ye Lingchen and Xiao Feifei to a fancy meal. After that, he immediately rushed back to the set for hiring.
Hengdian Studios did not lack any actors.
Especially when heavyweights like Xiao Feifei, Y and Li Tai made the announcement, the set was filled instantly with people applying.
Ye Lingchen just sat in the outermost corner as a normal interviewer. Nobody realized that the unremarkable interviewer was Y himself.
One by one the actors did their best to showcase their acting skills in front of Li Tai and Xiao Feifei. Unbeknownst to them, Li Tai’s gaze would occasionally shift over to Ye Lingchen. Only with his approval would he consider them.
In Huo Yuanjia, the casting of the main character Huo Yuanjia was naturally the most crucial.
In this movie, Huo Yuanjia’s actor needed to have a martial artist’s fierceness and power. Later on, he required a touch of gentleness. Lastly, he will need to have a patriotic heart and a willingness to take on responsibility!
Both the requirements for martial arts and acting skills were demanding. Suitable choices were extremely few. Li Tai mentioned that a popular celebrity would be coming over in the afternoon. As a candidate for the role of Huo Yuanjia, Ye Lingchen was filled with anticipation.
Apart from that, there were important supporting roles for Huo Yuanjia’s little daughter who was around seven years old, his original wife, the blind lady Yue Ci, and the opponents in each fighting scene.
Without them realizing, the afternoon went by quickly. Candidates for supporting characters were being confirmed one by one. They planned to end things there that day.
“Lingchen, why don’t you let me play the role of the blind lady Yue Ci?” Xiao Feifei asked Ye Lingchen all of a sudden, “In a movie, you will need some decent supporting characters to lean on to.”
Her tone was calm, but at the same time anxious.
An entire afternoon passed, but not a single famous actor came by for auditions, not even a phone call. That just showed how much people looked down on this movie!
If a movie lacked actors who grabbed people’s attention, that would be very unfavorable for the movie!
“It would seem that we’re being underestimated.” Li Tai shook his head bitterly, “Y is not taking part himself and Feifei you’re not taking part. Furthermore, it’s an unknown script that’s being directed by a new director. It’s only normal that people looked down on it.”
“Oh right, Director Li, why is that actor you mentioned earlier not here yet?” Xiao Feifei asked.
Li Tai’s brows frowned a little, “He should be here soon I think.”
That wait lasted for another hour. The sky was turning dark as it was approaching 7pm. Ye Lingchen could only take a day off from his stream. It was unlikely that he would make it home in time for the live stream.
“Director Li, this person is just too arrogant!” Ye Lingchen’s brows were forming a deep scowl. With such a whimsical actor, how would they produce a good movie?
Honk honk!
Right then, two honking sounds came from outside the door. A black Toyota luxury van pulled over.
“He’s here!” Li Tai’s tone was lined with caution.
“It’s Wu Han’s car!” Xiao Feifei’s eyes carried a hint of surprise. She mumbled quietly, “He’s the most popular celebrity right now with countless fans. No wonder he’s so arrogant!”
All they saw was a man dyed with brown hair wearing a white jacket coming down from the car. As he did, a group of people crowded around him trying to get on his good side.
It was already night time, yet someone sheltered him with an umbrella. There were even people opening a path for him, kicking pebbles out of the way.
“Straighten your umbrella quickly! Don’t let the moonlight ruin Young Master Wu’s complexion!”
“You there, make sure the road is clear. Don’t let the pebbles trip Young Master Wu!”
“Young Master Wu, you must be careful. Last time you suffered a half-inch cut across your finger due to a movie shoot! That was too scary! Why did you accept a martial arts movie? This is too dangerous!”
Next to Wu Han, a short and fat guy was sucking up to him.
Upon seeing Wu Han, Ye Lingchen’s expression was not looking too well.
As a man, he had applied a layer of foundation of his face. Furthermore, his body reeked of a nauseatingly strong perfume scent. His eyebrows were painted, he wore lipstick and sported an hourglass-like waist, a typical effeminate man. His actions, speech, and movements were all lacking the masculinity of a man. At that moment, Ye Lingchen’s mind only had one word for this—sissy!
‘This sissy wants to play the role of Huo Yuanjia?!’
”Could Huo Yuanjia’s coffin cover hold him in 1?’
“Young Master Wu, you’re finally here,” Li Tai greeted him with a smile, “What do you think? It’s a martial arts movie, but you can take it as a challenge to improve yourself.”
“What actors are in your movie? Don’t bother with the small fries, only those A-list actors!” Before Wu Han could say anything, the fatty beside him demanded arrogantly.
Li Tai’s face was filled with awkwardness, “So far we have none.”
“What?!” The fatty immediately jumped up, “Without them to hold our Young Master Wu up? That won’t do! Such a sh*tty movie!”
“Young Master Wu, I can guarantee that this is no sh*tty movie! This movie will definitely be a hit.” Li Tai guaranteed.
“If you want me to take part that’s fine, but I have one condition,” Wu Han spoke softly with a haughty expression, “All fighting scenes, scenes with physical contact, difficult actions and running will be done by stuntmen. When it’s time to act cool you will switch me in. Most of the time I will only be showing my face to deliver some lines. Finally, my price is RMB10,000,000!”
Ye Lingchen was dumbstruck after hearing that. ‘Li Tai had me wait for half the day for this joker?