Chapter 339 Actor Selection
A large investment of US$500 million, more than 70% of the budget, will be spent on special effects production.
The remaining expenses are the actors' remuneration, crew expenses and prop costs.
However, because it is a science fiction movie, not only do I need to acquire various props, but I can also develop peripheral products, such as selling starship models.
As for implanting GG, Jiang Heng thought about it and felt that it was not very suitable.
After all, the world view in "Little Soldier Legend" is different from that of the "Marvel Universe". The story tells the battle between the Federation and the Empire in the universe.
In such a scene, it would obviously be very inconsistent if the characters in the film were to use Lenovo computers, Gionee mobile phones, and drive Fit cars. ,
But if GG is not implanted, Jiang Heng will lose a lot of income, and Jiang Heng is a little unwilling to do so.
After thinking about it for a while, I suddenly had an idea.
He can register a few trademarks, let the products under these trademarks appear in the movie, and then decide later whether to set up a factory for OEM production, or just sell them directly.
For example, in terms of mobile phones, domestic brands will rise in the next two years, and he may not be able to get a share of the pie.
And when it comes to cars, Jiang Heng has the insight and "super microcomputer" that transcends the times. It is not difficult to create a cool coupe in the film.
In a few years, he may also enter the car manufacturing industry!
It was a laptop. He suddenly remembered that Dell had an Alien series, which fit the style of the movie very well.
If the other party can think of it, they can cooperate.
In addition to GG implantation, actor selection, and script polishing, he will also need to worry about prop design and production.
This is not difficult for Jiang Heng. His "super microcomputer" is much more powerful than ordinary "AI" software and can produce a lot of renderings in minutes.
But in order to avoid others' suspicion, the process was still relatively slow. After a few days, the effect sketch was given to the prop team and ordered to produce it.
After entering September, the news that Jiang Heng was going to make a super science fiction blockbuster with an investment of US$500 million was already well known in the Chinese entertainment industry.
Even in Hollywood, it has been widely circulated.
Megan Fox called and asked if there were any roles suitable for her.
Jiang Heng smiled and said, yes, the female officers of the Silver Eagle Empire belong to the villain side, but their uniforms are very handsome.
Megan Fox smiled, "It seems that you like uniforms very much?"
Jiang Heng said: "What I like more is you!
In addition to Megan Fox, old friend Tom Hiddleston also plays the villain in the film, a senior general of the Silver Eagle Empire.
Another one, Jiang Heng originally wanted to hire Robert Downey Jr., but his salary increased too quickly.
It was US$500,000 for "Iron Man 1", and it rose to US$9 million for "Sherlock Holmes" in 2009.
The staff of Jiang Heng's company in Hollywood contacted Robert Downey Jr.'s agent. The other party quoted an offer of 10 million US dollars, and because the role he was invited to play was a villain, he didn't really want to play the role.
Of course he wants to cooperate with Jiang Heng, but only if he plays the leading role. In that case, the salary is negotiable!
It was naturally impossible for Jiang Heng to let him play Tang Long, even though both of them had the character Tang in their names.
Therefore, although the cooperation did not work out, the relationship was established.
During the phone call between the two parties, Robert Downey Jr. said that if there was a suitable opportunity, he would be willing to star in Jiang Heng's film at a low price. At the same time, he greatly admired "The Three-Body Problem" directed by Jiang Heng and is looking forward to the second part.
Jiang Heng said a few polite words to him, then hung up the phone and said to himself, "You don't want to play Luo Ji, do you?"
Speaking of Jiang Heng from a personality perspective, Robert Downey Jr. is really suitable.
Because Luo Ji is such a cynical and irresponsible guy, but his character also hides the qualities of being rational, calm, and good at thinking, and he also possesses strong willpower and mental strength.
These qualities are really similar to Iron Man played by Robert Downey Jr.
But Luo Ji is Chinese. If Robert Downey Jr. plays the role, European and American audiences will definitely be happy. The Chinese may scold him to death, so let’s work together again if there is a chance!
Considering that the real selling point of the film is the interstellar war special effects, Jiang Heng didn't want to spend a lot of money to hire a Hollywood first-tier star, and finally found a third-tier artist.
In addition, he called Ma Dongxi from South Korea to make soy sauce.
The news was delivered through Lee Mekyung of South Korea's CJ Entertainment. Ma Dongxi was confused the first time he heard the news.
The international director Jiang Heng actually invited him, a young actor, to make a movie. Although it was just a soy sauce role, Ma Dongxi still took it very seriously. He hurried over to sign the contract and went back to wait for news.
Here in China, the handsome men and beauties in the entertainment industry are so tired of waiting!
I even want to know whose family will be the winner of such a big pie from the sky.
On September 10th, the crew of "The Founding of a Republic" held a world premiere press conference and premiere celebration at the Beijing Olympic Sports Center.
Jiang Heng went alone, got off the car and walked onto the red carpet to sign autographs. After accepting a few simple interviews, he entered the venue and was surrounded by a group of guests.
"Hey, you are really generous this time, five hundred million US dollars. In fact, I also want to make something as big as this, but I don't know where to spend the money!"
The first one to come over was Cheng Long, who gave him a warm hug.
In fact, after the news of the 500 million investment came out, Cheng Long called and gave some advice, saying that the risk was too high.
Later, he said in a vague way that if there are suitable roles, actors from Xiangjiang can be given priority.
You are a big shot in the Hong Kong film industry, so you have to take care of the younger ones.
Jiang Heng can only say that with an investment of 500 million US dollars, the pressure to return the capital is not as high as usual. You really have to do everything to the extreme, and you don't dare to be careless in the slightest.
When Cheng Long heard this, he couldn't say anything else.
After all, Jiang Heng used his own funds and did not invest money to make movies.
Li Lianjie was also at the scene and said with a smile: "Use it for special effects. Combine it with your kung fu!"
Cheng Long nodded, "Alright!"
Zhang Guoli is also considered an old friend of Jiang Heng. The two played opposite each other in "The Founding of the People's Republic of China". He walked over and smiled innocently, "Director Jiang, the casting of your new film has touched the hearts of everyone in the entertainment industry. What do you want? Which one to choose!”
"First of all, you have to be young, you have to be handsome in military uniform, and the third thing is your good looks!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoli knew that his son would definitely be out of luck, but he still wanted to squeeze him into the crew so that he could become more or less familiar with the audience.
"Let's have dinner together tonight?"
Feng Xiaogang said, "I'm sure, I have to have a good drink with Director Jiang today!"
Everyone gathered around Jiang Heng, chatting lively.
Not long after, the press conference began, followed by the premiere ceremony.
The crew showed the complete version of the movie. Although Jiang Heng had watched "The Founding of the People's Republic of China" in the past, he still found it interesting to watch it this time.
Because he played the role of Chiang Ching-kuo in the film, he is indeed very handsome and even more imposing.
Because of this, the scene of the dialogue between the Jiang family and his son becomes even more tragic.