Chapter 296: Wild Emperor’s Influence, The Unknowingly Changed Film Circle Landscape
#Mars Rescue Starts Filming#
#Chi Ye Personal Poster#
#……#
If Mars Rescue is a major project in the industry that’s been well-known since the preparation stage, then outside the industry circle, many people actually don’t know much about this project and find it very unfamiliar.
Apart from Chi Ye’s die-hard fans and career fans, many people have even heard this name for the first time.
So, when seeing #Mars Rescue# related hot words appear on the hot search list for the first time, most bystander audiences were dumbfounded.
But upon looking at the lead actor list and the glaring words “Chi Ye as Ma Mo,” everyone instantly understood.
Ah, Chi Ye’s next movie.
It’s still a sci-fi film, which is indeed worth making the hot search.
Meanwhile, fans and movie fans who were already in the know collectively climaxed under this poster.
「Come on!!」
「Fuck! Finally waiting for you!」
「Just starting filming? When will it wrap up? Can it elevate Ghost during the winter vacation, Mars Rescue during the Spring Festival slot, directly seamless connection? The kids have been eating too bitterly lately, Ye Zi, give it some extra effort!」
「Indeed, recent works are getting fewer and fewer, Influenza has already been played to a patina, can we get some new stuff?」
「Director Guo Feng… and this production team, never heard of them before, a new domestic sci-fi team? This movie’s investment isn’t low, right? Directly using a new team?」
「Don’t even mention the team, the investment is mostly from Chi Ye himself. Looking at the plot summary, it seems like a skin suit, feels like this cast lineup is a bit unreliable.」
「Chinese sci-fi film? Magic City Fortress 749 Bureau *smirks without speaking*.」
「Having gone through countless forced shit-eating experiences, I can proudly announce—I won’t believe any marketing for domestic sci-fi films anymore.」
「Chi Ye has finally stretched his hand into the sci-fi field… is this imitating the seniors, going all out?」
「……」
Overall, the first marketing and debut of Mars Rescue is successful, because a movie with Chi Ye as the lead actor, and the male lead at that, doesn’t need to worry about topics and popularity at all now.
The difference is only whether this popularity and heat is good or bad.
And this “good” and “bad” cannot be defined in the traditional way.
Just like the PTSD and roasts from audience movie fans who have experienced Magic City Fortress, 749 Bureau and other eye-polluting piles—seemingly bad public opinion, but actually, it’s Chi Ye’s side deliberately hiring paid commenters to badmouth—
If not pulled out to show now, what if everyone forgets these two epic masterpieces?
Without these two epic masterpieces for contrast, how can Mars Rescue shoulder the “great responsibility” of “pioneering Chinese sci-fi film”?
Besides, a movie fears controversy the least, especially this kind without obvious black points; the more controversy, the higher their heat, saving who knows how much publicity and marketing costs.
“He’s using our corpses to recycle his trash even after we’re dead… how can this guy be so bad?!”
A certain Magic City Fortress former investor, the now-bankrupt Shaanxi Big Brother, instantly exploded upon seeing this hot search, cursing Chi Ye for lacking professional ethics and loving to eat their blood steamed buns.
“Not used to it yet? This isn’t the first time.”
The other person nearby was dressed sleek and shiny, covered in slippery fabrics, with hair oiled to a gloss, looking from afar like a wolf dog with its tongue out.
True to his name, he was surnamed Lang, one of the agents for a certain capital city film and television capital; previously invested in Magic City Fortress, 749 Bureau and other flop movies, but currently with a thick foundation, he hasn’t been pitted from heaven to hell like the friend beside him.
Of course, even so, his situation isn’t much better.
This time coming here is for investment in a new project, but after several times being educated by the Beijing Circle, both capitals are now much more cautious.
“Ling Bingbing’s next one doesn’t seem to be a movie, should we co-invest?”
“TV series, seems like cooperating with Chi Ye too.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Nonsense, I’m here for Chi Ye.”
“…”
The two exchanged a few words, then briefly fell silent for two seconds.
Ling Bingbing is officially coming back, so her first movie will likely be very popular; in other words, very suitable for investors like them who have been pitted too much, at least guaranteeing break-even + profit.
As for small profit or big profit, it all depends on heaven’s will.
The Shaanxi bro didn’t do homework before coming this time, because he’s currently investing on borrowed money… many in the circle have cut contact with him, his industry connections and info are very outdated now.
Only now did he learn that Chi Ye is actually Ling Bingbing’s co-star in her next drama.
For a moment, shocked and delighted, completely changing his facial expression: “Fuck Director Lu Chuan Beijing Circle! Damn it, should never have believed their bullshit.”
“Good brother, you must bring me along this time, I’ve lost too much these two years, lose any more and I really can’t turn over.”
“…Neither of us should talk about the other, my situation isn’t much better than yours.”
The Lang investor shook his head, also showing a bitter expression.
“Let’s go, we’ll go up and take a look.”
The two formerly glamorous investors vented their bitterness downstairs, then turned together toward the first-floor reception.
“We’re looking for Manager Zhang.”
“Hello, do you have an appointment?”
The two exchanged a glance, Shaanxi bro said: “Of course we have an appointment, we talked with Ling Bingbing before.”
“Okay, please wait a moment.”
The receptionist nodded politely, picked up the phone to confirm, and after a minute put it down: “Sorry, please follow me.”
With that, the receptionist led the two upstairs.
In the elevator, Shaanxi bro and Lang investor were silent, both thinking about how to probe the new project upon meeting later.
Honestly, after so many incidents, small investors like them behind the Beijing Circle have been tossed half to death; now in the entire Beijing Circle, many no longer trust the likes of Director Lu and Director Yang.
In comparison, lower-key and steadier targets like Ling Bingbing have become their choice.
Especially after news of Ling Bingbing and Chi Ye cooperating, it’s been bustling here.
—Well, the reverse direction “bustling” isn’t absent either.
Like now.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened, and as Shaanxi bro and Lang investor just stepped out, they heard cursing, scolding, and arguing voices from the office inside.
“Ling Bingbing, what do you mean by this?! What do you mean sneaking off to find Chi Ye behind our backs? Are you trying to make us lose all face?!”
“Lu Chuan, are you brain-dead? I’m not your subordinate, who are you talking to?”
This was Ling Bingbing’s voice, slightly dumbfounded and incredulous.
Because she was indeed a bit stunned by Lu Chuan’s thought process; she didn’t expect him to actually come to her company doorway to “educate” her.
If this guy isn’t sick, what is he?
“Heh, right, now you’re not the old you, not when you were begging us for resources, huh? Talking all tough, even ‘who are you talking to’… Ling Bingbing, be conscientious; if we hadn’t promoted you back then, would you have everything now?”
“You’ve made it big and forgotten your roots, aren’t you afraid of others in the circle scolding you?”
Ling Bingbing looked at him expressionlessly: “Back then it was the management company that promoted me, and I signed the corresponding service contract. You didn’t even know me then, right? What does it have to do with you?”
“…”
Director Lu paused, but immediately yelled loudly: “What you’re saying is ridiculous. You didn’t know me then, but aren’t we from the same circle? You…”
“Lu Chuan, me letting you stay here to talk is already giving you face. If you keep yelling nonstop, then please leave.”
“You still want people to throw me out?!”
Lu Chuan widened his eyes, incredulously pointing at himself: “I’m Lu Chuan, have you got it wrong?!”
He pointed at a middle-aged man nearby: “You cooperating with Chi Ye, fine, I won’t say anything. Yes, Chi Ye is hot now, exploded, but you clearly didn’t want to act in that Mars Rescue, yet you go audition, boosting their status and giving them heat for nothing—isn’t that a bit too bootlicking?”
“Truth is, I’m not here alone this time. Your actions are too chilling, you know? Ling Bingbing, you know better than anyone how you became a big flower. If you keep playing like this, I can clearly tell you…”
Ling Bingbing’s brows furrowed deeper, no patience to listen to Lu Chuan’s nagging anymore, she waved her hand signaling: “Have someone carry him out, lunatic, coming to my place to throw a drunken tantrum.”
“Uh…”
The middle-aged man hesitated; he was Ling Bingbing’s partner Manager Zhang: “This… isn’t great, after all, he’s from the same circle…”
“Did he treat me as from the circle?”
Ling Bingbing expressionless: “What am I in his eyes? He doesn’t want to give respect, so I’ll teach him how to respect others.”
“Get out.”
Lu Chuan had indeed drunk a lot today, or he wouldn’t come in broad daylight to confront Ling Bingbing; recently his family, career, circle, even “love”… all suffered devastating blows.
He was unwilling.
So, upon hearing Ling Bingbing’s words, he completely lost it.
Still wanted to struggle a bit, but being on Ling Bingbing’s turf, he didn’t even have space to move; unclear how he was dragged out.
After a chaotic flurry, everything calmed down.
Manager Zhang said worriedly: “Now it’s good, drunk or not, with you doing this, later when we bump into each other… others will probably blame you too.”
“Blame if they want.”
Ling Bingbing had passed the ordinary artist stage; her capital was much stronger than Sheng Ning’s, and her connections even more incomparable.
—Now she doesn’t rely on the Beijing Circle, but the Beijing Circle needs to rely on her “golden signboard.”
So, no big deal.
“…It seems everyone has reactions to you cooperating with Chi Ye…”
Manager Zhang stopped, his gaze falling on the two former investors craning their necks to watch the drama, not daring to speak.
“Uh… Manager Zhang, Bingbing.”
The two awkwardly greeted.
“…Sorry you two had to see that.”
Manager Zhang’s expression unchanged, invited the two in to sit, then began subtly salvaging dignity.
But the two had no mind to listen now; seeing Lu Chuan’s drunken tantrum just now, their thoughts grew stronger. Seizing the chance, Lang investor asked: “Um, that… one thing…”
“Bingbing’s next drama is confirmed cooperating with Chi Ye, right?”
Ling Bingbing and her partner exchanged a glance, nodded frankly: “Yes, if you two think it’s unsuitable, then I can only say sorry…”
“No no no.”
Shaanxi bro waved hurriedly: “Not unsuitable at all, very suitable, very suitable.”
Ling Bingbing: “?”
“Uh… we actually came this time to ask, Bingbing, your new project cooperating with Chi Ye, still short on investment?”
Lang investor asked cautiously: “If still short, we happen to have some money here…”
Now, Ling Bingbing and Manager Zhang fully reacted, exchanged a glance, both seeing a different emotion in each other’s eyes.
Ling Bingbing—see, this is the current state.
Manager Zhang—worthy of you, really bet right.
Ling Bingbing shook her head, signaling it wasn’t a bet; what should come will always come.
Expected this batch of Beijing Circle capital is just the first; they are former Beijing Circle peripheral small capitals, clustering around Beijing Circle to make money when it was profitable, usually only providing funds, ignoring other dirty matters in the circle.
But when they find this circle unprofitable, naturally seek elsewhere.
And as things develop, more capitals formerly with influence may choose to “abandon” this old circle, choosing to embrace new cooperation partners.
Actually similar things happened occasionally before, but why add “similar”?
Because Chen Sicheng, Xu Zheng and others play “win-win cooperation”; though they rose, ultimately facing pressures from all sides and various reasons, they choose to cooperate with Beijing Circle.
So naturally no “either-or” issue.
Chi Ye’s side is different.
Everyone knows, Chi Ye and Beijing Circle developing to now, can only be either-or: one lives, one dies.
As for who ultimately gets killed…
Before, everyone thought one person single-handedly challenging a circle that’s dominated the film circle since internal entertainment’s existence—answer obvious even thinking with butt.
But now looking…
At least currently, Chi Ye seems… really a bit fiercer?
Influenza’s success delivered huge shock and impact to everyone in the industry; this success foreshadows Chi Ye’s future works likely continuing the “global premiere” route.
—Who can resist this level of temptation?
“Sorry, my cooperation with Chi Ye is a TV series; as for movies… they’ve been filming for a while, you should have heard, right?”
“Yes, we know, TV series is fine too; we’re here this time precisely for the TV series.”
