Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 777: Chapter 518: Top-Tier Actor (Part 3)

”So put in some extra effort and find a way to help her,” Zhou Yun said. ”From my side, I can only offer supporting roles for her.”

Song Chi: ”Of course, if it’s a film you’re involved in, a supporting role is definitely good too.”

Zhou Yun: ”What about you? When will you start filming?”

”After my leg has healed, I guess. There’s a project expected to start shooting in September. I’ll join the crew then, but I’m not sure how well my leg will have recovered by that time. If it’s not fully healed, we’ll have to shoot all the dramatic scenes first.”

”Uh-huh,” Zhou Yun laid down on the sofa. ”Has ’Balcony’ wrapped up filming yet?”

”Yes,” said Song Chi, ”Chen Jing did quite a good job.”

”Surely not as good as you would have done. If you had played the role, we might even have aimed for the big three film festivals,” Zhou Yun laughed.

”I doubt it. The big three don’t really fancy this kind of warm and perfect script,” Song Chi said. ”They prefer themes of humanity, contemplation, and self-critique.”

”Like ’Falling Leaves’ and ’Behind the Scenes’?”

”Yes, those two movies are practically tailor-made for the big three,” Song Chi said with a smile. ”I’ve heard from my friends in the United States that the distributors of ’Behind the Scenes’ might try to ride the Cannes wave and go for an Oscar.”

”Really?”

”Possibly, if it picks up some major awards in the lead-up.” Song Chi said, ”But that depends on the critics’ reviews; the American side is very influenced by them.”

”I haven’t heard anything about it.”

”It hasn’t been released in the US yet, no one knows what kind of reception it’ll get. You know, not all great films get a good response in the States.”

”That’s true.”

”There’s another thing. I’ve heard that Disney plans to develop a superhero film with a Chinese Warrior as the protagonist, featuring an all-Chinese cast,” Song Chi said. ”You see if you’re interested, if you are, you could have Zhou Lan look into it ahead of time.”

Zhou Yun hesitated, then said, ”I’ll discuss it with Sister Lan. What about you? Would you consider taking the role?”

”If they approach me, I’ll think about it. If they don’t, I won’t go asking for it,” Song Chi said.

Zhou Yun: ”Why not? Isn’t this a great opportunity?”

”Well, the next thing I’m going to say might sound a bit narcissistic, bear with me, I am the best actor of my age group, and I don’t want them to get the impression that I’m eager to take on their movie.”

Song Chi paused, seeming to hesitate over whether to continue, but then he went on.

”I’ve done Hollywood films before and met with many of their producers and casting directors. Even big Hollywood films that you’ve heard of come to me every year, but the roles they offer are trivial; they’re just symbols. They don’t come to me because I’m a good actor, nor out of the script’s necessity. They just value China’s market, and at the same time, they want to showcase the contemporary theme of diversity, so they need an Asian role played by an Asian actor. Anybody can play such roles, you just say a few lines, strike a few poses, and the job’s done. But not for me, because China’s best actors aren’t something they can fool around with by offering such insignificant roles that anyone can play.”

Zhou Yun was astonished.

”But didn’t you say the film revolves around a Chinese Warrior? It sounds like a pretty good opportunity, right?” she asked.

”Yes, which is why I can’t actively pursue it,” Song Chi said. ”Do you understand? Unless they come directly to me.”

Zhou Yun thought for a moment and hummed, ”I get it.”

”Actually...”

”Actually, I’m also their top pick for actress at the moment, right?” Zhou Yun said. ”In their eyes, I’m currently the most box-office appealing actress in China.”

”Of course.”

”I understand. I’ll advance or retreat together with you.”

”You don’t need to do that. After all, you’re still a newcomer; you’ve only been in the industry for a few years.”

”Don’t think you’re the only one who represents China’s finest actors; I’m just as good, okay?” Zhou Yun said. ”No offense, but my international fame these past two years isn’t any lesser than yours.”

Song Chi burst into laughter.

”Of course, I know.”

”I just hope that one day we can make a Chinese-language film that becomes a global blockbuster on our own.”

”Press on.”

”Keep pressing on.”

After hanging up the call, Zhou Yun pondered for a long time and decided not to share the news with Zhou Lan yet.

”Knock knock!”

Suddenly, someone was knocking on the door.

Zhou Yun looked toward the door in surprise, wondering who could be looking for her at this hour.