Unlike the previous films where the start of filming was so high-profile that everyone knew about it, this time, no information about Director Zhuang's new movie could be found at all.
Entertainment reporters relentlessly pursued them, and marketing accounts racked their brains, all vying for first-hand information and to grab the headlines.
But in the end it still happened...
They remained silent when asked.
What script?
I don't know.
Who are the male and female leads?
have no idea.
What genre is the film, and what story does it tell?
I don't know.
The crowd, craning their necks and eagerly watching: ...
Damn it, they know nothing, they're all useless, what use are you?
Those who specialize in publishing entertainment tabloids are even more aggrieved; it's not that they're incompetent, they're just completely clueless.
First of all, I heard that the script was Director Zhuang's original work, and the story was just in his head. If Director Zhuang didn't say anything, how would they know?
Secondly, as everyone knows, what's even more interesting than Director Zhuang's movies is her casting process; it never ends without some shocking revelation that's sure to rock the industry.
As soon as people heard that she was going to shoot an epic blockbuster, everyone had already brought out their little stools and were waiting to see who would be casting the movie.
This is an epic blockbuster, so it's bound to produce an epic scandal.
Celebrities in the industry are racking their brains to find a way to get a role, even a supporting one, which would be a huge win.
Everyone waited and waited, but before they even saw a hint of the casting call, Director Zhuang simply vanished.
And so, those who never learn their lesson started to act sarcastic and unkind.
"Oh dear, Director Zhuang is starting to pull these empty promises to fool everyone now. What epic blockbuster? It's probably an epic joke."
"An original script, look how capable she is. She used to direct and act, and now she's even trying to steal the screenwriter's job. She thinks she's omnipotent just because she's been praised as a genius."
"Hey, Director Zhuang was just saying it casually, who knew everyone would take it seriously? He's already made that boast, and now he can't make it back. Please, everyone, just pretend it never happened."
...
A week has passed, and Fugui stared dumbfounded at the two people whose expressions hadn't changed at all, whose eyes were clear enough to fight another three hundred rounds. His lips twitched.
What an incredible barrel!
Afraid of scaring others if they went out, the two of them drank wine that Fugui bought. Fugui hadn't done anything these past few days except run errands to buy wine.
The overwhelming smell of alcohol was enough to make even the wealthy feel dizzy.
After buying another batch of wine, Fugui couldn't hold back any longer and angrily said:
“Sister An’an, we’ve had enough to drink, haven’t we? If you don’t show up soon, people will start making us the laughing stock of the world.”
And, my goodness, the money you two spent on drinks could make a movie.
Rich. Stingy. Money-saving expert. Expensive but heartbroken.
The two were enjoying their drinks when Ying Zheng was about to speak when Qi An beckoned to Fu Gui: "Come here."
Fugui obediently sat down.
Qi An picked up a teacup and held it to Fu Gui's lips, saying softly, "Here, Fu Gui, you've worked hard. Have some tea to soothe your throat."
Ying Zheng's lips twitched, a smile flashing in his eyes, before he quickly lowered his head to hide it.
The room reeked of alcohol, and Fugui was already feeling dizzy from the smell when An'an gently brought the teacup to his lips.
Fu Gui didn't even hesitate before tilting his head back and drinking it.
"Cough cough... Sister An'an, you... I..."
Fu Gui closed his eyes and died instantly.
Ying Zheng laughed out loud. This girl seemed quite fierce, but she was completely unguarded around Qi An. However, her alcohol tolerance was just too low.
"Qi An, you're too mean."
Qi An laughed heartily, raised his glass to toast, and said, "Let Fugui rest for a bit. Come on, let's continue."
When Fugui woke up, he didn't know how many days had passed. The two drunkards had finally had their fill of drinking and started talking about serious matters.
"You mean, you want me to act in a movie?"
"That's right, you're the perfect male lead for this movie."
Ying Zheng has done all sorts of things over the years, but he has never acted. He said, "But I can't act, and I'm worried that I'll ruin your reputation."
Qi An patted his shoulder and said in a relaxed tone, "Don't worry, you don't need any acting skills. Just stand there and no one is more suitable than you."
"Moreover..." Qi An smiled meaningfully, "If someone else played this role, that would be truly a disgrace."
Fu Gui then added to Ying Zheng, "You'll ruin your reputation."
Even more bewildered, Ying Zheng asked, "...What movie?"
Qi An smiled: "The movie is called 'Immortality,' and you play the role of..."
Ying Zheng's eyes widened as he thought of something, and she said with a suppressed laugh, "The charming and handsome ancestor, Ying Zheng."
Ying Zheng: "..."
I don't need acting skills; I'm just playing myself.
Qi An snapped his fingers: "I almost forgot, our Ata is also an important actor."
"Ata, come and get to work."
Ata pouted and replied, "Oh, you finally remembered me. It's just making a movie, is there any job that Fugui can't do?"
Qi An grinned mischievously, and with just one sentence, the kid happily set off.
"The Monkey King is in this movie."
Ata vanished from the void in an instant.
Just as speculation and ridicule surrounding Zhuang Sheng reached their peak, Director Zhuang directly announced the start of filming.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Why...why is it about to turn on?
There's been no official announcement of the cast yet? What's the movie's name?
Then, Director Zhuang posted on Weibo that the casting process was over and that qualified candidates had been notified to join the production team immediately.
All the artists checked their emails immediately. One after another, the actors who received the notification were overjoyed and posted on Weibo to celebrate, thanking Director Zhuang for his appreciation.
Then, without stopping, I packed my bags and joined the crew, completely bewildered throughout the process.
As for his role and which rank he belongs to.
Don't ask, I just don't know.
Who cares? Let's get on set first. It's Director Zhuang's film, so as long as I can play a human being, that's fine.
The casting is really dazzling. There's even an artist who's good at monkey plays who posted on Weibo that he's joined the cast. Could it be that he's going to play a monkey?
As more and more people posted about it, everyone was astonished, commenting on the sheer number of actors in the film and whether Director Zhuang was truly aiming for an epic blockbuster.
The movie's title has finally been announced.
Its name is—"Immortality".
However, in the end, no one claimed the role of the protagonist.
At the press conference for the start of filming, when asked by entertainment reporters about the main character, Zhuang Sheng winked and kept them in suspense.
"There is no female lead in 'Immortality,' only a male lead. The actor was decided long ago, and he was the first one to be chosen. He is the soul of the entire film. As for who it is, we'll keep it a secret for now. You'll find out later."
"You may not know him now, but I guarantee that after the movie is released, he will be a household name. Everyone, just wait and see."
Qi An's arrogant words pushed everyone's curiosity to its peak and raised their expectations to the highest level.
The filming of "Immortality" has finally started. For a whole year, the topic of the male lead has been trending on social media.
From beginning to end, no one uncovered any information about the male lead.
What's even stranger is that almost every actor who joined the cast kept quiet about the mysterious male lead when asked about him in post-production interviews.
However, regardless of gender or status, everyone who mentions him looks like a crazy, fanatical fan.
Wrap-up interview.
A renowned actor, widely recognized for his acting prowess, said: "All I want to say is that being able to work with him once in my life and star in this epic film makes my acting career complete."
Lanxi, who made a guest appearance as Xu Xiaoxiao, said with red eyes, "If this movie could become a reality, I would be willing to give my soul."
Several young actors choked up as they echoed her words: "What she said is true. I really want to live in the movie forever. That world is so beautiful."
"Waaah, I don't want to finish filming. I can't even imagine how happy I would be if that world were real."
"I don't want filming to end either. I want to stick with Brother Zheng forever, I..."
"Brother Zheng? Which Zheng?"
Having finally caught someone who let something slip, the reporter was overjoyed and pressed for more questions.
It's been so long, almost a year, and I finally know the male lead's name is Zheng Ge.
When asked again, no one revealed anything, but all the actors unanimously made a promise...
If "Immortality" doesn't become a hit, we'll all quit the entertainment industry.
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