: The female lead is confirmed, but the male lead still has to struggle.

Chapter 92: The female lead is confirmed, but the male lead still has to struggle.

Hearing that they had actually targeted him, He Yi'an's smile vanished.

Although he doesn't reject acting, in fact all film directors have the idea of ​​making cameo appearances and acting.

What's more, he was acting alongside Sissi.

But those directors, at most, just act in their own movies for a bit of fun.

He Yi'an still felt it would be too much trouble to ask him to act.

Moreover, that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is getting past Liu Xiaoli.

He Yi'an believed that he had always kept his true feelings hidden, and his interactions with the mother and daughter were always brief and kept within the boundaries of ordinary friends.

Although he crossed the line a few times with Xiao Liu due to casual conversations, he made amends later.

The company could simply start a project, invite Liu Yifei to act in it, and then the boss and director would neglect their own job and instead go and act alongside the young girl.

Even the most foolish person could see through her ill intentions, right?

Of course, most people might be envious, since the idea of ​​a boss using a project to pick up girls seems a bit ahead of its time these days, given the high cost involved.

But if Liu Xiaoli were to trigger some kind of alert mechanism, that would be a huge loss.

He Yi'an wasn't that stupid; he always insisted on entering the village quietly and not firing a shot.

If I agree now and go to Liu Xiaoli with this list of actors, wouldn't all my previous efforts be wasted?

You can see the list they selected; these people are either from Hong Kong and Taiwan, or entertainment hosts and legal figures. Basically, according to his thinking, none of them can be used.

He Yi'an wanted to agree immediately, after all, it was a collaboration with Qianqian, and she would be playing Zhao Ling'er from his favorite Legend of Sword and Fairy series, but he held back.

This also indirectly illustrates just how scarce male actors are in the Chinese entertainment industry right now, especially those who can act in idol dramas.

Thinking that he needed to continue the discussion, He Yi'an suppressed his smile and began to seriously introduce what he thought was "suitable" to the group.

Ultimately, the decision rests with him. We'll send all of this to Liu Xiaoli and also pass on some questions about the actors, so she can make her own choice.

My approach of letting her, as the mother, decide the male actor should be considered as giving them enough respect, right?

There probably wouldn't be any other time traveler who would respect them like he does.

Thinking this, He Yi'an suddenly thought of someone—it's an idol drama, how could he forget him?

"Hey, didn't you look for Huang Xiaoming?"

Isn't Huang Xiaoming most fond of playing domineering CEOs in idol dramas?

At this point, he certainly wasn't as slick as he was later, and if The Return of the Condor Heroes were to be released, it could also generate some buzz.

He Yi'an felt that his suggestion would definitely mask his true thoughts.

However, despite the appealing idea, Zhang Jing gave a direct negative answer.

"We contacted him, but he's currently unavailable. He said he just finished filming 'The Emperor of Han Dynasty,' and he'll be filming 'Princess Pearl' and 'The Emperor of Han Dynasty 2' next. Besides, he doesn't seem to think much of this drama."

Although Zhang Jing did not repeat the exact words, the meaning she conveyed was already quite clear.

The Green Big Dark, which is currently being heavily promoted by Shi Xue and other parties, looks down on this drama and doesn't believe their company has the ability to produce a good one. Their claim of not having the time is just an excuse.

(Shi Xue was arrested in March; he had indeed been promoted before that.)

If that's the case, then so be it!

He Yi'an didn't force the issue; his mention of finding Green Darkness was just a casual remark, a way to get rid of Zhang Jing and Ma Ming so he could...

It's just a topic related to acting.

Since it's difficult to persuade this person, let's find someone else. In any case, we can't just tell him to act right now.

"Let's put the acting offer on hold for now," He Yi'an said. "I have someone in mind."

"Who?"

"Qiao Zhenyu".

Zhang Jing was taken aback: "Qiao Zhenyu? Isn't he still filming 'Full House'?"

"Didn't you hear Liu Guonan say that 'Full House' will be wrapped up in a little over a month?" He Yi'an said nonchalantly. "His schedule just happens to be right after 'Chinese Paladin'."

"Moreover, he has a good image, good acting skills, and most importantly, he's from our company."

Zhang Jing thought for a moment and nodded: "Qiao Zhenyu is indeed a good candidate, but hasn't the company already planned out a career path for him? His temperament leans towards that of a gentle and refined gentleman, while the role of Li Xiaoyao requires a more down-to-earth and roguish character."

"This can be adjusted," He Yi'an continued, explaining his arrangements. "He'll have him train before joining the crew, we'll find a martial arts instructor to teach him action scenes, and an acting teacher to teach him lines. Two months should be enough."

Anyway, practicing these things will only benefit the other movies he wants to make later, so it doesn't matter if he practices them in advance.

"If we've decided that Qiao Zhenyu will tentatively play the male lead, then what about the female lead?" As the director, Ma Ming still gave He Yi'an a question.

He has full autonomy.

He was also a seasoned veteran; he sensed that He Yi'an seemed to have some unspeakable secret, so he simply skipped over the topic of the male lead.

He remained noncommittal about the male lead arranged by He Yi'an, then turned to ask the female lead directly: "Director He, who are you planning to cast as Zhao Ling'er? She's the key character in the whole drama."

When it comes to the female lead, there's no need for cryptic remarks or excuses.

He Yi'an thought of that figure, and a smile appeared on his lips: "I already have someone in mind."

"Who?"

"Liu Yifei".

The people in the conference room exchanged glances. This was indeed a person who had exceeded their expectations. Liu Guonan and Ma Ming thought about it for a moment. They hadn't heard of this person before, and they couldn't recall any of his representative works.

He looks like a newcomer?

Zhang Jing, who eventually switched careers to become a producer and also served as the agent for Yan Danchen and Qiao Zhenyu, realized what was going on: "Liu Yifei? Is that the one who was manipulated by the bearded man to become the chosen one, Wang Yuyan? I think she's still a newcomer, right?"

"So far, all she's played is a young girl as Bai Xiuzhu, the second female lead in the yet-to-be-released 'The Story of a Noble Family'?"

After Zhang Jing's explanation, Liu Guonan and Ma Ming vaguely realized who it was.

It's strange that they, as directors, didn't know Liu Yifei.

The dissemination of public opinion and information is not so easy nowadays.

Given how busy they've been lately, it's understandable that they wouldn't know about a newcomer actor.

"Yes, it's her."

"Director He, you visited the set of 'The Story of a Noble Family' before, and our company also invested in that series. If you think it's suitable, we trust your judgment, but," Zhang Jing hesitated slightly before speaking directly, "she's currently filming 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils,' and her schedule—"

"Her scenes in 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' should wrap up by the end of the year," He Yi'an had already considered this. "'Chinese Paladin' will start filming next February, so the timing is not a problem."

Seeing that He Yi'an was so certain and knew so much about it.

As a woman, Zhang Jing was much more perceptive than the others. She immediately thought of a possibility, looked at him with a hint of gossip in her eyes, and teased, "Director He, you know so much about this, you and that young girl—"

"We're just friends for now," He Yi'an interrupted her directly. "She's my friend, and when I first met her, I realized her image and temperament were very suitable for Zhao Ling'er. Don't you think so?"

Seeing that He Yi'an was unwilling to discuss certain matters, Zhang Jing, as his subordinate, obviously wouldn't press him. She pondered for a moment, recalling her memories.

The image of Liu Yifei in the middle.

He then nodded: "It is indeed suitable. Zhao Ling'er needs to have an ethereal quality as well as the innocence of a young girl. I have seen Liu Yifei's interviews and photos, and her image and temperament are indeed very fitting."

"Then it's settled." As the boss, He Yi'an saw that Zhang Jing agreed and director Ma Ming did not object, so he directly decided to cast the female lead. "Sister Zhang, you are in charge of contacting her mother first."

"Okay." Zhang Jing nodded in agreement, but she was still not giving up and brought up the male lead again.

"Director He, if you're going to cast Liu Yifei as the female lead, then Qiao Zhenyu wouldn't be suitable. Their age difference is too great. Why don't you take the role instead?"

"Let's put this aside for now. The male lead is still pending. Let's decide on the other roles first," He Yi'an said, bringing up the topic again. "I've also written down the names of a few newcomers who might be worth trying. You can choose according to the script's requirements and report back to me when you've made your selections."

"clear."

He Yi'an then turned to Ma Ming.

"Director Ma, what are your plans and ideas regarding the special effects style of 'Chinese Paladin'?"

Speaking of this, Ma Ming frowned, looking somewhat troubled: "I was just about to discuss this with you, Director He. The quality of special effects companies in China varies greatly, and there are almost none that can create a fantasy/martial arts feel."

"So I arranged for people to go to South Korea to learn in advance."

He Yi'an had already considered this in advance: "They won't be back for several months, so we can still ask South Korea to do the initial special effects. When they come back, you can coordinate with them, tell them your needs for the special effects, and let them do it."

"This way, I can practice my skills and continue to learn new things."

"Can they do it?"

"It's all done step by step. We have to make it work even if we can't." He Yi'an was also aware of the difficulties. "Our Langyuan has established its own special effects company. It's still in its early stages and not mature yet. We can rely on foreign companies, but we can't keep relying on others."

"Even if the effects of 'The Legend of Sword and Fairy' are not quite up to par, it's a gradual accumulation of experience, and it will get better and better in the future."

Having said all that, Ma Ming had nothing more to say and nodded: "Okay, I'll coordinate with them later."

After discussing the company's next few films, the conversation finally returned to the question that He Yi'an had raised in the first place.

A period drama epic!

Three Kingdoms theme!

The meeting room fell silent again, and everyone's eyes turned to He Yi'an and Liu Guonan.

Even He Yi'an turned his gaze to Liu Guonan.

If we're talking about who among those present has the real potential to direct a period epic film, then it's him.

Liu Guonan felt immense pressure, but he still mustered the courage to ask, "Director He, do you know how difficult it is to film the Three Kingdoms?"

"Know."

"Then why are you still—"

"We have to take things one step at a time. Now that we've seen the opportunity in period dramas, we can't hesitate."

He Yi'an tapped the table: "If we think it's difficult and then we don't do it, how can the company develop, and how can each of us improve our abilities?"

"Langyuan can't keep making low-budget films forever; the company can't grow that way. Since we'll have to try making big-budget films sooner or later, why not take advantage of the upcoming trend and become a trendsetter?"

"Director Liu, you worked on the set of 'Hero,' so you should know best how Director Zhang makes blockbusters."

Liu Guonan was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"The film 'Hero' was indeed a big-budget production."

Seemingly spurred on by He Yi'an's words, Liu Guonan also reminisced about some things that happened on the set of "Hero".

He also made his own prediction: "I think Director He is right. I also have a feeling that 'Hero' will be a success and that a trend of period dramas will be set off."

"We agree on this point. If 'Hero' is successful, it will prove that there is a market for period drama blockbusters."

He Yi'an said with certainty, "Wait another three months, and we can prove our point."

"Director Liu, when I invited you to join the company, I said I would support you in making movies. Since you're confident, why don't we do it?"

"Go for it! You'll be the director of this movie!"

Liu Guonan was indeed tempted by He Yi'an's words, but he was already thirty years old and still had his own rationality: "But the Three Kingdoms theme is too grand, my ability—"

"Unlike Director Zhang's 'Hero,' which can be written as a standalone story, 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' is not a story that can be written independently. The story of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' is well-known, and CCTV's Three Kingdoms TV series are still sometimes popular. There are many characters in the Three Kingdoms and the story is complex, so it is not easy to just write a good script."

P.S.: The Three Kingdoms project is a company project, and directors who join in the following years will probably all have to film it.

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