After reading the script, Xiao He's first words were: "I'll take this script!"
Although Xu Ning's character seems somewhat similar to Shen Jue at first glance, Shen Jue is more of a cold-on-the-outside-but-warm-on-the-inside type. He even left Penglai Inn to help Jiang Rushuai and got involved with him. Xu Ning, on the other hand, is quite different. He is cold on the outside but hard on the inside. He mostly observes Lin Yu'an with indifference, only intervening when Lin Yu'an is almost dead or when his interests are involved. Most of the time, he is in a "watching the show" attitude.
Moreover, the script didn't go through any of that "mutual redemption" or "brotherhood after going through hardships together" kind of thing. The relationship between the two main characters, from beginning to end... well, it's really fake, without a single bit of pretense.
This is a completely new subject matter, a completely new protagonist design, and most importantly, it's packed with scenes involving knives and stabbings!
What reason is there not to accept?!
catch!
We absolutely have to accept it!
Take it hard!
Xiao He couldn't wait to join the production team.
"When will the contract be signed? When will I join the crew?"
He loves his job, he loves going to work!
Speed, speed!
Liu Rulan glanced at her watch and then said, "The director has arranged a meeting at seven o'clock tonight, and you'll also have the opportunity to meet the actor who plays Lin Yu'an."
"Sure, no problem!"
Xiao He nodded immediately.
So, to Xiao He's delight, they finally arrived at the agreed-upon private room at the restaurant ahead of schedule and met familiar faces—
"Brother Zehang, Sister Cheng?"
Xiao He stared in astonishment at the people behind the table, while Liu Zehang and Cheng Xue also stood up in surprise: "It's you two?"
Liu Zehang scratched his head and breathed a sigh of relief: "That's great! I feel much more at ease knowing that you're playing Xu Ning."
Xiao He helplessly spread his hands: "We said yesterday that we would cheer each other on, and now it seems that we really do need to cheer each other on."
Liu Zehang laughed heartily: "Come, come, have a seat!"
Everyone found a place to sit down, and Xiao He casually asked Liu Zehang when he received the script. To his surprise, Liu Zehang had only received the script that afternoon.
He arrived more than half a day later than Xiao He.
Xiao He and Liu Rulan exchanged a glance, but did not mention that they had received the script that morning.
Even though we're good friends, we should still be careful what we say in these kinds of situations, lest we accidentally cause a misunderstanding.
They chatted for another ten minutes or so before Director Ren finally arrived.
He was a middle-aged man in his fifties, with no particularly outstanding features except for his exceptionally bright eyes, which had several deep wrinkles at the corners. When he saw Xiao He and Liu Zehang, his smile deepened, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes piled up, turning into several furrows.
"Hello, Director Ren."
Several people stood up and greeted them.
When Xiao He saw those eyes, he realized that the Director Ren they had discussed so many times was actually the uncle who sat next to him during his audition yesterday.
The uncle was acting strangely. After sitting next to him, he kept observing him. Xiao He was in a hurry to audition and didn't pay attention to him. Little did he know that the ordinary uncle sitting next to him was actually the very famous director, Ren Changwen.
"Please sit down, everyone."
Ren Changwen came alone, and his attitude was very humble. He didn't have the domineering feeling of a big director, and he spoke very calmly.
Filled with surprise and doubt, Xiao He sat down with everyone else.
“This script was written by my old friend Shen Zhongcheng, but he hasn’t been feeling well lately, so I can discuss the script-related issues with you.”
Ren Changwen said.
"No wonder I said the script's imagination and concept were amazing; it turns out it was written by Teacher Shen."
Liu Zehang looked like he suddenly understood.
Xiao He recalled in his mind that this Teacher Shen was the screenwriter of Ren Changwen's previous masterpiece, "The Labyrinth of Shadows".
Shen Zhongcheng is also a very legendary figure. He originally wrote science fiction novels in his early years, but unfortunately, his works were never popular with the market, and he couldn't make a living. So he switched from science fiction to suspense and detective novels, but he didn't expect that things would be even worse. He couldn't even afford to eat!
Later, Shen Zhongcheng's editor couldn't stand it anymore and recommended him to be a screenwriter. Of course, not the kind of screenwriter who creates original scripts, but rather a screenwriter who helps adapt a novel's IP into a script.
At that time, adapting popular novels into TV shows and movies had become a market trend, but there were very few successful works. The others either had drastically altered plots or failed to adapt to local conditions, resulting in a considerable number of screenwriters being criticized.
At the time, Shim Jong-sung primarily handled the adaptation of science fiction and suspense novel IPs. Surprisingly, his adapted scripts were exceptionally well-received by the market. Shim Jong-sung was able to fix all the minor plot holes and flaws in the original novels, and he also improved the world-building, taking the already good plots to a higher level. Ultimately, even though many of the film and television works he worked on didn't become huge hits due to various issues after their release, the plot was basically the only aspect that audiences praised.
There was even a previous work where the actor playing the male lead was so ugly that it deterred countless viewers. However, many people still held their noses and got hooked ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ because of the hardcore and exciting plot, and eventually came to like the male lead.
This is truly a laughing stock in the industry.
Later, Shen Zhongcheng finally found his niche. His first original screenplay, "Maze Shadows," was directed by Ren Changwen, who was then a rising director. It became the first battle royale film in China to achieve both box office and critical success. Shen Zhongcheng continued to collaborate with Ren Changwen and created several more works, all of which achieved good results.
The only regrettable thing is that both Shen Zhongcheng and Ren Changwen are late bloomers. Ren Changwen is still in good spirits, but Shen Zhongcheng's health deteriorated in his early years and he became frail and sickly in middle age. His creative speed has also slowed down in recent years, and it seems that he has not had any new works for four or five years.
"How is Teacher Shen's health lately? Is she doing well?" Liu Rulan asked with concern, then said with some emotion, "It seems like it was more than ten years ago when I last saw the two teachers. Back then, I was teaching Shu Han. It's been so long in the blink of an eye."
Shu Han was also an artist that Liu Rulan used to manage. Now he has gone to Hollywood and is no longer active in the domestic entertainment industry.
However, Ren Changwen clearly still remembered it: "Ah, right, I remember now, it's you! Indeed, so much time has passed, you've changed quite a bit, I almost didn't recognize you."
Liu Rulan chuckled: "Director Ren, you haven't changed at all."
"Well, I haven't changed much, it's just that old man Shen Zhongcheng has a heart condition and hasn't been going out much these past few years."
Just then, the waiter placed the dishes on the table, and Ren Changwen waved his hand, telling everyone to eat and chat at the same time.
"Actually, I was a little hesitant about this script at first."
Ren Changwen frankly stated.
"Both Lin Yu'an and Xu Ning are very important characters, and their focuses are quite different. It is very difficult to find two very suitable actors at the same time, especially for the role of Xu Ning."
Another highlight of the film is the trust between the two main characters.
On this isolated island where everyone betrays you, can these two truly trust each other forever?
The character Xu Ning, in particular, is shrouded in mystery. On the isolated island, he is Lin Yu'an's protector, leading her out even when betrayed by other players. However, Xu Ning also coldly watches Lin Yu'an face danger multiple times, only offering help at the last moment. This makes their "alliance" extremely delicate. If even he betrays Lin Yu'an, how can she protect herself?
In Director Ren's mind, the best kind of character is one who looks like a villain who might betray you at any moment. This way, the audience will be in suspense and can't help but keep watching with curiosity.
Simply put, the role of Xu Ning needs to be played by someone who doesn't look like a good person.
Xiao He: ?
