1novels Chapter 100 Released
Chapter 100 Released
September 8, Beijing.
The press conference co-organized by Morning Light Media and China Film Group Corporation is scheduled for 10:00 AM.
Before nine o'clock, the multi-functional hall on the third floor of Chenxi Media was already packed with reporters.
Long guns and short cannons were set up in a row, and flashes of light went off one after another, the blinding light almost turning the entire space into daytime.
"Have you heard? Fan Binbin has been cast."
"Really? Zhang Ziyi was interviewed yesterday and said she was very confident."
"This is inside information, leaked by people within Dawn, and it's probably pretty accurate."
"So Zhang Ziyi's efforts were all for nothing?"
"Who can argue with that? A month of trending topics wasted."
Whispers spread through the crowd, some surprised, some gloating, and some waiting to see what would happen.
At 10:00 AM sharp, Fu Yibai, along with Margaret and Wang Peng, appeared on stage on time.
He wore a dark gray suit and a white shirt today, without a tie. He looked a bit more mature than his actual age, yet he still retained the vigor of a young man.
"Dear friends from the media, I've invited you all here today to make a formal announcement."
He didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.
"After a month of open auditions and multiple rounds of selection, Ms. Fan Binbin was finally chosen to play the female lead in Inception."
The audience erupted in chaos.
The flashes went off wildly, and the shutter clicks were like a torrential downpour.
Fu Yibai gestured for Fan Binbin, who was standing on the side stage, to come up on stage.
She wore a simple white dress today, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, and her makeup was exquisite yet understated.
She walked over to Fu Yibai and stood down, smiling perfectly at the flashing lights from the audience.
"Next, you can ask questions."
The time is thirty minutes.
As soon as he finished speaking, countless hands were raised.
The first reporter called stood up, his microphone almost touching the stage.
"Director Fu, during this public audition, Zhang Ziyi was widely considered the most popular choice, but Fan Binbin was ultimately selected. What was the reasoning behind this decision?"
Fu Yibai remained expressionless and spoke calmly.
"The audition standards have always been very clear."
Fluent in English, with a background in action scenes, and possessing a temperament that fits the character.
Fan Binbin met all the requirements, and his performance in the audition received the highest overall score.
It's that simple.
"And what about Zhang Ziyi? How did she perform?"
"Ms. Zhang's performance was also very good, but her overall score was slightly lower than Fan Binbin's."
Specific details involve trade secrets and cannot be disclosed.
Another reporter raised their hand.
"Ms. Fan, could you tell me what preparations you made for this role?"
Fan Binbin took the microphone, his voice steady without a trace of tremor.
"After receiving the audition notice, I spent six hours a day learning English and three hours practicing my movements."
I persisted for a month.
"A month? That means your previous English level..."
"Barring communication."
Fan Binbin smiled and readily admitted it.
"But the director gave me a chance, and I couldn't give up just because I had a poor foundation."
After practicing for a month, I can now communicate fluently.
I will continue to practice in the coming days, because I'm going to be filming in Hollywood, and I can't let Chinese actors down.
A burst of good-natured laughter rang out from the audience.
The third reporter's question was much more pointed.
"Director Fu, there are rumors online that the casting for this project was predetermined."
What do you think?
The question caused a moment of silence in the room.
All eyes were on Fu Yibai.
Before Fu Yibai could answer, Margaret said in broken Chinese, "This time the audition process is transparent."
Franchise Pictures was involved throughout the entire process, and there was no pre-arranged decision.
The reason we chose Ms. Fan Binbin is indeed because she is more suitable for the role of Mel.
"That's right, China Film Group was involved throughout the process, and Ms. Fan Binbin did perform better and was more suitable for the role."
The reporters below the stage fell silent; they hadn't expected that representatives from TF Entertainment and China Film Group would answer on behalf of Fu Yibai.
After a 30-minute Q&A session, the reporters left with the answers they sought.
An hour after the press conference ended, related reports began appearing on major portal websites.
Fan Binbin beats Zhang Ziyi to win the lead role in a Hollywood blockbuster.
Franchise Entertainment responds to allegations of pre-selection: Audition process was transparent.
Fan Binbin: I practiced nine hours a day for a month; I can't let Chinese actors down.
Zhang Ziyi narrowly lost; what made Fan Binbin win?
The comments section was even more lively.
"Hilarious! Zhang Ziyi's fans are still trying to defend her, but people from the production company have said Fan Binbin is more suitable. What else is there to say?"
"Fan Binbin is indeed suitable. He is good-looking, speaks English well, and has a background in action scenes. Zhang Ziyi has been playing art films in recent years and doesn't have much commercial appeal."
"So what if it's pre-arranged? Everyone knows Fan Binbin is Fu Yibai's man."
"The female lead in 'Caught in the Web,' the female lead in 'Love is Not Blind,' and now the female lead in 'Inception'—all three films are being promoted by Fu Yibai. What else could this be but a pre-arranged deal?"
"The person upstairs is so jealous. If you could get into Fu Yibai's bed, you could too, but the question is, would he even be interested in you?"
"Fan Binbin has really soared this time. Zhang Ziyi has been working in Hollywood for so many years and only managed to get to the edge of it. Fan Binbin got her first film directly into an A-list production."
"Fu Yibai is really amazing. At only 24 years old, he's already secured projects of this caliber."
"I just want to know, does Morning Light still sign players? I'm not bad looking either, the kind of person you can get into bed with."
"Hey upstairs, get in line, there are way too many people behind you."
Of course, there are also dissenting voices.
"Fu Yibai only focuses on promoting the few people in his own company. Can't he see all the good actors out there?"
"Fan Binbin is indeed good, but in what way is Zhang Ziyi inferior to her? Is her English not good? Is her action scenes not good? Fu Yibai just doesn't want to use outsiders."
"Of course the boss of Chenxi will support the people at Chenxi. What's there to say? If you were the boss, you would do the same."
"It was supposed to be a public audition, but it was just a formality. They had already decided on Fan Binbin; everyone else was just there for show."