Chapter 156: Chapter 156 No possibility of cooperation
 

“Xu Zhen, how about this, I’ll send you the script, and when you have time, take a look. Trust me, this film won’t disappoint you.” Wen Muye couldn’t persuade any further, so he had to let Xu Zhen read the script first.

He believed that as long as Xu Zhen read the script, he would definitely be drawn in.

To push aside other acting offers was a very real possibility.

It was quite rare for an actor to come across a good script.

And when there was a good script, turning down other offers didn’t count for much.

“Alright then, send me the script, and I will take a look before deciding,” Xu Zhen conceded.

Xu Zhen, feeling helpless, couldn’t blatantly refuse, so he agreed to look at the script.

After all, it wasn’t good form to reject an offer outright without even reading the script; they might not approach him next time.

No matter how busy, he needed to make time to read it.

This showed that Xu Zhen’s approach to dealing with people was much more mature than Wen Muye’s.

When Wen Muye received Xu Yang’s call that day, he hung up impatiently without even letting Xu Yang finish speaking.

“Okay, I’ll send it right over to you,” Wen Muye said.

Noon.

After having lunch and taking a break, Xu Zhen took out his laptop to check out the script that Wen Muye had sent.

He knew that with Wen Muye’s earnestness, he would most likely call to ask about it by tomorrow at the latest.

So the script definitely had to be read; only then would he know how to clearly decline Wen Muye and give him a convincing reason.

Upon opening the script and reading a few lines, Xu Zhen was stunned.

As he continued reading and finished the entire script, Xu Zhen couldn’t help shaking his head.

“The script written by Xiao Wen is the same as the one Xu Yang gave me. This is a script clash,” he said.

Xu Zhen took out his phone and dialed Wen Muye’s number.

“Director Xu, how is it? Now you know my film is good, right? Have you agreed to drop your current one and take on mine?” Wen Muye’s tone was filled with strong confidence.

“Xiao Wen, your film can’t be made,” Xu Zhen said.

“What do you mean?” Wen Muye was taken aback.

“The story of the film I’m working on is almost the same as yours; in fact, your script and mine are so strikingly similar, it’s a clash. My film has already applied for a project proposal, so yours can’t be made,” Xu Zhen explained.

“What! The scripts are strikingly similar, how is that possible?” Wen Muye exclaimed in shock.

“Xiao Wen, why would I lie to you? You should consider revising it, or maybe write a different story,” Xu Zhen suggested.

“Who gave you that script?” Wen Muye asked.

“You don’t know him,” Xu Zhen replied, shaking his head.

“It doesn’t matter, I just want to know who else has latched onto this real-life story and written a script that’s so remarkably similar,” Wen Muye insisted.

“His name is Xu Yang, a boss from Jiangcheng,” Xu Zhen casually replied.

“Xu Yang? That name sounds vaguely familiar; where have I heard it before?” Wen Muye was puzzled.

“Have you heard of him before?” asked Xu Zhen, surprised, and then he realized.

Xu Yang’s recent reputation had been quite prominent; it was not strange for Wen Muye to have heard of him.

“Is it the Xu Yang that’s invested by Yang Xin?” Wen Muye suddenly remembered.

“Yes, that’s him. Alright, Xiao Wen, I’m busy now, let’s talk some other time, goodbye,” Xu Zhen hung up.

As Wen Muye listened to the beeping tone from the phone, he stood there, somewhat dazed.

“The last time Xu Yang called me about a film he wanted me to direct, was it this one?”

“I was very impatient then, did they go straight for Xu Zhen after that?”

“Yes, it must have been like that. Why didn’t I just listen to him finish talking?”

“If I had listened to him, I would have been the director of that movie.”

Wen Muye murmured for a bit, then immediately flipped through his call log.

He found Xu Yang’s phone number according to the timestamp and dialed it.

Soon, the call connected.

Wen Muye immediately said, “Hello, may I speak to President Xu? This is Wen Muye; you called me earlier.”

“Do you need something?” Xu Yang’s tone was slightly indifferent.

“President Xu, first of all, I would like to deeply apologize for being impatient with you when you called me last time.”

“It happened because I was working on a script until six in the morning and got woken up. I was a bit irritated, which is why I acted that way. I hope you can forgive me.”

Wen Muye said apologetically.

“No problem, it’s all in the past, I won’t hold it against you,” Xu Yang said.

“Thank you so much for your magnanimity, President Xu. Last time, I heard you mention you were looking for a director for a film. May I know what the film is, and could you tell me more about it?”

Wen Muye guessed that Xu Yang wanted him to direct the movie that Xu Zhen had in hand, but that was just a guess and not confirmed yet. He still needed to ask.

“Actually, there’s no need to talk about it anymore. I have already asked Xu Zhen to direct the movie. There’s no possibility of cooperation between us for this project. If there’s an opportunity next time, let’s work together then,” Xu Yang said.

It was indeed the movie Xu Zhen was directing!

Wen Muye immediately said, “President Xu, I am willing to become the director of that movie.”

Xu Yang laughed, “Director Wen, as I said, I have already hired Xu Zhen as the director. There’s no chance of cooperation this time.”

Wen Muye said, “President Xu, you can replace the director with me. Listen to me, I am the most suitable to direct this film. Honestly, the script I have been writing recently is almost similar to the one you want Xu Zhen to direct. I’ve done in-depth research on the main character and all the supporting roles, as well as conducted interviews with relevant personnel. No one understands the lives and personalities of these characters better than I do. I’m the most suitable director for this film. Please give me a chance.”

He realized that directing this movie was an opportunity for him, and he had to fight hard for it.

As for the friendship with Xu Zhen, he couldn’t concern himself with it at the moment.

He believed he was the most suitable; more suitable than Xu Zhen and trusted that Xu Zhen would understand.

Besides, if Xu Zhen lost the role of director, he still had the role of lead actor.

Xu Yang still refused, “Sorry, I’ve already confirmed Xu Zhen as the director. He has done a lot of work for this movie, and I feel he is doing an outstanding job. If I replace him, what would others think of me? I’m a businessman, I need to value reputation and commitment. Let’s work together in the future if an opportunity arises.”

Wen Muye was still not giving up, “President Xu, to produce a movie of the highest quality, changing the director is quite normal in our industry. If it’s difficult for you to tell Xu Zhen, I can talk to him.”

Xu Yang said, “It’s not about whether it’s difficult to tell him. Didn’t you hear what I just said?”

Wen Muye acted as if he hadn’t heard anything, “President Xu, please give me a chance. I’ll take only half of the usual fee.”

Xu Yang said, “This has nothing to do with money.”

Wen Muye continued, “President Xu, I’ll only take a third, no, I don’t need any fee at all. I just hope you will let me direct—”

“Goodbye.” Xu Yang hung up the phone before Wen Muye could finish.

No matter what, he would not agree to Wen Muye’s request.

He had already given Wen Muye a chance. Since Wen Muye didn’t seize it, no one was to blame but Wen Muye himself.

He was confident that choosing Xu Zhen as the director was the right decision.

Moreover, he had given Xu Zhen a ten percent investment stake, believing Xu Zhen would be fully committed to the filming.

The results might even turn out better than if Wen Muye was directing.

Plus, with the Fengcai Guild’s promotion, the box office could be even higher than what the system had estimated.

It wasn’t impossible.

The box office for “War Leopard” was more than double what the system had predicted.