I’m Really a Superstar

The next day.

At the studio.

“Good morning, Director Zhang.”

Good morning.”

“You were all over the news again yesterday.”

“I saw it.”

“Oh yes, Sister Ha was looking for you just now.”

“Is there a new project?”

“I think so.”

The moment Zhang Ye arrived at the office, he had a quick chat with everyone.

Ha Qiqi also came down from upstairs at this time. She looked radiant. “Director Zhang, you’re finally here. I was just looking for you. Shall we talk in the conference room? There’s something big.”

Zhang Ye said, “Sure, let’s have a meeting then.”

Ha Qiqi said to everyone, “Come on, everyone, let’s have a meeting.”

In the conference room.

Everyone got seated.

Zhang Ye spoke first. He said with a laugh, “Our work has been smooth sailing recently. We’ve broken into the international celebrity rankings and stabilized our position there and fought hard to gain a certain degree of fame. It’s now time for us to think of the next step, so I want everybody to think of which jobs we should take from here. The international entertainment industry is unlike the domestic one, with a lot more restrictions to it. For example, on the issue of ethnicity, the international scene is still not that impressed with Asians. So this is another problem that we must consider carefully when accepting a job offer. Let’s talk about how we should feel our way forward towards the next step. Oh right, Old Ha mentioned a big matter earlier. Why don’t you tell us about it first?”

Ha Qiqi and Zhang Zuo smiled at each other.

Ha Qiqi suddenly said, “What do you make of us going to Hollywood?”

Zhang Ye was startled. “Hollywood?”

Zhang Zuo laughed and said, “Yes.”

Variety.

Music.

Television series.

Animation.

Comics.

Novels.

Zhang Ye had already dabbled in all the various forms of entertainment and industries except for the film industry, which he had basically still not touched yet. Although during his early years, Zhang Ye had acted in some supporting roles on one or two movies, he wasn’t that different from an extra on the set. So those experiences couldn’t be considered as having dabbled in film before. As such, Zhang Ye’s résumé and achievements in the film industry were still a blank, nor had anyone ever addressed him as an actor before.

Ha Qiqi said, “Right now, it’s only the film industry that we haven’t dipped our toes in. Everyone should know that film is the largest industry in the entertainment circle, with nothing else coming close. Today, more than half of the international celebrities are movie stars, with all the other countries’ celebrities still obsessed with getting into the film industry. This is because they have the greatest audience numbers, and it’s also the fastest path to fame. So I feel that we can attempt to enter Hollywood now and open a path forward from there.”

Zhang Ye asked, “Did Hollywood come forward with a project for me?”

“Yes.” Zhang Zuo smiled and said, “In fact, you wouldn’t believe which film crew approached us.”

Zhang Ye blinked. “Which one?”

Ha Qiqi said, “Commando 2!”

All of the studio staff were surprised.

“Commando?”

“Isn’t that a Hollywood blockbuster?”

“It was first shown two years ago, and the global box office earnings were around 500 or 600 million USD!”

“They’re going to film the sequel?”

“And they’ve invited Director Zhang?”

“Heavens!”

Zhang Ye said, “What role is it?”

Ha Qiqi said, “There are six lead characters in the show, with two of them being the main leads. The other four will be supporting characters, and one of them is a Chinese character that they’re inviting you to act as. It’s still considered a leading role, and I’m guessing they’re doing this in an attempt to expand into the Chinese market. Moreover, Commando 2 will be helmed by Director Wilson, a famous director in Hollywood. With him, and the fact that the first movie of the series is very well-known and performed very well at the box office, Commando 2’s box office earnings will definitely not be bad either.”

Zhang Zuo also said, “This is indeed a rare opportunity.”

Little Wang said, “Commando is one of my favorite movies of all time!”

Zhang Ye looked at all of them. “So does everyone think this will be fine?”

Tong Fu nodded. “It’s more than fine!”

Wu Yi also chuckled and said, “If we can increase our popularity and fame through this movie, it will be much easier to take on the international scene in the future.”

A movie?

Hollywood?

A blockbuster’s sequel?

Zhang Ye nodded. “Alright then. Old Ha, you’re in charge of the liaison.”

Ha Qiqi said excitedly, “Alright, I’ll go and speak with them!”

Instantly, the studio staff were basking in this pleasant surprise.

…

One day.

Two days.

Three days.

Negotiating the salary.

Auditioning.

Holding the contract talks.

All of the relevant processes were proceeding smoothly.

…

On the Web.

The news went viral.

“What?”

“They’re going to film Commando 2 soon?”

“A Chinese person will be joining the production?”

“Why did they get him?”

“Are they thinking of entering the Chinese market?”

“He’s already acting in a blockbuster film on his first foray into Hollywood? That Chinese guy is too lucky.”

“It’s a good thing that Zhang Ye isn’t the main lead. Otherwise, I would definitely not watch it!”

…

In the international news.

“The cast list of Commando 2 has been set!”

“A Chinese actor will be joining the cast of Commando 2?”

“Wilson to direct his tenth blockbuster film!”

“Hollywood has set its sights on the Chinese market?”

…

The outside world was bursting with excitement.

But just before the movie was about to start shooting, just as Zhang Ye’s contractual talks were about to be finalized, an unexpected incident happened.

At a press conference.

The famous American director, Wilson, bluntly said, “After negotiations with different parties, we have come to a decision to not hire the Chinese celebrity. The Chinese film market is still not mature and regulated yet. I don’t wish to affect our film’s production and quality just because of the overseas box office earnings in China. Therefore, after discussions with the production studio, we have arrived at a decision. The role that was originally planned for Zhang Ye will be taken over by the Japanese star Seta.”

An American reporter hurriedly asked, “Then why did you choose to invite Zhang Ye then?”

Wilson shook his head and chuckled. “He was invited by the investors, but I have always been against it.”

A female reporter said, “Seta’s clearly not as popular as Zhang Ye, so why did you make the decision?”

Wilson said indifferently, “This is a consideration we made based on a comprehensive number of factors. We have judged that Seta would be more suitable for this role, and his acting and image are also better.”

The reporter followed up with, “Are you trying to hype up the movie using the name of a Nobel Prize winner?”

Wilson said disdainfully, “Is there a need to hype up our movie?”

…

The news got out.

A heated discussion followed on the Web.

A Japanese netizen: “This is great!”

Another Japanese netizen: “I like Seta!”

An Indian netizen: “As long as Zhang Ye isn’t starring in it, I’ll watch it.”

A UK netizen: “Surely it’s not good to go back on their word like this, right?”

A French netizen: “Does this mean they’re giving up on the Chinese market?”

An American netizen: “That’s not called giving up. With Wilson’s reputation and the brand name of Commando, the Chinese people would still watch it all the same even without a Chinese star acting in it. Their country’s film market has always been dominated by Hollywood productions since there aren’t any outstanding domestic movies. The six months’ box office earnings of their domestic movies combined wouldn’t even match what a single movie of ours can earn. So the Chinese market is negligible.”

A Canadian netizen: “Zhang Ye has failed in his bid to enter Hollywood.”

An Australian netizen: “Hur hur. There’s a saying in China that goes ‘losing the first battle,’ meaning ‘getting off on the wrong foot.’ I’m guessing he won’t have an easy time in the future.”

A Russian netizen: “The international entertainment circle is already a very difficult place for a Chinese celebrity to survive in. Zhang Ye has probably gone the furthest that he can.”

A Korean netizen: “Although I don’t really like Zhang Ye either, I can say that he isn’t someone who can be bullied this way. I think Director Wilson’s behavior was too hasty.”

An American netizen: “Hur hur, since when did Koreans start speaking up for the Chinese?”

The Korean netizen: “I’m not speaking up for him. I’m just trying to tell you that you guys know too little about Zhang Ye. Trying to use him to hype up the movie? Going back on your word like this? Based on my understanding of Zhang Ye, he absolutely will not take this lying down. Director Wilson and Hollywood are behaving too carelessly. At least in Asia, no matter how much one might dislike Zhang Ye, even if they’re a Korean or Japanese director, no one would dare to make fun of Zhang Ye like this! Besides, you can’t imagine how united the Chinese are! You have absolutely no idea of what the name Zhang Ye means to their country. Wilson has cut himself off from the Chinese market.”

An American netizen mocked: “The Chinese film market’s box office earnings in recent years have indeed exploded. There are already movies that can reach earnings of around 700 to 800 million. But remember this: That is not in USD, but RMB. Besides, any of our blockbusters can already easily earn 700 to 800 million USD!”

Another American netizen: “That’s right. It’s too bad that Wilson is the director, so he can choose not to use him if he wants. If Zhang Ye is so capable, let him make his own movie!”