China Entertainment special effects started in 1997

The main plot of the film is a condensation and deletion of the original novel plot. The character settings basically follow the previous work, such as the heroic version of Zhang Wuji and the extremely wretched "Two Elders of Huashan", which is precisely the main reason why "The Demon Cult Leader" has won word of mouth.

In fact, judging from Zhang Wuji's family background and growth experience, it is normal to be black-bellied and ruthless. This is not original to the film. When the serialized version was created, the young Zhang Wuji was like this, decisive in killing and scheming.

But Jin Yong's writing is not a refreshing novel like "Long Aotian" after all. The ending cannot change history. It was Zhu Yuanzhang who overthrew the Yuan Dynasty and seized the world. Zhang Wuji, who has the appearance of a hero and the best martial arts in the world, is a bit out of place.

After the modification, the audience and book fans later saw Zhang Wuji who was indecisive and repaid grievances with virtue.

But this is against human nature. His parents were forced to commit suicide on the spot by the people of the five major sects. When he was young, he was determined to avenge his parents and pay blood debts with blood, but when he grew up, he seemed to have forgotten all the hatred overnight.

Even if it is necessary to temporarily unite the major sects in the martial arts world for the anti-Yuan cause, the resentment in his heart still needs to be revealed.

Jiang Heng's version of Zhang Wuji focuses on this angle. Some inadvertent small details besides the fighting scenes make the audience feel awe.

As a result, many guests secretly admired that Jiang Heng is worthy of being an internationally renowned director. In addition to his profound directing skills, his acting skills are also so outstanding.

Another pair of more outstanding characters in the film are naturally the extremely wretched "Two Elders of Huashan".

At the beginning of the preparation of the film, Li Xiaoping intended to let Chen He and Zheng Kai play these two roles.

After all, they are all artists of the company. After becoming popular with "Running Man", they also gained many fans.

They will not make the audience feel out of place when they play such roles.

But Jiang Heng thought that since the film was promoted as an "all-action star" lineup, it would be better to use those who have kung fu skills, so as to avoid being criticized by some film critics.

But after thinking about it, it is really hard to find someone who has kung fu skills and is willing to play such a role.

Until one day Yuen Wah came to him, Jiang Heng instantly remembered the landlord he played in "Kung Fu", and thought to himself, isn't this the most suitable candidate?

And Yuan De, it's really too suitable.

Jiang Heng immediately called the two together and told them his ideas.

The two initially refused, mainly because they had been working behind the scenes for many years and were a little reluctant to show up on stage.

Jiang Heng promised to support Yuan De to be a director and direct a TV series, and the latter agreed.

As for Yuen Wah, he didn't have any requirements.

Mainly because he was not interested in being a director, and knew that his image could not be a leading actor, he said that he would just give more red envelopes.

Jiang Heng didn't say anything, and gave a big red envelope on the spot, and the matter was settled.

The two have been in the film industry for many years and have played many roles. There is nothing they cannot let go of.

The "Two Elders of Huashan" they played were extremely vulgar, but their lines were very sharp. They always said some "using the past to satirize the present" and thought-provoking words, so when the film was reviewed, many related scenes were deleted.

The company was shocked by this, but Jiang Heng was not surprised. After all, in "In the Name of the People", Secretary Yuliang once said: "Don't say anything that is not conducive to unity!"

On the big screen, the plot continued. After the battle between Fan Yao and Zhang Wuji, they immediately discussed a strategy to rescue the six major sects.

Then Fan Yao made a plan to calculate Hebi Weng and Lu Zhangke. One by one, the action stars who played the guest roles of Ruyang Palace masters appeared one after another, which dazzled the audience and made them shout with excitement.

Especially when Zhou Haimei, who played the role of Miejue Nun, appeared, the audience was surprised.

In the version of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" she starred in, the plot was actually changed quite a lot, but she really brought the role of Zhou Zhiruo to life, which made countless fans unforgettable.

What was unexpected was that Jiang Heng actually asked her to play the role of Nun Miejue, which was in line with the saying, "When I grow up, I will become you!"

On the night when Zhang Wuji and others made a fuss in Wan'an Temple, Zhao Min, played by Jing Tian, ​​withdrew in a white warrior costume surrounded by a group of guards, and shouted loudly, "Zhang Wuji, you still have one thing to do for me, are you going to shirk it?"

Zhang Wuji, played by Jiang Heng, replied: "A real man stands tall and upright, and once a word is spoken, it cannot be taken back. As long as it does not violate conscience and the morality of the rivers and lakes, I will definitely fulfill my promise."

Zhao Min: "Okay, then you wait for me!" Then she left with a group of guards escorting her.

Fan Yao, played by He Rundong, said hurriedly: "Master, be careful, little princess... the witch is full of tricks, you must be on guard against fraud. Your safety is related to the anti-Yuan cause, and you can't afford to lose!"

Zhang Wuji looked confident, "Don't worry, nothing will happen!"

The plot continued on the big screen. Zhang Wuji led the characters of the six major sects to escape from Dadu, and then bowed to everyone and said goodbye.

In the original novel, the later plot was Zhang Wuji's return.

But this version of Zhang Wuji is a hero, how could he not care about his own safety. He still ordered Yang Xiao, Wei Yixiao, and Xiao Zhao to accompany him, but they just hid in the dark.

Then Zhang Wuji met Zhao Min in private to find Xie Xun and the Dragon Slaying Sword.

In this play, the Golden Lion King Xie Xun is played by Hong Jinbao. He is relatively strong and looks very powerful.

The fighting scenes are not inferior, and it can be said that the sword is still sharp.

In order to make the second half of the plot more compact, the side storyline of the Persian Ming Cult was directly deleted.

However, when Jinhua Po Po finally revealed her true face, it still caused a burst of exclamations, because the actress turned out to be Megan Fox.

"Oh my god, my goddess!"

"It's so beautiful, I think this version of Daiqisi is the best looking!"

"She shouldn't be considered an action actor, right?"

"But the role of Daiqisi is a foreigner, and choosing Megan Fox is also a respect for the original work!"

"Indeed, Xiao Zhao is nothing like Daiqisi!"

"Haha, there's nothing we can do about it!"

Regarding Xiao Zhao's plot, she followed the Purple-Robed Dragon King in the film.

Because there is no Persian Mingjiao line, here it is changed to the Purple-Robed Dragon King being seriously injured and needing to find a place to rest, and she would rather die than return to the Mingjiao, nor be protected by Zhang Wuji.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhao could only ask to stay and take care of her mother, saying that she would go to find Zhang Wuji one day.

Then, Xie Xun was lost on the way back, and Zhang Wuji exclaimed "Where is Dad!"...

The subsequent plot generally follows the original work, but has been deleted and condensed in various ways, while focusing on the viewing of the fighting scenes.

At the end of the film, it was the elite Mingjiao led by Zhang Wuji who completely defeated the Ruyang Palace troops who intended to destroy the Central Plains martial artists at the foot of the Shaolin Temple. Even Wang Baobao, who was later called "the world's strange man", barely escaped with his life.

The easter egg after the end was that Zhu Yuanzhang, Xu Da and others were ordered to pursue and finally stopped in Haozhou City, the birthplace of the Ming Dynasty. The film ended here.

Many viewers were a little confused. What's going on? Does this indicate that there will be a sequel?

Is Director Jiang going to make up a plot in which Zhang Wuji and Zhu Yuanzhang fight for the world?

This is pure and thankless!

The problem is that the director of this film is Wang Jing. He is not going to change the old story!

According to his previous personality, it is really possible to make a movie about Zhu Yuanzhang fighting Zhang Wuji!

After the film screening, the lights in the main venue were turned on, and the guests and the audience applauded and congratulated Jiang Heng and Wang Jing.

Some people even praised that this film was the best martial arts film in the past ten years.

Xu Ke, who was also in the guest seat, changed his face slightly, because his "Dragon Gate Flying Daggers" and "Di Renjie" series were all within the scope of this decade!

Of course, to be fair, "The Return of the King" is indeed a classic martial arts film.

In terms of the cast, there are only a handful of Chinese-language films that can compare.

The visual effects are also very shocking and amazing. Although the film is not a 3D martial arts film, it wins in terms of swift and fierce movements and numerous fighting scenes.

Of course, in terms of the content of the story, it cannot be compared with classic martial arts films such as "Huang Feihong".

Neither Jiang Heng nor Wang Jing intends to work hard on that level.

The reason is simple. Today, when martial arts culture is already missing, trying to create the image of a chivalrous hero is undoubtedly a thankless task.

Furthermore, Wang Jing has been deconstructing martial arts since "The Demon Cult Master" and "The Deer and the Cauldron". In "The New Shaolin Five Ancestors", he even let the chief leader Chen appear in a grand manner and die quickly. Obviously, he does not have the "filter" of a hero.

After the premiere, as usual, there was a dinner to thank the guests.

As the male lead, Jiang Heng was praised by many stars. And as the director of this film, Wang Jing was also surrounded, toasted, and talked to by many people.

After all, judging from the film effect of "The Return of the King", it is a sure thing that the box office will be a big hit.

Not to mention the quality of the film, even if it is a little worse, with the current cast, as long as more money is invested in publicity, the box office will definitely exceed 1 billion easily.

And judging from the quality of this film, not to mention 2 billion, the possibility of 1500 million, 1600 million, or even 1800 million or 1900 million is very high.

By then, Wang Jing's momentum will become more and more powerful, and he will be regarded as a top director in the mainland.

If Jiang Heng can't get an important role in the film, he can think of a way with Wang Jing!

The guests were toasting and drinking.

The media reporters were already working overtime to finish their articles, and many film critics present were also thinking about which angle to write a novel review from.

So if ordinary audiences want to know the comments about "The Demon Cult Leader" in the first place, they have to go to Douban or Tieba to read the reviews posted by ordinary audiences who attended the premiere.

Some said: The movie is super good, the fighting scenes are smooth and shocking, and it can be called the best martial arts movie in 20 years. Especially the star lineup, it is really shocking, there are so many stars! Although they are basically out of date, it is still a wonderful feeling to have hundreds of action actors participating in a martial arts movie together. I think this movie can be called the last "Chinese martial arts movie!"

Some netizens commented on the performance of some actors in the film one by one, such as: Don't expect Brother Cheng Long and Zhou Xingxing, they both played characters in memories at the beginning of the film, and they really flashed by! Hong Jinbao's Golden Lion King is really domineering, and Yuen Tak and Yuen Wah's "Two Elders of Huashan" are even more classic than the first film, and many of their lines are really sharp!

As a result, some netizens replied below, saying that in the original version of the film, the lines of "Two Elders of Huashan" were even sharper, and these have been deleted!

On Douban and Tieba, the content of the film was discussed happily. In addition to the overwhelming positive reviews, there were also some negative reviews.

For example, some netizens think that Jing Tian's face is not majestic enough, and Princess Shaomin's aura is insufficient. Jiang Heng's Zhang Wuji is too domineering and scheming, which is not the familiar Zhang Wuji at all.

Because it involves Jiang Heng and Jing Tian, ​​this kind of comment can be said to have quickly triggered heated discussions among netizens on the official website. Most of them are still supportive, believing that Jiang Heng's version of Zhang Wuji is better than Jet Li's version, both in terms of the character's appearance and aura.

Of course, this kind of comparison is only made by netizens. Many media such as "China Film Report", "China Entertainment Report", Penguin.com, and Xinlang Entertainment all praised the film and Jiang Heng's performance.

There are relatively few people who praise director Wang Jing, after all, everyone knows that Jiang Heng is the biggest contributor to this film.

In the next few days, Bonna Pictures arranged for the main creative staff to go to various parts of the country to participate in preview activities.

Jiang Heng also flew to Japan, South Korea and North America to promote the release of "The Return of the King".

Because it is not a special effects blockbuster, and most of the actors in the film are not known to overseas audiences, the overseas box office prospects of this film are still not comparable to Jiang Heng's previous films.

In terms of publicity, Jiang Heng did not want to spend too much effort, and attended three premieres before returning home.

After another day of rest, the day of the film's release finally arrived.

Because there was only one film premiering on that day, and the box office growth of several films that were already showing was weak. Therefore, "The Return of the King" got 81.3% of the screenings on the first day of its release, which can be said to be the only one dominating the schedule.

On that day, popular theaters across the country were crowded with people, basically all of whom came to see "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber". Of course, if you want to see other movies, you can hardly buy tickets.

The next day, the first-day results of the film were released, and it actually reached an astonishing 239 million yuan. Although it failed to break Jiang Heng's previous first-day box office results, it was quite amazing!

This is a pure martial arts 2D movie, and the average ticket price of the film is much lower than that of 3D special effects blockbusters.

But it still took 239 million RMB at the box office. The number of viewers on the first day of this film is quite impressive!

After Wang Jing learned about this result, he was so happy that he couldn't close his mouth for a long time. He first called Jiang Heng to report the good news.

Of course, he knew that Jiang Heng must have obtained this data before him, but he still chatted with Jiang Heng for a while.

Then he called Wu Yusen, Xu Ke, Liu Weiqiang and other Hong Kong directors in Beijing, saying that he would treat everyone to a meal.

At the banquet, whether it was Wu Yusen or Xu Ke, they looked at Wang Jing with envy.

Xu Ke has been tossing around in the mainland for many years, but he has never made a work that can be called a hit, and he seems to be "falling behind".

Wang Jing made a sequel casually, and he is going to become a big director with a box office of over 1 billion. It's really annoying to compare with others! (End of this chapter)