The Wolf Warrior Gambit (Part 3)

A Letter of Invitation to Mr. Wu Jing – Let Us Build the New Backbone of Chinese Action Films Together!

My Dearest Brother Wu Jing, Greetings, as if we were face to face.

I take the liberty of writing to you today because the "Grand Director" project urgently requires a man with true martial arts skill, genuine character, and unwavering resolve, much like yourself, to lead the charge.

I've heard that you've spent four years honing your craft in the Hong Kong film industry, from the dazzling swordplay to the meticulous work on set. You've personally overseen every detail, becoming a true all-rounder capable of acting, fighting, directing, and producing.

This resilience is precisely the backbone that the Chinese film industry desperately needs right now!

For too long, you've been working tirelessly in Hong Kong, helping others achieve their dreams!

You're the one carrying equipment under the lights, the one risking it all in front of the camera. Yet, in the end, it's like "planting in someone else's field while leaving your own barren."

While the golden age of Hong Kong cinema may still cast a faint glow, its established landscape is fixed. Even with your immense talent, you're unlikely to break through that restrictive ceiling.

Conversely, look at the mainland! Audiences' tastes have changed!

The rise of "Super Girl" from humble beginnings captivated millions; "Crazy Stone" proved that local narratives are precisely what's in demand by achieving great success with a small budget.

The post-80s generation no longer solely recognizes Hong Kong stars. They crave their own heroes, their own passion, their own cultural roots!

Your rugged demeanor and patriotic spirit are precisely the seeds this land most desperately needs.

"Grand Director" is a mid-budget film with a mere ten million yuan budget. While it may be a step down for someone of your caliber, it offers a path tailored specifically for you.

The male lead, "Lu Bing," is Emperor Jiajing's sworn brother, a member of the Imperial Guards clad in a Feiyu uniform. He wields the Brotherhood of Blades as an unyielding force for change during the Ming Dynasty, a character who embodies both valor and strategy. This role is perfect for you and no one else!

The positions of Associate Director and Associate Producer are waiting for you! Your experience navigating the Hong Kong film scene is exactly the "anchor on the film set" we desperately need for managing the crew and controlling costs.

You are the natural choice for Action Director! Let's cast aside the superficiality of "House of Flying Daggers" and surpass the formulaic Hong Kong fight choreography. Let Chinese martial arts once again crush Hollywood's action design!

I vow to clarify, elevate, and authenticate the martial arts system. Then, with our industrial capabilities and technical expertise, we will revive the soul of traditional martial arts and forge a new style of action aesthetics!

More importantly, "Grand Director" is just the beginning!

This film is actually an attempt by Han Sanping to upgrade China's film industry strategy. Though I am but a humble servant, I am today a sharp blade in the hands of the Director. Like your role, I aim to pave the way for the Director's strategy of upgrading historical epics and blockbusters.

I, too, wish to be a vanguard, a pioneer for Chinese cinema!

Thanks to the Director's appreciation, "Grand Director" also serves as a "preliminary test" for the hundred-million-yuan epic, "Brotherhood of Blades: Rebirth of the Sun and Moon."

If this endeavor succeeds, I will not fail the Director's trust, and you, my brother, will be the one to lead "Brotherhood of Blades"!

At that time, with armies clashing and dynasties rising and falling, the spirit of Chinese martial arts will be in our hands to command the universe!

Today, the Chinese film industry is trapped in a dilemma: historical films are bogged down by superficial spectacle, and action films are drowning in flashy, ineffective moves.

Audiences crave genuine martial arts with solid techniques and true heroes with integrity. This is precisely our shared vision!

I should have come to invite you in person, but with a new project facing countless challenges, and with dissenting voices within China Film and Beijing Film Studio, I cannot make the journey. Thus, I write this letter, as if we were speaking face-to-face, to convey my thoughts.

Your joining us will be like holding a torch together.

We will burn away the superficiality and the outdated shackles of Hong Kong-style fighting seen in "House of Flying Daggers" and cultivate our own towering forest of action films on the fertile soil of the mainland!

P.S. An invitation for a personal meeting.

Attached to this letter are the script outline for "Grand Director" and a brief character profile for "Lu Bing." If you are interested, please come to BJ as soon as possible. I will eagerly await your arrival and discuss our grand plans in person!

Sincerely, Awaiting your good news!

Shen Shanden

January 18, 2007

At Beijing Film Studio

Wu Jing invited Ma Youde into the room and then reread the letter several times, his emotions a complex mix.

Ma Youde first scanned the room. It was a bachelor apartment, but it was clean and tidy, appearing to be just a temporary place to stay.

He then observed Wu Jing's reaction, which showed no signs of excitement.

"Brother Wu, the boss asked me to speak with you personally. One reason is that he absolutely cannot leave. His original plan was the 'Brotherhood of Blades' project, but the pressure was too great, so it was shifted to 'Grand Director,' and we're not fully prepared for various aspects."

"Although we have Director Han Sanping's full support, there's a lot of pressure within China Film and Beijing Film Studio. The boss needs to quickly establish the project framework, otherwise, many parties will try to interfere."

Upon hearing about "Han Sanping's" support, Wu Jing's expression shifted slightly.

"Secondly, the boss wants me to make it clear: if you refuse, don't feel any psychological burden. After all, there are more opportunities for kung fu films in Hong Kong, and our mainland side is just starting out, very poor. People naturally seek better opportunities; it's human nature. Don't feel obligated out of politeness or embarrassment to refuse."

Wu Jing's eyes involuntarily showed disdain and anger. What did they take him for?

Even a dog doesn't despise its own poor home!

If he had opportunities on the mainland, he wouldn't have left his homeland.

Ma Youde continued, "Our project also faces immense pressure. All three major directors have gone quiet. It's like the sky is falling. Right now, the 'Grand Director' project is a glimmer of hope for mainland historical epics, even historical action films. The pressure is unprecedented. We need to be upfront with you about this."

Wu Jing finally spoke, "I'll make a few calls. As long as the project is real, we'll return to BJ immediately."

With that, he took his phone and went into the bathroom.

Wu Jing had been at the top of his game in his younger days. He just wasn't good at navigating social circles, but he had his connections. Getting information wouldn't be difficult.

"Brother, I heard Third Master is launching a new project?"

"You have such good intel even in Hong Kong Island, haha. I'll only tell you this, hehe, Shen Shanden might be Third Master's."

"Sis, have you heard about the China Film project?"

"Little brother, have you made up your mind? I've been waiting for you. This project isn't simple, but I do have some connections."

Wu Jing shivered involuntarily and quickly laughed it off, hanging up the phone.

Shen Shanden's home.

For the past few days, for some reason, rumors had been spreading throughout the Beijing Film Academy campus that he had a big project on his hands.

He kept "accidentally" running into students.

There were students from directing, cinematography, and acting departments, and sometimes even teachers.

It was so annoying.

He couldn't use the empty classrooms for free anymore, so he moved his office to his home.

Da Mimi also didn't go out much unless absolutely necessary.

After a lot of persistent persuasion, she still managed to get a lot of information.

Brotherhood of Blades was temporarily shelved, but Shen Shanden had a solid mid-budget production worth tens of millions.

Hiss!

Da Mimi felt not only Xiao Deng was burning up, but the bigger one was also getting hot.

Her sense of security instantly plummeted to zero.

Seeing Shen Shanden excitedly and joyfully clench his fist after taking a call, Da Mimi asked, "What good news?"

"Wu Jing is on board!"

Shen Shanden exhaled heavily. "If the flight isn't delayed, he should arrive this afternoon. I'll go to the airport to pick him up personally."

Da Mimi was greatly surprised!

Wu Jing had already established himself in the Hong Kong film scene, and yet Shen Shanden had managed to recruit him.

It was terrifying!

Shen Shanden was also extremely pleased.

Even though he was confident about bringing "Wolf Warrior" over, he still breathed a sigh of relief when it was confirmed.

Shen Shanden had put a lot of thought into the letter he sent to Wu Jing.

It directly hit the pain point, pointing out Wu Jing's sense of stagnation working in Hong Kong and awakening his desire to "fight on home turf."

He offered a stage, satisfying Wu Jing's multifaceted talent with "multiple identities," and ignited his ambition with the massive prospect of Brotherhood of Blades.

He revealed his background: "I'm a trusted general under Han Sanping, with protection, so come quickly."

He established a greater cause, integrating personal development into the wave of "innovation in Chinese action films," giving Wu Jing a sense of mission.

Then, he used a challenge: "If you refuse, Wu Jing, I won't say you're looking down on the poor and favoring the rich, or stepping on others to climb up, but you can think about it, really think about it."

Appealing to emotion, tempting with profit, and reasoning with logic.

The fake Chinese baby: Got superpowers, wants to go online and play games.

The real Chinese baby: I can take on ten guys at once, I've lived my whole life waiting for this moment to show off!

Shen Shanden had never met Wu Jing before, but being in the film industry, he knew better: film is the creator's personal expression, and what the creator is cannot be hidden in the film.

It was precisely because he was confident in the letter that Shen Shanden didn't go in person.

Sometimes, words carry more power than speech.

With "Wolf Warrior" brought over, once the production management team and action design team set up the framework, the project would be half done.

Shen Shanden was very happy. Wu Jing was somewhat similar to a future Hu Ge; he had reached the pinnacle of television, lacking neither popularity nor fame, but simply lacked the opportunity for further advancement.

Hu Ge went abroad. He wasn't a female star, so he didn't need to have children. If he retired at his peak, he still wouldn't have a path forward.

He was supposed to pick up the flight at two o'clock.

However, the flight was delayed.