Finally Confirmed

"I heard your film didn't go over well with the screening committee. In my opinion, your action scene design just wasn't exciting enough. Lin Yuan can help you with that," Director Cohen stated directly.

"I saw the promotional video Lin Yuan made for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and his swordplay was incredibly impressive. However, I don't think it would work for my film," Director Johnston expressed his doubts.

"You might not know this, but Lin Yuan is also an actor who can perform high-difficulty stunts like Jackie Chan. Imagine a thrilling chase scene with dinosaurs, through dense forests and ruins – it would be spectacular," Director Cohen recommended enthusiastically.

"You have a point. That could indeed be a great help to my film. Can I hire Lin Yuan as my action director?"

Hearing Director Johnston's response, Lin Yuan keenly felt his worries confirmed.

He also didn't want to give himself a chance.

"Are you kidding me? Does Lin Yuan lack the money from being an action director? I want you to arrange an important role for him, not a behind-the-scenes job," Director Cohen said with a grim expression.

"I also admire Lin Yuan, but I really can't use him."

"Are you a racist too? Do you also think Chinese people aren't fit to be leads in Hollywood?" Director Cohen asked, quite indignantly.

"Damn it! I don't care about that at all, but audiences won't accept a Chinese lead. My film is already in a precarious situation; doing that now would be like rushing to our own demise!" Director Johnston replied with a troubled expression, but still refused.

"You..."

Director Cohen wanted to argue, but couldn't finish his sentence.

Director Johnston's concerns weren't entirely unreasonable. Jurassic Park 3 was already widely considered a long shot, and casting a Chinese lead would likely seal its doom.

As a director, he was responsible to the company and investors above, and to the entire crew below. He couldn't let his film take such a massive risk.

"Sigh..." Director Cohen let out a long sigh, preparing to give up on persuading him.

"Lin, it seems we're out of luck tonight."

Director Cohen turned to look at Lin Yuan, only to be surprised to find Lin Yuan suddenly bursting into laughter.

"Hahahaha..."

"Lin Yuan, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Director Cohen asked worriedly.

"Is there something funny about this?" Director Johnston asked, a little annoyed.

"I'm laughing at how naive some people are. When defeat is already certain, leading to the ruin of their careers, they're still agonizing over their choices. Isn't that laughable?"

"Lin Yuan, don't talk nonsense," Director Cohen advised.

"Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, Director Johnston, you should know in your heart!" Lin Yuan stated with great certainty.

Director Johnston's face turned from pale to flushed, his mind in turmoil.

"He has no other options. If he doesn't cooperate with us, he'll be kicked out of Hollywood."

At this critical moment, Lin Yuan dropped another heavy stone in his heart.

After much hesitation, Director Johnston finally spoke, "Young man, you're right. I have no other options. What do you think I should do?"

Hearing his words, Lin Yuan knew he finally had an opportunity to persuade him further.

As a reborn individual, he knew a bit about Director Johnston.

This director came from a background in special effects. In his early years, he worked as a concept artist and special effects artist on George Lucas's film Star Wars.

Later, he won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects for Spielberg's Indiana Jones.

As a director who transitioned into the field, he understood how rare opportunities were and how much he needed to prove himself with his work.

If he failed, the investors wouldn't easily give him a second chance.

In his future life, Lin Yuan knew that due to the failure of Jurassic Park 3, it took him over ten years to recover and get another chance to direct a major commercial film – Captain America.

Therefore, Director Johnston's biggest concern was that he couldn't afford to lose!

To persuade him, the best approach wasn't to offer him something, but to provoke him!

Director Cohen's method of persuasion was to tell the other party about the benefits of hiring Lin Yuan.

But Director Johnston was very cautious; he would rather give up those benefits than face the risk of audiences not accepting the film.

Lin Yuan, however, did the opposite, directly pointing out the fear in the other party's heart. Intimidation was far more effective than enticement.

This was because human nature fears loss more than it rejoices in gain.

"How can I turn this around?" Director Johnston asked again when Lin Yuan didn't answer.

"If we do these two things, our film can still be saved!"

Lin Yuan had already secretly changed the reference from Jurassic Park 3 to "our film."

"Please, tell me!"

"The first point is that we need to give the film a core value and strengthen the character development."

"What core value would be suitable?" Director Johnston asked.

"The path of harmonious coexistence between species. Since the dinosaurs have already been created and there's no plan to destroy them, exploring how to coexist with them is inevitable."

"We should explore in the film how different species and races can benefit each other and coexist harmoniously. Therefore, the leads shouldn't just be white; there should also be Black and Asian actors."

Although choosing this core value was also Lin Yuan's way of providing a basis for his own starring role, he had to admit it was indeed very mainstream and clearly aligned with Western values.

"What about the second point? Continue."

"The second point is that I will personally design the escape scenes during the dinosaur chase. If you want the escape to be exciting, you can't just run blindly; you need to carefully consider how to utilize the environment."

"Alright, I need your detailed plan. If your plan can convince me, then the leading role is yours," Director Johnston finally made up his mind.

"I won't disappoint you. Wait for my good news," Lin Yuan appeared extremely confident.

He finally breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, having overcome the two major hurdles tonight.

He had finally secured a foothold in Hollywood.

Filmmakers in China, after achieving success in their home country, all want to break into Hollywood to prove themselves.

This is understandable, especially considering it was the year 2000 and there was still a widespread tendency to admire foreign things.

Even in 2024, Europe and America still hold global cultural hegemony.

No matter how high your achievements are in the domestic film industry, you can only call yourself an Asian superstar.

But if you reach the top in Hollywood, you'll be crowned a global superstar.

Any Chinese person who makes a name for themselves in Hollywood will immediately be treated with utmost respect and adoration upon returning to China.

It's like a dimensional reduction attack.

But if the benefits are so great, why doesn't everyone try their luck in Hollywood?

It's because it's too difficult!

Lin Yuan had a complete understanding of the difficulty for a Chinese actor to break through in Hollywood tonight, having just navigated a negotiation with two white directors.

Now, all he had to do was present a feasible plan to successfully take this most difficult step.