America: The Godfather Game Development, Chapter 437
As an actor, Keanu Reeves has received quite a few film offers.
Even though he's just a rising Nova's only been in the industry for a couple of years, he's already a well-known actor making a name for himself in Hollywood.
But this invitation was truly the first time he had ever received one.
[HOTLINEMIAMI]
A super-large, bold, black, all-caps title.
"Hotline Miami " likely refers to a phone call made to Miami.
[KEANU - READTHISALONE.] (Find a secluded spot to read it, Keanu.)
[THEN BURN IT.] (Oh, by the way, this message is ephemeral.)
[ACTUALLY, IT'S OKAY. I DON'T CARE]
Keanu Reeves scratched his head, puzzled.
What the hell is this thing?
It's all like some kind of secret correspondence between secret agents.
Although it was somewhat of a stream-of-consciousness exercise, Keanu obediently closed the doors and windows before sitting on the sofa and opening the documents.
The reason they were so obedient was simple: this invitation came from the damn world-ruling GAMENOVA!
[YOU ARE HEREBY INVITED TO] (We sincerely invite you to visit)
[ Miami, Florida ]
C
[Hey Keanu, this is Lin Lixin.]
The reason I chose you is damn simple:
[I need a rebellious, handsome guy who can smash everyone's skulls to pieces with a baseball bat or his fists.]
Your code name is: Jacket
[This means you'll need to bring your own Jacket; GAMENOVA will not reimburse it. Thank you for your cooperation.]
[By the way, we've prepared a really cool mask for you (it really is)]
Please go to the following address to collect your item:
[If you're considering accepting this offer, the next page contains our script.]
"Well----"
Keanu's lips twitched slightly.
Well, as someone who has never had the opportunity to work with Gamenova, or even been in contact with them, Keanu certainly finds it difficult to adapt to Gamenova's unconventional style.
He had expected to see the kind of rigorous and meticulous documents produced by a senior consulting team from a large company.
As for whether or not to accept?
Please, only someone whose brain has been kicked by EA would refuse such a giant pie falling from the sky.
Keanu decisively turned to the next page.
But when he saw what was written on it, he was completely stunned.
Because there is no script at all here.
There is only one line of extra-large, bold text, just like the cover:
[It's hard to believe you're actually reading the script instead of leaving immediately!!]
This is fucking ----
I must leave immediately!
Besides Keanu Reeves, the lead actor and the male lead in the promotional video, Lin Lixin also invited another old friend he hadn't seen in a long time.
" Guohao, how about becoming a martial arts instructor?"
Florida, Miami.
Lin Lixin stretched vigorously, revealing a satisfied expression.
"Hey, who came up with the name ' God's Waiting Room '? It's really fitting, isn't it?"
Miami, a retirement paradise.
The weather is warm and comfortable; at this time of year in January, it doesn't feel cold at all.
Miami has no shortage of beaches.
You can find a beach that stretches to the horizon just a few steps away.
Even at this time of year, the beach is already packed with handsome men and beautiful women and all sorts of tourists.
Lin Lixin's gaze fell on a shopping street along the riverbank.
Palm trees, Japan, beaches, pedestrians in bikinis, and houses along the street.
"Hmm, it would be perfect if there was a purple halo around the entrance to that building."
He shook his head with a hint of regret, and tightened his bright blue Hawaii shirt.
I bought this on a whim after arriving in the area.
With the Cuba chain around his neck that he somehow got his hands on, he really did look like a local.
Where did you get yourself dressed like that?
Sam looked Lin Lixin up and down, puzzled.
To be honest, it's completely not Lin Lixin's style; the sense of incongruity is really strong.
If he were to add a cigar to his mouth, he'd look just like some local bigwig.
"Don't understand yet? You'll understand later~"
Lin Lixin laughed heartily.
He specifically chose this outfit.
It's a pity there's no one knowledgeable about this place, otherwise they would have recognized him at a glance—isn't that Tommy Vercetti?
2
The protagonist of Vice City.
Upon closer reflection, the timeline of " Hotline Miami " and "ViceCity" actually coincides quite closely.
Miami in the late 1980s.
Calling this place "Vice City " is indeed quite fitting.
Because if you go south from here, you'll reach the Caribbean Sea.
Most of Latin America's drugs flow into the United States from here.
Ice, leaves, and gold flow here.
Criminals from all walks of life launder their dirty money here, and then reinvest it in the development of Miami.
At first glance, the Skylines is lined with towering skyscrapers that seem to reach into the clouds.
Five-star hotels, skyscrapers, nightclubs--
There's no better place to film crime stories.
"Let's go, Guohao and the others should have arrived by now."
The two arrived in front of an apartment building that was only three stories high.
It's been booked out by GAMENOVA.
Several elderly Cuba men and a few Spain used to live here.
Such a melting pot of ethnicities is perfectly normal in Miami.
At Lin Lixin's request, Lucasfilm's props team did not rearrange the space, but instead preserved the traces of their lives there.
This unique flavor of lasagna is very difficult to replicate.
The more deliberately one tries to imitate, the stronger the strange and artificial feeling becomes.
A green-painted iron gate stood against the entrance, the paint almost completely peeling off, just like the exterior of the staircase.
But that's exactly the kind of vibe Lin Lixin wanted.
I climbed the equally dilapidated stairs and arrived at the door of the apartment on the second floor.
The door was open, and there were quite a few people sitting in the hallway outside. The room was even more noisy.
Most of the project team is here.
Compared to its dilapidated appearance outside, the apartment itself wasn't actually that cramped.
A complete one-bedroom apartment with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, entryway, and living room.
The lead actor, personally selected by Lin Lixin, stood there, listening to the instructions from director Hideo Kojima.
"Lin—what's with that outfit?!"
Brandon Lee stepped forward, hugged Lin Lixin, and looked at his attire with a puzzled expression.
Someone already asked that question.
Lin Lixin laughed heartily and led Brandon Lee and Sam into the house.
"Hi Keanu, I'm glad you accepted our less-than-ideal film offer."
"I don't think anyone would refuse, Mr. Lin. Also, my name is now [Jacket]."
77
Keanu stood there, his movements slightly awkward and shy.
His youthful face lacked the sternness that John Wick should possess, but it had that roguish charm that was only found in his Constantine days.
" The Jacket is nice, just the look I wanted."
Lin Lixin noticed that he was indeed wearing a decent-looking Jacket and nodded in satisfaction.
This is the kind of professionalism a good actor should have.
That's already putting yourself in the role.
"Hey? Right, what about the mask we prepared for you?"
"Here it is, shall I try it on and see?"
Keanu walked to the side and picked up the strange-looking headgear from the table.
He pulled the hood over his head and turned to look at Lin Lixin.
That was a chicken head.
Eyes round and jet black.
To be honest, even someone as mentally strong as Lin Lixin couldn't help but feel a little uneasy after being stared at by Keanu's creepy appearance.
"Wow, this tastes just right! This is exactly the feeling I've been looking for!"
The person who is least able to handle pressure, the kind of guy who can scare a child to tears with just one look.
"You should have a general idea of the atmosphere and style now, right? There really wasn't a script for this shoot; the storytelling through the camera is enough."
"Yes, Mr. Kojima already told me everything."
"Great, let's not waste any more time. I'm planning to take everyone to the beach for a good drink later. I've got a whole truckload of ice-cold beer."
Okay, that's GAMENOVA's style of doing things; we have to learn to adapt.
Keanu said this to himself.
The filming process is actually not complicated.
Because they don't actually have that many shots to film.
As a promotional video for marketing purposes and for game reference, many shots can be completed in one take.
Things only got a little more complicated when the afternoon shoot began.
Because it's time to start filming action scenes.
The filming location was moved from the apartment building to a small warehouse behind it.
A corner of the warehouse, used for temporary storage of props, was piled with all sorts of random murder weapons.
Baseball bats, steel pipes, the holy sword of physics, golf clubs—and even billiard cues.
"This time we're not filming action scenes, we're filming a real gang shootout, the kind where one wrong move and you'll get your head smashed open."
"I know."
Brandon Lee nodded; he knew what to do even without Lin Lixin emphasizing it.
He examined each of the props in his hands, remained silent for a long time, and then nodded in understanding.
It seems he already has a plan.
Lin Lixin has always been clear about what he wants, ever since Street Fighter.
The impact of each punch feels real, and you can feel the power even through the screen.
"Use this thing."
He picked up a baseball bat and said to Lin Lixin.
Keanu learns very quickly.
After Brandon Lee demonstrated it to him a few times, he had already grasped some of the essence of the movements.
That peculiar feeling of anger was a perfect match for the baseball bat.
The extras were found locally; they were arcade sales staff from GAMENOVA.
Because they often had to move arcade machines, they were all burly and muscular, giving them a real gangster vibe.
"Bang!"
Keanu Richard, wearing Keanu Richard mask (a rooster mask), received the signal and kicked open the door.
Behind the door, a thug patrolling with a crowbar was caught off guard and struck in the face, falling to the ground instantly.
Without hesitation, Keanu pressed down on him the instant his gaze locked onto him.
Then----
He raised his baseball bat high, aiming it at the poor thug's face.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Blood plasma instantly splattered all over the ground.