Chapter 110: Not Yet an Immortal

"I suggest filming Armor of God first and pushing back the sequel to Police Story for a while," Yan Xu advised, observing Jackie Chan struggling with the scheduling conflict between the two projects.

"Your Police Story has only just been released. If the sequel follows too closely, it’s inevitable that the audience will experience aesthetic fatigue. Furthermore, they will inevitably be compared, which is detrimental to your box office performance—especially in Southeast Asian markets where the original is still currently showing."

"Right now, the second installment of Indiana Jones is being introduced worldwide; it’s safe to say there is an adventure fever everywhere. The release of Armor of God can catch this favorable wind and perhaps even make an impact on the American and European markets. Of course, if you want to shoot this, you must at least check if Alan has the availability. This is a major production; filming will practically take us around the world."

"I have no problem with that. I don't really have any work scheduled for the near future anyway. I might as well take this opportunity to relax around the world without having to pay for it myself," Alan Tam added with a laugh.

"Then we'll shoot Armor of God first," Jackie Chan said decisively. He agreed to delay the Police Story sequel, which he had been preparing for some time, not just because of Alan Tam’s schedule, but also because of Yan Xu’s final remark. While he was already very famous in Southeast Asia, he had been trying to break into the American and European markets for years. The setbacks and the dismissive treatment he faced during the releases of The Big Brawl and The Cannonball Run had always left a bitter taste in his mouth.

***

After seeing Jackie Chan and Alan Tam into the lounge, Yan Xu turned his attention to other friends in the industry.

The arrival of the Lucky Stars caused quite a stir; their popularity was equivalent to the duo of Sam Hui and Karl Maka a few years prior. This year, the two Lucky Stars films had been spectacular successes. One had broken the thirty-million mark—the first film in Hong Kong cinema history to do so—and the box office figures for the one that had just finished its run had also reached over twenty-eight million, falling just short of Jackie Chan’s Police Story by a mere hundred thousand or so. Had it not been for the influence of Yan Xu, these two films would have dominated the top two spots at the Hong Kong box office this year.

Of course, their arrival wasn't just because of Yan Xu; they were also there to support their "little sister." Joey Wong had been a supporting actress in the recently concluded Twinkle, Twinkle, Lucky Stars.

After exchanging pleasantries with the Lucky Stars, Yan Xu caught sight of Lam Ching-ying standing behind Sammo Hung. Lam was a capable stuntman and martial arts director, though he mostly appeared in minor supporting roles. Yan Xu knew, however, that it wouldn't be long before he ushered in a new peak in his career. At this moment, Lam did not yet know that the film he was currently shooting, Mr. Vampire, would gross over twenty million at the box office, trigger a craze for hopping vampire films, and earn him a lifelong nickname.

Mr. Vampire would go on to become the most eerie film in Hong Kong cinema. It was a major taboo to discuss ghosts or spirits while filming in Hong Kong, and it was standard practice to hold a ceremony to appease the gods before starting production. While the filming of Mr. Vampire went smoothly for several months, in the years that followed, one of its screenwriters died suddenly, another was beaten to death in his home, and Lam Ching-ying passed away from cancer before the age of forty-five. The lead actress, "Queen of Ghosts" Wong Siu-fung, not only attempted suicide multiple times but also repeatedly killed her husbands. As for the other two leads, Chin Siu-ho and Lee Choi-fung, one was arrested for recording up women's skirts, and the other saw her reputation ruined by an illicit affair with her foster son.

***

"Yan, you've put on quite a show here. How did you come up with this?" No sooner had Yan Xu finished ushering the sensational Wang Jie into the lounge than Director Wong Jing came running over from the red carpet.

Although Wang Jie still maintained his aloof, wandering-soul image, he was not as reclusive as he had been in another timeline. This was largely due to the warmth fostered within Yan Xu’s Dragon Records. Yan Xu was extremely solicitous toward Wang Jie, his "cash cow," providing very relaxed terms. He did not exploit him like other companies, nor did he demand multiple albums a year, leaving Wang Jie with plenty of time to spend with his daughter. All of this made Wang Jie deeply grateful; in his mind, Yan Xu was his benefactor and his talent scout. Even without the heavy breach-of-contract penalties, he would have chosen to stay with Dragon Records.

"Why are you so late?" Yan Xu asked with a hint of reproach, looking at the approaching Wong Jing. "Why are you alone? Where is Nam?" He had sent invitations to both Wong Jing and Nam Yin.

"That guy Nam is at home obsessing over a script; I doubt he'll be out anytime soon. He couldn't make it to your premiere. As for me, I went to pick up a friend. Come, let me introduce you." Wong Jing grabbed Yan Xu’s arm and pulled him aside. Following Wong Jing’s gesture, Yan Xu saw a handsome man standing by the photo wall, striking a pose for the reporters.

For anyone who watches Hong Kong films or Chinese-language cinema, this six-foot-tall, handsome man would be no stranger. From a native of Lamma Island to a world-class actor and star, his life had seen many highs and lows. He had once been the dashing Hui Man-keung, and he was the actor who played Linghu Chong in the first television adaptation of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. He had even just won the Best Actor titles at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival and the Golden Horse Awards for his performance in Hong Kong 1941.

However, despite his growing fame, his films were often "critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful," earning him the reputation as "box office poison." Among the films he had made over the years, only the previous year’s The Occupant had crossed the ten-million mark; the others hovered around seven or eight million, which was completely disproportionate to his fame.

"Fatty, come over here. Let me introduce you to Yan Xu," Wong Jing called the man over, beckoning him with his head.

"Hello, Young Master Yan, I am..." Although the man was two centimeters taller than Yan Xu, he appeared somewhat shorter when facing him, his demeanor quite humble.

"Chow Yun-fat. There are few people in Hong Kong who don't know you. Your portrayal of Hui Man-keung is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people." Before the man could finish, Yan Xu had already proactively gripped the hand he offered.

"You are a double Best Actor winner now. I saw the film you were just in, Women, and it was excellent." Even though Yan Xu was accustomed to seeing stars in the film industry, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement seeing Chow Yun-fat. Mark Gor, the God of Gamblers, Ah Jong—these were the classic icons of Hong Kong cinema.

"Heh heh!" Chow Yun-fat laughed awkwardly. The nine-million-plus box office for Women was quite good for an average actor, but for him, it still hadn't allowed him to escape the cycle of being "box office poison." Even with his two Best Actor trophies for Hong Kong 1941, he was essentially at a point where he had no work. Today, he was only involved in two projects: Women, an art film that had already finished its run and lacked broad market appeal, and a completed film called Love Unto Waste, where he was merely a supporting actor. The few roles he was negotiating were either art-house films, small productions, or, quite simply, supporting roles.

In his personal life, he had broken up with his girlfriend of several years, Idy Chan, the year before last, and had then impulsively married actress Yu On-on. However, the marriage lasted less than nine months. The dissolution of this sensational union once again filled the newspapers with negative coverage, and his ex-wife’s swift remarriage put him in the spotlight once more.

"Fatty is looking for an agency, and I recommended your company," Wong Jing interjected, revealing the purpose of Chow Yun-fat’s visit.

"You want to join the Dragon Talent Agency?" For Yan Xu, this was an enormous windfall. Although Chow Yun-fat was currently labeled as "box office poison," in just over a year, he would rise like a phoenix to become the legendary "God of Actors," where any film he touched would be guaranteed to gross over ten million.

"Do you not have your own agency yet?" Yan Xu asked, his delight mixed with surprise.

"Fatty was previously signed to Shaw Brothers. After leaving them, he’s been drifting between companies, only signing contracts for a few films at a time. Outside of film, he hasn't developed any side activities or endorsements, so he wants to find an agency to manage these things and help him secure acting roles," Wong Jing explained, looking at Yan Xu. "Although Fatty has a great image and is very popular on television, his films are always critically acclaimed but not commercially successful. His Hui Man-keung image is too deeply ingrained. I want you, a great talent yourself, to help him and see if you can broaden his acting range."

"Fat Gor..." Yan Xu looked at Chow Yun-fat, suppressing the immense joy in his heart.

"I don't deserve the title 'Fat Gor.' Just call me 'Fatty,' Young Master Yan," Chow Yun-fat said hurriedly. Currently burdened by the "box office poison" label, many companies were afraid to sign long-term contracts with him, leaving him with no choice but to seek out talent agencies. However, the conditions set by many of these agencies were so harsh—positioning him as a second- or third-tier actor—that he couldn't accept them. He had always wanted to be the best.

"You are a few years older than me, so 'Fat Gor' is well-deserved. While our Dragon Talent Agency isn't large, we are growing quickly. We treat every signed artist like family, and we tailor the development path and image positioning for each based on their unique characteristics. I hope we can collaborate harmoniously and become great friends."

Yan Xu dared not be arrogant with Chow Yun-fat. In less than a year, the title "Fat Gor" would become synonymous with his success, and he would be showered with offers. Yan Xu knew that the kindness of offering help in one's hour of need is easily remembered. Keeping Chow Yun-fat would rely on sincerity. Yan Xu was well aware that when he took on A Better Tomorrow, he didn't even have a salary; because of his "poison" reputation, the role of Mark Gor—a minor character at the time—had been offered to many others, and it was only because of scheduling conflicts that it finally reached him. At the time, Mark Gor wasn't even a lead, just a guest appearance. It was only because he didn't ask for a salary that his screen time grew and grew, eventually becoming a classic.