The casting for Paladin III has been a constant focus for the public. After all, with Paladin I currently airing and being a hit, it was obvious to anyone with a brain what this major IP, Paladin, represented. Even supporting roles in this TV series could become famous, so naturally, everyone wanted a part in it.
It was 8 PM. The official Weibo account of the production crew released the news about the confirmed lead actors.
Xu Changqing: Actor Huo Donghua.
Zi Xuan: Actress Li Xinyan.
They also attached their character concept photos. Xu Changqing’s attire was the standard Shu Mountain Sword Immortal look, appearing quite consistent with the "White Tofu" from the novel. Zi Xuan, on the other hand, had two concept photos: one in a spirited and playful Miao frontier costume, and another in ethereal purple gauze, exuding an indescribable charm and tenderness. The styling was good, but the actors were relatively unknown to the public.
"Huo Donghua should be a third-tier actor, right?"
"Who is Li Xinyan?"
"Wasn't it all over the internet that Yang Yingying went for an audition? She's so popular, and she didn't get cast, losing out to a newcomer?"
"Damn it, Jiangnan, you made so much money from Paladin, couldn't you hire some familiar traffic actors..."
"Hiring traffic? Are they just mascots? If those young idols could act well, they'd have been praised to the skies by their fans. Are there any now?"
As the concept photos were released, the identities of the two new actors were also uncovered. Many people knew of Huo Donghua; he was a third-tier actor who had played several significant supporting roles. However, Li Xinyan's identity shocked everyone.
"Shocking! An assistant snatches a top star's role!!" An article about Li Xinyan appeared, introducing her. It stated she graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, had played minor roles, was noticed by Yang Yingying, and became her assistant. It also included several photos of Li Xinyan carrying a backpack and accompanying Yang Yingying to auditions. Upon seeing this, many people immediately caught the scent of gossip.
Why would an assistant snatch a top star's role? Yang Yingying not only had numerous fans domestically but also many overseas. At this moment, her fan group had erupted into chaos.
"Let's go bomb Li Xinyan's Weibo!"
"Sly bitch Li Xinyan, I knew she had ulterior motives following Yingying."
"Heh, if she dares to steal Yingying's role, she should know the consequences!"
"I can't believe I used to think she was Yingying's most capable assistant and praised her online. I never thought she was like this."
"Let's start the attack!"
As the situation brewed, Yang Yingying's fans were already preparing to attack Li Xinyan's Weibo and super topic. Yang Yingying herself, the star involved, smirked coldly as she looked at the angry fans in her fan group.
"Did you think my role was that easy to snatch?"
However, just as Yang Yingying's fans began to organize, director Gu Qianqian's Weibo posted another bombshell:
"Jiangnan's latest film, 'A Chinese Ghost Story,' has completed its casting. Filming will commence within a week. Please pay close attention to further updates! Thank you for your support!"
This announcement sent the entire film and television industry into a frenzy! It was too fast! From the announcement to casting completion, it took less than a week. Was this the efficiency of Jiangnan's team?
And when they saw the concept photos of the leads, everyone was stunned!
Ning Caichen: Actor Zhang Yang.
Nie Xiaoqian: Actress Li Xinyan.
The male lead, Ning Caichen, was depicted carrying a satchel, embodying the image of a poor scholar. Nie Xiaoqian was in a flowing white dress, her long hair cascading, her eyes conveying emotion with a hint of melancholy. Zhang Yang might be unfamiliar to those in the film and television industry, but everyone in the music scene knew him. His song "Guest" launched him at his ex-girlfriend's wedding, and then "Gentleman" solidified his image as a devoted, self-deprecating lover. However, his sudden foray into filmmaking, and immediately as the lead, was unexpected.
What was even more outrageous was the female lead. Wasn't this Li Xinyan, who had just been announced as Zi Xuan in Paladin? This meant she had landed two roles back-to-back: one supporting role, and one lead? A wave of envy immediately flooded the comment sections.
"Judging by the title, is Jiangnan's new movie a horror film?"
"Zhang Yang? Is that the sycophantic singer Zhang Yang?"
"I didn't expect his ancient costume look to be quite good; he has that scholarly aura in his eyes."
"Holy crap, who exactly is this Li Xinyan? How does she have such amazing resources?"
"I'm so jealous. I've been acting for seven or eight years, and I'm still playing maids, yet she debuts as a lead..."
"Li Xinyan is definitely not an ordinary student. She absolutely has connections; even top-tier actors don't get this kind of exposure!"
Initially, the fact that Jiangnan's new film was a horror movie and that singer Zhang Yang was the male lead were enough to shock people. But in the face of the topic of Li Xinyan starring in two productions simultaneously, these were insignificant. It wasn't just the netizens; even Yang Yingying was dumbfounded. She had never imagined that Li Xinyan would not only play Zi Xuan but also the female lead in Jiangnan's new film. She gritted her teeth.
Just then, her phone rang. It was Liu Cheng from Tencent Video. Tencent Video was the production company for her regular variety show, and Liu Cheng, as the project director, was her direct superior. Yang Yingying's capital backing was not domestic but from South Korea, and they had a partnership with Tencent Video, so Liu Cheng usually took good care of her.
"Mr. Liu, is there something?" she answered the call. She assumed the call was about the next season of the variety show. Even though she didn't get the Paladin role, as long as she had the variety show, her popularity would remain high. Playing the victim online would only boost her popularity further.
"You went for an audition at Xinghui?" Liu Cheng's tone was somewhat solemn.
"Yes, but I wasn't successful." The news had already spread, so Yang Yingying didn't hide it.
Liu Cheng continued, "Did you offend Jiangnan?"
"No... no, I didn't meet Teacher Jiangnan," Yang Yingying replied, slightly taken aback.
The voice on the other end seemed to sigh in relief. "It's good you didn't meet him. I thought you'd offended Jiangnan. I'm calling to ask you to control your fans and tell them to calm down."
Yang Yingying frowned, "Why?"
Liu Cheng sneered, "Because if your fans cause trouble, it will displease Jiangnan. If he's displeased, the consequences could be severe, potentially affecting our future collaborations."
Due to the immense popularity of Paladin I, Tencent Pictures' daily active users had surged, and the number of member subscriptions had increased dramatically. Tencent Pictures recognized Jiangnan's potential and had already begun treating him as the "Tingyu" of the film and television industry, trying to appease him in various ways. Liu Cheng's emphasis on Jiangnan had reached an unprecedented level; he had already secured the online exclusive broadcasting rights for Jiangnan's films "Fearless" and "Pegasus." To put it plainly, Tencent Pictures was determined to cling to Jiangnan. As long as the relationship was maintained well, Paladin III might very well be broadcast on Tencent Pictures, along with the rights to his new film. For these reasons, Liu Cheng could not stand by and watch Yang Yingying damage the reputation of Jiangnan's two projects.
Yang Yingying's brow furrowed, and she finally gritted her teeth, "So, I just have to endure this?"
Liu Cheng smiled and said, "That's right. When you're involved with Jiangnan, you can only endure."