Free Web NovelChapter 313: Chapter 313: A Born Actor
BWAHAHAHA! It wasn’t just the crew. Even Fang Yuanshan, Murong Li, and Fang Yun were bent over laughing at the sight of Hah’Er’s getup.
"Whoa, I was a little worried about this movie’s prospects, but now I see that the audience will go crazy the second Hah’Er steps out like this!" some crew members muttered quietly in the back. Although they knew the star was a panda and would surely be a hit with panda fans, they’d still had their doubts.
After all, the investment in Director Kong’s film had set a new record for Chinese-language movies, surpassing even that Hollywood blockbuster collaboration by Preceptor Zhang. That film had used the beloved Great Wall as its backdrop, and didn’t it still bomb at the box office? This movie’s budget was even higher than *The Great Wall*’s, so it was only natural for them to be worried.
But the moment Hah’Er stood there, most of those worries vanished. Who wouldn’t go crazy laughing at a panda dressed like this? The Phoenix Wing Purple Gold Crown was a perfect fit for a monkey’s small head, but it looked ridiculous on Hah’Er’s massive one, like a tiny pigtail tied to an oversized child’s head. The Golden Armor was stretched so tight the silk cords holding it together looked like they were about to snap. The Lotus Silk Cloud-Stepping Shoes also seemed a size too small. This contrast created a tremendous comedic effect.
This was clearly Director Kong’s intention. A panda’s greatest trait is its cuteness, so this film was never destined to be a conventional superhero movie. Instead, he decided to play to Hah’Er’s strengths and make a superhero comedy, much like *Deadpool*. The difference was that Deadpool used snarky commentary to entertain the audience, while *Panda Hero* would rely on Hah’Er’s appearance and actions for its comedic flair. Besides, it’s not like Hah’Er could deliver any lines, could he?
Furthermore, Xiangjiang had a rich history of superhero comedies. Director Kong himself had shot plenty of such films back in the day, accumulating ample experience. Add to that the precedent set by Hollywood’s three *Kung Fu Panda* movies, and the comedic potential of a panda had already been proven to audiences worldwide. He was simply riding the wave.
"Alright, alright, stop laughing! Let’s get ready for the first take!" It took Director Kong a good while to compose himself, though he was still chuckling. Even though he had designed the costume, he hadn’t expected such a powerful reaction. If he and these veteran actors were breaking character, conquering the audience would be a piece of cake.
"Bin, tell Hah’Er what to do," Director Kong began to block out the scene. "In a moment, he needs to peek his head out from up there, still in this outfit, and look at Fang Yuanshan and Murong Li. He needs to convey a sense of curiosity."
The first scene they were shooting was Fang Yuanshan and Murong Li’s encounter with Hah’Er in the Kunlun Mountains after he had snuck out of the Kunlun Immortal Realm. The premise bore some resemblance to the beginning of *Wonder Woman*. Hah’Er would later follow the pair to a metropolis, setting the rest of the plot in motion.
"Got it!" Shen Yibin replied, suppressing a laugh. He pulled Hah’Er over, pointed to a spot above the rock face, and whispered a few instructions. Hah’Er was to lie flat on the ground above the cliff, peek at Murong Li and Fang Yuanshan, and then, tempted by the food in Fang Yuanshan’s hands, use an Immortal Technique to steal it.
"Director, we’re ready." For veteran actors like Fang Yuanshan and Murong Li, the scene was a walk in the park. Still, they were prepared to do several takes.
As the old saying goes, children and animals are a director’s biggest headache because they are completely unpredictable. In previous films, Fang Yuanshan and Murong Li had worked with animal actors—including horses, dogs, and even monkeys—and it had always been a hassle.
"Is Hah’Er ready?" Director Kong asked, nodding toward Shen Yibin.
"Mhm!" Hah’Er nodded his big head, looking full of confidence.
"Good. Bin, get Hah’Er in position. We’re rolling!" Director Kong ordered, a hint of nervousness in his voice. He had seen how well Hah’Er handled being in front of the camera during the promotional shoot, but this time involved coordinating with other actors. Truth be told, he wasn’t entirely sure how it would go.
Shen Yibin led Hah’Er to the area above the rock face, repeated the instructions one last time, and then moved out of the camera’s view. Director Kong immediately gave the order to start filming.
Dressed as mountaineers, Fang Yuanshan and Murong Li arrived at the base of the rock wall, panting. They leaned against it to rest, tossing their backpacks aside and revealing the energy bars packed inside.
Yes, this was product placement, of course. The manufacturer had paid a hefty price for it; Director Kong had signed a tiered contract with them. If the global box office exceeded one billion RMB, the company would have to pay an advertising fee in the tens of millions. For every hundred million RMB after that, they would have to pay another two million, with no upper limit.
Fang Yuanshan and Murong Li appeared to be lost. While resting, they constantly scanned their surroundings, whispering to each other as if searching for a way out. They failed to notice Hah’Er, however, who was right above their heads.
Hah’Er poked his head out from the bushes above the rock face. As he did, his Phoenix Wing Purple Gold Crown was knocked askew by a branch. This wasn’t part of Director Kong’s plan, but it only added to the scene’s comedic effect.
Hah’Er slowly crawled forward, then cautiously peeked his head out before suddenly jerking it back. He perfectly portrayed the feeling of curiosity mixed with the fear of being discovered.
’Excellent! If he keeps performing like this, what do I have to worry about?’ Director Kong instantly felt a wave of relief. He gestured for the camera to stay on Hah’Er and keep rolling.
"Huh?" Hah’Er seemed to have spotted the energy bar sticking out of Fang Yuanshan’s backpack. He tilted his head, staring at it for a long moment before subconsciously sticking a digit into his slightly agape mouth. It was clear to anyone watching that his appetite had been piqued.
After observing them a few more times and seeing that Fang Yuanshan and Murong Li hadn’t noticed him, Hah’Er stealthily extended his right paw and drew a circle in the air. This was the gesture for casting the spell to steal the energy bar; the special effects would be added in post-production.
"Cut!" The first scene ended there. Director Kong applauded and gave Shen Yibin a thumbs-up. "Hah’Er’s performance was excellent! Let’s move on to the shots for the second scene."
"Hah’Er has an amazing camera presence. It’s almost effortless to film him," the cinematographer chimed in admiringly. "He’s a natural-born actor. He knows exactly how to look his best on camera."
The other crew members chimed in with their own effusive praise. As for Fang Yuanshan and Murong Li, they had been completely forgotten.
