In 2002, "Infernal Affairs", a Hong Kong-style two-hero gangster film that brought together the four best actors Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Eric Tsang and Anthony Wong, was released and immediately caused a sensation throughout Asia. The success of "Infernal Affairs" is not only due to box office and word-of-mouth, but also a shot in the arm for the declining Hong Kong movies. Therefore, later generations gave "Infernal Affairs" countless fans, claiming that it was a Hong Kong movie that saved the market. It was also this movie that made two people famous, Mak Siu-fai and Chong Man-keung. Now listening to Mak Siu Fai telling a story that seems to be different from "Infernal Affairs", Wan Xiaohu has only one idea: to win "Infernal Affairs" before it has taken shape. "Director Wan, this is such a story." After Mai Zhaohui finished speaking, he looked at Wan Xiaohu with a little expectation, wanting to get Wan Xiaohu's approval. He has visited many film companies in the past few days, but has been rejected by them all, and his confidence is very low. Wan Xiaohu nodded, thought for a while, and said: "Director Mai, to be honest, this is a good story. The theme of two heroes is not a new one in Hong Kong or around the world. A few years ago, Yusen Wu's " "Face Changing" is a classic example. However, this undercover film of exchanging identities is very innovative. I think it is very exciting. " "Does Director Wan really think so? " "Yes. I am a director and I can tell whether a movie is good or bad. How about that, Director Mak is still worried about the investment in this movie?¡± Mak Zhaohui sighed: ¡°Yes, it took me a long time to write this script. We made a budget, but if we didn¡¯t have 8 million Hong Kong dollars, the film would be a bad movie. I went to many film companies, and they were not even willing to pay 5 million. Zhuang Wenqiang and I changed it again and again, but we couldn¡¯t convince others. ¡± Don¡¯t believe it, I believe it! After a few words of foreshadowing, Wan Xiaohu finally spoke up: "Director Mai, I don't know what others think of this script. I really like it myself. I'm willing to pay for it and invest in the filming. Director Mai Can you give me a price?" "You want to buy it?" Mai Zhaohui glared. "Yes." Wan Xiaohu said with a smile, "This script is very interesting, and without a production fee of more than 20 million, it will be a bad movie. You must hire stars and craft it carefully to break through. You also know , I am a new director, and I would like to use a well-made movie to hone my directing skills, so I really hope to buy it and make it." Mak Siu-fai opened his mouth: "20 million. "Production fee?" "Haha, as long as you dare to buy it for me, I dare to invest in such a large amount of money." "I think I need to do it together with Zhuang Wenqiang." "Okay, let's make an appointment for a cup of coffee together. "How about it?" "Okay, I'll go back and tell Zhuang Wenqiang. Oh, by the way, this is my number." Mai Zhaohui handed over a business card, which was a small piece of paper with his name and phone number printed on it. "I just came to Hong Kong and I don't have a phone yet. Let me ask Secretary Zhao. Mr. Lin arranged the hotel and everything, depending on where I live." Wan Xiaohu said, went to Secretary Zhao and asked where he was staying. hotel, and told Mai Zhaohui, "Director Mai, I will call you tomorrow. Of course, if you want to come over early, I should be back to the hotel after 10 pm." "When I contact Zhuang Wenqiang, I will contact you as soon as possible. Contact Director Wan." After seeing off Mai Zhaohui, Wan Xiaohu asked about the time and found that it was already 5:30 pm. Secretary Zhao's original plan to visit Kowloon City was completely ruined. "Director Wan, why did you and Director Mai have so much fun talking about it? Is it his script? I've heard about it, but it doesn't seem to be very good. Mr. Lin has rejected Director Mai twice before. He feels that the movie It won't do well at the box office if it's filmed." Secretary Zhao said with a hint, probably because he thought Wan Xiaohu was Lin Xiaoming's guest. Wan Xiaohu laughed: "When making a movie, you can't always think about the box office. Some good movies lose money, but as long as it is a good movie, it is worth shooting." What's more, "Infernal Affairs" does not lose money and can make money. Because of time constraints, I didn¡¯t have much time to visit Hong Kong, so I rushed back to Lin Xiaoming¡¯s home. As Huayi Brothers' partner in mainland China, Lin Xiaoming attaches great importance to Huayi Brothers. Wan Xiaohu and Wang Zhonglei are basically either invited to dinner in big hotels or at Lin Xiaoming's home. After eating and chatting about tomorrow¡¯s screening, Wan Xiaohu returned to the hotel where he was staying. Wang Zhonglei was going to the bar to meet some friends. He originally wanted to bring Wan Xiaohu with him, but Wan Xiaohu was not interested. He was still thinking about "Infernal Affairs". As expected, when I arrived at the door of the room, I saw two people standing at the door chatting. One of them, a middle-aged man with short hair, was Mai Zhaohui. "Director Mai?" Wan Xiaohu has?Speechless, it¡¯s only after eight o¡¯clock. Mai Zhaohui smiled a little awkwardly: "I couldn't wait to talk to Wen Qiang about this, and it made me laugh. This is Zhuang Wenqiang, Wen Qiang, and this is director Wan Xiaohu." "Hello, Director Wan." Zhuang Wenqiang is better than Mai. Zhaohui is a few years younger, he said politely. "Hello, screenwriter Zhuang. Let's go in and chat." When the topic started to be discussed, Wan Xiaohu felt confident. Mak Siu-fai began to conceive the script "Infernal Affairs" in 1994. He officially started writing it last year and then tried to attract investment, but it always failed and he did not get a penny. He and Zhuang Wenqiang discussed how to write this script. Because both of them are members of Chen Musheng's director studio and are good friends. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? I am working on this story every day. It was finally determined to be a two-hero plus undercover theme, but it has not yet been officially written into a script, and we haven¡¯t even thought of a name yet. Originally, Mak Siu-fai wanted to direct the movie himself, but he has been unable to get investment. In addition, he has made three previous movies, which have failed both in terms of reputation and box office. His confidence and willingness to direct are not that strong anymore. With a little guidance from Wan Xiaohu, Mak Siu-fai gave up on the idea of ??directing. "Director Wan, since you are so courageous and have directed movies more successfully than me, I will sell this script to Director Wan. I hope Director Wan can spend a lot of money to film it and make it a classic as you said. movie, rather than a bad movie," said Mak Siu-fai. Wan Xiaohu nodded: "Don't worry, I value this script more than you do. And you have nothing to worry about. Even if I buy the script, you are still the screenwriter. If Director Mai doesn't dislike it, How about I invite you to be the executive director of this film and work with me?" "Okay." Mak Siu-fai didn't hesitate at all. "Let's do this. Let's draw up a contract and write down all the provisions of this discussion. As for you, write the script as soon as possible. If nothing happens, I will have time in the second half of next year to film this script. Oh, by the way, we haven't decided on the name of the movie yet. What movie title do you two think is more catchy? " Mak Siu-fai and Zhuang Wenqiang have thought about a few before, such as "Two Heroes Fighting Blood" and "Good and Evil". What a "masked hero", but they themselves felt that this kind of name was inferior. Finally, Wan Xiaohu smiled: "I think it would be better to call it "Infernal Affairs". There are eight hells in the Buddhist scriptures. The most painful hell among them is called the Infernal Affairs Hell. The punishment and suffering are never-ending. Two undercover agents, One is a policeman and the other is a gangster, both wearing masks and enduring the torment of their identities, whether they are alive or dead, what do you think? The name has a profound meaning and fits the theme of the story very well. I think it will be called "Infernal Affairs". "In this way, "Infernal Affairs" is officially confirmed. The script was purchased by Wan Xiaohu, and the price was not expensive, because neither Mak Siu-fai nor Zhuang Wenqiang believed that the investment of 20 million Hong Kong dollars could be earned back. It can even be said that this is a movie that is likely to lose money. This is also the reason why they cannot attract investment. The two don't ask for how much the script sells, but they hope it can be filmed, that's all. After everything was settled and a time for signing the contract was agreed upon, the two left. Leave Wan Xiaohu to think quietly. "Infernal Affairs" is a classic movie and internationally famous, but it is not easy to film well. How to invite the many stars of the original version, how to pass the mainland review and introduction, and how to prepare if it is regarded as a co-production between the mainland and Hong Kong? These are all problems. Making a movie is not just something you want to make. Once it is made, how do you make money and distribute it? This story is full of Hong Kong flavor and must be filmed in Hong Kong. Since it is a co-production, we must find a partner. Universal Films is good and may be a springboard for Dandelion to enter Hong Kong in the future. To introduce "Infernal Affairs" to the mainland, China Film Group cannot escape, and Huayi Brothers also needs help. "Forget it, don't think about it. The script for "Infernal Affairs" hasn't even been written yet, so why are you thinking so much about it? By the time I'm ready to film it, I guess "The Butterfly Effect" has already made a name for itself, and "My Sassy Girl" has also made a storm. When the time comes, if you want to make a movie, who will support me?" Thinking like this, Wan Xiaohu felt much more relaxed. The copyright has been taken over, but he still has no say in when and how to shoot. After taking a bath in a comfortable mood, Wan Xiaohu held the phone in the hotel and prepared to call his relatives and friends in the mainland to chat. We stayed in a four-star hotel, of course, and had global phone calls. I talked to my parents and sister, and then called my brother¡¯s dormitory.?, I chatted with my brother about life. Then I hung up the phone with Li Xia, and Chen Chong also called, but this guy was probably not in the dormitory, having gone out to hang out with Xu Ying, and no one answered. After thinking about it, Wan Xiaohu called Su Ya again. The phone was connected and Su Ya was heard talking. ¡°Leihou (hello).¡± Wan Xiaohu said in broken Cantonese. "Ah? Who are you?" "Guess I'm just someone (guess who I am)." "What are you talking about, I don't understand. If you don't speak human words, I will die." Wan Xiaohu said angrily: " "Hey, Su Ya, it's me." "Oh, I knew it was you. I can hear your voice from thousands of miles away. You still want to tease me," Su Ya hummed on the phone. , with a proud tone, "How about it, have you been dazzled by the colorful world of Hong Kong?" "You underestimate my firm belief I am not going to return to the mainland" "Pfft ¡¡±