In 2002, a Hong Kong-style two-strong police and gangster film, "Infernal Affairs", which brought together the four best actors of Liu Dehua, Liang Chaowei, Zeng Zhiwei and Anthony Wong, was released, which immediately caused a sensation in Asia. The success of "Infernal Affairs" not only lies in box office and reputation, but also injected a needle into the declining Hong Kong film.

Therefore, later generations have sought after countless "Infernal Affairs", claiming that this is a Hong Kong film that saved the market.

It was this movie that made the two famous in one battle, Mai Zhaohui and Zhuang Wenqiang.

Now listening to Mai Zhaohui's story and the plausible story of "Infernal Affairs", Wan Xiaohu only had one idea to take it down while "Infernal Affairs" has not yet been formed.

"...Director Wan, this is such a story." After Mai Zhaohui finished speaking, he looked at Wan Xiaohu with a little expectation, hoping to get Wan Xiaohu's affirmation. In recent days, he had visited many film companies, but they were rejected and his confidence was very low.

Wan Xiaohu nodded, pondered for a while, and said, "Director Mai, to be honest, this is a good story. The two heroes are not new in Hong Kong or around the world. A few years ago, Wu Yusen's "Face Change" was a classic representative. However, this kind of undercover film that exchanges identities is a very innovative model, and I think it is very interesting."

"Director Wan really thinks so?"

"Yes, I am a director, and I can tell the quality of the movie. How about it, Director Mai is still worried about the investment in this movie?"

Mai Zhaohui sighed: "Yes, I have written this book for a long time and made a budget. Without 8 million Hong Kong dollars, what I made was a bad movie. I have been to many film companies, and they are not even willing to publish it for 5 million. Zhuang Wenqiang and I have revised it again and again, but we just can't convince others."

If others don’t believe it, I believe it!

After laying a few words, Wan Xiaohu finally opened his words: "Director Mai, I don't know what others think about this script, I really like it very much. I am willing to pay for it and invest in the filming. Can Director Mai offer a price?"

"You want to buy it?" Mai Zhaohui glared.

"Yes." Wan Xiaohu laughed and said, "This script is very interesting, and there is no production fee of more than 20 million yuan. The ones that are made are bad movies. You must ask celebrities to carefully craft them to break through successfully. You also know that I am a new director, and I want to use a well-made movie to hone my directing ability. So, I really hope to buy it and shoot it."

Mai Zhaohui opened his mouth wide: "20 million production fee?"

"Haha, as long as you dare to buy it for me, I will dare to invest in such a big shot."

"I think I need to make a total of it with Zhuang Wenqiang."

"Yes, how about a date, let's have a cup of coffee together?"

"Okay, I'll go back and tell Zhuang Wenqiang now. 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.

"I just came to Hong Kong and didn't have a phone call yet. Let's ask Secretary Zhao. The hotels and other things are arranged by President Lin, and see where I live." Wan Xiaohu said, found Secretary Zhao, asked about the hotel he was staying at, and told Mai Zhaohui, "Director Mai, I will call you tomorrow. Of course, if you want to come here early, I should go back to the hotel after 10 o'clock in the evening."

"When I contact Zhuang Wenqiang, I will definitely contact Director Wan as soon as possible."

After seeing off Mai Zhaohui, Wan Xiaohu asked about the time, and it was already 5:30 pm. The plan to visit Kowloon City originally formulated by Secretary Zhao was completely ruined.

"Director Wan, what are you talking about with Director Mai so happy? Is it his script? I have also heard of it. It doesn't seem very good. Mr. Lin has rejected Director Mai twice before, and he thinks that the movie will not have a good box office after it is made." Maybe he thought that Wan Xiaohu was Lin Xiaoming's guest, Secretary Zhao said with some reminder.

Wan Xiaohu laughed: "When you make a movie, you can't always think about box office. It's not just that good movies lose money, but as long as they are good movies, it's worth shooting." What's more, "Infernal Affairs" can make money without losing money.

Due to time constraints, he did not visit Hong Kong much and rushed back to Lin Xiaoming's home. As a partner of Universal Film in the mainland, Lin Xiaoming attached great importance to it. Wan Xiaohu and Wang Zhonglei basically either invited to dinner at big hotels or at Lin Xiaoming's home.

After having dinner and chatting about the screening tomorrow, Wan Xiaohu returned to the hotel where he was staying. Wang Zhonglei was going to the bar to gather with a few friends. He originally wanted to pull Wan Xiaohu together, but Wan Xiaohu was not interested. He was still thinking about the "Infernal Affairs" in his heart.

Sure enough, as soon as I arrived at the door of the room, I saw two people standing at the door chatting. One of them was middle-aged in short hair, which was Mai Zhaohui.

"Mai Director?" Wan Xiaohu was a little speechless. It was only past eight o'clock now.

Mai Zhaohui smiled a little embarrassedly: "Wen Qiang and I can't wait to talk about this, and we laughed. This is Zhuang Wenqiang, Wen Qiang, and this is director Wan Xiaohu."

"Hello, Director Wan." Zhuang Wenqiang was a few years younger than Mai Zhaohui, and said politely.

"Hello, Screenwriter Zhuang. Let's go in and chat."

When the topic started, Wan Xiaohu had a clear idea.

The script of "Infernal Affairs" was conceived by Mai Zhaohui in 1994. He started to write it formally last year and then went to invest, but he had always failed and didn't get a penny. He discussed with Zhuang Wenqiang how to write the script. Because both of them were members of the director Chen Musheng studio and were good friends.

I'm summing up this story every day.

Finally, it was determined to be the theme of the two heroes and undercover, but it has not been officially written yet, and I have not even thought of the name.

Originally, Mai Zhaohui wanted to direct the movie himself, but he couldn't get any investment. In addition, he had filmed three movies before, and his reputation and box office were both disappointing, so the director's confidence and willingness were not so strong. With a little guidance from Wan Xiaohu, Mai Zhaohui abandoned the idea of ​​directing himself.

"Director Wan, since you are so courageous and are more successful in directing the movie than me, I will sell this script to Director Wan. I hope Director Wan can spend a lot of investment to shoot it as you said, making it into a classic movie, rather than a bad movie," said Mai Zhaohui.

Wan Xiaohu nodded: "Don't worry, I attach more importance to this script than you. And you have nothing to worry about. Even if I bought the script, you are still screenwriters. If Director Mai doesn't dislike you, I invite you to be the executive director of this movie and work with me. How about it?"

"Okay." Mai Zhaohui did not hesitate at all.

"Let's do this, we'll draw up a contract and write all the rules for this discussion. And you guys, create the script as soon as possible. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll have time to release the schedule in the second half of next year to shoot this script. Oh, by the way, we haven't decided the name of the movie yet. What movie name do you think is better?"

Mai Zhaohui and Zhuang Wenqiang have also thought about a few before, such as "two heroes in blood", "good and evil", and "mask heroes", but they themselves think that this kind of name is inferior.

Finally, Wan Xiaohu smiled: "I think it would be better if it was called "Infernal Affairs". There are eight major hells in the Buddhist scriptures. The most painful hell is called the Infernal Affairs Hell. The punishment and suffering will never stop. Two undercover agents, one is a policeman and the other is a gangster. They both bear the torture of identity with masks, and they suffer endless torture whether they are life or death. Infernal Affairs, what do you think?"

Mai Zhaohui and Zhuang Wenqiang's eyes lit up at the same time: "Gao, this name has a profound meaning and is very consistent with the theme of the story. I think it is called "Infernal Affairs"."

In this way, "Infernal Affairs" was officially confirmed.

The script was purchased by Wan Xiaohu and the price was not expensive, because Mai Zhaohui and Zhuang Wenqiang neither believed that they could earn back when investing 20 million Hong Kong dollars. It can even be said that this is a movie that is very likely to lose money. This is also the reason why they cannot invest. The two did not ask for the script to be sold, but hoped to be shot, and that's all.

Everything was negotiated and the contract was signed, and the two left.

Leave Wan Xiaohu to think quietly.

"Infernal Affairs" is a classic movie, famous internationally, but it is not easy to shoot well. How to invite many stars in the original version, how to pass the review and introduction of the mainland, and how to prepare for it if it is considered a co-production between the mainland and Hong Kong? These are all questions. You can't just shoot a movie that you can shoot just by wanting it. If it is shot, how can you make money and how to publish it?

This story is full of Hong Kong flavor and must be filmed in Hong Kong.

Since we have been filming together, we must find partners. Universal Movies are good and may become a springboard for Dandelion to enter Hong Kong in the future. To introduce "Infernal Affairs" into the mainland, China Film Group cannot jump, and Huayi Brothers must also leverage their strength.

"Forget it, don't think about it anymore. "Infernal Affairs" has not even written the script. Why do you want so much? When I am about to film it, I guess "Butterfly Effect" has become famous, and "My Savage Girlfriend" has also caused a storm. At that time, if you want to make a movie, who will not hold me?"

Thinking of this, Wan Xiaohu felt much more relaxed.

All the copyrights have been brought in. He still has to decide when and how to shoot them.

After taking a shower with a comfortable mood, Wan Xiaohu held the phone number in the hotel and prepared to call relatives and friends in the mainland to chat. He stayed in a four-star hotel, and naturally, the phone number was global.

I talked to my parents and my sister, then called my brother's dormitory and talked to my brother about life. Then I hung up the phone for Li Xia, and Chen Chong also called me, but this kid probably wasn't in the dormitory and went out with Xu Ying to mess around, and no one answered.

After thinking about it, Wan Xiaohu called Su Ya again.

The phone was answered and Su Yahei was heard talking.

"Lei Roar (hello)." Wan Xiaohu said in broken Cantonese.

"Ah? Who are you?"

"I guess I'll tie the other side (guess who I am)."

"What are you saying? I can't understand. If I don't speak human words, I'll die."

Wan Xiaohu was angry: "Hey, Su Ya, it's me."

"Tsk, I'd known it was you, I could hear your voice from a thousand miles away. I still want to tease me, there's no way." Su Ya hummed on the phone, with a proud tone, "How about it, Hong Kong's flower world, has you blurted your eyes?"

"You underestimate my firm belief too much...I'm not going to return to the mainland..."

"Puff..."
Chapter completed!