blueteamnovel Chapter 180 Interstellar Travel [5000 words] Requesting monthly votes
Chapter 180 Interstellar Travel [5000 words] Requesting monthly votes
Chapter 180 Interstellar Travel [5000 words] Requesting monthly votes
"I'm very interested!"
Without any hesitation, Chen Xun tried to keep his voice steady: "Could I take a look at the script?"
"certainly!"
Spielberg nodded: "But there's something I need to make clear. This project isn't completely finalized yet. I'm waiting for Warner Bros.' green light. The budget is estimated to be over $160 million. It will require practical shooting and a lot of special effects."
"If the project goes ahead, filming will be tough, so you need to be well prepared."
"No problem, I'm not afraid of hardship!"
Chen Xun's tone was certain.
Spielberg laughed: "I've seen the news about you in Rio. Someone who's even experienced gunfights in the favelas shouldn't have any problem enduring hardship!"
After the dinner, Spielberg's assistant handed Chen Xun an encrypted USB drive.
"The first draft of the script is inside. After you've read it, send Steven an email back."
Back in his Beverly Hills apartment, Chen Xun couldn't wait to turn on his computer.
The USB drive contained only one PDF file titled "Interstellar: Script Third Draft (Confidential)".
He made himself a cup of coffee.
Open the file.
The script was very different from the movies he had seen in his previous life.
Murphy is a boy, not a girl.
Cooper discovered NASA through a crashed aircraft probe, not through the ghostly code in the study.
The story leans more towards hard science fiction, with more Chinese elements!
The script even includes an abandoned Chinese outpost and a Chinese flag.
The core of the story remains unchanged.
A father travels through a wormhole to save humanity, but his time is out of sync with his children's; love is a power that transcends dimensions.
Chen Xun finished reading it in one go, and it was almost dawn.
He leaned back in his chair, his mind filled with images.
A dust storm in a cornfield, the accretion disk of the black hole Gargantua, a bookshelf in five-dimensional space, and the quote, "Do not go gentle into that good night."
The script will be revised.
Jonathan Nolan's version and the final Christopher Nolan version will be very different.
If he agrees now, he can participate in the creative process and perhaps influence the final character development.
This is a movie directed by Steven Spielberg.
Even if they change directors later, it will be Nolan. As long as they don't replace him, they won't lose out no matter what.
Spielberg's filmography is practically half of modern Hollywood history:
Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindler's List —
Getting on his ship means officially entering the highest echelons of Hollywood.
Chen Xun opened his email and began writing a reply.
He wrote very carefully, expressing his enthusiasm for the project and raising several specific questions about the role.
After sending the email, he glanced at the time: 5 a.m.
I'm wide awake.
Chen Xun took a shower, changed into some loose clothes, and sat down on a recliner in the yard.
The black Dodge Warrior was parked in the driveway, its surface gleaming coldly in the morning light.
He pulled over a deck chair in the yard, sat down, and let out a sigh of relief.
The past year has been like a rollercoaster ride, my mind is constantly racing.
Now there was finally a moment of quiet, and he could even hear birds chirping in the distance.
Chen Xun closed his eyes, wanting to doze off for a while.
Scenes from the script of *Interstellar* flashed through my mind: cornfields, sandstorms, wormholes, black holes —
He still has many shortcomings if he takes on this role.
The script says Cooper really needs to know how to drive a tractor and grow corn.
Moreover, playing a father at his current age is quite a challenge.
Is this role difficult?
difficult!
But Chen Xun wanted to give it a try.
Chen Xun drifted off to sleep in a daze.
"Click!"
A soft sound came from the doorway.
Chen Xun opened his eyes.
The footsteps were very light, slowly approaching from the side door.
Chen Xun did not turn around.
Then, a pair of hands covered his eyes from behind.
Her hands were soft and carried a familiar perfume scent.
It's Christine.
Chen Xun's body went limp, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Guess who I am?"
Christine stood behind Chen Xun, deliberately lowering her voice, but the familiar tone of her voice was impossible to hide.
"Let me think about it—"
Chen Xun deliberately delayed.
"Is it one of your girlfriends who secretly finished work early and ran back home?"
"Haha, you guessed right!"
Release your grip.
Christine walked around the deck chair and stood in front of him.
She was wearing simple jeans and a white T-shirt, with a black leather jacket over them. Her hair was casually tied in a ponytail, and she wasn't wearing makeup. She looked a little tired, but her eyes were bright.
"Surprised?" she asked, tilting her head.
Chen Xun stood up and opened his arms.
Christine threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly.
"When did you get back?"
Chen Xun smelled the perfume on her body.
"Last night's flight."
Christine buried her face in his shoulder: "I was going to tell you, but you've been so busy lately, so I thought I'd surprise you!"
Chen Xun released her and looked at her face carefully: "You've lost weight."
"It's for filming, the role requires it."
Christine shrugged. "Nice car. Vin Diesel's a real shill!"
She pointed to the warhorse on the driveway.
"The news travels fast."
"There are no secrets in Hollywood."
Christine pulled up another chair and sat down: "Especially about you, you're the center of attention now, and everyone's watching your every move."
Chen Xun poured her a glass of water.
The two sat side by side, watching the sky gradually brighten.
"How's filming the new movie going?"
"good."
Christine took a sip of water: "It's an independent film about an autistic painter. The director is a newcomer, but very creative. The only problem is the filming location is too remote; it's in a small town in Montana, and there isn't even a decent coffee shop."
"That sounds like self-torture!"
"You're working really hard too!"
Christine smiled.
The morning breeze was gentle, rustling the leaves of the trees in the yard.
The two rarely had such a leisurely time.
The two days I spent "recharging" at home with Christine flew by.
On Wednesday morning, Chen Xun stood at the entrance of Beverly Hills, carrying a carry-on suitcase.
Christine was wearing his oversized T-shirt, barefoot on the floor, his hair was messy, but his eyes were bright.
How many days will you stay in London?
Her voice was still hoarse from just waking up.
"Three days: premiere, media day, and a fan meeting."
Chen Xun glanced at his phone; Robert's car would arrive in five minutes.
Christine came over and straightened his collar: "It must be quite cold over there now, bring an extra jacket."
"And British journalists are very bold in asking questions, so you need to be prepared in advance."
"I know!"
Chen Xun laughed: "They even dare to ask the royal family questions, let alone a small actor like me."
"You're not a little actress anymore!"
Christine tiptoed and kissed him.
The car horn sounded once from outside.
Rob was clearly getting a little impatient.
Chen Xun picked up the box: "I'm leaving, you—"
"I'm going back to the set tomorrow to film a few more scenes, and then I'll go to New York for a while."
Christine waved her hand: "Awards season is about to start, I need to prepare in advance, see you then."
See you then!
On his flight to London, Chen Xun ran into Paul and Tyrese. The two were sitting in the back of first class, watching the same movie with headphones on.
The Fast and the Furious 1.
"A nostalgic trip?"
Chen Xun sat down next to them.
"Review your lessons."
Paul took off his headphones: "Tyrese said he forgot how annoying Roman Pearce was in the first movie, I'll prove him wrong."
Tyrese protested in another instance: "That's called having character! Besides, I was only in my early twenties back then. Even if you asked me to act now, I couldn't portray that naive and impulsive feeling."
The flight attendant brought over drinks.
Paul ordered beer, Tyrese ordered whiskey, and Chen Xun only ordered water.
"Give up alcohol?" Tyrese raised an eyebrow.
"I haven't been feeling well lately!"
Chen Xun made up an excuse.
After a 10-hour flight, the plane landed at Heathrow Airport.
The sky over London was overcast, and a light rain was falling.
The production team arranged for a special reception to greet them at the airport, but the exit was still crowded with reporters and fans.
"Mr. Chen Xun! Look this way!"
"Paul! Can you sign a promissory note?"
"Gale! I love you!"
The flashbulbs went off everywhere.
Chen Xun put on his riding glasses and followed the group out.
Rob was waiting for him by the car, holding a schedule in his hand.
Welcome to London.
Rob handed him an umbrella: "The bad news is that it might rain for three days straight this year, but the good news is that all the indoor activities are scheduled."
Where is the premiere?
"The O'Point Cinema in Leicester Square, the usual spot."
Robert opened the car door: "But there's a small media briefing tonight, in the hotel conference room."
Chen Xun got into the car and looked out at the London cityscape.
Gray skies, red buses, old buildings, and modern glass curtain walls blend together.
Unlike Los Angeles High School.
"Oh, right!" Rob turned around from the front seat: "Universal just sent a message saying they're working with BBC's 'Top Stories'..."
"Gear collaborated on a special called 'Real Driving Skills in Fast & Furious 5,' and Paul Walker mentioned you participated, saying you're a great driver."
This guy!
They even dragged themselves into it.
Chen Xun found Paul increasingly interesting.
You might say he's naive, but Hollywood actors aren't exactly naive, but when it comes to racing, Paul's love for it is truly pure.
When will it be filmed?
"Tomorrow afternoon, the location is a closed test site near Dujin, the show's designated venue."
The next afternoon, at the Dugin test site.
The recording of "Top Gear" was more professional than Chen Xun had imagined.
Three test tracks, various obstacle courses, and a whole photography team.
The presenters are Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James, the three giants of British car television programming.
"So you're the Chinese actor who shot and saved people in Rio?"
-
Clarkson's opening line was laced with typical British provocation: "You drive well in the movies, but can you do it in real life?"
"You'll know once you try!"
Chen Xun took the key to the village.
This Dodge Challenger was clearly modified by the Top Gear team. It looks similar to Chen Xun's own, but once you sit inside, it feels different.
The racing car seat held him firmly in place, and the various instrument panels on the console were twice as many as the original.
"Let's start with some appetizers!"
Richard pointed to the first straight road: "Emergency lane change. See those cones ahead? Turn left when you hear the beep, then immediately turn right back to straight. Standard moose test."
Chen Xun fastened An Yan's belt and adjusted the rearview mirror.
James stood on the sidelines with a tablet, ready to record data.
Jeremy stood there with his arms crossed, watching the fall.
The engine growled.
Chen Xun stepped on the gas, and the car shot forward.
The speedometer needle rises rapidly: 10, 20, 25 —
Just as we were about to reach the designated point, a piercing buzzing sound rang out.
Without much thought, Chen Xun instinctively activated his skill.
His hands and feet reacted almost automatically: his left hand quickly turned the steering wheel to the left, and the force was so precise that the front of the car just avoided the first row of cones.
Almost simultaneously, lightly tap the brake with your right foot to shift your weight, and then, before the car tilts to its maximum angle, swiftly straighten the steering wheel with your right hand.
The entire movement was executed in one smooth motion, the car body drawing a sharp "V" shape, the tires emitting a short, sharp screech on the ground, but without losing grip.
"So beautiful!"
Hammond shouted into the microphone, "Look at this setup! Almost no extra sway! Most professional drivers would correct you when you're straightening out, but he didn't!"
James Ren stared at the data on the tablet: "Peak lateral G-force 1.2, maximum steering wheel angle 142."
"Your data is even better than the Porsche 911 we tested last month."
Clarkson didn't say anything, but his eyebrows were raised high.
The second project is drift overlift.
This time the road surface was wet and slippery.
It just rained in London, so there's no need for artificial watering anymore.
You need to be careful with this.
Paul arrived at the scene at some point and shouted through the guardrail, "Floating on wet ground, the accelerator is very delicate, just a little pressure and the car will spin in circles."
Chen Xun nodded.
Paul makes a lot of sense.
He drove onto the slippery area, deliberately increased his speed a little before entering the curve, and then sharply turned the steering wheel while lightly applying the brakes, letting the rear of the car swing out first.
Just as the car was about to lose control, he reversed the steering wheel, quickly switching between the accelerator and brake with his right foot, using minimal throttle to control the skid angle.
The Dodge Challenger glided sideways, drawing a perfect arc as it navigated around the three cones before smoothly returning to center.
The water droplets from the tire friction formed a small rainbow in the sunlight.
"Fuck!"
Hammond muttered to himself, "This can be learned in just a few months?"
James pushed up his glasses: "Watch his right foot!"
"Did you see that? He was actually making subtle adjustments all along. Each adjustment only resulted in a slight change in throttle speed. This kind of precise control is a natural talent, and it's the result of over a decade of practice."
The most dangerous part is coming.
Two identical Dodge Challengers were parked side by side at the starting line.
Chen Xun drove one car, and Paul drove the other.
The two vehicles were about 1.5 meters apart, and safety measures were in place along the entire middle of the road.
Although you won't die from the fall, the risk of fractures is considerable.
"Speed up to thirty miles per hour."
The stunt coordinator, holding a walkie-talkie, explained: "We can't go any faster. Anming is the priority. Chen, you jump from Paul's car to your car, and then jump back. Make sure the movements are clean and don't hesitate."
Paul rolled down the car window and grinned at Chen Xun: "Scared?"
"A little," Chen Xun said honestly.
This is fucking dangerous to film!
Capitalists in the trenches!
"That's right, I'm scared too! It would be abnormal if I weren't!"
Paul smiled, his face beaming with excitement: "Remember, when you jump, don't look down. Keep your eyes on the roof of the target car, shift your weight forward, and bend your knees to cushion the impact when you land."
The two cars slowly started moving and kept parallel.
You can slowly lift it up.
"Now!"
"The stunt coordinator shouted."
Chen Xun took a deep breath, pushed open the car door, and placed one foot on the door frame.
The wind was strong, making his clothes flutter loudly.
He looked at the roof of the car next to him.
Paul has already opened the window.
Jump!
Chen Xun pushed off with his feet, his body leaping into the air, where he had a brief period of airtime.
He instinctively turned around.
The moment his feet touched the roof of the target car, he immediately bent his knees and squatted down, using his hands to brace himself against the roof and disperse the impact.
The whole set of movements was so smooth, it looked like he had practiced it hundreds of times.
"Success on the first try!"
Hammond was so excited he almost threw the microphone away: "And he turned around! Did you guys see that? He turned around in mid-air! What the hell is that coordination?!"
James had already drawn the force distribution on the tablet: "Based on the initial velocity and jump distance calculations, his takeoff angle error cannot exceed three degrees, otherwise he won't be able to jump and will overshoot and fall. Moreover, turning in the air requires extremely strong core control —"
Paul stopped the car, and Chen Xun jumped off the roof, landing very lightly.
"How is it?"
"good!"
Paul got out of the car and patted him on the shoulder: "That turn around was a bit unnecessary, but it was cool enough, the audience loved it."
After filming ended, the three hosts surrounded Chen Xun, asking him all sorts of questions.
Hammond was the most excited: "How did you train? I've been practicing for twenty days, and I still often spin around when I drift."
"Practice makes perfect!"
Chen Xun shrugged.
The group burst into laughter.
"Tell me about that pose in Rio."
Clarkson cut to the chase: "Rumors say you've displayed professional-level tactical awareness. Have you received prior training in this area?"
Chen Xun gave a standard answer: "I learned the basics for filming. As for Rio, that was a survival instinct, not the result of training."
"Could the survival instinct enable a person to make such precise tactical maneuvers?"
Hammond asked.
"When the bullet whizzes past your ear,"
Chen Xun looked at the camera: "Your body will make some poses that you never thought you would."
These words sounded sincere, and the three nodded in agreement.
Clarkson changed the subject: "Paul specifically recommended you, saying your driving skills are among the best in the crew!"
"Judging from your performance just now, your driving skills are indeed very good, especially that drift, your cornering was very precise."
James was quite surprised by Chen Xun's performance.
At the end of the interview, Clarkson asked a lighthearted question: "If you could choose a car from a movie to drive home, which one would you choose?"
Chen Xun laughed: "Fan has already given me that Dodge Challenger, so for this question—I'll choose Gale's Ducati motorcycle, even though I don't know how to make a motorcycle."
The three of them burst into laughter.
Recording complete.
On the way back to the hotel, Rob looked at his phone and laughed: "The producers of Top Gear said the footage is great, especially the part where you jump out of the car. They might cut that part into the trailer."
"That's good."
Chen Xun leaned back in his car seat, looking out at the London skyline.
The rain stopped, and the Buddhist path was wet and reflected the light.
My phone vibrated; it was a message from Paul: "Premiere tomorrow, don't be late. Get some rest tonight. I checked the schedule; I'm flying to Shanghai the day after tomorrow for 12 hours."
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