Basics

Looking at Levi's smile, Alexander knew he was still a little worried: Levi always pursued safety in doing things.

People who look at the third step at a time, even if they like another person's work, have to try the water first.

Whether the written things can be used is another matter.

This time is also the same: Levi likes Liu Cixin's works very much, but it doesn't mean he will directly throw in 100 million for it. After all, there are still some differences between Liu's works and the American way of thinking.

For example, Ender's Game, aside from the magic stick and heroism, is also an expansion of Western thinking: happily kill, occupy, and enslave in the universe, wait until everything is settled, and then start to repent — we did something wrong, we should have communicated first.

Can they go back? No way. And if they start resisting the uprising, there could be a new Ender killing every minute! Call him a butcher after the destruction; let's continue to repent...

The way of thinking about interstellar relations also reflects the way of thinking of people from different civilizations and backgrounds. Levi is more worried about whether there will be a conflict of ideas. So, he's not going to start filming right away either — if that's the case, he doesn't need to contact the TV station either.

Therefore, the first step he chose was not a movie but an American drama — Levi's pace has always been very steady.

Compared with movies, TV dramas have lower logic and plot requirements and do not need to be as rigorous as movies. Moreover, the production cost of the TV series is relatively low; even if it is cut off, it doesn't feel bad, and he can afford it for a small amount of money. He has already regarded TV drama production as an experimental field. It's okay to open another piece.

Of course, even if it was an experimental field, he was cautious: he was afraid that if the sci-fi TV drama was thrown on NBC, it would lose the possibility of broadcasting it due to fierce competition, so he contacted the SYFY TV station. They have less competitive pressure and can be more relaxed in showing TV dramas.

Liu Cixin has not written any novels yet, and what he writes may not be suitable for use, so let him experience it again.

"If that's the case, it's okay... It's just that this thing is not suitable for filming TV dramas, right?"

Looking at the novel's length in his hand, Alexander was a little puzzled. Levi also shook his head at this, "This is for you to read, not for filming. What we are going to film is another novel that I asked him to draft."

"Then you already have the novel in your hand now?" Alexander asked.

"It can only be said to be the beginning, and there are some chapters... But what's the big deal? Anyway, TV dramas are not required to shoot a hundred episodes at once. It's okay to let him write while we start shooting here." Levi shrugged.

The novel that Levi hopes to see is still being serialized. But American dramas are good at this point; even if they are serialized, as long as they are suitable, they can be used for filming.

Martin's Kill and Fuck... no, A Song of Ice and Fire. Isn't that how it's done? No one knows when he will finish writing and whether he can finish it — even the original author is worried that he won't be able to finish it, so he entrusts others to write it in his will.

Let's act first, let Liu practice writing novels, and let him familiarize himself with the difference between script and novel creation, which is more suitable for him.

While talking, Levi had already picked up another manuscript from his desk. "This is what we want to shoot. Do you want to see it?"

"What's so good about the beginning?" Alexander shook his head. But the eyes still swept across the cover.

Lightning ball? Is this science fiction or a fantasy novel? Why does it look like a magician's story...

Alexander didn't read it. Levi also took the novel back. Looking at the words in the novel, he also smiled again.

The novel 'Ball Lightning' was supposed to be written by Liu Cixin four years later, but now Levi got it through a contract.

When he contacted Liu Cixin, he said that he hoped that Liu Cixin would write a novel, and Liu Cixin said that he had already had an idea — and his idea was the book in his hand.

Levi is also very satisfied with this book. It is better to have such a thing. He has an idea, which is better than Levi forcing him to think about it. Since then, Levi told him he was willing to provide funds to buy the right to adapt the film, hoping he would write the work well.

And Liu Cixin quickly agreed: the funds provided by Levi were not small, at least enough to buy a house. As a realistic person, he had no objection to this. With enough funds, someone is willing to pay the bills, and he has no objection to writing novels.

Moreover, Levi's requirements are still very loose: he can write his own story without having to think about Levi's shooting, as long as he is willing to let Levi adapt it. Liu didn't have any obsession with this, so he readily agreed.

Levi's adaptation is relatively simple and crude - he directly moved the story to the United States, made the characters in the story become Americans, changed the cause of the war to the blow of the economic crisis, and finally made the Americans lose to the powerful country across Pacific - North Korea.

Anyway, when you want to allude to the big country across the Pacific Ocean, you say North Korea, which is considered a traditional method in Hollywood...

After this TV series comes out, Levi can also see how people react. And according to the reaction, he can also do the next step.

"I'm not in such a hurry. It takes time to get a good script. I know better than you. I'm not in a hurry. If I can get the script I want in a year or two, I'll be satisfied."

Levi explained to Alexander, which is what he told Liu. Alexander relaxed a lot: he also knew to spend a period of time observing, which shows that Levi still knew how to do things.

"Okay then, since you've already made up your mind about shooting, I won't ask any more questions. Shall I contact the actors?"

Alexander is a pragmatic person. Since Levi has made up his mind, and it's not too much trouble, he has no reason not to do it.

"Well, you must be the one to go after the script is written... However, I have already thought about the starring role in the movie." After listening to his question, Levi nodded, "I have already called Kate Beckinsale to ask her if she is willing to do me a favor and shoot a TV series."

Alexander was very surprised when he heard this answer, and it took a long time before he realized what it was, "You made Beckinsale film a TV series? A TV series on SYFY TV? How could she agree?"

With these words, it is no wonder that Alexander was surprised: it was different from Beckinsale in this period in Levi's memory, who was still playing for a remuneration of 50,000 US dollars after Pearl Harbor and Van Helsing.

Beckinsale's fame has risen significantly because of her role as Mystique. Right now, she is also one of the strong contenders for the leading actress in the movie Tomb Raider, which is about to be shot.

Of course, she is not very competitive with let alone Angelina Jolie, who has a deep background, she can't even be compared to Dennis Richards, who is now booming.

However, since she was able to compete for such a role and her reputation was enough, why did she act in a TV series?

The fame and status of TV drama actors are far from being comparable to those of movies. This is basic common sense.

"Why doesn't she agree? I offered her enough compensation." Levi shrugged, "When I suggested that she follow this TV series, I told her clearly that it was doing me a favor. Since she is willing to help me, as my friend, I'm naturally willing to help her.

Tomb Raider is owned by Paramount, and I don't have much to do with it, but I promised her that if she is willing to act in my TV series, I can entrust her to act as the heroine of the Resident Evil series." Levi replied confidently.

The reward he gave was simply too generous, so he didn't worry about it.

Why did three people compete for the heroine of the Tomb Raider movie? Isn't it because it's an action movie that focuses entirely on women? And action movies can have a good box office; everyone knows it. Three women are fighting for it; isn't it because it will be a high-gross movie?

And now, Levi directly promised her the heroine of another game-adapted movie less popular than Tomb Raider; what else could she disagree with? As for the low income — could it be that the income of acting in the UK is very high? Movies in the UK don't pay as much as American TV dramas.

"No wonder she is willing to come to act; you have spent a lot of money..." Alexander sighed; it seemed that Levi had also made a lot of determination for this series.

"It's not a waste of money. Her image is more suitable for playing women with a strong personality. It is also very good to play Resident Evil." Levi shook his head, "Actually, even if there is no such thing, when it's time to make a movie, I will also give her priority, and looking for her now is just a matter of chance."

In fact, Levi also knew in his heart that he had indeed paid a lot of money to get a popular movie actor to play a TV series; this in itself was a great effort. Although he said he wanted to test the waters, Levi's preparations were quite strenuous.

He is still worried that Liu's character is not well portrayed, and if he does not find a good actor, he will not be able to make it well. Therefore, he will also spend a lot of money to prepare for the seriousness of the series, which is not only reflected in the final shooting.

"You know in your mind whether you will spend your money or not." Alexander shrugged and stopped arguing, "However, there is another question: If you don't want to make a science fiction movie now, if this theme is just a TV series, what are you going to do?"

Alexander knew Levi would not be willing to shoot a TV series; he thought Levi would immediately start shooting sci-fi movies, but it didn't look like that.

So, now, Levi, what do you want?

"Me? Didn't I already say so? I'm going to make a movie for Charlize... Now, I'm going to keep my promise and give her a movie."

*****

Thanks and kudos for my patreons 

Scott DePaepe

MMMCMXCIX, or 3,999

Britanna

Mandy G

The Main Man

Marcelo Maia

Danny York

You can read advanced chapters on my Patreon account: https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.