Chapter 21: Discussing The Lord of the Rings, You Must Believe in Yourself

Chapter 21: Discussing The Lord of the Rings, You Must Believe in Yourself

After listening to Qin Feng, Peter Jackson grabbed a bottle of beer and stood up from his seat in a sudden motion. He paced back and forth across the open space, muttering rapidly to himself:

"J.R.R. Tolkien... fantasy films... The Lord of the Rings... The Lord of the Rings... The Hobbit... The Lord of the Rings..."

Qin Feng leaned back. Director Jackson, this is as much as I can help you with. As for *King Kong* later on, I plan to direct that myself. Besides, given the current timeline, you won't have the capacity for any other projects anyway.

Just then, Peter Jackson downed a few gulps of beer and sat back down, looking at Qin Feng with something akin to worship in his eyes.

"Fantastic! Brother! You are truly my lucky star! My logo!"

"Your suggestion is brilliant! Yes! I've read *The Lord of the Rings* more than once and I am very familiar with the original work! I am going to make a *Lord of the Rings* trilogy—the kind that will be world-class!"

Qin Feng smiled. "Excellent. Director Jackson, I personally have great faith in you."

"But..." Peter Jackson calmed down as a thought occurred to him. "This kind of film requires a massive amount of investment and special effects. I'm afraid that on my own, I..."

"Director Jackson," Qin Feng looked at him, "you must believe in yourself."

"We are similar in one respect: we both love special effects films. Furthermore, as far as I know, as early as 1993, you and a few friends co-founded a CGI production company—Weta Digital."

"After so many years of accumulation, I am certain your technology can handle it!"

Peter Jackson listened, stunned. "Qin Feng, how do you know so much?"

"That's not important," Qin Feng continued. "What's important is that with existing technology, filming *The Lord of the Rings* is entirely feasible."

"Also, to save on costs, you would be best off filming in New Zealand."

Peter Jackson grew thoughtful; his ideas began to align, and his mind grew clear.

"Qin Feng, thank you. You really are a genius!" He raised his glass. "Come, cheers!"

"Cheers!"

He then thought of something else. "What is the name of that sci-fi film you're working on?"

"*Jurassic Park*."

"Oh, good! I must go see it when it's released! By the way, who is the main director?"

"Mr. Spielberg."

"Oh my god! You're Spielberg's assistant director?!"

"Yes."

"That's so cool! If you have the chance, please introduce me. I would love to meet Director Spielberg!"

"No problem... but if you direct *The Lord of the Rings* well, you will become a world-renowned director yourself."

"Hahaha..."

***

Qin Feng talked with him until late, and they drank quite a bit. The two exchanged phone numbers and eventually staggered back to their respective hotels. Qin Feng fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

The next day, the film crew returned to the American mainland in batches. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, he called Scarlett immediately.

"Hello, Scarlett, I'm back."

"Really? That's great! Where are you?"

"In Los Angeles, at my apartment."

"Have you eaten?"

"Not much of an appetite. Let's grab a drink and go see a movie tonight."

"That sounds wonderful."

...

In a quiet bar downtown with a magical, whimsical interior, a soothing tune played in the background. Scarlett was wearing those large sunglasses again, dressed in a cropped khaki jacket, leather pants, and high heels—already carrying a hint of the "Black Widow" aura.

Qin Feng looked at her tenderly. "What would you like to drink?"

"A cocktail on the rocks, please."

Qin Feng stood up. Moments later, he returned from the bar with two large glasses of bright red cocktails, chilled with ice and garnished with lemon slices. Scarlett looked around at the surroundings.

"This bar is so magical!"

"Yes, even the bartender uses a magic wand to stir the drinks."

The lighting was dim, and Scarlett took off her sunglasses, her large eyes blinking. "Qin Feng, how was the trip to Hawaii?"

"I didn't really get to go around much. I was on that Kauai island every day; it was almost like being cut off from the world."

"Was it that hard?"

"Of course."

The corners of Scarlett's mouth curled into a smile. "Didn't you go on any dates with beauties in bikinis on the beach?"

"Huh? Where would I find any?" Qin Feng quickly shook his head. "Other than the crew, all we had there were dinosaurs. Don't let your imagination run wild!"

"What about you? Has that Josh been bothering you lately?"

"Him?" Scarlett sipped her drink. "He called a few times, but I didn't pick up." She looked at Qin Feng. "Don't worry, I don't have feelings for him."

Qin Feng smiled. "I really feel sorry for him."

"Qin Feng," Scarlett looked at him, "have you thought about me?"

"I have," Qin Feng nodded quickly. "I've thought about you in my dreams. If I keep thinking about you this much, I might end up with a cerebral infarction."

"Really?"

Qin Feng looked at her with an innocent expression. "Really."

"Liar."

Qin Feng was about to argue, but Scarlett laughed and raised her glass. They clinked glasses.

"Tell me, tell me about the funny things that happened on set."

"You want to hear? Sure, but if it involves spoilers, I can't talk about those."

Qin Feng recounted the novel things he had seen on set during that time, including his chance encounter with Director Peter Jackson. Of course, he didn't mention his own "golden finger."

Scarlett sipped her drink, listening with great interest.

"I have to say, you directors are really good at telling stories. It's fascinating."

"You're too kind."

After finishing their drinks, the two left the bar. A thin, homeless man walked by on the roadside, holding out his hand for money. Qin Feng casually gave him a dollar. The man didn't say thanks and simply walked away.

Scarlett frowned slightly. "There are more and more homeless people lately."

"Yes."

"So... does China have many homeless people, too?"

"Relatively speaking, far, far fewer than in the United States."

"Oh? We always thought China was very poor."

"Scarlett," Qin Feng said, "every country has its strengths and its shortcomings."

"The point is whether the country's leadership has the courage and capability to change those shortcomings and make life better for the people."

"China is working hard to do just that."

"China's film industry will also catch up, though the road ahead is difficult."

Scarlett looked at him. "You, I've figured you out."

"Figured what out?"

"Whenever we talk about China, you start getting serious. And no matter what we discuss, you always end up back on the topic of movies."

"Do I?" Qin Feng smiled and scratched his head. "Maybe so."

Although he didn't say it, in his heart, the weight of China was even greater than that of cinema itself. As a film director, he also felt the need to analyze the cultures of both countries as objectively as possible.

As he was thinking this, he looked up and saw an AMC theater right in front of them.