Chapter 264: Guns and Combat

Time gradually moved to early June. The crew successively signed formal contracts with Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, and others. Industrial Light & Magic's special effects team was also ready. Duke led the crew to charter a flight directly to Sydney.

Upon arriving in Sydney, after briefly explaining the work at hand, Duke first went to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, where he spent nearly a week negotiating current tasks with Charles Roven before returning to Sydney to formally begin preparations for The Matrix.

Scouting locations in Sydney with the cinematographer and art director, adjusting the storyboard drafts and the shooting script, inspecting the rented equipment and props, and discussing costume designs for the main characters with the costume designer were all integral parts of Duke's work. Another key focus of the preparatory phase was communicating and collaborating with the Hong Kong-based action choreography team.

"They... They look like they're in a lot of pain," Tina Fey said sympathetically, standing next to Duke and watching the scene in a small studio-turned-temporary training gym. "Does it really need to last three months?"

"At least three months," Duke responded without hesitation.

Since a few days ago, the actors in the crew had entered training mode, starting with basic muscle-stretching and flexibility exercises. Although not too difficult, the experience could only be described as nightmarish for non-professional actors. During the first two days of training, Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron, who had the most action scenes, had to be supported out by their assistants.

This was just a matter of adjustment; no crew would ever risk an actor's safety. Duke wasn't James Cameron, nor did he demand such stringent requirements.

This lengthy training went beyond superficial martial arts techniques. Keanu Reeves and the others also needed to adapt to wire stunts. While already a mature film technique in Hong Kong, wirework was not widely used in Hollywood. Similar scenes in Hollywood were typically achieved by using high-pressure air pumps to propel actors, who would then complete a series of movements.

Moreover, Hollywood rarely adopted this kind of dynamic and flashy fighting style. In the eyes of North American audiences, such flying and wall-climbing martial arts movies were essentially science fiction films.

Fortunately, The Matrix was indeed a sci-fi film, so this style wouldn't conflict with the North American audience's expectations.

A muffled groan came from the training area. Keanu Reeves, dressed in a white training uniform, completed his first full split with the help of Tiger Chen. However, the expression on his face was... quite remarkable.

Duke turned his gaze toward Yuen Woo-ping, who was seated on the sidelines. Perhaps due to the conventional practices of the Hong Kong film industry, this renowned action choreographer showed no inclination to get involved directly; all demonstration moves were performed by Tiger Chen and other disciples.

During the past two days, Duke had some initial discussions with him about basic training requirements. Although Yuen was stubborn and conservative, his professionalism was unquestionable.

"Tina, interested?" Duke gestured toward the actors being "tortured" on the training floor. "You could play a cameo role. I could add a guardian angel for the Oracle."

"Are you sure?" Tina Fey blinked innocently. "If you're willing to take over my workload, I'd gladly join the training."

"Forget it then."

In fact, since last year, many tasks at Duke's studio had been handled by Tina Fey, with Duke only doing the final review. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made remarks about appointing Tina as an executive at the studio in the future.

After about half an hour, the training on the floor came to an end. Duke crossed his arms and walked over.

"How do you feel, Hugo?"

Agent Smith was grimacing and rotating his wrist. Hearing Duke's question, he turned and said, "Duke, you really should experience this for yourself. I strongly demand a pay raise!"

Knowing he was joking, Duke replied directly, "There's a special lunch today—Chinese food."

"I'll pass then."

Charlize Theron walked over and swayed as if she might collapse at any moment. "Never mind the taste. I checked yesterday—too greasy. It's a body killer!"

"I think it's okay," Keanu Reeves said, sitting on the floor. "Occasionally eating it tastes pretty good."

After a few jokes, despite the challenges of the training, the main actors had no complaints. Success in Hollywood had never come without hard work, and they were well aware of this.

As the others dispersed for a break, only Charlize Theron stayed behind.

"Your leg isn't an issue, right?" Duke remembered she had mentioned leaving ballet school due to a leg injury. "If it feels uncomfortable, notify the doctor immediately."

"I'm fine," she said, moving a little closer. "Never felt better."

Her eyes lit up, and she smiled slightly. "Didn't expect you to remember my injury."

"Go rest."

Duke turned and walked toward Yuen Woo-ping's position, but Charlize followed him. "Are you discussing the action choreography? Can I listen?"

Glancing at Charlize, Duke noted that the discussion involved her, so he nodded. Charlize wisely fell silent and followed Duke to where the action team was seated.

"Director Rosenberg."

Before Duke got close, Yuen Woo-ping stood up. While he harbored personal opinions about working with Westerners, he didn't let it show.

"Hello, Mr. Yuen."

Though unable to understand Yuen's Cantonese, Duke guessed it was a greeting and shook his hand. He then walked unceremoniously to the rest table, gesturing to the opposite seat. "Please sit."

Charlize sat on Duke's left, while Yuen Woo-ping sat across. Tiger Chen quickly walked over and stood behind him, acting as a translator.

Having not spoken Chinese for over twenty years, Duke refrained from using Mandarin unnecessarily. Besides, Yuen Woo-ping's understanding of Mandarin was also limited. It was better to let someone else translate directly.

Tiger Chen, who had spent years in both Hong Kong and the U.S., had no issues serving as a translator.

"Will three months of training achieve the results I'm looking for?" Duke asked.

"Kung fu is a profound discipline," Yuen Woo-ping replied straightforwardly. "Three months can only scratch the surface."

"I only need them to look graceful on camera," Duke said.

Kung fu wasn't taekwondo, and Duke understood this. "Power and precision aren't important."

"Without power, the fighting will feel weak and unrealistic."

"That's precisely the effect I want."

Before Yuen Woo-ping could say more, Duke raised his hand and continued, "You've seen the Chinese version of the script I prepared. The main plotline..."

At this point, Duke changed the topic. Concepts like the Matrix and the Network confused even some crew members, so explaining them to Yuen Woo-ping would be pointless.

"Mr. Yuen, can you combine firearms, kung fu, and close-quarters combat to design a new style of fighting?"

After Tiger Chen translated, Yuen Woo-ping looked puzzled, clearly not understanding.

Duke thought for a moment and said to his assistant, "Tina, bring some prop guns."

Tina Fey made a call, and shortly after, the props team delivered several handguns and submachine gun models.

"Tiger, catch!"

Duke tossed a gun to Tiger Chen, picked one up himself, and stepped forward. "This is a combination of physical skills, firearms, and computational abilities."

"Tiger, don't move!"

Duke made a gesture of drawing his gun and charging forward, but his untrained movements were slow and clumsy. Still, he aimed to visually convey his concept. "For example, I encounter someone like Tiger, draw my gun at lightning speed, suppress with rapid-fire, and simultaneously charge toward the enemy. During close combat, I would mix shooting and fighting, using the gun handle, hands, elbows, knees, and feet to attack."

As he spoke, Duke demonstrated similar movements toward Tiger Chen. Through his demonstration and Tiger Chen's translation, Yuen Woo-ping gradually understood.

Duke continued, "Two experts fighting in this style would definitely captivate the audience. However, Hollywood's traditional action style relies on brute force, which isn't suitable for this design."

"This... doesn't seem realistic," said an older stuntman softly in Mandarin. Clearly, he doubted whether such a style could work.

Yuen Woo-ping agreed. "No one's brain and body coordination could meet these demands. It's entirely unrealistic."

Realistic? Duke frowned. The whole point was to create something visually stunning and audience-grabbing.

"This is a sci-fi film, Mr. Yuen. Realism doesn't matter here," Duke said, handing the prop gun back to Tina Fey and returning to his seat. "Besides, the flying scenes in kung fu films aren't realistic either, right?"

After some thought, Yuen Woo-ping nodded slightly. "I'll conduct research and come up with a suitable plan soon."

"Thank you, Mr. Yuen," Duke said courteously. He pointed to Charlize. "I think the action sequences should match the lead actors' physical characteristics. For instance, Miss Theron's movements should highlight her grace and sensuality."

...

Hi For access to additional chapters of

Director in Hollywood (30 chpater)

MV Director (30 chapter)....

Douluo Dalu:Breaking Clan(30 chapter)

Made In Hollywood (60 Chapters)

Join pateron.com/Translaterappu