Chapter 142: The Old Actor's Second Spring

  Max von Sydow's full name is "Carl Adolf von Sydow", in 1955, he was discovered by the great director Ingmar Bergman and went on to work with him for a decade, making over ten films together, many of which have become immortal classics.

  Maxwell was adept at playing oppressive, stern characters and in 1965 played Jesus for a Hollywood production of "King of Kings". He then went on to appear in films around the world. In American films he often played stubborn, humourless roles and became an important character actor in Hollywood. Interestingly, Maxwell is the only actor to have played both "Jesus" and "The Devil" on screen.

  But to return to the subject, Max's rise to fame is not unrelated to the great director Bergman. It was Bergman's keen eye for talent that gradually brought Max to prominence. However, as the saying goes, "the same thing that brings success can also bring failure." The great director Bergman had been active in Hollywood for over 60 years, but his career suffered a severe setback in 1976. At the time, he was accused of tax evasion, and after a clumsy criminal investigation, he terminated a series of unfinished productions, closed his studio, and went into self-imposed exile in Germany for eight years.

  During this time, Max von Sydow, Bergman's regular actor, was also unfortunately involved in the criminal proceedings and although he occasionally managed to shoot some films, he could only play some insignificant supporting roles. Gradually, the number of films he received became less and less, from 1987 to now, there are almost no films to shoot. To survive, Max had to rely on his original skills, making film props, renting and selling film equipment to support himself.

  After hearing Max's words, Yi Feiyang couldn't help but sigh that the world is unpredictable, especially for those who are celebrities, they know their own rise and fall.

  "Never mind that. Come on. Let's have a drink." Max opened a bottle of his treasured whiskey, poured a glass for Yifei Yang and handed it to him.

  Yi Feiyang didn't mince words either, took a sip, and gave a thumbs up: "A very good malt whiskey."

  Max smiled. "Being able to tell it's malt whiskey proves you're a connoisseur, have another glass."

  Yi Feiyang hastily waved his hand and said, "No more, if I drink again, I'm afraid I'll finish this whole bottle of wine."

  Max shrugged, "What's the point? When I was hot, this good wine was like water. But now it's unaffordable..." He said, taking the glass of whiskey and gulping it down in one breath.

  Yi Feiyang naturally understood his emotions, as a Hollywood A-lister who had been brilliant before but now fallen to this point, the huge gap would make it difficult for anyone to accept.

  Hollywood has no human feelings. There is only one thing that works here, and that's money! As long as you can bring in a steady stream of profits for the studios, those producers will treat you like their own father, but once you can't make them any more money, then it's time to pack up and leave.

  Yi Feiyang looked at Max and suddenly felt a few points of sympathy in his heart.

  A few strands of soft sunlight filtering through the cluttered and disorderly general store shone on his face, revealing a weathered, aged, yet benevolent appearance. Only those eyes that seemed to want to numb themselves still appeared exceptionally bright, giving off an air of wisdom that defied the gods and scorned worldly conventions.

  Looking at this face with strange attributes, Yi Feiyang suddenly had an idea in his heart, wasn't this exactly the "Vertical Saw" he had been expecting!?

  In the script of "Saw", "Jigsaw" is a middle-aged man with no strength in his hands and suffering from terminal illness. Due to his unhappy marriage life and terminal illness, this old man decided to become God after a failed suicide attempt, selecting some idle people as targets for trial. The trial process involves unimaginable traps and cruel puzzles that are fatal one by one. If they pass the trial, they can continue to live on.

  It can be said that the vertical saw itself has no combat power, but it has a strong psychological quality similar to Hannibal's. It always grasps the situation firmly in its own hands, playing with test targets that seem much stronger than it, and even surpassing Hannibal in terms of trap setting and control over the situation. Therefore, although it does not have Hannibal's physical qualities, it is superior to Hannibal in terms of comprehensive killing power and manipulation of blood plasma.

  I remember that in the previous life, the role of "Jigsaw" was played by the old actor Tobin Bell. This man often plays roles such as criminals and serial killers, so he portrayed the role of "Jigsaw" very well. Originally, Yi Feiyang had planned to invite this old actor to participate, but now...Yi Feiyang felt that he seemed to have found a more suitable candidate.

  So, facing this seemingly down-and-out old actor, who looks weak but is actually skilled and can create a good prop like the "vertical saw" in the play, Yi Feiyang said with great sincerity: "Mr. Max, on behalf of Dream Film Company, the 'Saw' crew invites you to star as the male lead in this film. Are you... willing?!"

  Yi Feiyang had a strong premonition that this man would very likely make a comeback through this film, and "Saw" would also become popular because of him.

  Think about it, Max has a good image and acting skills, still the former popular star, this alone can attract attention from newspapers and audiences, plus a wonderful script, haha, perfect match!

  "What did you say? Me, the male lead?!" Max-von-Westen, who was sipping on his whiskey and savoring the bitter taste of his deep-seated grudge, almost spat out his drink when he heard Yifei Yang's words.

  "Cough, cough, buddy, old chap... oh no, young fellow, I hope you can make sense of it, don't do something so astonishing just because you've had a few good whiskeys from me..."

  "No, it's not because of your whiskey..."

  "That's because of poor me... I know this, whoever hears my story will feel pity and say in their heart, look at this poor old man, once so glorious, now half dead..."

  "Not also because I pity you." Yi Fei Yang said firmly, "I invited you to perform in this play completely because you are suitable for the role here!"

  "A role? What role? Are you saying that the male lead in a movie would be an old codger like me? Oh God, don't joke around," Max's weathered face showed a hint of desolation. "Although I'm not making many movies now, I still know this much. Nowadays, male leads are either handsome or pretty boys, and those stories are either romantic tales of love or explosive action flicks. If it gets any more exaggerated, probably only someone like Leslie Nielsen could become famous at such an old age and keep playing the lead role over and over!"

  If it wasn't for Yifei Yang knowing Leslie Nielsen, I really wouldn't know who this so-called "white-haired old man" is.

  Leslie Nielsen is the originator of Hollywood's absurd comedy, and Hong Kong filmmakers borrowed many scenes from his works in the early days. He entered the industry very early, estimated to be not much different from Max, initially positioned as a heroic character image. However, he remained unknown for over 20 years. In the 80s, he began to try out the comedy route, and with the role of Dr. Rumack in "Airplane!" and the bumbling detective Frank Drebin in the "Naked Gun" series, he became an overnight sensation, tasting the joy of being a star for the first time. Even now, he continues to play leading comedic roles in films, his comedic style is unparalleled in today's film industry.

  "Although I don't know why Leslie Nielsen was able to make a comeback, I do know that you have a chance to regain your popularity right in front of you! Yes, please believe my sincerity, the play we are going to film is exactly in need of a male lead like you, or should I say an old-timer!" Yi Feiyang said with utmost sincerity.

  Yi Feiyang's passionate words left Max, who had thought he was joking, slightly stunned. For him, the term "male lead" which had once been almost synonymous with himself, now felt completely alien, but his trembling body betrayed his inner excitement.

  Max lifted his head and glanced at Yifei Yang, looking at the young Chinese director, the fervor in his eyes suddenly retreated, and a desolate expression reappeared.

  "Alright, buddy, stop joking around! I can tell you're not very old, yeah. At most twenty years old or so, and yet you say such big words... Making movies isn't as simple as you think it is, it requires experience and skill, not just randomly finding some old guy who fits your role and inviting him to join... Although I'm not just any ordinary old guy!"

  After saying that, Max let out a bitter smile again, then took a big gulp of wine and turned his face to look at the faded movie posters on the wall. He had devoted most of his life and youth to these movies, but what did he get in return? Just a body that was about to decay...

  Time spares no one, and the dazzling starlight has long since faded!

  Max's words were full of anger and strength, but in Yifei Yang's eyes, the more he was excited, the more it showed his love for movies, that kind of love that left a deep impression on him. Just because of this, he had enough reason to persuade himself.

  If the old man could see the future as clearly as I do, he might not have said that. Think about it, past Stallone, Schwarzenegger, but then again, De Niro, these old actors, which one isn't still shining brightly at 50 or 60 years old and still playing leading roles? What about "The Expendables", "Escape Plan" and "Grudge Match"? It can be said that older actors in Hollywood's future are more precious the older they get.

  Unfortunately, Old Max couldn't see any of this, so Yi Fei Yang could only persuade him from other aspects.

  He then saw Yi Feiyang easily pull out a business card from his pocket and hand it to the old man, "Perhaps you're right, I don't have much experience in filming movies, but at least I've filmed a few, haven't I?"

  Max didn't understand why Yifei Yang wanted to give him a business card, and he took a glance... "Dream Illusion Film", damn it, how come this name sounds so familiar? The old man racked his brains.

  Yì Fēi Yáng however made people roll their eyes and smile awkwardly.

  In a moment, Old Max said: "This company of yours seems to have some reputation, Fei Yang Yi, is that you?"

  "That's right, it's me, genuine and no fake."

  "You're that Chinese director who made 'The Witch'?" Max seemed to recall something.

  "No, no, I bought the copyright of The Witch, what I shot is Paranormal Activity, and also Saving Private Rachel..."

  "Oh my god, I remember!" Max slapped his forehead. "Yes, I've seen both of your plays, especially that 'Saving Private Rachel', I watched it three times, of course, for the leading lady's stunning figure..."

  "You have no idea what I used to have, if it weren't for that damned Bergman director's tax evasion scandal, I'd still be lounging in the bathtub, soaking in hot water with four blonde bombshells by my side... Oh God, that was the life I was meant to have! But now, all I can do is rely on those damn whiskeys to conjure up my lovely blonde babes in my dreams!"

  This is still an old pervert!

  He smiled slightly.

  "So now, can you show me the script of this 'Saw' thing?" After re-recognizing Yifei Yang's strength, Old Max seemed to have made some kind of decision, biting his lip and speaking word by word.

  He's trembling! For so many years, he had deliberately isolated himself from the film world and people he once deeply loved, even familiar terms. He lived in alcohol and past glory, thinking that this was how he would spend the rest of his life. But then, unexpectedly, an opportunity emerged, allowing him to return to the stage and face applause once again!

  Yes, I'll grasp it tightly! If it's worth expecting!

  "Sorry about that!" Yi Feiyang shrugged and said, "We were originally here to pick up props for a film shoot today, didn't expect to run into you, so we didn't even bring the script..."

  "Haha, understandable, which director would carry a script with him at all times......" Max looked very regretful.

  For an excellent actor, deliberating on a script is the most basic homework and also the key to deciding whether or not to take on a role.

  Script is script, the root of all scripts!

  It can be said that the essence of a play is basically condensed in this small script.

  Seeing Max's disappointed expression, Yifei Yang smiled and said: "However, if you're willing, I can tell you the story of this play in detail..."

  "Tell a story? For Pete's sake, it's been ages since I've heard a bedtime story... not since my poor old dad died." Max took a swig of his drink. "Alright then, I'm all ears."

  Yi Feiyang knew that this was his last chance. Whether or not he could move the old theater veteran in front of him depended on his own silver-tongued eloquence.

  He took a deep breath, sorted out his thoughts and pondered how to get the old man into the story.

  It's really hard to be a director, not only do you need to have good oral skills, but also know how to flirt with people... Now, he's starting to "flirt".