Chapter 20: Meeting a Renowned Director—Let Go of Your Horror Films!

Chapter 20: Meeting a Great Director—Put Down Your Horror Films!

Qin Feng stopped in his tracks.

A sudden thrill surged through his heart.

What a coincidence—it truly was unexpected to run into him here in Hawaii after finishing the on-location shoot!

The man was already approaching.

Qin Feng quickly greeted him.

“Hello, sir!”

“Hello…” The man looked at Qin Feng, hesitating. He had never seen this East Asian before.

Qin Feng asked, “If I’m not mistaken, you must be Director Peter Jackson, right?”

The man’s eyes widened in surprise. “You know me?”

Heavens! So it was true!

I didn’t mistake him!

Qin Feng extended his hand, delighted. “Wonderful, sir! It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Qin Feng.”

Peter Jackson slowly reached out his hand.

“I don’t think we’ve met before. How do you know me?”

“Yes, this is our first meeting,” Qin Feng smiled, “but I’ve watched your films—and seen your photos, of course.”

Inwardly, Qin Feng chuckled:

Haha, encountering a great director by chance!

Peter Jackson, the famed director from New Zealand, nicknamed “Peter the Great.”

In the previous life, his “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “The Hobbit” trilogy stood unchallenged at the pinnacle of global fantasy cinema!

There was also “King Kong,” a classic monster movie.

But in this world, due to the decline of special effects films, none of those seven masterpieces had been made!

Regardless, thanks to the awakening of his golden touch, Qin Feng immediately recognized him.

“Oh… you’ve seen photos of me,” Peter Jackson said with realization.

“Director Jackson, may I be so bold as to ask if you’ve eaten? I’d like to buy you a drink,” Qin Feng said.

“Don’t worry, I just want to talk about films.”

Peter Jackson patted his stomach—it was rumbling; he really hadn’t eaten.

“Alright! Since you’ve seen my movies, let’s grab a drink.”

The two walked along the street and soon found a food stall.

The evening breeze was cool.

The tables were set up in the plaza, shaded by umbrellas, mostly frequented by tourists.

They ordered some seafood, grilled meat, and beer.

Soon, the beer arrived first, and Qin Feng filled Peter’s glass.

“Thanks. You said earlier…” Peter Jackson took a sip, relaxing, “Your name is…”

“Qin Feng.” Qin Feng filled his own glass.

“Oh right, Qin Feng. You’ve watched my films?” He still looked doubtful.

Those films, although award-winning, probably didn’t have many fans, right?

“Of course.” Qin Feng toasted him.

“I’ve seen ‘Cosmic Monster,’ ‘Zombie Mayhem,’ and ‘Ghostly Terror.’”

All three were horror films, the first two characterized by a strong dark humor and distinct directorial style.

No one would have guessed that Peter the Great specialized in horror.

Peter Jackson took a big gulp of beer. “Hmm, not bad. You really have seen them… I can tell you have good taste.”

Qin Feng: “Uh…”

“What do you do?”

Qin Feng took out a business card and handed it over. “I’m an assistant director and screenwriter.”

Peter Jackson looked at it. “Wow! We’re colleagues! Brother, why didn’t you say so earlier!”

“Since we’re both filmmakers, we should drink to that!”

“To that!”

They clinked glasses.

Qin Feng drained his glass. “Director Jackson, are you here on vacation in Hawaii?”

The seafood and grilled meat were served.

Peter Jackson peeled a large prawn. “Yeah! I’m stuck on a new project with no clear ideas, so I came to Hawaii for inspiration. But… it seems useless. Apart from handsome guys and beautiful girls, nothing’s sparking creativity.”

A frown appeared between his brows.

He sighed deeply, a sense of frustration weighing on him.

“It’s tough! Making a film that everyone loves is so hard. By the way, what are you filming now?”

“Oh, I’m just an assistant director. We’re shooting a sci-fi film about Jurassic dinosaurs.”

“Sci-fi, huh?” He paused, furrowing his brow. “Not popular these days! Bad scripts, huge investment, small returns. If audiences don’t buy it, you’ll lose money!”

“My debut film, ‘Cosmic Monster,’ was also sci-fi horror, but it didn’t score well nor make a big box office.”

“You might not know, but I even had a cameo in it.”

Qin Feng laughed, “I knew.”

“We’ve prepared well this time, and filming is nearly complete.”

“Oh, good. I wish you great box office success!”

They toasted again.

Qin Feng asked, “Any new ideas for your next film? What kind of story do you want to tell?”

“I have a bit of an idea.” Peter Jackson leaned back in his chair, hands gesturing animatedly, voice growing excited. “I want to make a grand film that everyone around the world will love!”

Qin Feng’s heart leapt with joy.

Not bad! He seemed to be awakening!

Peter the Great was awakening!!

Was he going to make an epic fantasy?

But what he said next nearly made Qin Feng spit out his drink!

“I want to make a huge horror film! The grosser, the better! With loads of dark humor!!”

Watching the exuberant Peter the Great gesticulate wildly,

Qin Feng could only sigh in despair.

No! He couldn’t let him continue down this path!

He should be making fantasy films, not horror!

Otherwise, fans worldwide would suffer the loss!

Otherwise, the grave of J.R.R. Tolkien would almost burst open!

After all, Qin Feng himself had plenty of sci-fi projects; fantasy films could wait for now.

So…

“Ahem! Director Jackson, actually, I have a suggestion.”

“Oh?” Peter Jackson looked at him. “What is it? Tell me.”

“Well, you’ve made many horror films. Honestly, fans are getting tired of them. You should explore other directions.”

Peter Jackson instantly wilted, taking a sip of his drink. “Sigh, I want to, but changing genres isn’t easy. The market competition is fierce…”

Qin Feng said, “You have years of experience and one genre you can definitely excel at!”

Peter Jackson lifted his head, staring at him. “What genre?”

“Fantasy, epic!”

“Director Jackson, have you heard of the great writer J.R.R. Tolkien? Have you read the fantasy novel ‘The Lord of the Rings’?”

“Of course! I’ve read it! More than once!”

“Good. Listen to me. Based on my analysis, now is the time to make a fantasy film. If you do it well, there’s definitely a market!”

“The story structure of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ can be adapted into a trilogy. It’s grand and majestic, a fantasy epic. If you bring it to life, I believe fans worldwide will go crazy for it!”

Peter Jackson looked at Qin Feng, this young man’s gaze unwavering, as if he could see through the universe.

Suddenly, his mind expanded.

He was instantly awakened!

It felt as if all the blood in his body was about to boil!

(End of chapter)