Grandmasters

***Grandmasters*** (Chinese: 宗师) is a Chinese wushu film directed by Wang Chengpeng starring Dalong, Zhang Yuanqi, Tian Xuetao, and Zhang Ye.

## Plot

The music started.

This was the melody of the movie theme song that was sung by Zhang Yuanqi. But as it was used for the opening of the movie, there was no singing and only the melody was gently playing to signal the start of the movie.

Starring: Zhang Yuanqi

Starring: Wu Feilong

Featuring: Tian Xuetao

Featuring: Zhang Ye

Zhang Ye’s name was the fourth to appear, and considerably near the beginning.

In the introduction, with the flickering images and music playing, Wang Chengpeng’s name and introduction as the director appeared the screen and faded out. The scene cut to a group of children who were gathered together.

“My ball! That’s my ball!”

“Haha, how dumb.”

“Don’t give it to him.”

“Give the ball back to me.”

“Come and get it from us then.”

“I will definitely get it back! Give it back!”

“Ah! How dare you hit us!”

The child character of Dalong’s role appeared on screen.

Following that, the child form of Zhang Yuanqi’s character also appeared on the bridge. It wasn’t known where they found the two child actors, but they really looked quite similar to Zhang Yuanqi and Dalong.

The beginning scenes and plot moved a little slow as they were mainly used to build up the characters’ story. About ten minutes into the airing of the movie, the children had grown up. This was where the first conflict in the movie appeared. With a couple of lines, the plot slowly unveiled itself but part of the main plot was still hidden from the audience at this moment.

At the 30-minute mark of the movie, Zhang Ye’s character finally appeared for the first time!

“Who are you?”

“Guess.”

“Do you know my teacher?”

“It’s your teacher who knows me.”

……

At the 52nd minute.

“I don’t care where you came from, all I know is where I want to go. Even your master can’t stop me, so who do you think you are? All that’s left of Xingyi Fist now are your teacher and you. How pitiful, how regrettable, and how sad!”

……

60th minute.

“In this era, who still dares to claim they are grandmasters? Your master can’t claim so, and you, you are even less deserving to claim so!”

……

74th minute.

“When…I die…my martial arts…cough…will really be lost for good….That’s good, might as well…cough. In birth…we bring nothing….In death, we take away nothing. Hahahaha!” His character died at this moment and even laughed as he went.

……

With the antagonist dead, the plot was already at it conclusion. As the scenes went back to Zhang Yuanqi and Dalong’s characters, the movie’s ending played out. Soon, the lights in the theater were turned on and slowly lit up the entire venue.

The credits rolled just as the main theme song started.

## Cast

Dalong as the main male lead

Zhang Yuanqi as the main female lead

Tian Xuetao as the second male lead

Zhang Ye as the third male lead and antagonist

## Production

### **Controversy**

After wrapping up filming, the main antagonist, Chang Chushui, was arrested in his house in a drug crackdown. Due to SARFT's Decree #43, they had to delete Chang Chushui's scenes or the film will be faced with the danger of being unable to get released in theaters. The crew held auditions for the role, which was given to Zhang Ye, and they shot all of the antagonist's scenes again.

## Release

There was no lack of Grandmasters being scheduled for screening at every cinema. In just the past two days, tickets for Grandmasters were already 30% booked on the online ticketing systems. On the day itself, in every cinema, the same scenes of huge crowds lining up for tickets could seen as every movie buff turned up to watch the blockbuster title.

## Reception

When it was announced that Zhang Ye would be the replacement actor for the third male lead's role, it caused a lot of doubt online, which prompted Wang Chengpeng to post on Weibo defending and thanking Zhang Ye.

### **Box office**

Grandmasters earned 31 million RMB on opening day in the box office, which was slightly lower than the predictions calculated by the film producer and film crew, but not by much and were still considered acceptable and within estimates. The second day's box office earned 38 million RMB, which is even higher than the opening day’s numbers. Several days after its release, Grandmasters crossed 200 million RMB and became the highest in the country for the month.

### **Critical response**

The film was well-received with many praising Zhang Ye for his excellent performance in his acting debut. Critics also praised the fight scenes in the film. Some commented that Zhang Yuanqi did not get enough screen time and that Tian Xuetao's acting did not improve. Several scattered newspaper reports also praised Zhang Ye’s acting in Grandmasters while a few film critics were harsher as they pointed out the problems that Zhang Ye had in his acting.

## Trivia

* The movie was first mentioned by Zhang Yuanqi when she went to Zhang Ye's house to drink and rest (Chapter 584: The scenery is better over here!)
* Since Zhang Ye was a rookie in the acting industry, the director required him to first demonstrate his acting skills as a tiger and wolf during his audition
* Wang Chengpeng helmed two movies that had box office earnings of at least a few hundred million RMB before
* Zhang Ye's scenes took a week to finish filming
* The movie theme song is sung by Zhang Yuanqi
* The movie earned 31 million RMB on opening day at the box office
* It's likely for the movie to earn 200 million RMB

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 608: Countdown to the movie’s release!
2. ↑ Chapter 611: Premiere episode of Do You Remember!
3. ↑ Chapter 610: Grandmasters’ box office earnings!