Ch.222Opportunity

In the process of adapting animation to live-action, modifications were inevitable, and stories often underwent significant changes.

Take “Beauty and the Beast” for example. The pure-hearted girl from the animation became bold, progressive, and inventive in the film.

Such changes to protagonists’ characteristics were common, and alterations to content were natural.

For this reason, Producer Berillard and Director McGrory added content to “Tarzan,” one of which was the light aircraft scene.

Originally a plot device from “Tarzan 2” where Jane’s former colleague appears and creates conflict, they planned to extract just the highlight of the chase scene on the light aircraft without including the former colleague.

They naturally intended to use CG.

“Wouldn’t it look better on film if we did it for real instead of using CG?”

That was until a certain Korean actor casually made this remark.

“Excuse me?”

“No, I just thought some parts… would look better if we did them for real.”

“Donghu, what are you talking about?”

“The light aircraft part and… hanging from the cliff, I can do all that.”

“Hahaha.”

The producer and director burst into laughter at Kim Donghu’s words. They knew he made spicy jokes before, but they didn’t expect him to joke like this again.

“Watching Donghu is giving me a new stereotype about Koreans.”

“Yeah, that they enjoy jokes as spicy as their food…”

As Director McGrory’s words were about to be naturally picked up by Producer Berillard, Berillard read the emotion in Kim Donghu’s eyes.

This was no joke. He could see the clear eyes tinged with madness.

“…Are you serious? Really?”

“Yes, why would I joke about something like this?”

“Ah, no… I thought I misheard you.”

“Then let me be clear.”

“Yes?”

“For the airplane scene in Tarzan, can I really climb onto the wing of the light aircraft?”

“Oh my God, Donghu Kim!!! Calm down!!!”

Someone actually wanted to do this for real? Just for the sake of better visuals?

‘What is this….’

Suddenly, his head started throbbing.

Of course, visually speaking, doing it for real would produce much better results. It would help with promotion, and it was difficult to capture the realism of a light aircraft with CG.

The budget could also be set much lower. There were many advantages.

But why insist on CG instead of doing it for real?

“It’s too dangerous! Even with thorough safety measures! We can’t completely control all variables!”

Because we only have one life. Despite knowing how good he was at rope climbing and how impressive his physical abilities were, one mistake could literally be fatal.

Of course, they would prepare parachutes and various safety devices, but nothing in this world is 100% safe.

‘Especially during action filming.’

Safety personnel would obviously object as well. As they pointed out these concerns one by one, Kim Donghu maintained his clear gaze and replied:

“If you give me permission, I’ll do it right away.”

“Without using a stunt double?”

“Yes, and please tell me about the cliff part too.”

“…”

With those final words, Kim Donghu bowed and left to prepare for filming, leaving Berillard and McGrory with a headache.

“…When he mentioned the cliff, he meant that, right?”

“Yes, actually climbing a real cliff… carrying Jane on his back.”

They had initially thought this part would be impossible.

A few days ago during filming…

“…Evelyn probably weighs about 60kg.”

“Yes… but when Donghu…”

If they hadn’t seen Kim Donghu climbing a rope while carrying a 70kg weight, that is.

He didn’t seem human.

How was that even possible? Shouldn’t that be impossible?

By the time they had those thoughts, Kim Donghu had already reached the top.

‘If the actor says it’s okay, maybe it’s worth trying?’

‘Perhaps… if it really works out…’

What they were seeing was so unbelievable. Even though they knew they absolutely shouldn’t do it this way, the producer and director were gradually being convinced.

++++++

While I was heading to get my makeup done after conveying my intentions…

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Text message alerts rang out.

-[Due to your active appeal, Tarzan’s rating has been changed.]

-[You will be able to showcase your skills more!]

-[Congratulations.]

Along with this rare daily message from Sims – Real Life, I immediately checked Tarzan’s rating.

<Tarzan, A+>

‘A+, huh.’

When I first saw it, Tarzan’s rating was A. Now a + had been added because of what just happened.

‘So I guess my opinion will be reflected in the filming.’

It seemed the action parts would proceed with almost no CG.

‘But what’s the standard for an A rating in foreign films?’

The markets are different. An A rating in Korea versus an A rating in America would differ according to their respective markets. In this case, I couldn’t quite gauge how successful it would be.

‘I’ll have to see when it comes out.’

With that thought, I quietly received my makeup and immediately headed to the set afterward.

‘Wow, this is insane!’

The set recreated about 60% of the Amazon jungle. But saying 60% doesn’t do justice to its scale, which was incredible.

The remaining 40% would be filled with CG, so I couldn’t even imagine how amazing it would look on screen.

‘So this is the Hollywood scale.’

From large old trees to jungles and huge bushes, it was amazing how they brought everything here. While I was admiring all this…

“Looking forward to working with you today, Kerchak.”

“You look 100 times more handsome than in the magazines, Kala.”

The stunt actors who would be performing greeted me.

The lead actors could come to the filming, but since they had to play gorillas, it was decided that stunt performers would act instead.

Unless one regularly engaged in intense exercise, some of the movements would be difficult to perform.

“I look forward to working with you too. I’ll learn a lot.”

“No, please don’t say that about learning from us.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re the champ, we should be learning from you.”

“We’ve all seen it. The Real Hero, that one-take shot. So we know how amazing you are.”

Unexpected praise—how embarrassing. After thinking about how to respond to this shower of compliments…

“Shall we take photos together after filming?”

“Sounds good!”

I decided to repay them with fan service. As our conversation was wrapping up, Director McGrory picked up the megaphone.

“Alright! We’re starting the shoot! Everyone standby!”

As soon as the director finished speaking, I immediately prepared to smile.

“Cue!”

I painted on my face the mischievous smile of Tarzan—pure and still unaware of human evil.

++++++

‘…Is this Korea’s best actor?’

Kerchak’s stunt double, Growl, was taken aback by Kim Donghu’s smile. Fortunately, his role only required his body to appear on screen; otherwise, this would have immediately caused an NG.

A look of pure innocence. In this situation, Tarzan opens his mouth.

“Is this enough for me to be recognized as a gorilla?”

Tarzan wanted to be acknowledged as a gorilla.

Because his appearance was different, he wanted to act like a gorilla to become a true member of their group.

However…

“…No, you are different from us.”

Kerchak did not accept this easily.

Knowing Tarzan’s origin, he understood how fatally that difference could affect him.

“Why, why not! I’m the strongest! And the best hunter!”

That cold rejection was a devastating wound for Tarzan.

‘Perfect.’

A smile never left Director McGrory’s face as he watched this scene.

‘It’s almost like he’s acting alone.’

Since he had to act while looking at actual gorillas, it required tremendous imagination and concentration.

Moreover, his lines were essentially monologues.

Since the stunt performers weren’t equipped with microphones, he had to listen to their faint voices and deliver his next lines according to the flow—a performance bordering on artistry.

Just like he had truly become Tarzan.

“Why, why can’t you accept me! Why!”

Expressing the injustice of still not being accepted, he climbs onto a nearby tree and leaves.

“Cut! Good!”

Director McGrory determined there was no need for a reshoot in such minor scenes and immediately signaled to move on to the next scene.

‘I like how smooth this is.’

It had been a long time since a film shoot went this smoothly. For one thing, it had been a very long time since he’d seen a lead actor who not only wasn’t late but arrived early.

‘Looks like filming will go smoothly.’

There shouldn’t be any problems. Just as he was thinking that…

‘Come to think of it, there was one issue.’

What suddenly came to mind was the matter of content rating. Since they were obviously aiming for a general audience rating, there weren’t any scenes that could be considered suggestive, but there was one thing that concerned him.

‘When Jane and Tarzan first meet.’

At that moment, they wouldn’t just touch hands; they would place their faces against each other’s hearts to listen to the heartbeats.

‘I definitely said we’d discuss this part again during casting.’

But why hasn’t there been any word? Could it be that Evelyn agreed to this as is? Without using a body double?

If she was going to use one, she should say so quickly to make things easier. With that thought, the director refocused on filming.

+++++

Meanwhile…

At the same time…

“…We’re really filming this? Just like this?”

“Yes, that’s right. And that part about hanging from the cliff… Kim Donghu said he’ll do it himself… you can use a double if you want.”

“He can hang with me on his back? On that broad back?”

“Why? Don’t you like it?”

“No, no, no… I don’t dislike it! Then…”

“Then?”

“I’ll buy some shapewear.”

Evelyn’s mind began racing intensely. In her opinion…

‘There couldn’t be a better chance to appeal to him!’

This was an opportunity. An opportunity to make Kim Donghu fall head over heels for her!