Ch.223Clear Provocation

<Tarzan> is difficult before filming, but once the decision to shoot was made, it progressed smoothly without hesitation.

First of all, it was a huge advantage that there wasn’t much to worry about in terms of the actors’ performances. Since all the animals around Tarzan needed CGI treatment, there were extremely few elements to be concerned about.

Perhaps because of this, the early parts were shot in less than two weeks. There was no need for multiple retakes because Kim Donghu delivered a perfect performance.

“Is it today?”

“Yes, today we’ll be able to see that scene again.”

And after continuing the filming so smoothly, today was the day. We could once again witness the ferocity we had seen during the script reading session.

“I wonder what it will be like to see it in person? The ferocity in actual acting rather than just reading.”

“Well, I… I never knew killing intent was actually real until now.”

“Ah, I agree with that. I thought it was just something they showed in anime.”

Honestly, it was scary to actually feel it.

The staff couldn’t hide their excitement for the upcoming shoot. It was understandable since it was the scene where Tarzan fights Sabor. They had agreed to match their movements with light wrestling to add more realism.

Also, since Sabor needed to appear larger in build, the actor playing Sabor, William Smith, was a giant standing nearly 2m tall.

Wrestling in that state? Even knowing it was choreographed, one couldn’t help but look forward to it.

While everyone was chatting about this…

“Thank you all for coming at the time I promised.”

Director McGrory nodded with satisfaction as he looked at the prepared set.

The current time was 8 AM. To complete the setup, they needed to arrive by 6 AM at the latest. It was an extremely tight schedule, but there was a reason for this arrangement.

“Since Donghu Kim arrives too early, we have no choice.”

“Yeah, that’s right. He comes at least an hour and a half before the scheduled time, so… we can’t treat the lead actor like that.”

Even seemingly trivial actions can affect one’s image in the bigger picture. If the lead actor was alone on set and happened to be photographed…

‘If that gets circulated, rumors might spread that the movie is failing.’

That could significantly impact the movie’s performance, as films are greatly affected by such things.

So they simply told Kim Donghu a time two hours later than actual and had the staff arrive that much earlier. This way, even if Kim Donghu arrived early…

“Wow… does filming setup usually progress this quickly?”

“Haha, this is Hollywood, of course it does.”

“That’s impressive.”

They could respond immediately and prepare for filming right away. In fact, this approach might have made the filming process even smoother.

Lazy people couldn’t endure this pace, so they quit on their own, leaving only diligent people to support the film. It was a self-purifying process where obstacles were naturally filtered out, allowing smooth progress.

Anyway.

“I’m ready!”

The Sabor actor, William, appeared in his CGI costume, and at that moment, all preparations for filming were complete.

“Okay, as soon as Donghu is ready, we’ll start filming.”

“Yes!”

Now it was time to capture the battle scene between Tarzan and Sabor on camera.

+++++

‘Today I won’t just helplessly take it.’

Just before filming began, William patted his cheeks a couple of times while looking at Kim Donghu standing in front of him.

Pat pat.

‘Last time I was overwhelmed by his presence, but today will be different.’

The condition for William Smith’s casting was his large build and the physical ability to use that build freely.

Especially since he had wrestled until college, he was perfect for this role and suited Sabor better than anyone else.

‘After attacking Kerchak… this is the part where he meets Tarzan.’

William muttered to himself while looking around. It was a well-made set.

Just like what he had seen in the Tarzan animation. He wondered how they had recreated such large trees, vines, and jungle. His admiration ended with Kim Donghu’s appearance.

“Wow…”

Not an internal admiration, but one that burst out from genuine amazement.

One of Tarzan’s symbols was his hairstyle. The wig that perfectly replicated it, along with an even more powerful physique. The stone spear held naturally and the leaf pants that Tarzan wears.

It was as if Tarzan had stepped right out of the cartoon.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“Yes, likewise.”

A few seconds before the director gave the standby signal, they exchanged brief greetings.

“Cue!”

As soon as the director’s signal dropped, both of them charged at each other with fierce expressions. Since this wasn’t mindless fighting but rather choreographed sparring, they moved along the agreed path and first collided with each other.

Thud!

And here, according to the original plan, Tarzan should have been thrown back, but…

“?!”

Contrary to everyone’s expectations, it was William, playing Sabor, who fell backward.

‘What kind of strength… no, is he really a gorilla?’

William was shocked. The height difference between them was about 14cm, and the weight difference was at least 20kg.

For someone like him to be thrown back in a collision? It was a first in William’s 33 years of life.

“Sabor… I’ll kill you and wear your hide.”

A beast-like voice scraped from the vocal cords came out of Tarzan’s mouth.

While William was still in shock, Tarzan charged straight at him. Although the stone spear was made as a safe prop and couldn’t cause any harm, there was something about Kim Donghu holding it that made it feel completely different.

‘Is that a real spear?’

The pressure was so intense it made him wonder. But what was most surprising was Kim Donghu’s movement.

As if he had really lived with gorillas. The free-flowing movements and the way he effortlessly climbed trees. All of it was shocking and truly made him feel like ‘prey being hunted.’

‘No, that’s impossible. I can’t be overpowered like this.’

After a moment of confusion, William regained his composure using his wrestling experience and once again focused his eyes, facing Tarzan who was swinging toward him on a vine.

Whoosh!

As mentioned earlier, all he had to do was follow the pre-arranged movements. Originally, William was supposed to be knocked down by Kim Donghu’s attack here, but…

‘Wh-what’s with those eyes…!’

As if he had really killed people before. As if he was trying to kill now. The moment he met those eyes, his body froze stiff.

He shouldn’t be scared, but his body stopped moving due to the bestial nature Kim Donghu was displaying.

And ironically, what moved his body was the wrestling experience he had accumulated over many years.

Grab!

His unconsciously extended hands grabbed Kim Donghu’s left shoulder and right wrist.

‘Huh?’

A sign of using a technique. It was clearly an accident, but in the brief moment where the filming team couldn’t intervene…

‘Is this ad-lib?’

Kim Donghu, not thinking much of it, dropped the stone spear he was holding, wrapped his legs around William’s waist, and lightly tapped William’s side with his left arm at about 50% power.

“Ugh!”

William’s frozen body loosened with that one-hit treatment. Realizing what he had done and not wanting to break the flow…

Thud.

He naturally threw his body to act as if he had been hit and thrown back.

‘…If I hadn’t been wearing protective gear, would my bones have been crushed?’

William muttered to himself while looking at Kim Donghu, who was still glaring at him fiercely. Such concentration maintained even in unexpected situations. He was wondering if all Korean actors were like this when…

“Okay, cut! That was good! That action just now was great, wasn’t it?”

Director McGrory’s voice, unaware of the situation, was heard.

‘I need to apologize….’

He should get up immediately and explain the situation, but he couldn’t.

Despite wearing protective gear, the impact to his internal organs was so strong that he couldn’t get up. He wanted to close his eyes and collapse, but there was only one reason he could endure:

‘I don’t want this to be used as a behind-the-scenes clip….’

It was a matter of male pride.

++++++

After the casting for <Tarzan> was confirmed and it became known that filming was progressing smoothly, this news spread throughout the United States.

And those who welcomed this news first were…

“What? So Kim Donghu is in America right now?”

None other than the boxing organizations. To be honest, they had no interest in actor Kim Donghu’s life.

Whatever movie he was filming, they had no time to pay attention to a movie actor.

But boxer Kim Donghu was a different story.

“After filming, he’ll have to do promotions too, right?”

“Yes.”

“What’s been the reason we couldn’t get Donghu Kim until now? Money? No.”

It was because their interests didn’t align. More precisely, Kim Donghu’s interests didn’t align.

Kim Donghu, who was overwhelmingly in the superior position, had no need to box in the current situation.

But filming a movie in Hollywood? Then he would naturally have to travel around for promotions.

“A boxing match for the champion title—what better promotional effect could there be?”

Among the four major boxing organizations,

WBA, IBF, and WBO, located in America.

The three major boxing organizations ended a brief meeting and immediately posted a tweet as if they had been waiting for this moment.

“Hey Tarzan, instead of claiming to be king of the wild, how about trying modern combat?”

It was the clear beginning of a provocation.