China's Entertainment Industry Shook: Wu Ershan Unfollows Godfather Series Actors, Stirs Controversy
On November 20th, a sudden and unexpected event shook China's entertainment industry as director Wu Ershan made a move that left many puzzled and others outraged. Wu, known for his work on the Godfather series, unfollowed all actors related to the franchise including popular names like Chen Kun and Huang Bo. This was not just an ordinary unfollowing; Wu had over 1,000 followers on Weibo but saw a dramatic drop to under a hundred after this move.
20 November 2023
The reason behind this action is speculated to be the controversial casting of certain actors in the franchise, particularly actor Chen Muchi. Although specific details are scarce, it is believed that Wu's decision was influenced by his dissatisfaction with the casting choices made for the series, especially Chen's involvement.
This sudden move triggered a wide range of reactions from Weibo netizens. Some expressed their support for Wu's stance, while others voiced their disappointment and criticism towards him. The hashtag #WuErshanunfollowsGodfatheractors trended on Weibo, with many users expressing their opinions on the matter.
One netizen remarked that they would not watch Demons 2 and 3 if Chen Muchi was kept in the cast. They expressed concern about the movie's values and authenticity without the director involved. This sentiment was shared by several others who stated that as fans of real movies, they were more concerned about being exposed to Chinese Moving Cultural System (CMC) than worrying about movie survival.
However, not all reactions were in favor of Wu's decision. Some netizens argued that this was an overreaction and that the director's discretionary cuts and let-go decisions should be left alone. They warned that if an official announcement of the second installment's release date came out, Wu's Weibo would collapse.
Other netizens expressed confusion regarding Wu's actions, questioning whether his unfollowing of other actors was due to personal reasons or a broader industry issue. They speculated that his sudden move may have been an attempt to attract new followers and increase his visibility in the industry.
Despite the mixed reactions, many netizens expressed their support for Wu's actions, commending his courage in taking a stand against what he believed was unfavorable casting. Others made light of the situation with humorous comments, poking fun at the sudden change in events and expressing skepticism about the future of the Godfather series without Wu Ershan's involvement.
The unfollowing of actors by Wu Ershan serves as a reminder that the Chinese entertainment industry is not immune to controversies and disagreements. This incident underscores the importance of directorial discretion and their influence in shaping a film's cast and narrative. It also highlights the impact of casting decisions on both the audience and the industry at large, with some actors being celebrated for their hard work while others face scrutiny and criticism.
The outcome of this situation remains to be seen, as the release date of Godfather series' second installment is yet to be announced. As Wu Ershan keeps a close eye on his Weibo account and the reactions from netizens, one thing is certain: the future of Chinese cinema will continue to generate conversation and controversy among fans and industry professionals alike.