Zhang Ruoyun Teases Qing Yu Nian 3 Amidst Production Delays and Casting Uncertainties

Recently, frequent announcements about cast changes, combined with some lead actors being embroiled in controversy, have cast a shadow of uncertainty over the series' prospects. Notably, Chen Daoming may not be returning for the third season, which, although regrettable, is understandable given his age and the demands of high-intensity filming, particularly the action scenes required for the role of the Emperor in the new season.

Despite these challenges, Zhang Ruoyun remains confident and enthusiastic about the future of "Qing Yu Nian 3". He expressed that his life and the story of Fan Xian are closely linked, and although time flies, the warm memories in his heart are eternal, promising "see you again, wait for my return". As the absolute leading actor of the "Qing Yu Nian" series, Zhang Ruoyun's return is undoubtedly the biggest highlight of the third season and the most anticipated part for audiences.

The first season of "Qing Yu Nian" premiered in 2019 and quickly sparked a nationwide craze with its unique blend of power struggles, martial arts, and modern values. The first season received a high score of 7.9 on Douban, while the second season achieved even more impressive results, breaking multiple records: it surpassed 30,000 in heat on Tencent Video, with the main topic on Douyin reaching a single-day playback volume of over 1.4 billion, and it even landed on the overseas Disney platform, becoming one of the most popular Chinese dramas.

Zhang Ruoyun is clearly aware of this, and at the Yuwen IP Festival, he cleverly reminded the audience to "urge our team a bit", expressing his understanding of the fans' expectations while subtly revealing the complexity of the production. This kind of positive interaction between the actor and the audience is the key to the enduring popularity of "Qing Yu Nian".

According to various sources, "Qing Yu Nian 3" has entered the substantive preparation stage, with the scriptwriting team led by Wang Juan working tirelessly to modify the script. The core storyline of the third season will revolve around the "Da Dong Mountain God-Killing War", featuring the ultimate confrontation between Fan Xian and the Emperor, as well as the tragic ending of Chen Qingqing and other classic scenes. The production team also revealed that the third season will utilize LED virtual shooting technology, with single-frame special effects rendering taking over 48 hours, aiming to present a visual spectacle of "true energy flow and meridian explosion".

However, the production process is not without its challenges. The original plan to start filming in 2025 may be delayed to 2026, and the broadcast time may also be postponed to 2028. Furthermore, there are uncertainties regarding the cast, with Chen Daoming potentially not returning as the Emperor due to his age and schedule conflicts, and Jin Chen's role as Ye Ling'er potentially being replaced by Fan Shuaiqi.

On social media, fan sentiment is divided. On one hand, there are constant calls to "hurry up" and anticipatory discussions about the plot, with fans creating "urging literature" and "plot prediction contests" that fill the air with expectation. On the other hand, concerns about the cast changes and plot adaptations are also spreading, with questions like "Can it still be called 'Qing Yu Nian' without Chen Daoming's Emperor?" and "What if the Da Dong Mountain event is downsized?" revealing the deep emotional investment fans have in the series, which has become more than just a TV show, carrying audiences' expectations for power struggles, martial arts, and human nature exploration.

The success of "Qing Yu Nian" has set a new benchmark for historical power struggle dramas. Its core competitiveness lies in its "using the past to comment on the present" narrative approach, which reveals the absurdity and injustice of feudal imperial power through Fan Xian's modern thinking. If the third season can continue this theme, it may further deepen the ideological connotation of domestic dramas.

However, challenges also follow. How can the team reasonably conclude multiple plot threads within 36 episodes? How can they balance the demands of loyal fans of the original novel with those of ordinary audiences? How can they avoid the "power struggle turning into comedy" label? These questions test the wisdom and creativity of the production team.

Despite the difficulties, "Qing Yu Nian 3" remains a work worth anticipating. Zhang Ruoyun has confirmed his return, and the character of Fan Xian, from "Xiao Fan Daren" to "Danbo Gong Duke", has a promising growth arc. The return of other main actors like Li Qin and Song Yi also guarantees the quality of the series. More importantly, the production team has promised not to let fans wait for five years, showing an attitude that resonates with the audience's feelings, which may be more valuable than the plot itself.

In the midst of the nationwide craze to "hurry up" the release, perhaps we should give more patience. After all, a truly good drama is worth waiting for. As Zhang Ruoyun said in an interview, "Good stories need time to grind, what we can do is to maintain our love while waiting." Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the third season, and their enthusiasm and dedication to the show are evident in their comments and discussions on social media. With the success of the previous seasons, fans are confident that the third season will be just as engaging and thrilling, and they are looking forward to seeing the continuation of the story and the development of the characters. The anticipation and excitement of the fans are a testament to the show's popularity and its ability to captivate audiences. As one fan commented, "Qing Yu Nian is the best drama I've ever seen, and I'm expecting the third season to be even better!" Another fan praised Zhang Ruoyun's acting skills, saying, "He's an amazing actor, and his portrayal of Fan Xian is unforgettable." The fans' enthusiasm and dedication to the show are evident in their comments and discussions on social media, and it's clear that they are eagerly awaiting the release of the third season.