Yang Yang spurned Zhang Yimou to focus on TV series
BEIJING: Yang Yang had to turn down a chance to work with director Zhang Yimou and actress Gong Li to focus on the TV series Martial Universe.
Zhang had offered him a role in the movie Three Kingdoms, which also stars Deng Chao and Zhou Dongyu.
Disclosed Yang Yang: “The director and I did meet up. And there were plans for me to be in it, but I didn’t want to affect the schedules for ( Martial Universe).”
On whether he regretted the decision, Yang Yang said, “No. Every film and drama has its own merits. Since I’ve come across this opportunity I have to hold onto it well.”
Members of the media were invited to visit the set of Martial Universe in Xiangshan.
The series also stars Crystal Zhang, Wu Chun, Wang Likun and Ashton Chen.
It’s scripted on the story of a young man who is inexorably drawn into martial arts and the struggle for power after discovering a magical artefact. The script had been adapted from the novel of the same name by Tian Can Tu Dou.
Yang Yang stars as the protagonist Lin Dong, a strongwilled village boy who is determined to seek revenge for his crippled father. He encounters new friends and allies, and gets into a love triangle with Crystal Zhang and Wang Likun.
Disclosed Yang Yang, “The first half of the story would focus on Angel ( Wang Likun), whom I enjoy teasing. She is like my protector. Crystal Zhang’s character is annoying, but I eventually fall for her charms.”
Wang Likun was full of praise for her junior. “He’s a very serious actor. I asked him for his sign but he told me to guess. I think he’s a Virgo. He’s a perfectionist.”
Crystal dismissed Yang Yang as a “crazy actor”, saying, “He really lets loose when he’s acting. I couldn’t tell it’s him anymore. He’s crazy (when he gets into character)!”
The director (Zhang Yimou) and I did meet up. And there were plans for me to be in it, but I didn’t want to affect the schedules for (Martial Universe). Yang Yang, actor