Zhou Xun Cast in “Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace” After Fan Bingbing Dropped Out
Just having recently started its broadcast, Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace <如懿傳> is already receiving much buzz. The story is based on the same characters as the recent hit TV series, Story of Yanxi Palace <延禧攻略>. It was even revealed that Zhou Xun (周迅) was a second choice in the casting, after Fan Bingbing (范冰冰) dropped out of the series due to negotiations gone wrong.
Previously, it was said also that Tony Leung (梁朝偉) was originally cast for the role as the Emperor but dropped out and gave up the 160 million RMB pay check because Carina Lau (劉嘉玲) did not want her husband starring opposite an old rumored flame, Zhou Xun.
It is also hard to imagine Zhou Xun was not the first choice for her role. After Fan Bingbing’s popular The Empress of China <武則天>, the producers of Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace originally wanted Bingbing, but only gave up because of her numerous demands. Bingbing wanted to invest in the series and become one of the producers, while casting previously rumored boyfriend, Aarif Rahman (李治廷) as the leading actor.
Unfortunately, the negotiations fell through between the producers and Bingbing. The 36-year-old actress then quickly picked up the filming for Legend of Ba Qing <巴清傳>.
Story of Yanxi Palace, Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace, and Legend of Ba Qing were three of Mainland China’s most anticipated dramas of 2018. The first drama just finished airing, and the second drama is still airing. It is currently unknown when Legend of Ba Qing will finally air due to recent tax-evasion rumors surrounding Fan Bingbing.
Source: HK01
This article is written by Su for JayneStars.com.
Tony Leung on TV again? That would have been nice.
FBB and her expectations lol
@tiffany Carina responded to the rumors today and said she had nothing to do with Tony turning down the series. She said that Tony turned it down himself because he abhors filming TV series nowadays due to the grueling schedule associated with TV productions, which hasn’t changed since his TVB days…he doesn’t want to go through that anymore. She said that Tony told her it doesn’t matter how much the producer is willing to pay for him to film a TV series, since he wouldn’t be able to enjoy the money if he works himself to death.
So basically…the producers of Ruyi have TVB to thank for why Tony turned them down, lol…
@llwy12 I wonder if TVB wants to woo more movie stars to do their shows and if the stars complain enough, things may finally change? Eh, wishful thinking, I know…
Would have love to see Tony on TV again. Even if the rest of the cast sucked, I would still watch it for him.
@potatochip Nah, it won’t make a difference because most movie stars know how TVB operates and so won’t bother going back (unless there is a truly compelling reason for them to do so, which 99.9% of the time is because they want to return a favor to someone within TVB). The ones that do return, of course TVB will make some exceptions if they want the person desperately enough (like they did with Anthony Wong for instance) but then again the artist also has to be vocal enough to tell them exactly what they want (like Anthony pretty much told them if you want me to film for you, you have to do x, w, z). Most of the HK movie stars (the ones that TVB would want to woo) aren’t that demanding though because most are loyal and civil and are not going to give TVB a hard time because they still consider TVB their “maternal home” (even the ones whom TVB treated like crap before). So the answer is basically – no things aren’t going to change because most of those movie stars – if they do film for TVB — aren’t going to complain out of respect for what TVB once was and the hand they had in helping establish those movie stars’ careers (Anthony was an exception because he didn’t actually “come from” TVB – he only worked for them for a couple of years…most of the relationships he established were from his days at ATV – which is where he started – and also HKAPA). That’s why I always say – unless you’re one of those vocal celebrities like Anthony Wong who doesn’t give a crap what people think of him and will say whatever he wants whenever he wants, the best option is for the movie stars not to return to film for TVB at all because most likely TVB is not going to give special treatment unless the celebrity specifically requests it (and again, it depends on which celebrity and what they are asking for).
@llwy12 Shi Qi wowed never to take on another costume drama after Romance of the Red Dust. Understandable that Tony rejected Ruyi drama. It took 9 months on site. He can make 3 movies in 9 months.
@mangotango
She didn’t keep the promise, having filmed Hao Hou Hsien’s award-winning The Assassin
@msxie0714 But that was a movie. Drama takes months to complete.
Good that they didnt cast Aarif Rahman as the emperor as he would look too young and Fan Bing Bing dropped out as the Step Empress!
Those Manchu nail accessories are scary looking. Perfect weapon for concubine harem catfights though.
I prefer Zhou Xun over FBB any day. FBB’s ancient series seems all the same – sex scenes and fashion shows. Zhou Xun is actually settling in with her makeup and headpiece as Ruyi gets more mature. Vivian Wu still rules.
@elizabeth When I watched FBB’s Empress of China, I only saw her instead the character she played. She’s FBB not Wu Ze Tian and by making so much focus about the fashion, the dress etc, it took away the attention from the story and the story line itself was rather questionable too. It was like the entire drama was a stage for FBB’s presence.
I’m really liking Zhou Xun as Ruyi so far after Epsiode 4. I liked her voice as it fits Ruyi’s maturing days. As for the storyline, I prefer if they would wrote Dong Jie’s character, the empress, not evil since history said she was one of the kindest empress and was loved by Emperor Qian Long. I also think Wallace is a miscast as an emperor, but he’s not bad just prefer Nie Yuen in yanxi better.
Thank god it is not FBB. She can be that maid. She never look empress-y to me.
Zhou Xun is still toneless expressionless. I look at her sleepwalking.
Didn’t know Zhou can was Tony’s ex flame…. Juicy news for me
@m0m0 I thought loyal faithful Tony has only one love ie. Carina.
@mangotango
Tony has had his share of love sparks on set over the years which is quite normal…
If that’s true then Ruyi producers are fortunate. I mean imagine if Ruyi cannot be broadcasted like Legend of Ba Qing. I really like the story so far. Cannot wait for episodes 19 on Dramafever.
Anyway I feel sorry for Legend of Ba Qing team. I mean it is really a big loss if the series cannot be broadcasted. Hope not too many people will be laid off to save the money.
Gotta admit story in Ruyi is getting better since it is more reasonable and more CCTV like. I do enjoy Yanxi but that one a bit like shinkansen. Ruyi is more like old trains. Zhouxun has settled into her role looking normal. Or maybe her first week of filming was bad timing. However her voice is still emotionless. Wallace is ok but still not king like but the actions is very emperor like. I am enjoying both for different reasons.