"I saw someone in a report claiming that my character is flawed. Honestly, when he said that, he didn't even stop to look at what kind of trash he is himself. Bullying actresses on set, throwing massive tantrums—which of these reputation-ruining things hasn't he done? Furthermore, I hear he's preparing to break into Hollywood, and he even put on a pretentious little ceremony, donating his trophies away. Tell me, isn't he worried about getting slapped in the face? He'd better not head to Hollywood full of lofty ambitions only to come scurrying back like a whipped dog a few years later. If that actually happens, it'll be enough to make people laugh their heads off."
Zhou Ziheng's remarks were not without foundation. Bullying actresses and throwing tantrums—God of Gamblers had done both. Leaving aside the bullying of actresses, Maggie Cheung and Nina Li were both victims. Especially Nina Li, toward whom God of Gamblers showed not an ounce of respect, routinely calling her a mainland bumpkin and even hitting her for real during filming.
As for throwing tantrums, the film Peace Hotel that he released this year was a prime example. Wai Ka-fai's original script wasn't actually the one that ended up being shot; it was a completely different version. Because God of Gamblers was cast as the lead, the moment he joined the crew he forcefully seized creative control and directly rewrote the script into the version released today. The result was entirely predictable: the movie ultimately…
Chapter 178