Youku TV (who also produced the Shao Nian Ge Xing drama series) bought over the rights to the Shao Nian Bai Ma Zui Chun Feng series, and is being marketed as the "brother" series to SNGX (a.k.a. The Blood of Youth).
In today's post, Youku TV announced that filming will start in May 2023 and will take about 120 days. Location filming will take place in Hengdian Studios in Zhejiang. The production team is currently calling for auditions for the supporting cast.
Director: Chen Zhoufei 陈宙飞
Executive Producer: Zhou Shuaibo 粥帅博、Yan Xiaorui 闫晓睿
The author, Zhou Munan, will also be involved in adaptation of the screenplay.
Synopsis (from Youku TV):
Baili Dongjun, the young son of the Marquis of the Western Garrison, was a naughty and mischievous child who hated studying, hated military arts and hated martial arts. His only love was wine-brewing, just because when he was young, he made a promise with his childhood friend, Ye Yun, to one day become the "Wine Immortal". Alas, not even Baili Dongjun could decide his own destiny. Eventually, he became the disciple of the number one martial expert under Heaven, Li Changsheng, and started to learn martial arts. While undergoing his training, he met Yue Yao, who became a close confidante, and also reunited with Ye Yun, who had changed his name to Ye Dingzhi. Under their influence and encouragement, Baili Dongjun began to re-assess his own identity and responsibilities. Many years later, Ye Dingzhi was manipulated by others and forced to launch a war against the Central Plains. Baili Dongjun gathered all the heroes under Heaven to defend their land against the invasion. Facing a friend who was like a brother, not only was Baili Dongjun unwilling to back down, he was determined to save the people, and also his brother!
Cast: (already fixed)
Baili Dongjun: Hou Minghao 侯明昊
Ye Dingzhi: He Yu 何与
Yue Yao: Hu Lianxin 胡连馨
Supporting cast: (casting now)
In today's post, they listed the following characters up for casting. I'm only listing the ages of the characters because it's interesting but won't be translating the character descriptions.
Sikong Changfeng (22) - Baili Dongjun's other best friend
Yi Wenjun (18) - Ye Dingzhi's future wife
Nangong Chunshui (20+) - chancellor of Jixia Academy and number one under Heaven
Lei Mengsha (29) - Lei Wujie's father
Yue Qing (17) - Yue Yao's younger sister
Xiao Ruofeng (24) - Beili's most outstanding prince, Langya Prince
Baifa Xian (27) - loyal to Yue Yao and protector
Ziyi Hou (28) - loyal to Yue Yao and protector
Liu Yue (26) - one of the Eight Noble Sons of Beili
Wang Yixing (26) - head disciple of Qingcheng Mountain
Ji Ruofeng (about 25) - hallmaster of Bai Xiao Hall
Wen Hujiu (38) - Baili Dongjun's uncle and future leader of Wen Clan
Baili Luochen (60+) - Marquis of the Western Garrison and Baili Dongjun's grandfather
Baili Chengfeng (40+) - Baili Dongjun's father
Besides the above, there are over 80 other characters they have yet to cast! I'm curious why they didn't list the rest of the Eight Noble Sons or Li Xinyue. I'm also curious how many of the SNGX cast will return. Fans are calling for Ao Ruipeng (who played Lei Wujie) to take Lei Mengsha's role. Haha. In the animation, the same voice actor did both characters!
Don't bother asking when the show will air because I don't know. If everything goes according to plan and principal photography finishes in Sep-Oct, it will be at least 2024 Q3 before the show airs. I hope it won't take long because I'm sure they want to ride on SNGX's success. I will update here or on the SNBM carrd once I know anything. Stay tuned!