One unconfirmed rumor can still send shockwaves through Chinese entertainment. Talk is spreading that Hu Ge and Xiao Zhan may co-star in the period historical drama The Rise of Zhang Juzheng (《风禾尽起张居正》), and the industry chatter is already intense. With top-tier stars, a prize-winning literary IP, and a reported prestige production team, the project sounds too good to ignore. Yet as the hashtag burns up social platforms, a thick cloud of skepticism hangs over the so‑called “super project.”
1. A Paper-Perfect Lineup: No Wonder Fans Are Losing It
If the rumored configuration holds, Zhang Juzheng reads like a dream package.
Hu Ge (胡歌)—widely respected for his acting range and dignified screen presence—is said to be in line to play Ming Dynasty reformer Zhang Juzheng, a role that demands gravitas and nuance.
Xiao Zhan (肖战)—one of China’s most commercially powerful traffic stars with proven period-drama appeal—is rumored to join as a special guest star, possibly portraying the young Wanli Emperor (Zhu Yijun), both student and later political adversary to Zhang. The historical dynamic alone promises dramatic electricity: “Hu Ge’s layered restraint” meeting “Xiao Zhan’s imperial youth energy” is catnip for drama speculation.
Behind the camera, the reported team is equally high-wattage:
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Director Wang Jun (汪俊), known for Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace and other works blending historical scale with refined aesthetics.
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Screenwriter Chang Jiang (常江) of The Advisors Alliance pedigree—battle-tested in power-struggle and court-intrigue storytelling.
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Based on a Mao Dun Literature Prize–winning IP, giving the project literary credibility and thematic weight.
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Produced by New Classics Media (新丽传媒), a major player with long experience in drama packaging and distribution.
No surprise that the rumor sent social media into overdrive. The hashtag “#HuGeXiaoZhanCollab” shot onto trending lists; forums lit up with comments like “dream crossover,” “once in a lifetime,” and “if this is real I’m in.”
2. Four Major Red Flags: Silence, Scheduling, Status, and Credibility
For every cheer, there’s a raised eyebrow. Under the glitter lies a pile of unresolved problems.
(1) Total Silence from All Sides
As of now, no confirmation from Hu Ge’s team, Xiao Zhan Studio, or New Classics Media. Fans—especially those in the Xiao Zhan camp—are sticking to the tried-and-true rule: no official announcement, no buy‑in. Hu Ge’s fandom is similarly cautious. Without hard info, the project remains a castle in the air.
(2) Xiao Zhan’s Wall-to-Wall Schedule
Timing may be the biggest practical obstacle. Xiao Zhan is currently filming the espionage drama Intelligence Uncapped (《谍报上不封顶》), reportedly running through late September. Rumor has him entering production in October for the medical drama Little City Remedies (《小城良方》), backed by Linmon (柠萌). Industry chatter says his calendar is basically blocked well into 2026. If Zhang Juzheng really aims to start in Q4 2025, how would he carve out the necessary window—even for a concentrated “special appearance” shoot?
(3) “Special Guest Star” Doesn’t Match Xiao Zhan’s Current Track
Since breaking out with The Untamed (《陈情令》), Xiao Zhan has fronted major dramas as a clear male lead—The Youth Memories, The Longest Promise, 藏海传, and now Intelligence Uncapped. Taking a secondary or prestige cameo position in another actor-led historical epic would mark a significant deviation from his post-breakout career strategy. Many fans don’t see it happening.
(4) Trust Issues: New Classics Media’s Reputation Problem
Perhaps the fiercest skepticism targets the producer. New Classics has faced repeated accusations of “actor teasing” (溜演员)—floating eye‑catching casting combinations to stir market attention before anything is finalized. One oft-cited example: the long-buzzed A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains (《千里江山图》), repeatedly rumored to star top traffic actors like Xiao Zhan or Wang Yibo, yet remaining vaporous. Critics argue the pattern looks like heat mining: use top names to attract investment and advertiser interest, then reshuffle or delay. Given that New Classics reportedly has no major 2025 production yet fully underway, skeptics see motive for a “traffic-fueled hype cycle.”
3. Public Reaction: Expectation vs. Resistance
The rumor has carved fandom and viewership into clear blocs:
The Expectation Camp (mixed drama fans, some dual-fans): dazzled by the idea. They want to see veteran craft meet modern star power and believe a high-end historical series could unite markets, demographics, and prestige awards potential.
The Resistance Camp (led by Xiao Zhan’s fanbase):
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Say No to Actor Teasing: Strong backlash against New Classics allegedly using Xiao Zhan’s name for hype.
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No Supporting Placement: Fans argue he no longer needs to “guest in someone else’s show”—even if that someone is Hu Ge.
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Reputation Risk: Concerns about script rewrites, production dilution, or post-edit billing wars damaging his brand.
Neutral industry watchers? Many are skeptical the deal will ever materialize, citing scheduling and brand-positioning mismatches.
4. Industry View: High Heat, Low Probability
Media insiders note that whether or not the drama exists in a packaged form, the rumor alone has already delivered value: social heat, investor attention, revived brand chatter for New Classics. But converting rumor heat into a greenlit, fully cast, historically serious 40‑episode prestige production—anchored by two of the biggest male names in C‑ent—would require aligned schedules, aligned compensation, aligned creative control, and aligned PR strategy. None of those are visible yet.
Current informal estimates from commentators: enormous upside if real; low likelihood given present conditions.
5. A Cooler Take: Let the Trending Topic Trend—Let the Work Speak
Both actors have confirmed projects that deserve attention now, without rumor inflation.
Hu Ge
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Film Striding, Pausing (《走走停停》)
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Blossoms (《繁花》) theatrical expansion / related screen projects
Xiao Zhan
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Espionage drama Intelligence Uncapped (《谍报上不封顶》) in production
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Medical drama Little City Remedies (《小城良方》) reportedly next in line
Instead of pinning hopes (or outrage) on a still-vapor rumor, viewers might get more satisfaction by tracking these real, already-moving works.
Final Thought
Will The Rise of Zhang Juzheng sail forward as a prestige epic with Hu Ge and Xiao Zhan aboard? Or will it evaporate as one more heat-chasing “air pie” baked for clicks, capital, and speculation? Until there’s an official announcement—script locked, cast signed, schedule set—caution is wise.
Let the trending tags do their thing. Let the finished shows do theirs.
