LayarHijau.com – Chinese actor Wu Lei is making headlines with his upcoming film Dongji Island, set to be released this August. In the movie, he plays a humble fisherman and shows impressive dedication by fully transforming himself physically and mentally for the role.
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A recently released behind-the-scenes video from the production team shows Wu Lei feeling visibly shy during a costume fitting, where he wore minimal clothing to reflect the daily attire of real-life island fishermen. In the clip, he says, “I’m so embarrassed, I’m not ready!” However, he later jokes, “Now, I’ve opened my mind… and my character’s outfit too,” showing that he eventually grew comfortable in the role.
According to a report by Up Media, director Guan Hu specifically requested simpler, more authentic attire for Wu Lei, stating that real fishermen often go shirtless and wear only the bare essentials. This decision was meant to enhance the realism of the character and reflect the harsh, sun-drenched life of island villagers.
The costume trial video quickly went viral, with many netizens praising Wu Lei’s professionalism and physical transformation. Comments ranged from admiration of his physique to humorous reactions, with fans applauding his willingness to step out of his comfort zone for the role.
Wu Lei underwent rigorous physical preparation for this film. To appear more like a real fisherman, he tanned his skin and began training in free diving a year in advance. Together with co-star Zhu Yilong, he completed demanding underwater scenes, including diving as deep as 9 meters and holding his breath for over 4 minutes—despite working in waters with less than 0.5 meters visibility.
Dongji Island is inspired by the true story of the Lisbon Maru shipwreck in 1942. It focuses on the real-life bravery of fishermen from Dongji Island, Zhoushan, who risked their lives to rescue 384 British prisoners of war. In the film, Wu Lei plays Dang, the younger brother of Zhao (played by Zhu Yilong), both of whom are seen diving for treasure when a massive submarine shadow suddenly appears overhead—creating a palpable sense of danger and urgency.
Wu Lei, who gained fame through the hit drama Love Like the Galaxy, began his career at the age of 3 through a commercial for Golden Partner. In 2018, he was accepted into the Beijing Film Academy with the highest score in his department. While he initially became known for idol dramas, Wu Lei has recently shifted his focus to more grounded and serious roles, such as in Dwelling by the West Lake and now Dongji Island—showing clear ambition to grow as an actor and break away from his earlier image.
With its emotional story, gripping underwater action, and strong performances, Dongji Island is one of the most anticipated Chinese films of the year. Fans and critics alike are eager to see this new, mature side of Wu Lei on the big screen.
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