Zhang Hanyu is a renowned Chinese actor who has garnered significant attention for his performances in various films. One of his notable roles was in the spy thriller *The Message* (*Feng Sheng*), directed by Chen Guofu and Gao Qunshu, which premiered during the National Day holiday. Feng Xiaogang, who served as the film's producer, expressed great confidence in *The Message*, an opinion shared by Zhang Hanyu himself. Following their collaboration on *Assembly*, the two once again joined forces with remarkable chemistry.
It is reported that Zhang Hanyu played a Japanese puppet role in the movie, a character that has been highly anticipated by fans since its announcement at the press conference. Many netizens have actively participated in discussions about the character on forums dedicated to Zhang’s fan base, even comparing it to the original novel to speculate on the storyline. This marked Zhang Hanyu's first attempt at playing an antagonist. In the stills released from the film, his slightly upward curling smile offered audiences a glimpse of his "dark side," while his usually gentle eyes revealed a sharpness that left some viewers feeling a bit uneasy.
Compared to his role in *Assembly*, Zhang Hanyu's character in *The Message* presents a stark contrast to "Gu Zidi." This new role allows Zhang more opportunities to delve into complex inner emotions. His polished hairstyle, tall military boots, and high-grade uniform are a world apart from the simple and rustic image of "Commander Gu" in *Assembly*. Upon seeing Zhang Hanyu's transformation in *The Message*, Feng Xiaogang humorously remarked, “Alright, your status has improved; you’re definitely dressed more elegantly!”
*Assembly* created a cinematic legend in its time, but whether Zhang Hanyu and Feng Xiaogang can achieve similar success with *The Message* remains to be seen upon the film's release.