Rebirth of Hong Kong - 1978

Chapter 244 We want to start a company
At the end of the [-]s, Xiangjiang made two sci-fi films called "Two Fools Havoc in Space" and "The Big Winter Melon".

The production of these two films is very rough, almost not comparable to science fiction films, but even so, they have become the ancestors of Xiangjiang science fiction films.

In 1975, Shaw Brothers filmed a science fiction film "Chinese Superman" on a whim.

The play is written by Ni Kuang, directed by Hua Shan, and led by Li Xiuxian.

It is said to be a sci-fi film, but it is actually a high imitation Altman movie,
Director Hua Shan wanted to combine Ultraman and Chinese martial arts, but the film only earned 55 at the box office.

And the No.1 box office of Xiangjiang that year was won by Xu Guanwen's "Genius and Idiot" with a box office of 450 million.

Afterwards, Run Run Shaw still refused to give up on sci-fi films, and he seemed to be getting into sci-fi films.

In 1977, Shaw Brothers remade the classic American science fiction film "King Kong" from 1933, and the new film was named "The Orangutan King".

This "Gorilla King" was the film that Shaw Brothers invested the most in that year.

In order to make this film well, Run Run Shaw not only invited top-notch stunt directors from Japan, but also specially invited female star Evelynka from Germany.

The front-screen camera system machine purchased from abroad alone cost 500 million Hong Kong dollars.

It is said that there were only four of this machine in the United States at that time, and three in Asia, which were purchased by the prince of Thailand, Toho of Japan and Shaw respectively.

If you add the film, venue rent, film remuneration and other expenses of 600 million, the film cost tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars.

But it's a pity that this film invested so much, but in the end it only got a box office of 100 to 20.

Can't get a good box office in Xiangjiang, so selling to the port has naturally become a problem, so this "Gorilla King" can be said to have cost Run Run Shaw a lot of money.

Because of this relationship, at least for a few years, Shaw Brothers will not take the initiative to make sci-fi movies.

But Shaw's not making a film doesn't mean no one is willing to make a film. Lin Daoqiu has already made up his mind, since Jiahe came to him, he should give it a try.

The investment in this sci-fi movie is definitely bigger than that of "Mission Impossible", and it will take longer.

I just don't know if Zou Wenhuai has the courage to cooperate with him.

…………

But before Lin Daoqiu went to Zou Wenhuai, Sammo Hung came to Zou Wenhuai's office first.

"Sanmao, what can I do for you? Sit down and talk."

Sammo Hung had already made complete preparations before coming here. If Zou Wenhuai still planned to use the drag formula, then he could only switch to Princess Jin.

After all, I have affection and righteousness towards Jiahe and Zou Wenhuai, but if the other party is too extreme, I don't have to hang myself from this tree.

"Mr. Zou, actually, I came to you today because I want to discuss something with you."

Hearing what Sammo Hung said, Zou Wenhuai didn't think too much, he nodded while listening.

"Sanmao just say something, is there any problem with the new film?"

Zou Wenhuai thought that Sammo Hung came to him because the new film encountered some unsolvable troubles.

But Sammo Hung shook his head, he didn't come here today to talk about the new film with Zou Wenhuai.

"Mr. Zou is like this. I mentioned to you about starting a company before. Do you still remember?"

Zou Wenhuai, who had been smiling all the time, heard Sammo Hung mentioning this matter, his smile froze for almost two seconds, but he recovered quickly.

If it was in the past, Zou Wenhuai would definitely find a way to continue dragging it on.

After all, once Sammo Hung is allowed to go out and start a company, the remuneration will become a share of the film when he cooperates with him in the future, so Golden Harvest will take a lot less money.

But if Sammo Hung was not agreed, he seemed to be prepared, which made Zou Wenhuai have to guard against it.

"Of course I remember. You weren't busy making films before, so I think the business of starting a company can be put aside for the time being. In fact, I have always supported you in starting a company."

Although I don't know why Sammo Hung suddenly brought up this matter, Zou Wenhuai has already realized that if he doesn't agree to him today, something that he can't predict will happen.

Because of the extra golden princess, Jiahe is no longer the best choice for filmmakers.

In the past, the reason why everyone liked to cooperate with Golden Harvest was also because Shaw Brothers' large studio system could not accommodate independent producers at all.

But the situation is different now, so the people below will naturally not worry about offending Jiahe and having nowhere to go.

Although Zou Wenhuai was very angry, he still had to keep a very calm look on his face.

"So Mr. Zou promised me to start a company."

Sammo Hung was worried that Zou Wenhuai would disagree, so he prepared a lot of arguments to persuade the other party.

But I didn't expect that I just made a start, and Zou Wenhuai agreed, which made Hong Jinbao feel a little overjoyed.

"Of course I support it. In fact, Sanmao, you have made so many contributions to Golden Harvest. It is a good thing to start a company. How could I not agree?"

Although Zou Wenhuai is not very satisfied with the result, he also knows that it will happen sooner or later.

You must know that when Xu Guanwen joined Golden Harvest, the first film he made was a share of the box office.

Sammo Hung has filmed so many films in Golden Harvest, if he is not allowed to start a company, it is really unreasonable.

And when Sammo Hung was happy to get Zou Wenhuai's permission, he suddenly remembered that Yuen Biao hadn't said anything yet.

So Sammo Hung could only carefully tell Zou Wenhuai about Yuen Biao's desire to start a company.

This time Zou Wenhuai seemed to be prepared, so he nodded in agreement after listening.

Sammo Hung was very happy that something that was thought to be difficult to handle was solved so easily.

"Mr. Zou, don't worry, we will definitely redouble our efforts to make movies in the future."

After that, Sammo Hung happily left Zou Wenhuai's office.

As soon as the door was closed, the smile on Zou Wenhuai's face disappeared without a trace, replaced by a heavy expression.

Not long after Sammo Hung left, He Guanchang also came to Zou Wenhuai's office.

As soon as he entered the door, he saw Zou Wenhuai who seemed very tired.

"Did something happen?"

He Guanchang didn't know that Sammo Hung came to find Zou Wenhuai today.

"San Mao just came to me and said that he and Yuen Biao wanted to start a company."

He Guanchang immediately frowned upon hearing this.

"These two guys are really good. I'm going to talk to him and let him focus on filming."

After He Guanchang finished speaking, Zou Wenhuai suddenly shook his head.

"No need to go, I have already promised him to start a company."

It seemed that Zou Wenhuai would agree to Sammo Hung's request, He Guanchang immediately opened his eyes wide.

"If I don't agree to him, believe it or not, he will run to Princess Jin as soon as he turns around."

He Guanchang didn't think much about it at first, but after hearing what Zou Wenhuai said, he also felt that Sanmao might really do this.

"Forget it, this is the end of the matter, let them go."

(End of this chapter)