It's reasonable for me, a stuntman, to live a crazy life, right?

Chapter 884 Director Chen’s domineering remarks!

Warner Building, inside the chairman's office.

Kevin Tsujihara, the president of Warner, looked so dark at this moment that it seemed as if water could drip out of it!

He really didn't expect that the box office of the highly anticipated "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" dropped from more than 8000 million US dollars to the current 810 million US dollars on the sixth day of its release in North America.

The gap was so huge that he couldn't even believe it!

And the most crucial thing is that along with the sharp drop in box office, the reputation of the film is also extremely bad. The lMDB score has been dropping again and again, and it seems that it is about to be completely dumped.

After looking at the box office data report for a while and feeling sulky, he turned to look at Hamada, the head of DC Films.

“What is the current overseas box office response for this movie?”

Hamada said solemnly: "The box office data is not bad. The overseas box office has exceeded North America by a large margin."

Kevin Tsujihara, with some anticipation, mentioned the key point and asked: "What is the reputation of the film?"

Overseas audiences naturally know very little about DC comics compared to North America, so the influence of the movie itself directly exceeds that of the comics by several times.

Faced with this problem, Hamada had a headache, but he could not escape it: "Although the film's reputation overseas is worse than in North America, I am very confident that I can turn the situation around.

And with the screening of this movie, the audience has generally accepted DC superheroes and gradually realized the charm of DC superheroes. This is also our success. Once the next "Justice League" comes out, I believe..."

"No need to say anything more." Kevin Tsujihara seemed calmer. He raised his hand and interrupted Hamada: "I'm curious, have you ever thought about why most audiences are not interested in the comic background of DC?"

Without waiting for Hamada's reply, he gave his own answer: "Because the audience just wants to enjoy a relaxing and happy viewing experience in the cinema, rather than doing homework in advance and understanding the complicated plot background, which runs counter to happiness!"

Hamada was slightly stunned, then nodded and said, "The chairman is right. The audience's needs are indeed what we need to focus on. Fortunately, the audience base of Justice League is quite broad, and a situation like this will never happen."

However, his explanation did not make Kevin Tsujihara let down his guard.

The latter suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Is it feasible to replace the director Zack Snyder? I specially arranged for someone to do research. Although his style is unique, it does not seem to be popular with all audiences."

Judging from the current reputation of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice", a commercial blockbuster of this scale cannot be supported by relying solely on comic fans.

That's why Kevin Tsujihara had the idea of ​​replacing Zack Snyder. His idea was to find a director who was more suitable for shooting large-scale science fiction scenes.

For example - Christopher Nolan!

However, Hamada's face became extremely tangled when he heard this: "Boss, the preparations for Justice League are almost finished. We have invested hundreds of millions of dollars. If we change the director at this time, the losses will be immeasurable!"

Kevin Tsujihara pondered for a moment, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

After a moment, he finally gave up and proposed a new idea: "You are right, changing the director is indeed very risky.

But I think we can try to make adjustments based on the existing ones, such as sending a professional producer to be responsible for the style of the film, so that Zack can maintain his personality while being closer to the audience's preferences. "

Hamada's eyes lit up, as if he saw hope of solving the problem.

He quickly responded, "That's a good idea. I will arrange it immediately and personally supervise the project to ensure that every step is on the right track..."

Kevin Tsujihara added: "I will contact Nolan and it might be a good choice for him to be the producer."

"Yes, this is indeed a wise choice."

Hamada quickly agreed. It is better to let Nolan be the producer than to let him replace Zack Snyder. After all, the former is much more difficult than the latter.

In the following discussion, the two explored in more depth details such as how to optimize the film production process and enhance the audience experience, in an effort to make the plot richer and more three-dimensional.

"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" has become such a mess that even God can't save it.

But "Justice League" has not started filming yet, so everything can be corrected, so we must ensure that we learn from its strengths and overcome its weaknesses until we catch up with "The Avengers".

……

A new day came. When Chen Fei opened his eyes on the bed in Hengdian Hotel, he saw several new hot search news about movies on the Internet.

"The action and military-themed script "Wolf Warrior 2" submitted by Feiyue Films has passed the review. The film company can come to the Film Bureau with relevant certificates to obtain a filming permit and start filming normally."

"The low-budget comedy film "Mr. Donkey" co-produced by Feiyue Films and Happy Twist, starring Ren Suxi, A Runa, Liu Shuailiang and others, officially started shooting today."

"The third film in the "A Chinese Odyssey" series, "A Chinese Odyssey 3: The Finale", directed by Liu Zhenwei and starring Han Geng, Tang Yan, Wu Jing, Xie Nan and others, has officially been announced to be released on September 9."

A series of entertainment news reports made Wu Jing popular again.

The script of "Wolf Warrior 2" has been approved, and if nothing unexpected happens, he will be the lead actor again. He will also appear in "A Chinese Odyssey 3", plus the outdoor reality show "Running Man 4" which will be launched soon...

For a moment, he, who had been silent for several months, seemed to have returned to the audience's attention.

The poster released for "A Chinese Odyssey 3" is a bit laughable.

Wu Jing, who played the role of "Tang Monk", wore a cassock, shaved his head, and opened his mouth wide, looking like he was about to start being "funny".

This is quite different from the "tough guy" style he has shown in the past.

"It's not a good thing to owe too many favors. If you keep paying them back, you'll end up getting stuck in it, and it'll be hard to get out of it later."

Chen Fei has always been pessimistic about Wu Jing's role in "A Chinese Odyssey 3".

After all, Liu Zhenwei's operation was really "sexy".

In the previous movie promotion, he actually used the slogan of reinterpreting "Journey to the West", and also stated that the previous audiences and fans' interpretations of the two movies "Pink Box" and "Monkey King: Cinderella" were completely wrong!

Chen Feite wanted to point at his nose and say, "You're a director, what the hell do you know about A Chinese Odyssey?"

Are you worthy of reinterpreting "Journey to the West"?
I don't know what he was thinking. The more the movie goes on, the more confused he becomes. He actually shouted out such a slogan.

It would be fine if it could really satisfy the expectations of many audiences and fans over the years, but if the film does not satisfy the audience, then the slogan he shouts out now will inevitably turn into a boomerang and come back into his mouth!
By that time, not only would the movie's reputation collapse, but he himself would also be scolded to death by movie fans!
Wu Jing is really unlucky. He owed a lot of favors when he was developing in Hong Kong Island. Otherwise, how could he have ended up like this?

……

After getting up in the morning, Chen Fei rushed to the filming location of "La La Land" while receiving a call from Wang Changtian.

As expected, Lao Wang has set his eyes on the "Wolf Warrior 2" project and wants to get a piece of the pie.

Chen Fei didn't mind. Anyway, he was ready to find a few more investors to share the "pressure" for this movie.

The Bayi, Navy and Ministry of Public Security, which had previously cooperated, have all expressed their willingness to claim a 10% investment share, which means that 30% has been lost.

As for the remaining 70%, Chen Fei is not going to hide it all, otherwise he will inevitably be branded as "eating alone".

He plans to find two or three more investors, so that 40% will be enough for himself.

We make money together, eat together, and make as many friends as possible. This way, we don't have to worry about enemies lurking around.

Therefore, in response to Wang Changtian's idea of ​​joining, Chen Fei directly replied: "The estimated production cost of this film is 3 million yuan, so...how much is Mr. Wang prepared to take?"

"What? 3 million?"

On the other end of the phone, Wang Changtian was stunned: "A military-themed movie with an investment of 3 million? What is this going to be? Are you confident that you can make a profit?"

Chen Fei smiled mysteriously: "Don't worry about it. Since I dare to invest 3 million, there must be a reason. Just tell me how much Guangguang can bear."

There was a moment of silence during the conversation between the two.

After a few seconds, Wang Changtian gritted his teeth and said, "I can offer 3000 million!"

“So that’s 10%?”

"Yeah, 10%."

Fade Chen laughed: "Okay, the contract has been drafted and is in the company. Go sign it when you have time."

"Okay, I'll be there this afternoon."

After chatting for a few more words, the two ended the call.

However, before Chen Fei put his phone in his pocket, Ren Zhonglun called. As expected, he was also here for Wolf Warrior 2.

Like Wang Changtian, he was also shocked when he heard the production cost of 3 million yuan, and finally chose 10%.

After hanging up the phone, Ren Zhonglun, who was on his way to the Film Bureau, couldn't help but mutter to himself: "How can a military action movie cost 3 million yuan to produce? It's almost catching up with "Operation Mekong" and "Operation Red Sea". Is this guy doing some kind of experiment?"

Like Wang Changtian, he also checked the box office performance of "Wolf Warrior 1" before calling Chen Fei.

The figure of 6.23 million was indeed impressive in the past, but looking at it now, it seems just so-so.

No matter how high the box office of the sequel is, it should top out at 10 billion. Can it possibly catch up with "Operation Mekong"?
"10% is enough. I'll just maintain our partnership..."

Ren Zhonglun muttered quietly, turned his head and looked at the assistant sitting in the front row, and reminded him: "After we go to the Film Bureau, I will hold Director Tong and Director Zhang. You go to the review department as quickly as possible and make sure that the finished film of Railroad Tigers is delivered on time. Do you understand?"

The assistant responded confidently: "Yes, Mr. Ren, don't worry, I guarantee that the task will be completed!"

As Ren Zhonglun's personal assistant, he naturally understood the importance of "Railroad Tigers".

After all, the Dragon Prince is inside, so all procedures have to be done secretly and cannot be known to the outside world.

The lesson of "The Taoist Goes Down the Mountain" is right in front of us, so we must be vigilant, vigilant, and vigilant again for this "Railroad Tigers"!

As for the public opinion issues after the release, that is a matter for the future.

At worst, we can just fight the enemy with our soldiers and block the water with earth.

……

Chen Fei spent the entire morning on the set.

From the camera position to every prop, he checked everything carefully, and only felt relieved after he was sure that there were no problems.

It was soon noon, and just as he got in the car to return to the hotel, a strange phone call suddenly came to his cell phone.

Just when he was about to reject the call subconsciously, he noticed that the call was from the capital.

After thinking for a while, he pressed the answer button: "Hello?"

"Hello, Director Chen. Excuse me for disturbing you. My name is Liu Xiaobin. I am the new president of Wanda Cinema Line, replacing Ye Ning, and concurrently the executive vice president of the film industry..."

After the person on the other end introduced himself, Chen Fei immediately realized that he had made the right call.

"Haha, hello Mr. Liu, I thought it was a scam call and almost hung up."

"My bad, my bad. I've been wanting to find an opportunity to pay you a visit, but the company has been in such a mess lately that I just can't spare the time..."

Listening to Liu Xiaobin's words, Fade Chen raised his eyebrows slightly: "So the internal problems of the company have been dealt with now?"

"Well, it's almost there."

Liu Xiaobin didn't go into the topic of the company. After all, it's better not to make family scandals public, even if everyone knows about it now...

After chatting for a while, the new executive vice president of Wanda Pictures smoothly brought the topic to "cooperation".

"I am the successor of Mr. Ye, and Wanda Pictures and Feiyue Pictures have always been in a cooperative relationship. We certainly don't want to sever this relationship due to personnel changes. So do you think we can keep in closer contact on this film and television project?"

"of course."

Chen Fei did not refuse, after all, it was his idea to cooperate with Wanda.

Moreover, both parties have cinema chains, so once they join forces, the resulting benefits will definitely not be simply 1+1=2.

"Then let me briefly talk about the Wolf Warrior 2 project. I believe Mr. Liu is here for this, right?"

"Haha, Mr. Chen guessed it after all."

Chen Fei coughed lightly and explained, "The investment budget for Wolf Warrior 2 is 3 million RMB. Currently, 50% has been allocated, and our company plans to keep 40%."

"That means there is still 10% left, right?" Liu Xiaobin said without hesitation, "It's only 3000 million. Wanda has accepted it. And I can promise Mr. Chen that we will not be stingy in terms of distribution and scheduling. We will make sure to meet Mr. Chen's expectations..."

Liu Xiaobin attaches great importance to his first project after taking over Wanda Pictures and cinemas.

Ye Ning left halfway, and he was given the task at a critical moment. The burden on his shoulders was extremely heavy.

Now, apart from relying on Feiyue Film and Television, he really couldn't think of any other advantages he could use.

……

In the afternoon, just as Chen Fei was preparing for tomorrow's filming of "La La Land", a piece of gossip suddenly popped up on the Internet.

That is: "All four actresses and two actresses have failed in the audition for "Legend of the Demon Cat"!"

I don't know who leaked the news, but this piece of gossip spread like wildfire once it came out, and it seemed to have been confirmed by some people themselves.

For a time, news related to "Legend of the Demon Cat" quickly became a hot topic and sparked a lot of discussion.

Many reporters and paparazzi went to the studios of celebrities and actors to verify the facts, but without exception, they were all turned away.

After all, no one wants to publicly expose their failures. Although it is indeed true, it is inevitable to feel embarrassed when speaking it out.

But at this time, the scene in the audition room of Shengkai Pictures was completely different.

Looking at the actress from Taiwan who was performing in makeup, Chen Kai nodded from time to time, and also gave some advice:

"Every frown and smile of this character must be slow and gentle. You are the most beautiful woman in this era. You must be confident and have the mentality to outshine all the other beauties..."

Chen Hong, who was sitting next to her, had a strange expression on her face as she listened to what her man said.

She really couldn't understand why Zhang Rongrong could win the favor of Brother Chen Kai. Obviously, her appearance was just so-so, and she had nothing to do with the word "beautiful as a country"...

Apart from her "plump" figure, Chen Hong really couldn't connect the actress in front of her with "Yang Guifei".

Especially that face, because it is a mixed Chinese and French descent, it does not conform to the aesthetic taste of the Chinese people at all.

However, judging from Brother Chen Kai’s expression, it seems that he is getting more and more satisfied with the auditions!

A few minutes later, as the audition ended, Brother Chen Kai waved his hand gently to signal Zhang Rongrong to go out first.

Soon, only Chen Kaige, Chen Hong, and Wang Huiling, another main screenwriter of "Legend of the Demon Cat", were left in the audition room.

Before Chen Hong could speak, Wang Huiling spoke first, saying in a Taiwanese accent, "Director Chen, how was it? Wasn't that actor good?"

"Yeah, she's really good." Brother Chen Kai folded his arms across his chest and commented, "Her figure and body shape are very suitable for the role of 'Yang Guifei'. Her acting skills are also good, but her lines are not so good. But this is not a big problem. It can be corrected slowly later..."

Chen Hong was listening at the side, and finally couldn't help but remind her: "It's just that her appearance doesn't seem to be related to 'the most beautiful woman in the world'?"

"No!" Brother Chen Kai suddenly said seriously, "I think her appearance fits the setting of Yang Guifei very well, because according to historical records, this Yang Yuhuan was born in the Hongnong Yang family and experienced the Five Barbarians' Invasion of China. She might have some barbarian blood in her body..."

As a producer, Chen Hong was not satisfied with this explanation.

In her opinion, instead of using Zhang Rongrong, it would be better to use Fan Bingbing or Gao Yuanyuan.

She said subconsciously: "But I think..."

However, before she could finish the second half of her sentence, Brother Chen Kai said sternly: "I don't care what you think, I care what I think!"

This overbearing statement stunned Chen Hong.

In the end, she did not dare to disobey Brother Chen Kai, but chose to nod and accept.

She knew Brother Chen Kai very well. Once he made a decision, eight oxen would not pull him back.

Apart from obeying him and depending on him, Chen Hong could not think of any other reasons or excuses to convince him.

……

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(End of this chapter)