China Entertainment: Been working as a director since 03

Chapter 603 What does the director know about movies?

No one can say for sure whether Li Yu can develop in Hollywood, and Wang Jing is also afraid to jump to conclusion.

The answer can only be revealed after "Aquaman" is released.

The quality of a movie will ultimately be tested by the market.

The question Wang Jing asked was actually the same question that Li Yu was concerned about.

The original version of "Aquaman" took more than a year of post-production before it was scheduled to premiere in the country.

A year is too long and Li Yu doesn’t want to wait that long.

He had communicated with Warner some time ago. The post-production of "Aquaman" was slow because of the trouble in making special effects.

Things like special effects can improve efficiency as long as you are willing to pay more.

Huana's mentality is actually the same as Li Yu's, both are quite anxious.

Because their latest film this year, "Justice League", was a flop, both at the box office and in terms of reputation.

In Hollywood, many media say that the success or failure of DC movies depends on Nolan.

Some media outlets went even further and directly concluded that for many years to come, DC's superhero movies will continue to be outperformed by Slowdown, with no hope of overtaking at all.

At this time, the movie "Aquaman" becomes particularly important.

This is a new attempt for them. They hired Li Yu, a director who has a great influence in the Chinese market, to try to expand the Chinese market and make up for the weak overseas market.

They also want the movie "Aquaman" to be released earlier.

But they are not willing to spend more money on the movie "Aquaman".

"Justice League", the most highly invested and promising movie in recent years, all flopped, which dealt a heavy blow to their self-confidence.

After understanding their thoughts, Li Yu made a suggestion.

Since they were unwilling to put out more money, Li Yu used his own money to invest additional money to speed up the progress of the special effects.

When they heard this, they thought that Li Yu’s suggestion was a good one.

With Li Yu's money, they can release "Aquaman" earlier.

As for Li Yu's additional investment, Li Yu is also an investor, and we will give Li Yu a share of the money later.

Dividing the money is something you need to consider only after you have achieved a great victory.

After reaching a consensus, Li Yu invested 30 million yuan in "Aquaman" to speed up the progress.

With this additional 30 million dollars, the post-production time of "Aquaman" can be reduced by more than half.

This is the effect of adding money.

Originally the three special effects companies were working slowly, but now they have money and are working at full capacity, inviting more companies to help. Can the speed remain the same?

"It should be soon, during the summer vacation. After your Chasing the Dragon is off the screen, my Aquaman will be ready for release. My 30 million US dollars was not invested in vain." Li Yu said to Wang Jing.

Wang Jing was very surprised after learning about the reasons why Li Yu invested 30 million yuan: "Director Li, you are really bold and daring. Even they themselves have serious lack of confidence, but you still invested money in it. 30 million yuan, in US dollars, this number is not small."

Wang Jing knew that the movie "Wolf Warrior 2" helped Li Yu achieve several small goals, but he couldn't be so willful.

If it were him, he would not invest in speeding up the later stages, and he would not spend a penny.

Just wait for a while. After the movie is released and it becomes a big hit at the box office, he is waiting for the box office dividends that the other party has promised.

If the movie fails, he will just run away and return to China to make movies.

"As a director, how can you not have confidence in the movies you make? Don't think that the big Hollywood film companies are professional.

Although they have a lot of professionals doing market research, their market sense is often not as good as the director's. Take their recent Justice League, which flopped both in terms of word of mouth and box office. In my opinion, if the director was given full authority to edit the film himself, it might not have flopped. "

Li Yu's words were not groundless.

Four or five years later, the director released a director's cut of "Justice League", which received much better reviews than the theatrical version.

This story proves that even if the same ingredients are used, some people can make a full banquet, while others can make pig food.

This story also proves that many times, the biggest enemy is not outsiders, but our own people.

DC fans who watched the director's cut couldn't help but complain, it turns out that the biggest enemy of DC movies is not Slowdown, but Warner.

“That’s true. The film companies there think that the director is just a tool for making movies and doesn’t understand movies.

It's those people who have done the research who know what the audience likes to watch, and in fact, what they think is just what they think."

Wang Jing strongly agreed with Li Yu's statement.

However, he still felt that Li Yu's approach of investing money in it was risky.

Considering that Li Yu's family is wealthy, 30 million Mi Yuan is only a small amount. Even if he loses it all, it won't be enough to cause Li Yu any serious damage.

Li Yu can easily make back all the money by making a serious movie in the country.

……

Some time later, Wang Jing's "Chasing the Dragon" was released.

As a veteran director, Wang Jing is still very capable as long as he gets serious.

The fans who criticized Wang Jing for "The Last Tycoon" last year were a little dumbfounded after seeing "Chasing the Dragon".

"It's amazing that a director can be so meticulous that he can shoot both 'Macau Island 3' and 'Chasing the Dragon' in a short period of time. This movie proves that Fatty Wang actually knows what kind of movie is a good movie, and he can also make a good movie."

"He really wasn't bragging this time. He made a solid movie with full sincerity. The action scenes are much better than the 'Ocean Island Storm' series, and the jokes are much more advanced."

"What? Andy Lau is a guest star? Isn't he the lead actor? This is the first time I've seen a guest star with so many scenes."

"The Hong Kong version of "Once Upon a Time in America" ​​is pretty good, I'd give it a 7."

"It's much better than expected. It makes me want to forgive Wang Jing from last year."

The movie "Chasing the Dragon" is indeed one of Wang Jing's rare and relatively good works in recent years.

However, Hong Kong-style gangster films have really declined, and "Chasing the Dragon" can only be regarded as the afterglow of the sunset.

The film grossed just over 60 million on its first day, a definite improvement over the original version.

However, to achieve Wu Jing's dream, as good as "Wolf Warrior 2" is, it is somewhat a daydream.

Li Yu estimated that it would be a blessing if the film could gross 1 billion yuan at the box office.

However, it earned 60 million on the first day, and the word of mouth is also very good. In any case, it will not be a loss. Li Yu can make a small profit from this investment.

That day, Li Yu suddenly received a call from Chen Kaige.

"Director Li, I heard that the movie 'Aquaman' you shot in Hollywood will be released during the summer vacation?"

"Director Chen, who told you this? The information is quite accurate."

"It's actually true. Fortunately, I heard about this from someone, otherwise my "The Thirteen Soldiers Return to Yumen" would have colliding with your "Aquaman". Isn't this like a flood flushing out the Dragon King Temple, and family members fighting against each other?" Chen Kaige was shocked.

Fortunately, he did not issue an announcement to the public, otherwise it would be difficult to withdraw or not to withdraw.

If he doesn't retreat, he will be embarrassed because he is afraid of being beaten by Li Yu.

If he retreats, it will also be embarrassing. Director Chen was once recognized as the best director in China. If he flees at the critical moment, doesn't he have any face?
(End of this chapter)