Huayu: The director just wants to save money

Chapter 249: Luc Besson, Europa Films, Cooperation

Domestic public opinion is still fermenting.

Negative comments continue to increase, and it is clear that some people are leading the trend.

After a long time, Han Sanping called Zhou Mo.

"Don't worry about domestic public opinion. I've already sent people to deal with it. It doesn't matter how much Lucy sells. The people from China Film Group in Cannes have told me everything. You did the right thing. This is how you should deal with those people. The reason why I was so optimistic about Lao Jiang was because he was tough..."

No one mentioned anything about "Entertainment Circle".

Not even getting angry.

Just caring.

Zhou Mo expressed his gratitude to Han Sanping.

"I'll visit you after I get back."

Han Sanping snorted coldly.

"Finally I have waited for your promise, Director Zhou. If I hadn't said this today, I'm afraid I would have to wait for many more days!"

Zhou Mo said with a smile: "Oh, I'm too busy. Don't be angry. You're almost retired. Being angry all day is not good for your health."

Han Sanping: ...

Why is this kid so rude?!
"Do you still want my help?" Han Sanping's suppressed angry voice could be clearly heard over the phone.

Zhou Mopi said quickly: "Of course, this matter still needs your help, President Han..."

Han Sanping added.

"Also, I'd like to remind you that sometimes you still need to ask a few companies for help when investing in a movie. Look at the big controversy surrounding Lucy. If you had asked China Film Corporation to invest, such a big thing wouldn't have happened. Young people should broaden their horizons."

Zhou Moshun climbed up the pole: "This is what you said. "Cold Wind" has the investment of China Film. If there are any troubles in the future, you have to help me solve them."

"What do you mean by any trouble? I mean the problem of publicity."

"Almost, almost the same..."

"How can that be called almost... Hey? Hey! Fuck!"

Han Sanping stared at the phone that had been hung up, his eyes widened and his blood vessels almost throbbed.

"Fuck, this bastard..."

On the side, Han Jianu looked at her furious father and covered her mouth with her hands, laughing secretly.

She had been taught a lesson several times by Lao Han during this period, and now she felt extremely happy when she saw her father being hung up.

"What are you laughing at?" Han Sanping glanced over with an eagle-like gaze.

Han Jianu immediately lowered her head.

"Nothing, I just thought of something happy..."

……

Cannes.

Zhou Mo was visited by De Niro.

"Zhou, good news, the person you've been waiting for is here."

Zhou Mo smiled slightly.

"Let's go then."

"Walk."

The person they both wanted to meet was Luc Besson.

Luc Besson was not originally attending Cannes this time, but he is French, so coming to Cannes is like wandering around in his own backyard.

After hearing about "Lucy" from De Niro a few days ago, I immediately dealt with the things on hand and rushed to Cannes.

"Zhou, this is director Luc Besson."

"This is Zhou."

De Niro briefly introduced both parties, then looked at the fourth person in the room.

Luc Besson took over the conversation: "This is the head of Universal, and he is here to discuss the purchase of the copyright and subsequent operations of Lucy."

The person in charge of Universal was a middle-aged man in his forties, and he looked much softer than the two people from Walt the previous two days.

He shook hands with Zhou Mo and started with a joke.

"Nice to meet you, Zhou. I hope that no matter whether our cooperation today is successful or not, I won't be scolded for directing or acting on P-station in the end."

As soon as the words fell, everyone laughed.

Zhou Mo's attack on the Walter duo two days ago has spread.

Especially the old rogue Lao Jiang, who went around telling people how good Zhou Mo's words were.

As a result, many foreigners completely understood the meaning of Zhou Mo's words and mocked the Walter duo.

What’s interesting is that even the people in Cannes were mocking the Walter duo, but many people in China were unwilling to do so, and some even felt that Zhou Mo was going too far and was embarrassing.

Back to the present.

Several people talked about Lucy. Luc Besson started by praising it: "Zhou, this movie is simply my muse. I have never seen a movie that is so similar to my ideas. Its plot, lens design, and special effects level are all touching my heart...
If we had never met, I would have thought we had exchanged ideas for the film."

This is actually a very impolite statement.

Moreover, to those who are not in the know, it might even sound like Luc Besson is saying that Zhou Mo might have plagiarized his idea.

But only Zhou Mo knew that what Luc Besson expressed was basically his literal meaning.

He really felt that this movie suited him very well.

After all, he was the one who filmed "Lucy" in the previous life.

Coupled with the "Muse" mentioned by Luc Besson...

This time, we really became lovers from the previous life.

After a few polite words, Zhou Mo got down to business.

"So, how much are you two prepared to pay for this movie?"

Luc Besson smiled slightly: "To be honest, when I first saw the script, I was planning to buy the rights to this movie for 30 million, but after watching the movie today, I have a new idea. I wonder if you are willing to listen to it?"

Zhou Mo himself was already satisfied with 30 million.

Da Tiantian is not as good as Black Widow.

His own fame is no greater than Luc Besson.

The price of 30 million is sincere enough.

As for new ideas...

"Oh? How do you say it?"

Luc Besson said: "Zhou, you should know that I actually like action movies, whether it is "Taken" or "District 2", they are all projects of my company.

Then, a few days ago, De Niro recommended your "John Wick" to me. I liked it very much after watching it. Both the action performance and the worldview of the High Table were very attractive to me.

De Niro happened to tell me that you also have plans to shoot a follow-up to John Wick. So I was wondering if we could reach a deeper cooperation, and have our two companies work together to shoot the plot of John Wick outside of Asia. "

After hearing this, Zhou Mo's eyes lit up.

That’s a really good idea.

Due to his qualifications and achievements, he currently has no foundation in a foreign film company.

I had signed a contract with De Niro before, and I only planned to act as his agent.

But now if we can work with Luc Besson, both the cost and the control over the project will be much stronger.

Not to mention that the company mentioned by Luc Besson was founded by himself, called Europa, which is a world-class film production company.

Relying on the cooperation with Europa Films is enough to realize Shanhe’s first step towards the world.

Zhou Mo thought for a moment and verbally agreed on a time with Luc Besson to discuss the specific details.

Today’s theme is, after all, “Lucy”.

"Actually, after considering the cooperation on John Wick: Chapter 11, I also have a new idea for Lucy." Luc Besson gave himself an A first: "Zhou, what I'm going to say next may be a little direct, I hope you don't mind..."

Zhou Mo waved his hand, signaling the other party to speak frankly.

We are all friends, there is no need to mind or not.

He was definitely not being so easy to talk to because he thought the other party could be of great help to him in the future.

Luc Besson said: "Zhou, Lucy is a very good movie, whether in terms of special effects, actors' acting skills or the director's ability.

It’s just that at present, because you and the protagonist Miss Jing are not famous enough, the box office potential of the movie Lucy has been greatly affected. I’m sure you should also understand this.”

Zhou Mo nodded.

The situation with the screening of "Lucy" these days is basically the same: not enough people come, but they are definitely satisfied when they leave.

Before coming here, many people had never heard of Zhou Mo and Da Tiantian, so they subconsciously thought that the quality of this movie was average.

A big part of the reason why I was able to come and see the movie was because Lao Jiang worked hard to help promote it before the opening of the film festival.

Seeing Zhou Mo's approval, Luc Besson continued.

"So, I think that even if our company buys the film copyright and goes back to screen it, the results may not be particularly good. Although we will definitely not lose money based on the quality of the film, we will make a lot less money."

Zhou Mo suddenly had an idea and seemed to have guessed Luc Besson's plan.

"So, what you mean is..."

"So, what I mean is, I want to cooperate with your company to shoot another version of "Lucy" and broadcast it outside of Asia. The plot will basically follow the original script, with only slight changes to the movie and place names, and use some more localized movie stars to star in it. Then we will split the profits according to the contract." Luc Besson stated his ultimate goal.

Zhou Mo's eyes flashed.

really.

He asked, “Like Infernal Affairs and The Departed?”

Luc Besson nodded.

“Just like Infernal Affairs and The Departed!”

(End of this chapter)