The King of Directors 2000

Chapter 398 Spread Like a Virus

The lights were still on on the first floor of the Sony Pictures office building in Los Angeles just as The Hangover premiered.

There are 30 people inside, working overtime.

In the innermost office, Movraski looked at the news on the computer with a sullen face, expressionless.

""Resident Evil 3 Finale" is terrible, I have never seen such a bad movie."

"There is no plot, it's just the heroine playing cool, what are they doing?"

"Bad movie, in my mind, this movie won't get more than three."

"Resident Evil 3" was released a week ago. Its reputation in the beautiful country is very bad, and it is not very good in Europe, but it is passable in Asia.

However, the Asian market, that is, the island country market can make a little money, but the peninsula market is not so good.

The Huaxia market has not risen either.

At the same time, "The Hangover", which was released today, has a lot of word-of-mouth.

"This is the movie I want to see, it makes me forget some troubles."

"The Hangover is the best comedy movie of the new century, and I hope other comedy directors can learn from it."

"It's so funny, I want three swipes."

Although the "Resident Evil" series of movies only have a box office of 6000 to [-] million dollars, they still make some money.

But word-of-mouth lags far behind "The Hangover" at this time, which still makes Movraski very upset.

After the new century, Sony Pictures has been operating better and better, and has made significant progress in all aspects.

As a Sony executive, Movraski is used to success, and he is used to those foreign directors respecting him.

Li Shengyao's attitude towards him at that time was still in his heart a few months later.

He often thinks about the failure of Lee Seung Yew's film, and then looks timid and regretful.

But I didn't expect that "The Hangover" seemed to be about to explode.

Is this God blind?

Just then there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The assistant opened the door, walked into the office quickly, and then said: "Sir, "The Hangover" is being praised outside. This movie is already popular. Relatively, there will be fewer audiences who will appreciate "Resident Evil 3". We predict that "Resident Evil 3" The North American box office of Resident Evil 5000 is around [-] and [-] million."

Movraski couldn't help but said, "Are you sure? Is "The Hangover" really popular?"

Although from the mouth of the assistant and the rapidly increasing comments on Rotten Tomatoes, it can be seen that "The Hangover" is indeed popular.

But Movraski was still a little unconvinced.

He is not unreasonably suspicious, this matter is indeed very mysterious.

Li Shengyao did not grow up in the beautiful country. According to interviews, he was able to write a comedy that the people of the beautiful country would like after only watching Hollywood comedy movies. It is incredible.

After Sony acquired Columbia Pictures, it actually considered whether to promote island culture in the beautiful country.

However, after a detailed market survey and analysis, everyone felt that the island culture in the beautiful country is at best a subculture, a culture that very few people like.

Most people will not like island culture.

Relatively speaking, the beautiful country is open, while the culture of the island country is restrained.

Under such circumstances, except for Sony's arrangement of three or five high-level executives to come to the beautiful country, all other employees are from the beautiful country.

Although Sony Pictures is a subsidiary of Sony, it has nothing to do with Sony's traditional corporate culture.

This is a beautiful country film production company.

Sony neither promoted island culture, nor supported island directors to come to the beautiful country.

They thought it impossible to succeed.

Although Li Shengyao is not from an island country, the Chinese culture is as different from the culture of the beautiful country.

And there have been no previous successes.

Chen Kaige is a great director in Huaxia, and the films he made in Beautiful Country before can be said to be without splash.

The Huaxia movies that sold well in the beautiful country in the past were all costume blockbusters or Kung Fu movies.

Comedy doesn't work at all.

In addition, Lee Sing Yew's comedy movie doesn't even have a comedy star, and Lively, the biggest star, is just a cameo.

From these points of view, it is really fantastic that Lee Sheng Yew can make a movie like "The Hangover" that meets the aesthetics of the beautiful country.

The assistant nodded, and said affirmatively: "It's confirmed, now "The Hangover" is a big hit, and young people are discussing this movie."

Movraski frowned slightly, and then his eyes lit up, suddenly thinking of a possibility.

"Could it be that Warner and Disney are working together to boost the box office first?"

When the assistant heard this, he thought about it first, then shook his head, "It shouldn't be like this, the attendance rate of theaters in various places can be checked, and some photos of the interior of the theater have been leaked, the attendance rate is very high, it should be really popular. "

Movraski nodded unhappily upon hearing this, but did not answer.

At this moment, the assistant felt the phone vibrating in his trouser pocket. His heart moved, he took out the phone, and after scanning his eyes, he found that it was indeed a good friend who sent a message asking him to watch "The Hangover".

This kind of invitation is not the first time tonight, but the fifth time.

The assistant then raised his mobile phone, "Sir, I have five friends who invited me to watch "The Hangover". The five of them didn't know each other. They didn't go at the same time, but at different time periods."

Movraski nodded speechlessly when he heard the words, "I see, you can go out."

After the assistant left, Movrassky got up.

Today is all bad news, which makes him a little tired.

He put his hands on his hips, then twisted his neck and waist to let himself relax.

He then thought of his assistant's friends who invited him to watch "The Hangover", and couldn't help but smile contemptuously.

"It's a bunch of low-class people who like to watch shitty movies like The Hangover."

At this moment, the phone on the table buzzed and vibrated, and someone sent him a text message.

Movraski took the phone and opened the text message. It turned out to be a female friend who sent a message inviting him to watch "The Hangover".

This female friend is a very good photographer in the beautiful country, and the works she shoots are very personal.

She is also beautiful, and in Moravsky's eyes, this person is a goddess.

At this time, I saw the goddess sending a message inviting him to watch "The Hangover", and the whole person was confused.

Is "The Hangover" so good?

Even the goddess likes to watch "The Hangover". Doesn't the goddess dislike commercial films?
He couldn't help picking up his phone, and then replied a text message, "The Hangover seems to be very popular?"

"Yes, this movie is like a virus, quickly sweeping the entire beautiful country."

The goddess returned a text message.

Movraski looked at the text message, and also recognized the goddess' statement in his heart.

……

"'The Hangover' is the best comedy movie of the year."

"Kobe watched "The Hangover" with his wife and daughter, and he liked it very much."

"It's so good, "The Hangover" seems to be a movie made just for me. After watching "The Hangover", I feel like I have taken a crazy trip to Las Vegas."

"Thank you Lee, thank you Lively, thank you Zach, they made a really good movie."

"The first day of "The Hangover" was 500 million US dollars. It's completely crazy. Today will be even more fierce."

"'The Hangover' is really amazing, it's a movie for all audiences to discover what we really like."

The box office on the premiere day finally came out, and the box office on the first day was 500 million US dollars.

Keep in mind that "The Hangover" doesn't have a massive advertising campaign, and they don't open until [-]:[-] p.m.

It's really not bad to have 500 million on the premiere day.

Needless to say, the movie has a very good reputation so far.

The freshness index of Rotten Tomatoes is 90.00%, the popcorn index is 95, the evaluation given by Yahoo Movies Network is A, and the IMDB score is [-] points.

Such ratings are naturally good.

On the evening of September 2007, 9, Saturday, the weather in the Los Angeles area was a bit cold, and it was necessary to wear a coat to walk on the street outside.

Lively wore a mask, cap, denim pants, and a plain work jacket.

She looks like an ordinary college girl.

I hurried all the way to the Bellagio Hotel, and then quickly walked into the elevator.

Soon after, she came to Room 1809 and rang the doorbell
Before the premiere was over last night, she sent a text message to Li Shengyao, explaining to him that she would be filming during the day, but she had time at night.

Li Shengyao replied quickly, saying that it's okay, we can still communicate at night.

So she came over.

"ah!"

Li Shengyao opened the door. He had already showered and was wearing pajamas. After opening the door, there was a nice scent of shower gel. He looked handsome and clean.

Lively glanced coquettishly, then walked in.

"Li, why don't you promote it?"

She could feel the hot eyes behind her, and she felt proud.

"It didn't work. I'm not a star, nor a big director like Spielberg, so I just got lazy."

"Wow, that's a pity."

Li Shengyao said with a smile: "It's okay, I don't like to show my face... Do you want to drink? I bought a good bottle of wine this afternoon."

"of course."

Li Shengyao took out his glass and poured Lively a glass of wine.

Lively took a sip lightly, feeling very sweet, "You don't seem to drink."

Li Shengyao nodded, "Yes, I don't drink."

"That wine is just for me. What's your purpose?"

Li Shengyao smiled, no longer being polite, he stepped forward and pulled Lively into his arms, "The first day I saw you, I fell in love with you."

"You have a good eye."

Lively chuckled, took another sip, and put down his glass.

The two got down to business.

Director Li finally completed a thing he had been thinking about.

Lively, who is 1.7 meters eight, has long legs and is strong and powerful.

Really cool.

After a long time, Director Li used several small umbrellas, and the two hugged each other and lay down.

Just then, the phone rang.

Li Shengyao received a text message from his assistant, which was the box office data for the second day of "The Hangover" - 300 million.

Just one day is 300 million.

Li Shengyao couldn't help clenching his fists, and shouted happily: "Beautiful."

Lively asked in confusion, "What did you say?"

"The next day's box office has come out, 300 million."

September 28 is Friday, and the next day is Saturday. It is understandable that the box office is higher on Saturday, but the box office of more than 3000 million US dollars is considered very good.

Lively screamed happily, "That's great, Li, the box office of Pretty Country might really be $[-] million."

"hope so."

At this time, the lights in the room were turned off, the curtains were drawn, and the room was dark.

However, Li Shengyao's facial features are three-dimensional, and he can still see his handsome appearance.

Lively hugged him and could still feel his strong body.

Thinking of the exchange just now, she was very comfortable and satisfied, and couldn't help but feel a little moved.

So young, so talented, so rich, and with a good personality, isn't this the perfect boyfriend?
"Li, let me be your girlfriend."

Li Shengyao paused upon hearing this, "I have a girlfriend in Huaxia."

"You can dump her, I'll be your girlfriend, I can do anything for you, get married and have children, even take a break from filming."

Li Shengyao smiled, then shook his head, "No, I can't dump her, she has been with me for several years, and she treats me very well."

Hearing this, Lively couldn't help being a little envious of Director Li's girlfriend.

"I can do it too. I can do whatever she does."

"No, this is what I promised her, and I will not give up on her first."

Lively nodded silently and stopped talking.

In the dark, the two hugged each other, and Director Li's hands were not honest.

Lively was depressed.

At this moment, a message came to her mobile phone. She opened it and saw that it was from her manager.

"Leverly, "The Hangover" has very good data in European countries. I estimate that the global box office of this movie may break $[-] million. There will definitely be a sequel. Send Li a congratulatory text message tomorrow morning."

When Lively saw the news, she was overjoyed. Although it was a cameo, she finally acted in a high-grossing movie.

She quickly adjusted her mood, put down her phone, and hugged Dao Li tightly, "Li, no matter what, I like you very much."

A pair of long legs crossed up again.

"Are you okay?"

"of course."

……

At 2007 o'clock in the morning on September 9, 30, Director Li opened his eyes, then got up, and hammered his waist.

Lively left by seven in the morning.

She still has to film, and "Gossip Girl Season [-]" is still filming.

Pretty Country, like Peninsula, is writing the script while filming. This drama can be filmed until early December.

Girls who exercise regularly are different. They have really good physical fitness.

No wonder Lively's idol is Xiao Li, but the two broke up after being together for less than half a year.

Xiao Lizi is notoriously lazy on the bed, where he can satisfy Lively.

Relatively speaking, Xiaojianjian's health is much better.

Director Li then washed up and went downstairs to have breakfast.

This hotel has a Chinese restaurant. He went to the Chinese restaurant and ordered two bowls of black-bone chicken soup, five boiled eggs, and a rice roll with eggs.

It was almost eleven o'clock when Director Li finished his breakfast.

There was a publicity event in the afternoon, and he went to a radio station in Los Angeles with four leading actors.

It was still early, and Li Shengyao planned to go back to his room to catch up on sleep.

At this moment, he received a call from Warren Iger.

"Li, I came to the Bellagio Hotel, I have something to talk to you about."

Soon after, Lee Shing Yew and Warren met in the garden on the first floor of the hotel.

There are more than a dozen small tables, chairs, and sun umbrellas. Many people sit here chatting and reading.

Li Shengyao and Warren found a small round table and sat facing each other.

Warren was wearing a suit and black leather shoes. He looked happy. Compared with what he had seen before, his spirit was much better, and he looked several years younger.

"Li, you are really great. Yesterday's box office was 300 million. If today is also yesterday's box office, then the first three days will have 8000 million box office, and the total box office must be [-] million."

"Now is the off-season for watching movies. This achievement, even in Hollywood, is something to be very proud of."

Li Shengyao already knew the news that night, but now he was much calmer.

Seeing this, Warren thought that Lee Sheng Yew didn't understand the meaning, and then said: "Li, you attracted a movie-watching frenzy in the off-season of the film market, which is very rare in Hollywood. If someone counts this data, "" The Hangover must be at the top of the list."

"Well, I see."

Warren was stunned for a moment, realizing that Director Li seemed to be really not excited. He immediately turned his head and thought about it seriously, but he still didn't understand, but he is not a person who likes to stick to the horns.

He planned to change the subject and talk about something he was interested in.

"Lee, there is no problem with the quality of "The Hangover", but we can make the box office of this movie go further."

"The Hangover" is his main investment, and it has been released in the beautiful country and Europe, as well as the later disc production and distribution.

If "The Hangover" can sell well, this time he can help Disney earn more than 2000 million.

It was a profit he had never thought of before.

It made him feel like he was alive at Disney.

He can boldly refute others, he did not rely on his cousin to become a Disney executive, he relied on his own strength.

But if there are 2000 million, then you want 3000 million.

So he took the initiative to run over.

Li Shengyao nodded, "What do you want to do?"

"Of course it is to strengthen the publicity. Li, your previous publicity was too simple. We can make a big publicity in print media, TV, and the Internet. It will definitely attract more people to watch "The Hangover."

Hearing this, Li Shengyao shook his head without hesitation, "No need."

He didn't think Warren's words were wrong, but he didn't have his own publicity channels in the beautiful country.

With Disney's relationship, the cost will really be that Disney fills in the numbers at will.

He doesn't want to send money to Disney.

Warren couldn't help frowning when he heard this, "Lee, why?"

"I think the movie is already popular now, and the audience can pass it on to each other, so there is no need to waste money."

Warren frowned, but he didn't continue the subject.

"Li, the box office of "The Hangover" in Europe is also good. The global box office is expected to reach [-] million US dollars. How about it? Do you have any plans for a sequel?"

Lee Sung Yew naturally has a sequel plan.

After all, in his previous life, the global box office of "The Hangover 2" was more than 5 million US dollars, and "The Hangover 3" was more than 3 million US dollars.

These are all beautiful knives, so naturally we have to fight for them.

Of course, "The Hangover" is very popular now, and if a sequel is to be made, the big Hollywood companies will definitely want a piece of the action.

He intends to cool down first, and don't promise at this time.

"I have a sequel planned, but I'm going to do "Taken 23" first, and then I'm going to do "The Hangover."

"'The Hangover' has a higher box office than 'Taken', Lee, why not make a sequel to 'The Hangover' first?"

Because Cheng Long doesn't necessarily have time, now is the time to strike while the iron is hot.

As for the four leading actors in "The Hangover", although they are more famous than before, they are still young actors, and they can be called to play anytime, anywhere.

Li Shengyao smiled, and then said: "This is my agreement with Jaekie."

Warren nodded helplessly, with the attitude of Director Li.

It is impossible to make further money on "The Hangover".

It is also impossible to determine the investment for the sequel to "The Hangover" in advance.

He turned his head, and then said: "Director Li, Disney is very optimistic about you. If you don't want to make "The Hangover" or "Taken", you can shoot our Disney movie. I can tell you for sure, we It will give you the treatment of a top director, and you are also eligible to edit the director you directed.

Hollywood is a producer system, except for a few powerful directors, no one else has the right to edit.

Disney is willing to give Li Shengyao the editing rights, which is very generous.

But, Director Li is naturally not willing to work for others and make movies for Disney, even if he has time, he will not go.

"Warren, let's talk about this later."

Seeing this, Warren immediately followed up: "Lee, I need to let you know our attitude. Disney is definitely the film company that Hollywood values ​​you the most. If you cooperate with us, you will not only be able to maximize your abilities, but also benefit from it." maximum."

He paused, and then said: "You can even use Disney's character resources. If you have an exciting theme and need to use Disney characters, we can discuss it."

Disney will acquire Marvel in 2009, plus their previous character resources.

Disney does have many very good characters. Movies based on these characters can win awards and hit the box office.

Regarding this point, Director Li was a little moved.

Seeing this, Warren was delighted, "Lee, everything I said is valid."

Li Shengyao came back to his senses, thinking that the capitalists would not give away benefits for nothing, and he would have to pay more if he wanted to get Disney's resources.

The heart that was eager just now suddenly cooled down.

He smiled, and then said: "Warren, I remember your words, we will talk later."

Let's talk again later.

Warren understood that this was an excuse. Seeing Li Shengyao's calm gaze, he felt helpless.

He actually didn't quite understand why Li Shengyao refused.

Shouldn't directors from other countries aspire to shine in Hollywood?
But Director Li seems to be different.

Warren then left.

Li Shengyao looked at Warren's back and smiled, then got up and went back to his room.

In just two minutes from the garden to the room, he received five congratulatory text messages and one phone call.

The congratulatory text messages are all sent by artists from the beautiful country they know, Amanda and Carly congratulate "The Hangover" on its high box office.

The call was made by Toby Emmerich, whose intentions were similar to Warren's.

Thinking of publicity, and the making of a sequel to The Hangover.

Li Shengyao naturally refused all of them.

After hanging up the phone, Director Li returned to the room, then fell down on the bed, feeling the joy in his heart.

The global box office of 1 million US dollars is divided into the hands of the producer, which is more than 6000 million US dollars. He can get at least [-] to [-] million US dollars.

Follow-up disc, TV, streaming media rights.

For a movie called "The Hangover", he might earn a hundred million dollars.

So cool.

(End of this chapter)