I am a director, but I have the skills of an actor

Chapter 181 again

After landing in Beijing, Wanqingshan walked to the airport pick-up gate and saw a man holding a sign that read 'Severe Winter'.

At the same time, Wan Qingshan also saw the tall Feng Lin standing next to the man.

After Wan Qingshan walked a few steps that way, Feng Linlin saw Wan Qingshan wearing a mask.

Feng Linlin greeted him with long legs, "Director Wan."

With that said, she took the suitcase from Wan Qingshan and handed it to the man following her.

"Is the deal settled?" Wan Qingshan asked as he walked towards the outside of the airport.

"It's agreed. In addition to the premiere of "Ip Man", Director Wan, you only need to participate in road shows in these three places: Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou." Feng Linlin, who was following Wan Qingshan's footsteps, quickly replied.

After walking out of the airport and getting into the car, after the man started the car, Feng Linlin, who was sitting in the back seat like Wan Qingshan, took out a small notebook from her bag.

"Director Wan, Mr. Jiang will definitely talk to you about the overseas box office of "Ip Man" later. I will write down the box office of "Ip Man" in North America and Europe in this book."

Wan Qingshan took the small book and read it.

"Ip Man" was released in North America for half a month, with a box office of more than 400 million US dollars.

It was released in Europe for one week and grossed more than 300 million US dollars at the box office.

Wan Qingshan was a little surprised that the European box office revenue was more than 300 million US dollars.

"Ip Man" took a big hit at the North American box office. He thought it would be bad at the European box office, but it seems like it's not bad.

After reading it, Wan Qingshan closed the small book and gave it back to Feng Linlin.

After Feng Linlin stuffed the notebook back into her bag, she asked, "Director Wan, someone from Earl's Company called me this morning and asked which female star you recommend?"

Wan Qingshan frowned slightly.

When he heard that Earl Company asked him to recommend a spokesperson, he immediately thought of Zeng Li.

With Zeng Li's reputation and his recommendation, Zeng Li will definitely be able to serve as the image ambassador of Earl China.

But later, Chen Yumo's reaction to the scandal between him and Zeng Li made it difficult for him to recommend Zeng Li.

If he recommends Zeng Li to be the image ambassador of Earl China, and they have to make a promotional video together, Chen Yumo will definitely think more about it.

"You replied to Earl Company and said that I didn't think of anyone suitable to recommend."

Feng Linlin's eyes widened and she said in shock, "Director Wan, this is the count's spokesperson, which is very attractive to any female star in the industry.

Isn't it a pity that you just give up and don't recommend others? "

"I don't have anyone suitable to recommend, so you can't let me sell the recommended places. What will the people at Earl's Company think if this is known?"

"Director Wan, aren't Miss Zeng and Miss Fan affiliated with your company?

You can recommend them. With their reputation and your recommendation, Piaget Company will definitely agree. "

"No need, just reply to Earl Company as I said!"

Wan Qingshan's expression of not wanting to say more made Feng Linlin full of curiosity.

But she didn't ask foolishly. She thought about it for a moment, but after still not being able to figure it out, she temporarily suppressed her curiosity.

"Yes, I will reply to Earl's company shortly." Feng Linlin replied with a look of pity.

Wan Qingshan said 'hmm', looked out the window, and sighed in his heart.

He had never thought about recommending Fan Bayi, not because he felt that even with his recommendation, Fan Bayi would not hope to serve as the image ambassador of Piaget Watch China.

Just like Feng Linlin said, with Fan Bayi's reputation, if he recommended him, Piaget Company would definitely use Fan Bayi.

In the past, he would recommend Fan Bayi, but not now.

After realizing that Fan Bayi was interested in him, he also thought carefully about why Fan Bayi was interested in him.

After much deliberation, he felt that the only possibility was that he didn't want Fan Bayi to give anything, so he gave her the second female lead in "The Golden Armor" and the first female lead in "Ip Man".

As a result, Fan Bayi was moved and became interested in him.

Therefore, now Wan Qingshan is trying his best not to give Fan Bayi any resources, so as not to deepen her feelings.

Only when Fan Bayi gives up and figures it out will he give Fan Bayi resources.

,,,,,,
"Director Wan, Miss Feng!"

"Mr. Jiang."

After arriving at the hotel, Wan Qingshan put down his luggage and told Feng Linlin about his future work arrangements. After a while, Jiang Zhiqiang came to his room.

"Director Wan, Mr. Jiang, you guys chat, I have something else to do, so I have to go and do some work first."

After Feng Linlin left, Jiang Zhiqiang's face collapsed and he sighed in frustration, "Director Wan, tell me, why did "Ip Man" fail in North America?"

Although compared to the shooting cost of "Ip Man", "Ip Man" is definitely profitable, but it did not meet the expectations of Columbia and Jiang Zhiqiang.

"Loyal Liver and Brave" has a box office of more than 3000 million US dollars in North America, and more than 1000 million US dollars at the European box office. Taking into account the box office in Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and China, the total box office is more than 4000 million US dollars.

The Colombian people and Jiang Zhiqiang watched the overseas version of "Ip Man" together and found that the fighting scenes in "Ip Man" were not much worse than those in "Loyalty Liver and Righteousness".

Therefore, Columbia predicts that "Ip Man" should reach US$4000 million at the North American box office and US$7000 million at the global box office.

That's why Columbia has arranged 800 screenings for "Ip Man" to premiere, and everything is ready. As long as the box office trend is good, they will immediately increase the number of theaters.

But I didn't expect that the box office would plummet on the second day after it was released. The preparations for increasing the number of theaters were not used, and instead, we had to prepare to reduce the number of theaters.

Given that "Ip Man" is currently being released in more than 100 theaters in North America, with only a few hundred thousand box office sales every day, it is estimated that the number of theaters will have to be reduced again before long.

At the beginning, "Ip Man" was expected to have a box office of 4000 million US dollars in North America. Now, if it can reach 2000 million US dollars, it would be a great blessing.

"Mr. Jiang, the North American box office of "Ip Man" is not considered a failure. The current box office seems to be more than 400 million, which is US dollars. If converted into RMB, it would be more than 1 million." Wan Qingshan replied.

"Director Wan, you know my purpose of filming "Ip Man" and you gave me some advice, so don't pretend to be confused because you understand."

After saying that, seeing that Wan Qingshan still didn't speak, Jiang Zhiqiang suddenly laughed.

"Haha, Director Wan, I paid you a lot of money as a director, but I stayed on the set during the filming. I can see that you have fulfilled your responsibility for the movie.

I, Jiang Zhiqiang, am a sensible person. Since you have fulfilled your responsibilities for the movie, you will not say that I am so angry that I blame you for the failure of "Ip Man" at the North American box office. "

Jiang Zhiqiang said so, and Wan Qingshan stopped pretending.

"Mr. Jiang, I'm sorry, I'm too worried.

As for the box office of "Ip Man" in North America, I can't figure out why.

To be honest, I couldn't understand why "Loyalty Liver, Righteousness and Bravery" was such a hit in North America.

Part of the action design of "A Loyal Liver, a True Brave" is imitating foreign movies, so I really didn't expect that "A Loyal Liver, a True Brave" did well at the box office in North America and Europe.

Instead, I carefully considered and made an overseas version of "Ip Man" specifically for foreign audiences, but the box office was average. "

Jiang Zhiqiang was stunned for a moment, shook his head slightly, and sighed, "Maybe this is the strangeness of the movie.

When Wu Yusen made "A Better Tomorrow", he just followed his own ideas. After it was released, it became popular in Southeast Asia.

The next few movies he made more carefully, especially "A Better Tomorrow", received much better international reviews than "A Better Tomorrow", but their box office in Hong Kong was only half of that of "A Better Tomorrow". "

Seeing Jiang Zhiqiang leaning back on the sofa after finishing speaking, looking a little decadent, Wan Qingshan got up and went to the table next to him to get two bottles of mineral water.

Wan Qingshan placed a bottle of water on the coffee table in front of Jiang Zhiqiang. Then, he sat down aside, opened the water bottle, took a sip of water, and then said,

"Mr. Jiang, I just said that "Ip Man" cannot be said to have failed at the box office in North America. Although it was a polite statement, in fact it is also true.

The box office of "Kung Fu" in North America was only US$700 million. With the current box office results of "Ip Man", it is already very good. "

He sat up, picked up the water bottle on the coffee table, turned away from Mr. Jiang who took a sip, and nodded slightly.

"From an investment perspective, the filming cost of "Ip Man" was nearly 5000 million, and almost [-] million was spent on publicity.

5000 million, which can be almost recovered by relying on the box office income of "Ip Man" in North America and Europe, as well as the income from some video tapes.

Later, in China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, the money I earned was pure profit, and it was estimated that I could make a lot of money.

From an investment perspective, "Ip Man" can be said to be very successful.

But Director Wan, you know that my purpose in investing in the production of "Ip Man" is not to make money. I want to send Zhang Jin to Hollywood and make him an international kung fu superstar.With the current box office performance of "Ip Man" in North America, Zhang Jin can also go to Hollywood, but he can only play leading roles in small-budget movies. In medium- and large-budget movies, he can only play supporting roles.

It is impossible to play leading roles in medium- and large-budget Hollywood films like Cheng Long and Jet Li. "

Wan Qingshan frowned and asked, "Mr. Zhang, what are your plans for Zhang Jin now?"

"Well, let him develop in China first. I will also look around in Hollywood to see if I can find good film resources for him." Jiang Zhiqiang sighed.

If any other actor could go to Hollywood to play a leading role in a low-budget production or a supporting role in a big production, he would definitely be happy to go to Hollywood with the dream of being an international star.

But Jiang Zhiqiang sees clearly that it is difficult for Chinese people to develop in supporting roles in Hollywood.

It is said that Jet Li started his career in Hollywood by playing supporting roles, but at that time, Cheng Long's "Rush Hour" was a hit, and Hollywood film and television companies were jealous.

In addition, Jet Li's performance in "Lethal Weapon 4" was very attractive to the audience, so Hollywood companies introduced Jet Li's "Dark Man" to North America.

"Dark Man" sold well, and the video rental and sales were also good. Later, Warner Bros. Pictures created "Romeo Deadly" for Jet Li.

If Cheng Long and Li Lianjie's Hollywood movies are still selling well now, then if he works hard, he can still get Zhang Jin a leading role in a B-level production.

But in the past few years, Cheng Long's movies in Hollywood have failed at the box office.Jet Li's movie "Danny the Wolf Dog" the year before last was not very good at the box office and video rental.

Although the video rental and sale of Jet Li's "Knight Rider" later became a big hit, it failed once, and coupled with the failure of Cheng Long's movie, Hollywood now no longer has so much trust in Chinese Kung Fu.

With Hollywood not so trusting in Chinese Kung Fu, it would be difficult for him to convince Hollywood companies to create a medium-production movie specifically for Zhang Jin.

If a Chinese can only play supporting roles in Hollywood, unless God gives him great luck, he will soon be unable to survive in Hollywood.

If Zhang Jin wants to develop in Hollywood and become an international kung fu superstar, he can only make Hollywood film and television companies trust him based on the box office results of his movies in North America from the beginning.

Only then will a company invite him to star in a medium- or large-production film.

In this way, as long as the next few movies do not fail at the box office, Zhang Jin will be considered a kung fu superstar, tied with Cheng Long and Jet Li.

After Jiang Zhiqiang sighed, his expression changed slightly. The decadent feeling just now disappeared instantly. He looked directly at Wanqing Mountain.
“Director Wan, if I can’t find good film resources for Zhang Jin in Hollywood.

Then I hope we can work together again, make another Kung Fu movie, and give Zhang Jin another chance to break into Hollywood.

If it still fails, then I will give up on this idea. From now on, I will let Zhang Jin develop in China with peace of mind and no longer think about making him an international kung fu superstar. "

"One more time, Mr. Jiang, this..."

Before Wan Qingshan finished speaking, Jiang Zhiqiang hurriedly interrupted.

"Director Wan, next time we cooperate, I will let you invest in it, with a 30% share."

Wan Qingshan's words were speechless.

Jiang Zhiqiang has connections in North America and can get global box office revenue. Leaving aside the domestic box office, the overseas box office of "Ip Man" is definitely not as good as that of "Loyalty Liver and Righteousness", but in terms of overseas revenue, the former is far ahead of the latter. By.

Once again, as long as the box office is similar to "Ip Man", a 30% investment share can make him earn at least tens of millions. Adding his director's fee, making a movie can earn at least hundreds of millions!
"Okay, no problem. If, Mr. Jiang, you can't find good film resources for Zhang Jin in Hollywood, then we can work together again!" Wan Qingshan replied with a smile.

Seeing Wan Qingshan agreed, Jiang Zhiqiang immediately smiled.

He has no confidence in finding film resources for Zhang Jin in Hollywood.

If he is a white man, he can find good movie resources by paying some favors.

But Zhang Jin, unless the movie he is shooting is a Chinese story, it will be difficult for him to find good film resources for Zhang Jin.

So he had already planned to make another kung fu movie and send Zhang Jin into Hollywood again, and the director had to be Wan Qingshan.

Although the box office of "Ip Man" in North America did not meet his expectations, as Wan Qingshan said, compared with the shooting cost, "Ip Man" is not a box office failure.

Wan Qingshan has already had two movies released in Europe and the United States, neither of which were box office failures, and they are both kung fu movies, so finding Wan Qingshan to make a kung fu movie is more suitable than finding any director.

Wan Qingshan agreed, and Jiang Zhiqiang was so happy that he started joking.

"Haha, Director Wan, you still haven't changed your true nature as a money-obsessed person."

"I am interested in making money. If my interest in making money is gone, then I will have no motivation to live." Wan Qingshan replied with a smile.

"Haha, Director Wan, it's much more comfortable to deal with you than with people like Wang Zhongjun.

They are too pretentious and talk a lot about Huayi for the development of the national film and television industry.

I like to be more direct. I can say that I start a company and invest in movies just to make money. There is no big reason.

To be honest, everyone knows that investing in movies is to make money. Everyone knows it, so why bother pretending. "

Wan Qingshan didn't answer this. He just smiled and changed the topic.

"By the way, Mr. Jiang, has the male lead been chosen for the movie directed by Ang Lee?"

Jiang Zhiqiang was stunned for a moment and replied, "It's been chosen. Director Wan, you don't want to tell me that you changed your mind and are willing to star."

"No, no, I'm just curious. From Director Ang Lee's perspective, which actor would he use?
Mr. Jiang, please tell me who will play the leading role. Don’t worry, I will never tell anyone. "

Wan Qingshan was really curious about who would play the role of Mr. Yi. During this period of filming, he would go online to look for news about "Lust, Caution" every few days.

There is a lot of news about "Lust, Caution", but there is no news about the male protagonist of "Lust, Caution".

"Director Wan, I still don't believe you, so you won't promise me just for this matter.

Ang Lee found John Lone to play the male lead in "Lust, Caution". "

A trace of disappointment flashed in Wan Qingshan's eyes.

Zunlong!

Many people in the younger generation have never heard of this person, but he became internationally famous earlier than Cheng Longdu.

He is the first Chinese actor to be nominated for the Golden Globe Award in the United States, and has been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards.

"The Last Emperor", starring in "The Last Emperor", even won 9 awards at the Academy Awards, causing a sensation in the world of film circles.

"Zunlong is a Chinese-American. It seems that it is destined that only Tang Wei in "Lust, Caution" will be banned for several years."

After Wan Qingshan muttered in his heart, he asked curiously, "Mr. Jiang, I see that Director Ang Lee invited Mr. Zun Long to star in "Lust, Caution". Why is it a bit unsatisfactory?"

Just now, Jiang Zhiqiang said that Ang Lee chose Zun Long, with a hint of displeasure on his expression.

Jiang Zhiqiang hesitated for a moment, picked up the water bottle and took a sip of water before saying,

"Director Wan, we are so familiar, and I won't hide it from you. I am a little dissatisfied with Ang Lee's use of Zunlong.

I recognize Zun Long's acting skills, personality, and international reputation.

But there is one thing. He is 55 years old. As soon as this person gets older, his face will lose.

He didn't take good care of himself enough. Two years ago, when he appeared in "Qianlong and Xiangfei", his face shape was a little out of shape.

Most of the audience likes to see handsome guys and beauties. This actor's face is out of shape, so there will definitely be some viewers who can't accept it. "

Wan Qingshan was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Mr. Jiang, I also know a little bit about the "Lust, Caution" novel. Director Ang Lee will definitely make this story into a literary film to win awards.

For an award-winning literary film, you don’t need to care so much about the appearance of the actors. "

“Oh, I know that too, but it would definitely be better if we can choose actors with good looks.

It's not like we're going to shoot right away. When it comes to actor selection, there's no need to rush this moment.

But Ang Lee chose Zun Lung. At that time, I had already flown to the United States and Colombia to discuss the release of "Ip Man".

Ang Lee called me every day, but I kept refusing, but in the end he persuaded Ren Zhonglun from Shanghai Film Studio.

There was nothing I could do to stop him. Ang Lee could only invite Zun Lung to star in "Lust, Caution". "

After finishing speaking, Jiang Zhiqiang remembered something and immediately added,

"I forgot to tell you that Shanghai Film Studio is also an investor in "Lust, Caution"."

"Haha, Mr. Jiang, I know this. After the news of "Lust, Caution" came out, all the information about "Lust, Caution" quickly spread in the circle.

I have long heard that Shanghai Film is one of the investors of "Lust, Caution". "

"Ha ha!"

(End of this chapter)