China Entertainment started from Nortel 2002

Chapter 446 The Great Wall?

Having said this, he smiled bitterly, but he was still a little confident.

He has shot a lot of big-budget movies, so it would be a good idea to challenge a big-budget Hollywood movie.

"The Great Wall? Isn't this the movie that Legendary Pictures announced in 2011?"

David heard the word "Great Wall", and he could understand it, and seemed to think of something.

Because the original concept for this movie came from Legendary Pictures CEO Thomas Tull, who suddenly wanted to make a movie with the "Great Wall" as the background.

So I created a story outline.

Zhang Yimou nodded.

"If I remember correctly, Huayi Brothers and Legendary Pictures formed a production company at that time - Legendary East planned to produce this movie."

Li Mu is no stranger to this movie, because Legend had previously approached Mengying Media for this script.

In the final analysis, this movie is a commercial blockbuster with foreign investment and a Chinese director invited to shoot.

This is different from Li Mu Crystal Pictures' participation in investment, which has absolute say.

Secondly, in terms of funding, the total investment is 10 billion yuan, which is one of the rare large-investment movies. As a director, funding is an important pillar to realize his ideal work. Without money, everything is empty talk.

"Senior brother, this movie is not easy to take on. I probably won't have as much freedom as you do in other movies."

This movie is also going to be rebooted.

For example, "The Great Wall" must use the perspective of a Western male protagonist, etc.

This project is led by the foreign "Legendary Pictures", and the main team is all foreigners.

Moreover, the processes and methods of Chinese and foreign co-productions are different, and the teams involved in all aspects of the production come from many parts of the world, so they will face more integration and communication!
In terms of decision-making power, it is impossible for him to have more than 90% of the power as before. There will be external intervention in the selection of actors and the finalization of the script. These various factors restrict Zhang Yimou's free creation.

They probably guessed it too.

Zhang Yimou is more like a project manager in this project. Fundamental things cannot be changed and he can only make various tinkerings on the film.

Moreover, Legend has the most extensive publicity channels and resources in the world, which can ensure that this Chinese film can be screened in many places around the world without any hindrance! These are the powerful advantages of "The Great Wall"!

"There is no Chinese among the screenwriters. I have to do it myself. I estimate that the script will take a year and a half to polish."

This is something that is difficult for a director to refuse, and it is also the overseas market that Lao Mouzi has longed for.

"The Great Wall" is a major production planned in cooperation with Legendary Pictures. First of all, it has the most luxurious conditions and resources in the world's film industry!

"It's a small thing."

"I guess I have to ask your special effects company to help."

Zhang Yimou smiled helplessly. He also knew that it was very difficult, but many times in life, you need to gamble. If you bet right, you will succeed. If you bet wrong, you will bear everything!
Li Mu and Li Jian didn't ask why Zhang Yimou took on this movie.

But Li Mu didn't like it.

Li Mu warned, "Try to take more initiative."

If "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" directed by Li Yin was released in only 2000 theaters abroad in 2000, then when "The Great Wall" was released abroad, it was screened in 4000 theaters.

Now Legendary Pictures has joined forces with Wanda.

Li Mu nodded.

After dinner, everyone was busy with their own business. After Zhang Yimou’s promotion, he had to go back to China to continue promoting "Return". The movie will be released in May.

Li Mu and Liu Yifei were strolling to eat.

"Ah Mu, you don't seem to be particularly optimistic about Director Zhang's new film?"

Liu Yifei knew Li Mu so well that she could tell everything based on his expression.

"Neither the screenwriter nor the leading party is Chinese, and the script is also written by foreigners according to the rules of English scripts. Just like "The King of Kung Fu" back then, it is difficult for foreigners to film the essence of Chinese culture because they simply don't understand it. Don't understand
Chinese cultural stories cannot be packaged in foreign industries. "

Li Mu explained to Liu Yifei.

China has a rich and long history and civilization, and the inheritance of civilization and culture is very complete.

The audience's values ​​and aesthetics of traditional Chinese culture have something unique and systematic about "Chinese civilization".

Moreover, our ancient civilization emphasized that "man can conquer nature" and that "princes, generals, and prime ministers would rather have their own species."

When they were invaded in modern times, the Chinese also resisted, revolutionized, and constantly searched for a path to modernization, eventually establishing an independent and powerful New China.

After China's economic rise, popular culture began to develop rapidly.

Whether it is ancient costume works about traditional culture or modern works.

It should naturally be based on the Chinese perspective, and should also be in line with Chinese cultural and aesthetic values.

But foreign-led films will not give up their own market and arrogant attitude.

The movies they lead will naturally contain their own values.

However, the mainly Western values ​​and aesthetics are completely different from those of Chinese audiences. In the end, the movie was made that was "neither Chinese nor foreign" and was neither normal nor ordinary.

It can be said that it is too normal.

However, it is difficult for any ambitious director to refuse such an opportunity, because this is an opportunity for the world to see the film you directed.

The rest depends on how much Zhang Yimou can mend.

In March this year, the domestic film market has not been hot enough and has been operating at a low level.

However, looking at the films that have been scheduled for April, it can be said that "a hundred flowers bloom".

In terms of domestic films, the two Chinese-language blockbusters "The White-Haired Witch: Moon Heaven" and "Frozen: Gate of Rebirth" have basically locked in the most favorable schedule in late April, and have enough opportunities and strength to burn the flames of war to five First gear.

In addition, small productions such as "The Hypnotist" starring Xu Zheng and Karen Mok, and "My Deskmate", which focuses on nostalgic youth, also hope to become "dark horses" by virtue of their subject matter advantages.

In terms of imported films, the two popular Hollywood sequel movies "Captain America 2" and "Rio 2" can be regarded as the blockbusters of April.

In addition, the sci-fi film "Transcendence" starring Johnny Depp and "Hercules: The Legend Begins", which focuses on restricted scenes, also have their own advantages and provide movie fans with more choices.

Li Mu has returned to the set of "Jurassic World" to continue filming the final part.

Adam Ferguson occasionally visits the team, and he couldn't be more satisfied with the progress.

And there has been a lot of good news recently. The "Fast and Furious" series, which had previously been stalled in filming due to some special reasons, has re-polished the script and continued production.

Based on this calculation, next year may be the year when Universal Pictures breaks out.

"Lee, when are you going to shoot "The Revenant"?"

Adam Ferguson has not forgotten this matter. This is also a big investment, and there are two major box office guarantees, one is Li Mu and the other is Leonardo.

Otherwise, how could Adam Ferguson accept "The Revenant" as the subject of a bet.

"It will probably be early next year. Leon still needs more time to prepare."

Li Mu also recently received a message from Leonardo, who has begun to review old movies and prepare for "The Revenant".

Adam Ferguson did not continue to ask. After all, the preparation period for a movie is already very long. Even if "The Revenant" takes another year, he would not be surprised.

On the other side, Wang Changtian kept contacting this and that after the Chinese New Year, and finally integrated several major producers together.

"Director Li, as mentioned before, he has formed a supervision company and has already connected it. Our two companies, plus China Film, Huayi Brothers, and Bona, there are seven companies in total."

Wang Changtian said very proudly, "All the major domestic producers are on board."

"What kind of ship is there? It makes us feel like we are on a pirate ship."

Li Mu complained with a smile.

"Hey, it's all the same, Director Li, when will "Jurassic World" be finished and come back? I'm just waiting for you to join us for the launch ceremony."

"It's estimated to be late April. In fact, I can send someone to participate."

According to the current situation, Li Mu will finish filming in the middle of the year. He still has to go to the special effects department to check various details and models. It will take some time no matter what.

"That won't work. I'm not in a hurry anyway."

"Okay, then wait for me to come back. By the way, why is Lao Yu's "The Legend of the White-Haired Witch" scheduled for the Chinese Valentine's Day? Isn't it because you are afraid?"

"The Legend of the White-Haired Witch" is directed by Tsui Hark as artistic consultant, produced by Huang Jianxin, and directed by Zhang Zhiliang. It stars Fan Binbin, Huang Xiaoming, Zhao Wenzhuo, Wang Xuebing, Tong Yao, etc. This lineup can be said to be quite luxurious.

However, it’s a bit hard to understand when it comes to Chinese Valentine’s Day. After all, people show sweet romance movies on Chinese Valentine’s Day.

"During the meal the day before yesterday, he was talking about giving this high-quality movie a more adequate screening space. The summer market is huge and popular, and he has very high expectations for it.
I guess he is cowardly, and it is unlikely that this movie will compete for the May Day slot. "

Wang Changtian joked.

"I guess it's just Bona's internal viewing, so the effect isn't very good."

Li Mu also agrees with Wang Changtian's point of view. Otherwise, if a blockbuster actively avoids domestic films that are not as good as its own and suddenly changes its schedule, it would be a bit of a sign of weakness.

This year's May 2st release, there are "Transcendence", "Captain America 2", and "Rio 2" in the past, and "The Amazing Spider-Man " will be cut off later.

At the same time, there are also domestic films such as "Frozen Man: Gate of Rebirth", "My Deskmate", and "The Master of Hypnosis" that are dividing the box office.

There is indeed a lot of competition.

However, after "The Legend of the White-Haired Witch" was rescheduled for Chinese Valentine's Day, even the trailers began to focus more on romance.

"Love is the most poisonous drug in the world."

In the trailer, this line that appears repeatedly seems to tell the audience that the core of this movie is a love movie.
"Clap!"

After resting for a while, Li Mu clapped his hands and said, "Guys, let's work hard. Try to finish the work next week."

I have to say that as long as they are working, they like to get off work, especially those who work on movies. A movie can last from one to two months to half a year. Although there are occasional breaks, it is still very tiring.

When the staff heard this, they immediately became energetic. As long as they last until next week, they will be liberated.
(End of this chapter)