China Entertainment started from Nortel 2002

Chapter 592: The highest guarantee in history?
“First, considering that Wanda Pictures is not a simple film production company, but covers all aspects of the film industry’s operations, after acquiring Legend, Wanda Film and Television Holdings has become the world’s largest film company by revenue.

Second, this acquisition can greatly enhance Wanda’s competitiveness and voice in the global film industry.

Third, Wanda’s theater chain, China’s market and Legendary Pictures can work together on film development and production, complementing each other’s strengths.”

Wang Jianlin, President of Wanda Group, delivered a speech at the press conference.

Thomas Tull, chairman and CEO of Legendary Pictures, is next to Wang Jianlin.

Li Mu, La Peikang, Yu Dong, Wang Changtian and others were sitting in the front row, and the atmosphere in the venue was very heated.

"Director Li, we have approved the introduction of "The Revenant" and it is scheduled for March."

La Peikang chatted with Li Mu who was sitting aside.

"Understood, thank you La Dong!"

Li Mu responded softly, the Spring Festival is coming soon, and Hollywood blockbusters will not appear during the Spring Festival. This is an unspoken rule, and January this year is also fully booked.

"Director Li, do you think these IPs are valuable?"

Thomas Tull smiled brightly. After all, he had taken the money and had not lost the day-to-day management rights of Legendary Pictures.

"Warcraft?"

It's hard to tell whether it's a loss or not, but with more money and less money, it's still clear.

Because at its core, Legendary Pictures is a film investment company.

La Peikang listened to Wang Jianlin talk about the IP of Legendary Pictures, and then asked.

But in fact, in Li Mu's heart, this account was really not worth it.

But a player succeeds and a player loses.

At this time, Thomas Tull, chairman and CEO of Legendary Pictures, spoke immediately after Wang Jianlin.

"The Revenant and La La Land received 18 Oscar nominations"

"Warcraft" also made a big appearance at this press conference. As an A-level production, World of Warcraft players around the world are even more amazing. It can be said that if a series is really made, it will be a treasure trove.

"For the first time since 2001, two films by the same director have been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director!"

Unlike the six major Hollywood studios, Legendary Pictures' founding capital came from private equity funds.

Just then, the Oscar nominations finally came.

"I am honored to be a member of Wanda and work with Wanda to build Legendary Pictures into a new international entertainment company."

Naturally, the "Warcraft" movie has to be made in a way that suits the player's wishes. This is a step that is impossible to avoid.

Li Mu's answer is obvious, that is, Warcraft may be valuable, but if it is not discovered, it will all be in vain.

It had previously cooperated with Warner Bros. for 8 years and invested in 40 of Warner's movies. Later, the contract was not renewed. Legendary Pictures continued to cooperate with Universal Pictures, but its performance last year and the year before was not outstanding.
La Peikang then said a few words to Li Mu and then sat upright.

Legendary Pictures mainly cooperates with major Hollywood studios through a platter investment strategy.

The "$35 billion acquisition of Legendary Pictures" has been a hot topic among the public these days.

Li Mu subconsciously named this most valuable IP and said with a smile, "The value is infinite, but it is doubtful whether it can be mined."

"La La Land, the representative film from Mainland China, is nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film"

This time at the Oscars, "The Revenant" overwhelmed "Max 4" and topped the nomination list with 12 nominations.

"Max 4" ranked behind with 10 nominations, while the sophisticated "Carol" with a different style of painting received 6 nominations, tied with "La La Land" for the number of nominations
"Hahaha, the Oscars are really following the lead of the Golden Globes this time!"

"Nonsense, the popularity is so high and the quality is so good, Oscar is not stupid!"

"Awesome."

"The Oscar's double guarantee is not without precedents of failure, and it is not the same as the first one at the Golden Globe Awards. Don't get too happy too soon."

"Lee DiCaprio is once again the best actor"

"."

The audience is still enjoying the afterglow of the Golden Globe Awards, and the Oscars are coming again, giving movie fans constant highs and lows.

"It's a pity that I didn't give you a Best Actress nomination."

Li Mu felt regretful when he saw the six nominations for "La La Land", including Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Original Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Effects.
"I can't go even if you mention it, it doesn't matter much."

Liu Yifei's motherly feeling has become more and more intense recently, and her eyes reveal a gentle light.

The Oscars ceremony was in February, and she was already 2 months pregnant at that time. Even if the award was confirmed, it was impossible for Liu Yifei to go.

Outside, heavy snow has arrived as promised.

The two of them were in the bedroom, with Liu Yifei leaning in Li Mu's arms. The two of them watched the snowflakes falling one by one, and the outside was covered in silver, which was particularly beautiful.

Li Mu rarely goes to the company to work these days.

"Operation Red Sea" has been without company for more than three months. Now there is nothing important in the company, so naturally I have to spend time with my wife and children.

The release dates of "Ip Man 3" and "Mermaid" are getting closer and closer, and the marketing of the two films is getting heavier and heavier.

However, at this time, many media reported that "Mermaid" had signed a 20 billion box office guarantee agreement with the film's two major distributors, Enlight and Mengying Media, demonstrating the distributor's confidence in the film's box office.

"Old Wang, the false news you revealed?"

Li Mu subconsciously thought that Wang Changtian was preparing to start marketing.

"Hey, don't know who it is, but that's kind of interesting, even if the numbers are wrong."

Wang Changtian chuckled, "I just want to use my strength here." "Then I guess someone guessed 80% of it."

Li Mu smiled.

The news did cause quite a stir.

Because if 20 billion is true, "Mermaid" will undoubtedly bring the guaranteed box office amount of domestic films to a new high, which is unprecedented and astonishing.

The current box office champion of domestic film history, "Fast and Furious 7," has a box office of 24 billion. The guarantee of 20 billion basically means that it is confident that it can hit the highest record.

"Director Li, do you want to announce it?"

Wang Changtian seems to also want to play this marketing card.

"In fact, there is not much difference between 17 billion and 20 billion when it is announced, but once it is announced, it loses the sense of mystery, so it is better to hide it."

Li Mu thought for a while and suggested.

"Okay, listen to Director Li."

Wang Changtian nodded.

In the past two days, many media called Enlight, Mengying Media and other related companies to verify the matter. However, the two companies unanimously stated that it is not convenient to disclose this information at the moment.

Netizens are also talking about it.

"Really? 20 billion?"

"It's unlikely. There are only a few movies with a box office of 20 billion. I admit that Zhou Xingchi's movies have appeal, but 20 billion is really an exaggeration."

"Master Xing's movie costs 20 billion. I think it's worth it. Guangguang and Mengying dare to bet on it, they are big companies!"

It is difficult to verify whether it is true or not, but the spread of this news at least represents everyone's expectations for the box office of "Mermaid".

The industry was also surprised.

"Brother, do you think that 20 billion is true or false?"

Wang Zhonglei was also very surprised. You should know that he made bold claims that Zhou Xingchi didn't understand movies at all.

Huayi even squandered the dividends promised to Zhou Xingchi.

If this is really a guarantee of 20 billion, wouldn't it prove that Huayi has no vision, especially the former CEO of Huayi.

"Truth or falsehood doesn't matter now."

Wang Zhongjun glanced at Wang Zhonglei lightly, "But based on my understanding of Li Mu, I guess it's pretty much the same."

"Aren't they afraid that they won't be able to get back their money?"

Wang Zhonglei is a little unbelievable. The guarantee of around 20 billion is a lot of confidence.

"They can afford it."

After Wang Zhongjun was silent for a while, he said slowly.

These words silenced Wang Zhonglei.

Indeed, as Wang Zhongjun said, it can be said that Guangwang and Mengying Media are now working more and more deeply in the film industry, and they have been developing over the years. On the other hand, Huayi is almost ranked last in the main film industry.

Moreover, Huayi's stock price has been falling crazily in line with the market recently.

Since the stock market implemented a circuit breaker mechanism on January 1, it has failed to stop the decline. What has been circuit breaker is the accounts of investors.

I paused it a few days ago, but still no improvement.

Looking at the green stock market all over the screen, not only the stock investors in front of the screen clamored to "go to the rooftops", but Wang Zhonglei himself also wanted to do it, and he had lost hundreds of millions in value.

Light also has an impact, but these have nothing to do with Mengying Media.

The industry has been restless.

The marketing of "Mermaid" is also rapidly following up, and it also uses hunger marketing.

The story content and character settings were not exposed prematurely in marketing before the official release. Everyone needs to have a look at the film on February 2.

This kind of "hungry marketing" method has accumulated huge movie-watching emotions among fans.

Moreover, the Rays also hired a new media marketing consultant, the Tongque Team, to tap a large number of creative fans and amplify their works.
On the Taiwanese side, on the other hand, because mainland films have to compete for a quota of only 10 films per year to be released in Taiwan, there are 45 film candidates in the lottery. Unfortunately, "Mermaid" was not chosen as number 10, but was drawn as number 44, so it had no chance of being filmed in Taiwan. Meet the island audience.

On January 1, Li Mu rarely put on slightly formal clothes, but was forced by Liu Yifei.

"There are so many people today anyway, why do you have the nerve to dress so casually?"

Liu Yifei said angrily and chose a set of clothes for Li Mu.

Li Mu let Liu Yifei play around and finally wore a slightly more formal outfit.

Today is the launch day of the Universal Screening Project.

The specifications can be said to be the largest project kick-off meeting in recent years.

Heads of relevant departments such as the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, Information Department, External Relations Bureau, and Film Bureau, as well as representatives of more than 40 major production companies including China Film, Shanghai Film, Mengying, Huayi Brothers, Bona Pictures, and Enlight Media, attended the event.

Li Mu also had to sit in the second row at this moment. The first row was filled with leaders of major departments.

As a representative of the new generation of directors, Chen Sicheng introduced the specific situation of this platform to everyone. Gong Li and Cheng Long, who served as promotion ambassadors, came to the scene and delivered promotional speeches through VCR respectively.

After the grand launch of the project, various media have spoken out, especially the official media.

(End of this chapter)