China Entertainment 2000.

Chapter 269 Jiang Liu’s plan

Zorro is a novel published in 1919.

In 1998, "The Mask of Zorro" directed by Martin Campbell grossed US$2.5 million at the global box office, making the producers ecstatic.

As the sequel to "The Mask of Zorro", "The Legend of Zorro" has predictable expectations from North American audiences.

Not only that, according to what Dick Aron said after watching the movie, the story of "The Legend of Zorro" is very consistent with the mainstream values ​​​​of Eagle Sauce at this time, where heroes save mortals.

Sony Columbia Pictures' big production, a local hero movie that brings together heroes and beauties, has been postponed to August. It goes without saying who AMC Cinemas supports more among "Apes" and "The Legend of Zorro".

Even without The Legend of Zorro.

There is another big-budget movie at the end of the August summer vacation in North America - "Kingdom of Heaven".

"Kingdom of Heaven" is directed by Ridley Scott, a leading Hollywood director.

His personal masterpieces include "Blade Runner", "Hannibal", "Black Hawk Down", "Gladiator" and so on.

Based on the analysis of the crew photos leaked during the film's production, "Kingdom of Heaven" may become an epic war blockbuster.

"This schedule is no longer suitable for "Apes", and it will be turned into rubbish."

"If The Legend of Zorro and Kingdom of Heaven do well at the box office, these two movies may occupy nearly 10,000 screens in Los Angeles and New York. You will not want to see "Apes" leave Los Angeles and New York."

Jiang Liu nodded in understanding.

Los Angeles and New York are the most important ticket warehouses in North America.

At the Hilton Hotel restaurant, Fairman gave Jiang Liu some advice as he put down the Los Angeles Times:

"There will be Warner's "The House of Waxwork" and Disney's "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" in the next four weeks of the summer vacation. How about withdrawing "Apes"?"

Jiang Liu shook his head: "We are already here, but we have to take a shot before leaving."

He hoped that Jiang Liu would stop here.

The failure of "Apes" in the Los Angeles and New York film markets is equivalent to failure, so it is better to withdraw it voluntarily.

He doesn't have to worry about Dick Aaron, Huggins and other major theaters.

The situation is such that continuing to struggle will not help.

Withdraw immediately and save a lot of publicity fees.

Fairman shook his head: "There may be variables, and Lionsgate will try their best to communicate. You know, the opening screen of "The Legend of Zorro" alone is as high as 3500."

Jiang Liu asked incredulously: "Can Harkins Cinemas guarantee 500 screens?"

Apart from these two big cities, there are very few movie box office openings in remote suburban cities.

Li Meijing felt unwilling and struggled with her face, but she still took a deep breath and advised Jiang Liu: "Mr. Jiang, this is our fate. We might as well go back home and participate in domestic publicity. The Asian ticket warehouse is our main battlefield."

Among them, the historical and war movie "Gladiator" was released in 2000, with a global box office of nearly 5 million yuan.

Fellman observed the river flow hopefully.

Fairman's implication should be that North America is the world's largest movie box office.

"Kingdom" is the second historical war film directed by Scott. The actor he co-stars with is Orlando Bloom, who played the elf prince in "The Lord of the Rings" and is considered to be more handsome than Leonardo DiCaprio.

Let them leave the favor they owe this time to "Saw 2" in October.

"Hey, Mr. Jiang, you must not insist on staying in Hollywood. If you insist on letting "Apes" land in North America, it means that you will have to pay a huge amount of publicity and distribution funds afterwards. How much is it, 1000 million U.S. dollars, or 2000 million yuan? ?”

Li Meijing became anxious and raised her voice regardless of her personal image or in public.

It's not surprising that Jiang Liu wants to enter Hollywood. Directors and actors all want to enter Hollywood.

There are many people who are possessed by demons.

But the timing of scoring, this timing was terrible.

Even after spending money, you may not see the dawn of success.

"Mr. Fairman, please give me an accurate number. How many screens can you help me find, preferably in the Los Angeles and New York areas."

"Jiang, I promise you, at least 50 yuan."

Jiang Liu insisted on taking the risk, but Fellman stopped trying to persuade him and finally emphasized: "Los Angeles and New York areas."

Jiang Liu no longer has time to worry about how Fellman's at least 500 screens turned into 50 in just a few days. He only believes in one thing at the moment.

"Apes" must come to North America.

Li Meijing said something contrary. This timing is not bad, it is very good.

As long as he works hard and is willing to spend some money, North American audiences only need to recognize a little bit of the plot of "Apes".

"Apes" will definitely be able to break through the layers of "Kingdom of Heaven", "The Legend of Zorro" and other Hollywood companies such as 20th Century Fox, Sony Columbia, Disney, and Warner Bros.

The timing couldn't be better. Without these Hollywood blockbusters at the same time, Jiang Liu even doubted whether "Orangutan" would be published.

Thinking about the media, Jiang Liu looked at Fellman: "Is ten copies enough? I am going to invest 100 million US dollars in publicity funds first. If it is all spent, we will discuss whether to increase it as appropriate."

Fellman agreed as usual: "Yes."

In mid-to-late July, it had been more than half a month since Jiang Liu and his party arrived in North America.

For more than half a month, bad news for Yu Jiangliu came one after another.

"Kingdom of Heaven" and "The Legend of Zorro" hit the August summer vacation and took over most of the screens in North America.

Several employers asked him to return to China and give up the North American market.

Li Xin was frightened again at home.

She, Li Qin, Lu Le, and Tingting were very bored and strolled around Sanlitun after dinner, planning to buy some more baby products for their home.

Unexpectedly, an accident occurred that day, and a taxi ran rampant in the business district.

Many passers-by were knocked down, and Li Yan, who witnessed the tragic scene with her own eyes, complained of stomachache at the time.

Li Qin was also so frightened that she could not speak coherently.

Thanks to Lu Le's rationality, he hurriedly called an ambulance to take Li Xing to the hospital.

The adults and children were fine. Li Xin rested at home for a few days and went to work as usual. Jiang Liu was scolded by Li Qin.

Isn't it good to sit on the hot bed with your wife and children? You can't make enough money in the world without thinking about making money all day long.

His parents had indeed gone through hardships and lived a very nourishing life. Jiang Liu could not argue with this, so he had no choice but to deal with it in a perfunctory manner.

Throughout July, everything went wrong, and there was a rift with the film management.

Not understood by partners.

Not understood by family members.

Targeted by North American counterparts.

It was rejected by North American theaters.

The only good news is probably that "Apes" was rated PG13 by North American film rating staff.

Audiences aged 13 and above can go to the cinema to support this film.

Furthermore, the US$100 million in promotional expenses agreed upon by Jiang Liu and Lionsgate Pictures were all spent.

"Apes" appeared in newspapers and was mentioned by Fox media.

At this time, there is only one week left before "Apes" lands in North America.

On this day, Jiang Liu went to Lionsgate Pictures alone and met Fellman who was at work.

There are no extra words, just pushing the publicity expenditure of "Apes" to 1000 million US dollars.

And asked Fellman, who was already dumbfounded, to spend it all within a week.

But only in the two cities of Los Angeles and New York.

For Hollywood blockbusters, the promotion fee of 1000 million US dollars is a drizzle. Warner and Disney's "Human Wax Museum" and "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" were released in the same period as "Apes", with a promotion fee of US$3000 million and a promotion fee of US$5000 million.

The promotional expenses for the two major productions "The Legend of Zorro" and "Kingdom of Heaven" in the same period were even more terrifying.

However, the promotion fees for these movies are targeted at the entire North American region, and even Europe.

The US$1000 million in promotional expenses for "Apes" were concentrated in two cities.

Jiang Liu wants to storm Los Angeles and New York.

Then when "Kingdom of Heaven" and "The Legend of Zorro" were scolded as shit by North American audiences, they took advantage of the opportunity to point out Arrancar.

(End of this chapter)