China Entertainment: I have been a director since 05

Starting in early July, Universal Pictures' hit animated series "Despicable Me 2" swept through the US Independence Day box office with overwhelming force, breaking numerous film records!
Under the direct onslaught of the "dad's ultimate move," "The Lone Ranger," created by the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trio, flopped, earning only $2943 million over the weekend, repeating the fate of "Prince of Persia."

Meanwhile, "Kevin Hart: The Responsible for Happiness," distributed by Lionsgate Summit Entertainment, grossed tens of millions of dollars in 876 theaters, ranking eighth.

Since the beginning of 2013, the total North American market has once again surpassed 2 million US dollars!
Then, thanks to the enthusiastic management of the "stay-at-home dad," another box office surge occurred in a single week, reaching a staggering $2.2 million.

This signals another surge in Hollywood's energy following the release of "San Andreas" in June.

However, other films released at the same time as "San Andreas" failed to boost the North American box office, resulting in a less-than-stellar single-week box office performance.

But this only highlights the uniqueness of San Andreas.

And Guan's bravery!
It can be said that before me, there was utter drought; after me, there was a raging flood!

这个成绩虽然逊于《速度与激情6》开画的2.49亿，《怪兽大学》首映的2.32亿美元，但是却踩翻了《钢铁侠3》的2.1亿美元。

Therefore, it is truly a recent explosive highlight in the North American industry.

In June 2013, North American theaters grossed $12.5 billion, breaking the record for June box office revenue and surpassing the previous record of $10.9 billion in 2009. This represents an 18% increase compared to the same period last year.

The biggest contributor to this is undoubtedly Superman, who stopped wearing his underwear on the outside.

"Man of Steel" had grossed $2.48 million by the end of June, successfully surpassing 2006's record to become the best-grossing film in the series.
The overseas box office is also climbing steadily, and it has successfully surpassed 3 million US dollars in just one week!
As expected, the film should have little trouble breaking 7 billion in global revenue.

Therefore, it seems that Superman's "taking off his underwear and feeling relaxed" has generated at least 2 million in "easy" income, making it arguably the most commercially valuable "pants-off" move in history.

The second is "Monster University," a film about "monsters also paying tribute to youth." The "young monsters" contributed a whopping $170 million to the box office in just 10 days after its release in June. Although the film was battered by the impact of "Dad," it still has the potential to reach $300 million.

The third is Guan's disaster film "San Andreas," which he gifted to Hollywood. Believe it or not, although the plot is mindless, Hollywood loves this kind of style. Even "Hollywood's Goddess" Liu Yan once attracted the attention of many producers from the Big Six, who decided to take her to continue shaking the world!
Fourth place went to "World War Z," a "human vs. zombie" movie starring Brad Pitt, which grossed $6640 million in its opening month and reached a cumulative total of $1.23 million by the end of the month.

Paramount has already drafted a sequel plan and is now quite ambitious in its pursuit of a box office hit that costs $1.9 million.

The biggest dark horse this month should be the "Robin Hood-like band of thieves," who, like "modern-day Robin Hoods," will hit theaters at the end of May.

By the end of June, the total box office had successfully exceeded 100 million yuan, becoming a pleasant surprise of this summer's box office!
The entire Hollywood film market exudes a sense of prosperity.

However, in terms of investment and return, San Andreas is the envy of everyone.

Especially considering it grossed over $200 million at the Chinese box office, it certainly sent a shiver down many spines.

Therefore,
What made Hollywood even more excited was the news that Guan had arrived in Hollywood.

Although Guan entered the US discreetly this time, the news was still leaked, and the movements of Guan and Frank had long been being monitored.

Simply put, when it comes to Hollywood, Guan might not even qualify. He's only considered a lower-tier director. While he's a name with a global track record of awards, his commercial films are still far behind many Hollywood big names. At best, he's just an upper-middle-class choice.

However, in terms of return on investment and the sensation it caused in the Chinese market, Guan is undoubtedly number one.

Which of the companies that partnered with Guan didn't make a fortune?

How could it be that no one was specifically watching him?

The July sun in Los Angeles is as scorching as a grumpy celebrity manager.

It poured down unhindered at the exit of Beverly Hills, baking the sleek black car exteriors until they were slightly hot, the air distorted in the heatwave, and the palm leaves in the distance drooped listlessly.

"Guan, the news has leaked. There are people outside, a huge roar, and flashing camera lights."

When Gainat came over that day, he couldn't help but frown and then pointed at Liu Yifei.

“We need to provide her with a private environment. And it needs to be fully secure, with no one allowed to enter. Otherwise, there is a high possibility of leaks.”

"I'll leave this to you."

"There's one more thing. You need to go out and show your face eventually, otherwise the Hollywood media will definitely block your way. If you're not careful, her pregnancy might be exposed."

In her past life, many female celebrities went to the United States to give birth.

However, for many female celebrities, and even male celebrities, it's simply a way to avoid domestic paparazzi; they don't actually have much influence abroad.

But Guan Ling is different. In the United States, if the most popular people are Jackie Chan and Liu Yifei, then Guan Ling would definitely be ranked third.

In fact, Guan Ling should be the second.

He's only slightly inferior to Jackie Chan.

Now that he's in North America, he can't stop the North American media from following him so frequently.

“That group of people spoke Chinese, English, and even Japanese and Korean; it was chaotic. Sometimes these media people were like sharks that smelled blood, desperately pushing forward.”

Gainault recounted the situation outside, still shaken.

Guan Ling was stunned. "Is this what it's like since I last came to Hollywood?"

Guan Ling's face remained completely expressionless.

Standing on the windowsill, I looked down, my gaze sweeping across the noisy "battlefield" as if passing over a chaotic backdrop.

"It's because you haven't come for so long that your arrival this time is big news. The six major Hollywood studios are probably preparing to cooperate with you now. If you can act as the spokesperson for Hollywood blockbusters in the Chinese market, a 30% increase in Hollywood movie box office revenue is not a difficult thing for anyone to do."

"That's giving me far too much credit." Guan Ling sneered.

In the final analysis, it is still profit.

In the past two years, the commotion Guan Ling has caused in China seems to have also made quite a splash in North America.

For example, Aquaman, Uncharted, Gone Girl, and San Andreas all achieved excellent box office results in China.

But he's not used to this kind of situation now, from the phenomenal success of "Taken" in North America to the global acclaim of "Inception," and now with his screenplay "San Andreas" dominating the North American summer box office once again.

Although I'm not used to it, I can't just ignore it.

After all, Liu Yifei needs to stay quiet right now given her current situation.

He turned his head slightly and whispered to his close assistant, who was following closely behind and looking equally vigilant, "Have the domestic public relations department prepare. If any news about accompanying someone during childbirth gets back to China, suppress it completely. Absolutely no information can be leaked. Just say they're here in Hollywood to discuss a new movie. The focus should still be on the follow-up distribution of 'Underworld' and the progress of Lingyun Media's IPO."

"Understood, Director Guan." The assistant nodded quickly, his fingers already typing rapidly on the screen.

"Hey, Frank's here."

Guy looked down and suddenly said.

Guan Ling's gaze swept past the throng of people and landed precisely on the figure standing next to the stretch Lincoln parked at the very front.

Frank Gustave, chairman of Lionsgate, a Hollywood mogul known for his shrewdness and ruthlessness, was downstairs at that moment.

He walked up slowly, his face beaming with an almost obsequious smile. When he quickly ushered her into the house, he opened his arms and gave Guan Ling a strong, American-style hug.

"Guan! My old friend! God bless you, have a safe journey?"

Frank's voice was loud and exaggeratedly enthusiastic. He patted Guan Ling's back twice, deliberately letting the camera outside the window capture this intimate moment.

"Frank, thank you for coming."

A professional smile appeared on Guan Ling's face as she extended her hand and shook hands firmly with Frank.

In the instant their eyes met, they both understood the true nature of each other's smiles—interests, enormous and intertwined interests.

Through a series of complex agreements and nominee arrangements, Guan Ling's Sky Cloud Company has quietly seized a significant portion of Lionsgate's lifeline, especially its most profitable projects.

Frank also became one-third of the leaders of Guan Ling's Lingyun Media.

Gannault is one of the other third.

When these two agree, there's no problem.

When there is disagreement, Guan Ling has one vote. In fact, even if the two agree, Guan Ling still has a veto power, but now more than five percent of the shares are under Liu Yifei's control.

Frank took a half step closer, and using the moment they parted after the hug, he whispered rapidly, his lips barely moving, in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"The box office revenue from 'The Hunger Games' has been transferred to Skylight's Cayman account as agreed. The numbers are impressive, breathtakingly so."

His smile remained unchanged, but his eyes flashed sharply, carrying a hint of calculation and certainty typical of businessmen.

This film was the first gift that Guan Ling, with her copyright empire and script, gave to Lionsgate after their collaboration. Since its release last year, it has already grossed more than $8 million worldwide.

This is also the first film with a super high box office after the two collaborated.

San Andreas is considered the second installment.

Guan Ling's smile deepened slightly as she responded in a low voice, "Very good. I will review the new project evaluation report after the project is launched."

There were no unnecessary formalities, only the most crucial confirmation of financial transactions. This was the foundation of their relationship.

Entering the room, Frank comfortably leaned back in the large sofa and offered a cigar: "What's the next plan? The company has a few good scripts..."

"I'll take advantage of you taking Crystal to a nearby private hospital later. I don't want to worry about company matters right now; just ask Guy."

Guan Ling interrupted him, her tone leaving no room for argument. He took the cigar but didn't light it, simply twirling it unconsciously in his hand.

“Crystal needs to rest. During this time, I will decline all social interactions except for necessary business meetings. We will talk at home or in the hospital.”

“Crystal, what’s wrong with her?” Frank asked.

"She's about to give birth."

"WTF, Guan, you've done an amazing job keeping this a secret!" Frank exclaimed, then raised an eyebrow and shrugged knowingly. "Of course, of course, family comes first. Understandable."

He pressed the call button and instructed the driver on the destination, "Take my car in a bit, I guarantee it will be very safe."

Then he smiled and said, "It seems that the information we leaked has caused Guan some trouble, but I assure you, once this matter reaches my ears, it will absolutely not reach a third person."

"Thank you then."

A brief silence fell over the room. Outside the window, the bustling yet somewhat restless streetscape of Los Angeles was dazzling, but to Guan Ling, it held little appeal.

This Beverly Hills mansion is less a home and more a hybrid of a heavily guarded fortress and a top-tier private club.

The towering white walls kept outsiders away, while the courtyard was shaded by lush trees and adorned with precious flowers and plants. The huge outdoor swimming pool shimmered with blue light under the sun.

However, the air was not entirely filled with the atmosphere of a leisurely vacation.

Several understated but expensive cars were parked quietly in the driveway. Well-dressed and capable-looking men and women strolled casually around the entrance, garden, and even the garage, but their eyes scanned the surroundings like those of hawks.

They are members of Guan Ling and Liu Yifei's security team, operating efficiently and silently to ensure the absolute safety of this space that is about to welcome a new life.

Since Liu Yifei became pregnant and arrived in the United States, the security level here has been raised to the highest level.

Inside the mansion, the enormous living room boasts an astonishingly high ceiling, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of a perfectly manicured lawn and distant mountains.

However, at this moment, the huge white sofa in the center of the living room has been replaced by a maternity lounge chair that is as soft as a cloud.

Liu Yifei leaned against it, her eight-month pregnancy clearly visible beneath her loose silk dress.

Her face had become a little rounder, losing some of the aloofness and ethereal beauty of her youth, but gaining a gentle yet powerful maternal glow, like a peony carefully nurtured and about to bloom.

When Guan Ling pushed the door open and came in, the light that instantly shone in her eyes was brighter and warmer than the sunlight outside the window.

Upon seeing Frank, he was suddenly taken aback.

"Yifei, let's go straight to a private hospital. There are paparazzi everywhere outside. If we're not careful, we can easily get photographed."

"Okay, I'll leave it all to you to arrange."

He turned to look at Liu's mother, "Mom, this is Frank, the owner of Lionsgate Films, and also Yifei's future business partner."

Frank couldn't understand Chinese, so Guan Ling turned around and explained it to him again.

“In the future, five percent of the shares in Skyrise will belong to Liu Yifei.”

Frank shuddered violently!
I was so scared I almost knelt down.

Five percent of the shares is almost equivalent to more than five billion RMB.

This amount of money, even in Hollywood.

That's a lot of money.

Even if the six major Hollywood studios were to release a film, they would probably have to think it over carefully, and it's unlikely they could produce three or four blockbuster movies.

And now, it's been given directly to her?

But this was a family matter, and Frank didn't say much.

"Then let's have a pleasant collaboration in the future!"

Frank replied, but his heart was still pounding...

……

On the way to the private hospital.

Guan Ling received a call from Fang Ping, "Director Guan, it's settled, 4 billion. 4 billion will get us all the shares of 7.cn Chinese website."

"40 billion?"

“Actually, we have competitors, and Tencent is also trying to lower the price. However, Tencent used some underhanded tactics, which caused internal strife at Seven Points. In a fit of anger, Tencent is willing to sell directly to us as long as the price we offer is similar,” Fang Ping explained.

Guan Ling narrowed her eyes. "When did Chen Tianqiao start acting like this in a fit of anger? It's probably because Tencent is pushing the price too hard."

"Director Guan is right. I learned through inside sources that because Director Guan had previously bought a lot of copyrights, Tencent was furious when they heard about it and cut the budget by 500 million..."

“Let’s hold off a little longer,” Guan Ling said. “If things start to look bad, then we’ll take it down. We just made over a billion from ‘Collapse,’ so we don’t need another hundred million or two. But don’t act like we’re in a rush.”

After saying this, Liu's mother stayed in Bengbu.

Liu Yifei's expression also turned somewhat awkward.

Although Frank couldn't understand Chinese, he was still fucking shocked after the conversation.

Guan truly lives up to his reputation as the number one figure in Chinese entertainment; he's incredibly arrogant and domineering.

"By the way, Guan, isn't Crystal's pregnancy a good thing? Why hide it so tightly? And how did you manage to buy an online literature platform for seven or eight hundred million dollars?"

Frank was puzzled.

“Lingyun is going public,” Guan Ling said. “At the latest, in September. The application and review queue has been long overdue. In the past few months, we have been relying on professionals to handle the public fundraising and determine the issue price. The final round of written feedback from the China Securities Regulatory Commission has just been approved! The listing committee unanimously approved the hearing! Lingyun Media is about to officially list! If nothing unexpected happens, it will be listed in September.”

"With the advent of 7.cn, the entire entertainment industry chain has been truly realized."

Guan Ling turned to Frank and said, "I told you I would take you to see the view from the top of Lionsgate's building. Now, I'll look down from China for a while and wait for you to come up with me."

Frank was dumbfounded.

Every word struck Frank's heart like a heavy hammer!

Back then, he was still mocking Guan Ling's arrogant remarks.

now.

Guan Ling has already crowned herself… (End of Chapter)