Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 571: Head-on confrontation with Hollywood blockbusters

The arrival of "Knife of the Assassin" with great momentum seems to have set off a wave of nostalgia for martial arts movies among those born in the 70s, 80s and even 90s.

"Boss, Director Lu, the midnight show of Blade of the Assassin grossed 108 million, with nearly viewers, second only to The Greatest Breakup Master and Seattle."

On the 23rd, Gu Wei had just arrived at the company and was chatting with Lu Yang and others when Wang Chen couldn't wait to come over to report the good news.

"Haha, Director Gu, it's done!"

Lu Yang couldn't help but be delighted, and he obviously didn't expect the box office to be so good.

"It's really good. This data is already very high for a martial arts film."

After saying that, a group of people looked at the data statistics brought by Wang Chen.

What comes into view is the current attendance data of the cinema chains, which does not seem high at the moment.

The average attendance rate is about 5%, but if you consider that today is Friday and it is still daytime, this attendance rate is very amazing.

"So high."

Lu Yang said in surprise.

"Hehe, normal.

For the mainland market, although martial arts films have declined somewhat, this genre has not completely lost the interest of the audience, so everyone is still very enthusiastic about it.”

Gu Wei also couldn't help but sigh that although domestic martial arts films are now in decline, thanks to the foundation left by previous martial arts films, as long as a good one is made, there is no need to worry about the box office. The original "Flying Daggers of Dragon Gate" is the best example.

Although two years have passed, it is still hard to say whether "The Blade of the Assassin" can break the box office record of "Flying Daggers of Dragon Gate".

But judging from the box office of the midnight preview, the final box office will definitely not be low.

"By the way, don't forget the theater activities in the next few days."

After looking at the data, Gu Wei turned to Lu Yang and reminded him.

"Don't worry, Director Gu. I will definitely not forget it."

Lu Yang made a solemn promise.

As soon as the preview data of "The Blade of the Assassin" came out, other people in the circle naturally turned their attention to it.

"It's another hit movie. Xingchen Films is making a fortune this year."

Many people in the circle are starting to suffer from red eye disease again.

.........

The next day.

According to data released by the theater chain, the first day box office of "The Blade of the Assassin" is out.

"Lu Yang's Blade of the Assassin was released nationwide on July 7. According to incomplete statistics, the film's box office on the first day exceeded 23 million, surpassing the first-day box office data of Flying Daggers of Dragon Gate and setting a new record for the first-day box office of domestic martial arts films."

"Director Lu Yang and the main creators appeared at Dadi Cinemas to meet with fans on site!"

"Vincent Zhao and Su Chang thanked director Lu Yang for the invitation and called on fans to support "The Blade Strikes"."

"Zhao Wenzhuo performed "real kung fu" on the spot, causing fans to exclaim!"

The on-site interview transcripts and event photos of Lu Yang and others quickly spread throughout the Internet.

As soon as the first day box office figures came out, anyone with a discerning eye could see that this movie has great potential.

The industry has already given predictions based on the box office on the first day, and the total box office will be no less than 4 million.

In view of the current attendance situation, major cinema chains have once again increased the screening schedule of "Knife of the Assassin".

Saturday, $6100 million.

Sunday, $6500 million.

"The Blade of the Assassin" was released for three days and the cumulative box office reached 1.82 million yuan.

At this time, the popularity of "Knife of the Assassin" is getting higher and higher, and it has overshadowed another Hollywood blockbuster "White House Downfall" which has already been released, the upcoming "Fast and Furious 6" and "Tiny Times 8" which will be released in early August.

.........

On the 26th, the Hollywood blockbuster "Fast and Furious 6" officially landed in mainland China.

With a box office of 5700 million on the first day, it easily defeated "White House Downfall" which was released four days earlier, and was on par with "Knife of the Assassin".

As early as May 5, Universal's new film "Fast & Furious 24" was officially released in 6 countries and regions around the world, including North America. Not only did the original cast perform at high speeds in the film, but the film's box office revenue was also astonishingly high.

"Fast & Furious 6" grossed $2.75 million worldwide in its first week, quickly topping the box office charts in 59 international regions, instantly breaking several box office records set by the series.

However, the release of this movie did not reduce the screening rate of "The Blade of the Assassin" too much. After all, the latter has a strong momentum, and the theater chain is not a fool. They will naturally not miss out on making money. Besides, reducing the screening rate of the latter will rashly offend Xingchen Film and Television.

As a result, other domestic films in the industry suffered badly. The screening rates of more than a dozen domestic films kept dropping, causing complaints in the industry.

But it is also a fact that the quality of their own films is not good and they cannot attract audiences. Many producers have no choice but to swallow their anger and at most report to their superiors and make suggestions.

But Han Sanping was about to step down, and he was too lazy to care about these trivial matters.

On the other hand, "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy", which was mainly invested by Bona and co-produced by China Film and Xingchen Film and Television, was successfully completed.

At the wrap party, director Xu Ke was interviewed and said frankly that he had high expectations for the movie's box office, but he did not give a direct answer as to how much the movie would make.

It's obvious that this is to whet everyone's appetite.

Early the next morning, the media and the internet were filled with news about "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy."

"Directed by Xu Ke, starring Han Dongjun, Zhang Hanyu, Liang Jiahui, Su Chang and others, the main theme commercial blockbuster "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" was officially completed last night."

"It is reported that the main creative members of the film crew will return to Beijing today."

"Since the filming of Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy began, the set has never been open to the media. The film is highly confidential and very little is known to the outside world."

...

As for the crew of "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy", after the wrap party last night, the crew members had already packed their luggage and came to the crew one after another.

If we want to go back together now, we have to go in a group.

"All staff and equipment have been arranged on trains and have already set off. As for the guns and cannons, the Bayi Factory will handle them."

The assistant director briefly reported to Xu Ke.

"Okay, the company employees will go back later. Send the more than 80 staff members from Xingchen Film and Television, Bayi Film Studio, and Beijing Film Studio back first." Xu Ke nodded and gave the order.

"No problem, Director Xu, it has been arranged. Part of the original film will be sent over together with the special effects personnel of Xingchen Film and Television. Some special effects shots will be produced there in the later stage." The assistant director continued to report.

"Okay, let's do it."

"Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" has more than 1,200 special effects shots, most of which were outsourced to Xingchen Film and Television Company for production. The rest were taken back to Bona Company by Xu Ke for post-production editing.

At this time, all the main creators were packing their bags and preparing to leave for the airport.

...

Outside the Capital Airport. We had expected that there would be a lot of media reporters, but we didn't expect there would be so many.

As soon as a group of people came out, they heard someone outside shouting "They're out".

Immediately afterwards, Xu Ke and others were surrounded by dozens of reporters.

Fortunately, the assistants were very helpful and cleared the way, bringing everyone to an open area without obstructing traffic.

"Everyone, finish the interview early and go home early." Xu Ke made a joke, and also wanted to take advantage of this good opportunity to promote his own movie in advance.

"Director Xu, Bona's press release emphasized that Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy is a mainstream commercial film. Do you think it would be successful if mainstream and commercial films were combined?"

Everyone looked at Xu Ke, waiting for his answer.

Because as early as when the project of "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" was announced, a large number of people in the industry had objections to his proposal of a "main theme commercial film", believing that Bona and Xu Ke were taking a risk.

“The core of a commercial film is always the story. And Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy uses the style of a commercial film to tell a mainstream story.

I am confident that it will be a very good commercial film at the box office.”

"As for the box office, I hope it can exceed 1 billion, which is also a goal I have set."

Xu Ke half-jokingly mentioned a box office target.

Now that "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" has been completed, seeing that these mainland directors and newcomers from other industries are more powerful than each other, Xu Ke naturally cannot lose out.

When they heard the number 10 billion, the eyes of a group of reporters lit up instantly. The first important material of the day was available.

Afterwards, Han Dongjun, Zhang Hanyu, Tony Leung and others were all asked questions by the media.

Even Su Chang, who finished filming "Asian Blade" early due to his participation in the event and did not appear with Xu Ke and others, did not escape. For example, Chen Xiao was directly asked by reporters whether he was dating Su Chang.

Good guy, this question stumped Chen Xiao, so he had to talk about other things. Fortunately, Xu Ke and others came to the rescue and he was able to get away with it.

Sometimes, I have to admire these media reporters. They dare to ask anyone and ask all the sharp questions.

.........

After the interview, reporters from major media outlets immediately reported the content of the interview. Sina Entertainment even wrote an entire article with detailed introduction.

The report lists all the films shot by director Xu Ke after he moved north.

Xu Ke is a recognized famous director of Chinese-language films, and he is also one of the few directors who has not lost too much of his standard in the process of Hong Kong filmmakers "going north".

However, in the first few years in the north, Xu Ke's career was not very smooth.

Especially after "Seven Swords" in 2005 and before the release of "Detective Dee: The Mystery of the Phantom Flame" in 2010.

In a full five years, he directed three films: "The Iron Triangle", "The Lost Tomb", and "Women Are Not Bad".

"The Iron Triangle" is an action and crime film, "Women Are Not Bad" is a romantic comedy, and "Deep Sea Search" is a horror and thriller.

The famous director of the martial arts film "Seven Swords" failed, and he ended up having no more films to make, so he tried all kinds of genres.

Especially "The Man Who Came Back to the Sea", which can be regarded as the darkest scene in Xu Ke's career. Because Chinese films cannot have real "ghosts", "The Man Who Came Back to the Sea" is actually a "split-second film".

Recalling Xu Ke’s previous masterpieces, and comparing them with the 08 “Deep Sea Searching”, it is also quite sad.

Therefore, "Detective Dee: The Mystery of the Phantom Flame" in 10 can be said to have saved Director Xu, who had become "obsessed".

Although the film lacks the "political metaphors" and "feelings of troubled times" that he is good at, it also takes the "special effects scenes" to the extreme. Director Xu has therefore embarked on the path of blindly "showing off his skills".

There's no way, Old Monster Xu is good at "metaphors" and "special effects". One of his legs has been cut off, and the other one is still not jumping around. Sooner or later, he will lose his place in the film industry like his old friend Wu Baige!

Later, Xu Ke, who had figured it out, made a 3D version of "Flying Daggers of Dragon Gate". When it was released in 11, the box office of more than million yuan enabled him to re-establish his status as a great director.

...

It has to be said that once Xu Ke set the goal of 1 billion box office, the results were surprisingly good.

In the next two days, Bona’s stock price rose accordingly. Yu Dong made a fortune before the movie was even released.

"Okay, the 1 billion target is a good one." In Bona Company, Yu Dong looked at the data handed over by his assistant with a smile on his face.

...

There is a wide variety of news on the Internet.

CCTV's choice of Feng Xiaogang as the director of the Spring Festival Gala does have one advantage, which is that it can easily gather a large number of big-name stars.

Even Zhao Bensan was invited back by Feng Xiaogang to serve as deputy director and director of language programs.

It can be predicted that there will be a lot of stars in this year's Spring Festival Gala.

Guo Jingming shouted out a slogan on Weibo, saying that he wanted "Tiny Times 2" to make up for the regrets of "Tiny Times 1".

Not only does the box office have to exceed 5 million, but it also has to be the dominant domestic film in August.

"South Korean idol groups f(x) and EXO arrived in Beijing this morning, causing congestion at the airport exit."

"The fans were furious and insulted the staff unreasonably..."

During the period, "Fast & Furious 6" and "Knife of the Assassin" dominated the schedule.

On the fourth day of its release, "Fast & Furious 2" easily broke the 6 million yuan mark and also stood out from the crowd.

However, people in the industry have discovered that the attendance rate of "Knife of the Assassin" seems to have begun to slowly decrease, and compared with "Fast and Furious 6" released in the same period, there is a slight downward trend.

"It seems that we still can't beat Hollywood blockbusters."

Many filmmakers in the industry lamented.

"I am very satisfied with this result. It has really exceeded my expectations. To be honest, I never thought the box office would be so good until the movie was released," Lu Yang said with emotion.

"Director Gu, do you want to continue to expand the publicity and contact the theater chain privately..." In the office, in front of Lu Yang, Gu Wei and others, Song Ge suggested.

"Lao Lu, what do you think?" Gu Wei did not express his opinion, but instead asked Lu Yang next to him.

In the original time and space, the box office of the first "The Blade of the Assassin" was indeed not high, but there are many reasons for it.

For example, the director Lu Yang was not famous at that time, the investment in the film was not large, the few actors he found were not big names, and the subsequent publicity and promotion was not in place.

But the reason why "Knife of the Assassin" can achieve such a high box office now is naturally because Lu Yang has a representative work with high box office and his fame is incomparable.

The investment in the movie has increased a lot, including the quality of the script and special effects, which are all first-rate. Several of the leading actors are quite famous, except for Wang Qianyuan, Jing Chao and others who are less famous, but they are not the focus.

Coupled with the continuous promotion and publicity by Xingchen Film and Television Company, the amazing screening rate of selected films and a series of other factors came together to make "The Blade of the Assassin" a true box office hit.

"Director, I'll follow your instructions." Lu Yang is very satisfied with the current box office and is not so anxious anymore.

"Okay, Old Song, you take charge of the arrangements. Let's continue to push forward while the momentum is good." Gu Wei said directly.

"I understand. I'll arrange it." Song Ge nodded and agreed.

.........

(End of this chapter)