Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 623 Danger and Opportunity

Hollywood.

The 20th, Wednesday, Los Angeles time.

Tomorrow Star Films.

"Boss, the various theater chains have sent us feedback data, and the attendance is pretty good, but it's still not as good as The Wandering Earth and Gravity."

After hearing Reid's words, Gu Wei was delighted but also a little depressed. He never expected that the movie he shot would one day cause internal friction.

But the release time of "The Revenant" is also forced, as "The Wandering Earth" and "Gravity" will be released in October, and December is the time period when Hollywood blockbusters are concentrated.

"The Revenant" was chosen to be released on the 20th. Although it will compete head-on with another Hollywood blockbuster "The Hunger Games 22" on the 2nd, facing one strong enemy is less stressful than facing a group of strong enemies.

"We will continue to increase publicity, with the main focus on Leonardo and Oscars. We need to let the audience know that this is a film that combines commercial and artistic qualities, and we should not over-promote its artistic attributes."

"Okay, boss."

In the original time and space, "The Revenant" earned more than 15 million US dollars worldwide in the eight years from its release in 23 to .

Of this, North America took in 1.8 million. From the perspective of an art film alone, this is a film with a very high box office, no less than some so-called commercial blockbusters.

Just as Reid left the office, Gu Wei's cell phone rang. He picked it up and saw that it was Wang Chen's phone.

"What could possibly happen if I call you at this time?" Gu Wei muttered to himself and answered the call directly.

"Hey!"

"Boss, there's something small..."

About five minutes later, after listening to Wang Chen's report, Gu Wei did not feel angry, but just a little unhappy.

It is indeed a small matter, but on the other hand, when this happens, it affects not only one person, but also the entire domestic entertainment industry.
"It's really interesting, haha." Gu Wei smiled disdainfully.

“Should the company issue a statement to explain?”

"What does Song Ge mean?"

"Mr. Song said there's no need to pay attention to trivial matters."

"Well, the company doesn't need to publish an article, I can just post a Weibo privately."

Gu Wei's Weibo post was simple: "Xingchen Films refuses to cooperate with any celebrities or artists who worship foreign things, including certain films and TV series."

But the effect was very good. As soon as the Weibo post was updated, many netizens began to comment crazily.

"Is this a direct ban?"

“Isn’t anyone curious about which film and television companies are referring to?”

"Needless to say, it's obviously about Huayi. The two sides have had conflicts before, and it's estimated that things will get worse and worse."

.........

However, due to the time difference, it is already the 21st in China, and now it is Thursday.

The "kneeling" incident in the country has become more and more serious, with a large number of netizens commenting online and shouting insults.

Especially after Gu Wei made a public post on Weibo, coupled with a joint statement from many companies in the industry, everyone knew that his hosting career was over.

Huayi Company.

"He's just a pig, his brain is full of shit?" Wang Zhonglei wanted to kill him at this moment. Just because of kneeling, "Detective Dee: The Mystery of the Phantom Flame" lost more than 10 million in box office revenue on the first day.

Moreover, today is the second day of the movie's release, and according to feedback from the theater, the attendance rate is not very ideal.

"Mr. Wang, now is not the time to get angry. The most urgent issue is whether the company needs to make a public apology?" Li Xue asked directly from the side.

"Apologize? What are you apologizing for? If you apologize, will all South Korean artists who have problems be blamed on Huayi?"

Although Wang Zhonglei was angry, he was very calm at the moment. He knew that Huayi could not make any public comments on this matter, otherwise it would become the target of netizens' venting, and it would also affect the cooperative relationship between the company and the South Korean Alliance.

In other words, even if the movie is affected and the box office is affected, Huayi is unlikely to make any public apology statement, including a moral apology.

“Arrange the Internet trolls to promote “Shendu Dragon King” and do our best to suppress this public opinion storm.

Also, let director Xu Ke take the main creative team on more roadshows, just like they did with "The Wandering Earth", and don't miss out on any major cities.

Finally, tell all the artists under the company not to make any comments about the "kneeling" incident. " Wang Zhonglei thought for a while and gave the order directly.

"Okay, I'll do it right away."

...

At the same time, Mango TV finally responded the day after the incident.

"We are handling this matter urgently and will give netizens an explanation."

Gu Wei’s Weibo post was equivalent to directly banning him.

At this moment, the person involved seemed to have just woken up from a dream. His colleagues and friends, who had a close relationship with him before, had now quickly distanced themselves from him, as if they were avoiding the plague god.

"Hurry up and draft an apology statement to Director Gu and the others."

At this point, he panicked and hurriedly ordered his assistant to do it.

"Don't apologize to netizens and fans?" the assistant asked with some confusion.

"Don't worry about them, just do as I say, and do it immediately."

Even though the situation has become increasingly serious, in his opinion, the most important thing at the moment is to gain the understanding of Gu Wei and several major companies in the industry.

As for the netizens? They are all easy to fool. They will write an apology in a few days, and then show deep regret and pity in public to win sympathy. After a long time, the limelight will pass, and everything will be fine.

After all, many previous examples have proven this.

However, netizens did not seem to buy into this apology statement, and even found it difficult to accept it.

The content was an apology to the audience who liked their show, and to the famous mainland director Gu Wei and several film and television companies. There was no mention of the majority of netizens between the lines!
"Can this be called an apology?"

"He is just afraid that his career as a host will end. His apology is insincere."

Netizens became increasingly angry.

.........

Time passes day by day.

"The Hunger Games 2" is the favorite of the main teenage audience in the North American market, and it also has a large fan base. On the 26th, the first weekend box office data of "The Revenant" came out, and at the same time, "The Hunger Games 22" released on the 2nd also announced its first weekend data.

"Jointly produced by Tomorrow Star Films and Appian Way, directed by Oscar-winning director Gu Wei, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy, The Revenant grossed $3158 million in its first weekend."

"The sci-fi action film "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," produced by Lionsgate and directed by Francis Lawrence, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, grossed $2 million in its first weekend."

"It is reported that the film topped the North American box office charts on Friday with $7050 million on its first day of release in North America, setting a record for the highest first-day opening in November in North American film history."

"According to predictions from professional Hollywood organizations, The Hunger Games 2 is likely to win the North American box office championship this year."

With a box office of 2 million on the first day and million in the first weekend, the performance of "The Hunger Games " set off the entire Hollywood media and made headlines almost every day.

This result not only set the highest opening weekend box office record for a 2D film in North American film history, but also achieved the highest first-day opening performance in November in North American film history.

"The Wandering Earth" and "Gravity", which were previously hotly reported by the media, have now been thrown into a corner.

"Boss, this series of movies from Lionsgate is so popular at the box office that it will most likely win the North American box office championship this year."

"It's a pity that this result doesn't seem to be able to surpass the $2.07 million North American opening weekend box office record set by The Avengers, let alone surpass the opening performance of 2012."

"It seems that no other movie will be able to surpass the global box office record of 2012 in the short term."

After seeing the data released by the media, Reid was slightly shocked and then changed the subject, mentioning his boss's masterpiece.

"Haha, am I the kind of person who would be jealous?" Gu Wei was very satisfied with the performance of "The Revenant". Such box office results could at least guarantee profitability.

Moreover, The Revenant is aiming for the Oscars next year. If it wins the award, the revenue from subsequent videotapes, DVDs and copyrights alone will be considerable.

"Of course not, it's just that some media outlets went too far and actually belittled your The Wandering Earth and The Revenant."

Putting down and praising others has always been the forte of media reporters!

After the high box office of "The Hunger Games 2" came out, reporters naturally compared it with Gu Wei's other two films.

Some media even bluntly stated that Gu Wei's two consecutive films had poor box office performance, which, compared with his previous achievements, did not live up to his reputation as an international director.

After these remarks were spread to the mainland, the naked data comparison made the domestic entertainment media silent, and they could only explain it as not adapting to the local environment and different subject matter.

On the other hand, at Huayi Film Company, the Wang brothers’ happiness was written all over their faces.

"Haha, this is the best result. Let's see if he can still be arrogant. He must have been taught a lesson by the Hollywood market." Wang Zhonglei had a smug look on his face, as if the movie produced by his company had defeated Gu Wei head-on.

“It’s said to be a lesson, but the box office of The Wandering Earth in the mainland is still unstoppable. Just look at the domestic box office of The Hunger Games 2, which is also average.” Wang Zhongjun discovered the key point.

Speaking of which, due to the growing size of the mainland film market in recent years, many Hollywood blockbusters will be released simultaneously in North America and the mainland, or even given priority in the mainland.

This is what Lionsgate did with "The Hunger Games 2", which was released in mainland China one day before its release in North America.

But what Lionsgate did not expect was that "The Hunger Games 2" was not well received in mainland China, with the box office on the first day being just over million.

This result cannot be said to be bad, but it is also mediocre for a Hollywood blockbuster.

In other words, after the box office revenue is shared between the distributor and the cinema chain, the film will hardly make any money, and will instead damage Lionsgate's reputation in mainland China.

"Brother, it's not surprising that there are differences in the tastes of domestic and foreign audiences."

Influenced by blockbusters such as "2012", "Avatar" and "Interstellar", mainstream audiences in the mainland are keen on science fiction films with high technological content or special effects blockbusters, and are more inclined to appreciate straightforward plots, exquisite and beautiful visual effects, or comedies with cultural characteristics.
"The Hunger Games 2" obviously does not have any of these characteristics. After all, it is a fan film, and its audience is limited to certain regions and countries.

...

"The Hunger Games 2" is now in theaters around the world, and the daily box office in North America is also increasing rapidly.

200 million, 300 million, the momentum directly crushed all the films in the same period.

At this moment, the person involved in the "kneeling incident" finally issued a new statement on Weibo, apologizing for his childish behavior, hoping that netizens would forgive him and looking forward to the matter coming to a temporary end.

However, domestic netizens don't buy it at all.

"You regret it now? It's too late!"

"It's obvious that they apologized under pressure from public opinion. There's no sincerity at all!"

Afterwards, CCTV finally took action and directly defined the matter.

"Kneeling before South Koreans in public is an insult to our country's prestige!"

CCTV's article has nailed this person to the pillar of shame, and everyone in the circle knows that he is finished.

On the other hand, Mango TV was smart. After CCTV spoke out, it quickly blurred the broadcast program recorded by the parties involved in the "kneeling incident" in order to calm the anger of netizens.

At this moment, Gu Wei suddenly discovered that the average daily box office of "The Revenant" and "The Wandering Earth" was declining at a very fast rate.

"The Revenant" earned 3158 million US dollars in its first weekend, but its average daily box office in the second week was only one or two million?
As for "The Wandering Earth", it is even more exaggerated, with a daily box office of only over one million. According to this rule, let alone breaking through 2.5 million US dollars, it would be difficult to even break million.

"Gu, have you watched the news?"

Leonardo, who was always keeping an eye on the box office, called and asked in a serious tone.

"What's wrong?" Gu Wei, realizing the seriousness of the matter, asked directly.

"There are many fans online complaining about your two films, and some are calling on the audience not to go to the cinema to support your films..."

"Lionsgate also blamed you for the failure of The Hunger Games 2 in China. They said that since Hollywood films are targeted in the mainland, you, a Chinese director, should also receive the same treatment in North America."

"This problem is quite serious. Many media have already reported on it."

Leonardo was a little upset. No matter who starred in a movie that encountered such a thing, it would be impossible to ignore it.

After hanging up the phone, Gu Wei called Mike from Warner directly for support.

"Gu, Warner will issue a statement to support you. As for whether other companies including the media will support you, it's hard to say. I hope you are mentally prepared for this."

"Thank you, Mike, I will find a way to solve it." Rubbing his forehead, Gu Wei said directly.

"Good luck!"

At this moment, Gu Wei suddenly realized that the days when he made a lot of money in Hollywood by making movies might be gone forever.

"Maybe even a little blood will be shed. The capitalists have ugly faces, haha!!"

Crisis, crisis, it contains both danger and opportunity, it all depends on how you handle it!!!

.........

(End of this chapter)