Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 719 Refusing to be fooled
In the cafe.

Opposite the sofa, Wu Ershan sipped his coffee with an expressionless face, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Seeing this, Gu Wei remained silent. Anyway, the other party had something to ask him, so there was no need to rush.

After a while, perhaps because Wu Ershan had prepared himself, he said, "Director, I asked you out today because I do have something I want to discuss with you."

"Well, go ahead." Gu Wei took a sip of Blue Mountain and waved his hand.

"Well, it's like this. I want to buy the film adaptation rights of "Ghost Blows Out the Light Series" from you. Well, just the first two will do." Wu Ershan spoke haltingly. He had just left Xingchen Film and Television, and it felt bad to go back and beg for help.

But the reality is so cruel. If Wuershan wants to realize his dream of making a blockbuster, he needs a huge amount of money. He has been looking for investment everywhere recently, but unfortunately it has not been smooth.

When any boss heard him asking for an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars, they all chose to reconsider, including Huayi. They were trying to win over the other party, but would never invest such a huge amount for the other party.

Wuershan is not Gu Wei. The only thing he can prove himself is the "Painted Skin" series and a movie "Special Identity". In other words, his achievements are not good enough.

When he finally managed to attract investment, some bosses advised him to take it slow, make a few low-budget commercial films first, and then make another one after he had achieved some success.

Unfortunately, Wuershan’s mind is full of big productions, especially since the domestic entertainment industry is developing so fast that he can’t keep up with it step by step.

Hearing this, Gu Wei glanced at him and said, "You should know that Huayi has talked to me about this before. Recently, Guangguang and Wanda have also talked to me about the "Ghost Blowing Out the Light" movie."

"I know, but I'm not lobbying for Huayi Company. Instead, I plan to adapt the script myself and film it." Wu Ershan knew the relationship between Gu Wei and Huayi, and explained immediately.

While Wuershan was explaining, Gu Wei was also thinking about it.

To be honest, the first two TV series of "Ghost Blows Out the Light" were so popular that they could be called blockbusters. This also led to its film and television adaptation rights being coveted by people. Even Wang Changtian and Ye Ning suggested making a movie as soon as possible, as it would be a waste to leave it like this.

There are two reasons why Gu Wei has not given a positive answer.

First, although the box office of "Mojin: The Lost Tomb" in the original time and space was good, the reputation was average.

Secondly, several directors in the company had no time to take over. Lu Yang was busy producing "Knife of the Assassin 2", Ning Hao was working on "Lost in Thailand", and Xu Zheng was fully focused on "Lost in Hong Kong".

As for Guo Fan, he is still diligently drawing the storyboards for "The Wandering Earth 2".

Some of the remaining directors are good at TV dramas, while others have just debuted and are making some low-budget movies after receiving investment from the company.

Simply put, the Young Director Program of Xingchen Film and Television Company has only been implemented for a while, and no particularly outstanding talents have emerged.

Thinking of this, Gu Wei looked at Wuershan again. The other party was originally a good candidate, but unfortunately they had parted ways.

"Should I give the other party the adaptation rights?" Gu Wei pondered this silently in his heart.

Wuershan on the opposite side was also feeling uneasy at the moment. There was one thing he did not tell the truth. If he got the rights to adapt "Ghost Blows Out the Light" into a movie, he would indeed shoot it himself, but the investors would be Huayi and Alibaba Pictures.

After a long time, Gu Wei took a sip of coffee and found that it was a little cold.

Seeing this, Wuershan called the waiter to bring another cup.

"Well, you direct, the company invests, and the script is also produced by the company..."

Hearing this, Wuershan gave a bitter smile and shook his head. This deviated too far from his plan.

Wuershan’s plan is to acquire the adaptation rights himself, then co-produce the film with Huayi and Alibaba, and invest some money himself. After the film is released and sells well at the box office, he will accumulate some capital and then start his own dream of making a blockbuster movie.

"Director, is there no other way? I want to invest some money myself." Wu Ershan stated his bottom line at this moment.

"No, I can give you 10% of the shares, but I will not accept other companies to join." Gu Wei refused directly.

On the other side, Huayi Company.

"Brother, do you think Wuershan can convince Gu Wei?" Wang Zhonglei asked in a serious tone, holding a cigar in his mouth.

Tomb-raiding themes are very popular now, so Huayi naturally wants to get a piece of the pie, but the copyrights of the most popular "Ghost Blows Out the Light" and "Grave Robbers' Chronicles" are currently in the hands of Xingchen Films and Shanghai Film Group respectively.

Huayi had considered cooperating with Shanghai Film Group before, but unfortunately the other party made exorbitant demands and had very high requirements. If Huayi had to cooperate under such conditions, it would be equivalent to working for nothing.

"I don't know. Maybe Gu Wei will agree because of their previous relationship." Wang Zhongjun shook his head and said this.

"I think it's terrible. Wuershan is really something. The company arranged a movie for him and he refused it. He just wanted to shoot the Fengshen trilogy. The investment is so huge. Does he have the ability to do it? He doesn't even look at his own character." Wang Zhonglei said disdainfully.

“Yes, the investment is too huge. Even if the company’s board of directors agrees to the filming, we will need to find several more companies to co-produce it.” Wang Zhongjun talked to Wuershan about it. The other party was unwilling to join Huayi directly. Instead, he asked for an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars. No normal person would agree to this.

While the two were talking, Wuershan called.

"Take it and see what the result is?" Wang Zhonglei said.

The call was connected, "Director Wang, the other party did not agree..."

On the phone, Wu Ershan repeated Gu Wei's original words, and Wang Zhongjun's expression kept changing.

"Director Wu, this approach won't work. Let's cooperate with Shanghai Film Group."

"Okay." Wuershan replied on the phone.

When Huayi and Shanghai Film Group were discussing cooperation on "Grave Robbers' Chronicles", Ren Zhonglun made a very high request, while Wang Zhongjun used Wuershan as a bargaining chip, hoping to gain more benefits from him.

After repeated consideration, Ren Zhonglun also planned to replace the Hong Kong director Li Rengang. The other party knew that although the first part of "Grave Robbers' Chronicles" had good box office, it had very bad reputation.

Wu Ershan is different. His films have received good reviews. If he is in charge of the second film, he can also attract some loyal fans of Painted Skin. "How is it?" Wang Zhonglei asked after seeing the call was hung up.

"Haha, the other party is determined not to sell, there is nothing we can do."

"Damn it, if you keep it, it can give birth to a baby, right..." Wang Zhonglei started to curse.

Wang Zhongjun shook his head and ignored his brother. Instead, he directly called Ren Zhonglun.

"Mr. Ren, do you have time to talk about the second part of "Grave Robbers' Chronicles"?"

Ren Zhonglun, who was in the Shanghai Film Office, heard this and knew that the other party had convinced Wu Ershan. He raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said, "No problem."

After the two chatted for a while, Ren Zhonglun called his secretary and ordered, "Spread the news that Wu Ershan will direct the second part of "Grave Robbers' Chronicles."

"Mr. Ren, has the deal been reached?" the secretary asked.

"We haven't started talking yet, but it's almost there. Let's warm up first."

"Oh, right, make the slogan bigger, make the investment cost higher, and even better, spread the news that you're going to invite international superstars and make a 3D version..."

China Film Corporation has been in the limelight recently. The movie "The Great Wall" has become well-known in the circle. Ren Zhonglun originally wanted to seek cooperation, but was ruthlessly rejected by La Peikang.

Now that Huayi has agreed, Ren Zhonglun plans to create some momentum to reduce the other party's popularity.

"Okay, Director Ren."

.........

Since Legendary and Universal's vice president invited Gu Wei to direct "The Great Wall", major companies and film producers from Hollywood have extended invitations one after another.

Among them are invitations to blockbuster films such as "Venom" and "Fast and Furious 8".

But Gu Wei chose to refuse them all, especially "Fast and Furious 8". A big IP has been filmed until now, with the same story within the same story, and there is nothing new.

at the same time.

After filming "The Martian", Matt Damon, who was on the other side of the ocean, received a call from Gu Wei.

"Gu, do you want to start Manchester by the Sea?"

Matt Damon, who was at home with his wife and children, said this as soon as he opened his mouth, which was enough to show the other person's mentality.

"Matt, the earliest it will be the second half of next year, don't worry, haha."

"Leon calls me every week now to show off his Oscar. Hey, this guy has completely let himself go now." Matt Damon said with a wry smile when he heard this.

"Haha, that's not what he told me. He always said that he wanted to work with me again and continue to challenge the top three in Europe." Gu Wei planned to provoke Matt Damon.

"Gu, I'm still waiting. In your words, there should be a first come first served. Leon has the golden man, so I don't think he needs any other awards." Matt Damon couldn't sit still after hearing this.

The two chatted for a while, and Matt Damon asked, "Gu, anything else?"

"Ahem." Gu Wei cleared his throat, trying to fool, ahem, convince Matt Damon.

"I want to recommend a movie to you. The filming location will be in China. I guess after the filming is finished, we can start our new movie directly..."

"Is it the one that Universal Pictures mentioned?" Matt Damon seemed to have guessed something.

"Yes, this is a Sino-US co-production, which may be directed by Zhang. It is an A-level production..."

"The project has started?"

"Not yet, but..."

The two asked and answered each other, but in the end Matt Damon did not directly agree.

"Gu, thank you for remembering me, but I need to think about it."

"No problem, haha."

After Gu Wei hung up the phone, he felt that Matt Damon would most likely agree.

As for the problem if the other party agrees, but Legendary and Universal do not invite Zhang Yimou to direct, Gu Wei is naturally confident of how to deal with it. At worst, the shooting of the new movie can be postponed and "Manchester by the Sea" can be started ahead of schedule.

In the domestic entertainment sector, Alibaba Pictures has been making continuous acquisitions.

And new news also came, that is, Shanghai Film Group is preparing to co-produce "Grave Robbers' Chronicles 2" with Huayi and Alibaba.

It was later reported that Wu Ershan would direct this film. The film is expected to have a starting investment of 80 million US dollars, with additional investment depending on the situation.

In addition to the original cast of the first film, international superstars will also be invited to participate.

As soon as the news came out, it instantly attracted a lot of attention and also dampened the popularity of "The Great Wall".

However, in Gu Wei's opinion, this is the normal situation in the domestic entertainment industry. No movie can remain popular forever, and it is normal to have ups and downs.

.........

(End of this chapter)