Entering the Chinese entertainment industry is like entering a deep sea

Chapter 735: The sky-high price of the drama series caused a shock in the industry

As the release of "The Blade of the Assassin" is approaching, Li Chen will not let it fend for itself.

He knew very well that the previous version of "Assassin's Blade" suffered a great loss in publicity, which led to the fact that although the subsequent reputation was online, the early operations were too poor.

Therefore, Li Chen only said one thing to Yang Siwei: let the topic of "The Blade of the Assassin" be everywhere.

So much so that on Weibo, the topic of "Assassins" is more discussed than "Kingdom of the Moon" by two fellow Qingdao natives Huang Xiaoming and Fan Bingbing.

"Zhang Yi's knife show shocked the audience! Beijing Film Academy students became his apprentices on the spot. Director Lu Yang revealed the secret: this scene was filmed 37 times."

"Wang Qianyuan told jokes in dialect, and Jinyiwei laughed so hard in Northeastern dialect."

"Uncle Jiang is considered the best cheongsam model in Shanghai."

"The Real Embroidered Spring Knife Exhibition in Guangzhou, with museum-level weapons experts present, demonstrated 'blood-draining in the blood trough' on site, and parents exclaimed: 100 times more vivid than history lessons"

"The pre-sale box office of "Blade of the Assassin" has reached 1.5 million, setting a new record for martial arts films!"

"Regret No Life" and "Kingdom of the Moon" have already changed their release dates once, and no one expected that "Island of Vientiane" would have such strong staying power, but it is no longer appropriate to change the release date again, so we have to go ahead with it.

Several summer movies including "Tiny Times 2" have begun to show their talents. Guo Xiaosi happily announced that "Tiny Times 3" will start filming soon, and the theme song will be sung by the male lead of "There Is a Place Only We Know".

Compared with the crazy summer blockbuster war, the fact that Zhang Guoli's beloved son went back to prison for the second time seems a bit unremarkable. After all, the most ridiculous thing in the world is that a gambler suddenly realizes that he will not gamble anymore, or a drug addict says with grief that he knows he is wrong.

-

In Zhang Yimou's personal studio in Beijing, the afternoon sun shines into the reception room through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the aroma of tea is in the air.

Zhang Yimou sat in the main seat with a calm expression, and opposite him were Legendary Oriental CEO Luo Yi, Wanda Films shareholder Lu Zheng, and executive Ye Ning.

On the table was a gold-plated project book: the director contract for "The Great Wall", and a figure that was hard to refuse: 8000 million RMB in director's fees.

Luo Yi got straight to the point, and his tone was very sincere: "Director Zhang, we came here with the utmost sincerity this time."

“Only you can handle the project of The Great Wall. Your oriental aesthetics combined with our Hollywood industry is perfect!”

Lu Zheng added: "Wanda will fully support it. I only have one request, the heroine of Jingtian cannot be changed."

Ye Ning, who was standing by, handed over a data report with a smile: "Director Zhang, Director Li's "Vientiane Island" proved how big the market for monster movies is, but "The Great Wall" can also be different."

"If you come to shoot it, it won't just be a popcorn movie, but a commercial epic that can win awards. Maybe it won't be difficult to win an Oscar again."

Luo Yi quickly agreed, "Yes, Mr. Ye is right."

Zhang Yimou looked at the three people in front of him, talking to each other, and he was still hesitant.

He has just returned to purity with the art film "The Return", achieving great success in both box office and reputation.

I really have no interest in this book.

But the sky-high price temptation in front of him is not fake. He is also a human being and has a family to support.

Zhang Yimou picked up the teacup, blew the tea leaves gently, and then slowly said: "In terms of the subject matter of this film, I am not the most suitable."

"Li Chen's "Vientiane Island" has already played the oriental monster to the extreme. If I shoot Taotie again, it will inevitably be compared."

Luo Yi immediately responded: "But you are Zhang Yimou! The only Oscar-winning director in mainland China. Your visual style is unique. What we want is not 'the second Li Chen', but 'a Zhang Yimou-style monster blockbuster'!"

Lu Zheng struck while the iron was hot and said with a smile: "Besides, Director La has already mentioned this to Li Chen, and I'm sure Li Chen has also told you."

"Besides, doesn't Rongchen Pictures restrict you from taking on other films? The script for The Battle at Lake Changjin wouldn't be approved for several months. There's no conflict at all between you and The Great Wall."

Zhang Yimou left the three people in front of him speechless, and his wife Chen Ting suddenly walked in with a fruit plate.

He greeted the three people with a smile, but his eyes subtly glanced at the contract on the table.

She heard it clearly just now. What else is there to consider when 8000 million is delivered to her door?
"I'm sorry for not greeting you properly."

"You're welcome, Ms. Chen." Ye Ning said with a smile.

Chen Ting sat on the armrest of the sofa next to Zhang Yimou and put his arm around Zhang Yimou's shoulders: "Why are you still considering this? The children will go abroad to study in the future, and the expenses will not be small..."

Zhang Yimou coughed lightly and glanced at her, but did not refute.

After a moment's silence, Zhang Yimou put down his teacup and gave an unexpected response: "How about this, everyone. I'll talk to Li Chen first."

Luo Yi was stunned: "You need his consent?"

Zhang Yimou smiled and said, "It's not agreement, it's respect. Li Chen treats me well, and..."

Zhang Yimou glanced at the contract and said, "If I really take this film, it would be best to find Zhizhen Huayi to do the special effects. They just finished "Vientiane Island" and they understand oriental monsters best in terms of technology."

Lu Zheng and Ye Ning looked at each other and understood each other.

Zhang Yimou's words were equivalent to kicking the ball to Li Chen.

Zhang Yimou's request to find the best painters for special effects made Luo Yi frown.

But if Zhang Yimou doesn't take the role, they can only find a second-tier director, and the quality of "The Great Wall" will immediately drop by half.

"How about this, I'll think about it and give you an answer in three days." Zhang Yimou took the tea and took a sip.

Lu Zheng and Ye Ning prepared to get up and say goodbye.

"Director Zhang, I have to discuss the special effects with the headquarters before I can give you an answer. This is fine. We can think it over in three days."

After the three of them left, Chen Ting said anxiously, "What are you still thinking about! 8000 million! That's 8000 million in real money!"

"Besides, you are no worse than Li Chen. You are the only director who has won two Olympic titles!"

Zhang Yimou said with a dark face: "Don't interfere in my studio's affairs! Let's talk about everything with Li Chen first!"

Chen Ting wanted to say more, but when he saw the old man glaring at him, he swallowed his words back.

I went back to the room, picked up the phone and called Liu Yifei.

Liu Yifei patiently listened to her nagging for a long time before she said, "Sister Chen, I'm in the studio now. I'll talk to Li Chen when I see him tonight. Don't worry, Li Chen won't restrict Director Zhang's freedom."

"Okay, okay, that's what I told Lao Zhang. I still trust Director Li."

-

The next day, Zhang Yimou and Li Chen met in the private screening room of Rongchen Pictures.

There were several wall lamps on in the screening room, and the unpublished monster design manuscript of "Vientiane Island" was playing on the screen.

Li Chen poured a cup of tea for Zhang Yimou. Zhang Yimou took a sip of the tea and said with a smile: "The design of your Taotie is more than ten times better than the Taotie concept map given by Legend." Li Chen shook his head and smiled: "Are they going to ask Industrial Light & Magic? Or Weta? The Hollywood set is fine for making Western dragons, but it can also make Eastern mythical beasts."

Li Chen straightened his face and said, "Director Zhang, do you want to take it?"

Zhang Yimou nodded with difficulty: "Chen Ting is right. When the child goes to school and starts a family, the expenses will be high, but I don't want to make a joke like "Moonlight Kingdom"."

Li Chen understood and thought that no one is a god.

With real gold and silver lying there, who wouldn’t be jealous? The imperial teacher is also a mortal.

"Zhizhen Art Studio now has 37 special effects artists from the original team of "Vientiane Island", which is more than enough for "The Great Wall". But Legendary will not agree. They are superstitious about Hollywood. This "The Great Wall" may also be intended to challenge "Vientiane Island"."

"If I insist on using our ultimate painting skills, how do you think they will react?"

Li Chen suddenly laughed: "Then you have to be prepared to stop directing. The director of The Expendables 2 was originally scheduled to be our Chinese director, but he was replaced due to controversy over the special effects team."

"I think it's better to talk to them about this. Zhizhen Painting Art will only do 30% of the non-core special effects, but there is a prerequisite. You must lead the design of the original Taotie picture."

"Just tell them, either let Zhizhen Huayi do the original design of Taotie, or you can find someone else! As long as you and I don't shoot, I don't see who has the guts to take on such a big production!"

Zhang Yimou was not stupid either, and he immediately understood what Li Chen meant.

He can't change the script, and he can't influence the special effects. All he can do is make the movie.

Zhang Yimou also smiled, feeling fortunate that he and Li Chen were friends rather than enemies.

Zhang Yimou lowered his voice and laughed: "If The Great Wall fails, everyone will understand that it's not that Zhang Yimou is incompetent, but that Hollywood doesn't understand oriental monsters."

Li Chen nodded and felt amused. It was also the first time he heard Lao Mouzi call himself Lao Mouzi.

The two top Chinese directors looked at each other and laughed at the same time.

China Film Report
"The box office of 'Vientiane Island' continues to soar in its third week! The global cumulative revenue has exceeded 8.5 million US dollars. No one can stop the new king of Chinese film history!"

"The oriental fantasy epic "Vientiane Island", directed by my country's top director Li Chen and starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Liu Yifei, has been popular for the third week of its release and continues to dominate the global box office!"

"As of this Sunday, the film's global total box office has officially exceeded US$8.5 million (approximately RMB 54.2 billion), of which the mainland China box office reached RMB 27.5 billion, and the overseas market raked in US$4.3 million, setting a new record for the overseas box office of Chinese-language films!"

"Mainland market: Revenue of 6.2 million in the third week, with strong momentum to hit the 30 billion mark."

The huge sales of "Vientiane Island" made Rongchen Pictures' valuation soar from 350 billion yuan to 450 billion yuan, making it the most valuable film company in Asia.

Hollywood has been releasing news frequently, hoping to jointly develop Shan Hai Jing with Li Chen's Rongchen Pictures.

With the duet of "Maleficent" and "The Island", Zhizhen Painting Art has stepped into the ranks of the world's top visual effects companies.

Compared to the triumphant success of "The Island of Vientiane", the endings of the other two films are quite different.

Beijing News
"The influence of "Vientiane Island" is still there! "See You Tomorrow" broke 3 million in the first week, second only to "Vientiane Island". "Moon Kingdom" received bad reviews and had a dismal box office, only earning 1.15 million in the first week. Netizens complained that the special effects were not as good as those of online movies."

"Industry insiders analyzed that "See You Tomorrow" broke through with its differentiated audience of young intellectuals, while "Kingdom of the Moon" could not compete with the exquisite visual effects and the authorial expression of the new director, becoming the biggest loser."

"Kingdom of the Moon" is really miserable. Since Lin Qingxia has set a great example before, Fan Bingbing will naturally be compared to him.

How to compare? One is a goddess recognized by Chinese people, and the other is the self-proclaimed Fan Ye.

But he always does some embarrassing things.

For example, after appearing in the superhero blockbuster "Iron Man 3", Fan Bingbing appeared again as "Flash" in this year's "X-Men: Days of Future Past".

No matter how eloquent you are, it is difficult to change the embarrassment of Chinese actors being criticized for only playing supporting roles in Hollywood movies.

Fortunately, the word "ye" is at least mainly a positive word.

Unlike "godfather", which became a hot word full of irony in just a few days.

At the beginning of this year, Guo denied on Weibo that he had a godfather.

But in the past two days, the "godfather" personally came out to refute the rumor. According to the confession of Shenzhen businessman Wang, he had supported Guo as early as August 2010, but in order to cover up the fact that he was being supported, Guo had always called him "godfather"!
Di Lieba and Zhao Liying were recalled to the company together.

When she learned that she would play Bai Qian, the most beautiful woman in the world, Reba expressed that she felt a lot of pressure.

"Sister, can I do it? Otherwise, let Sister Fei play it."

Yang Siwei laughed out loud: "This is the first time I see someone get the leading female role in the company. I was shocked instead of surprised."

Compared to Reba, Zhao Liying behaved like a normal person. When she learned about the production cost, she almost fainted with joy.

Not long after the filming of "Nirvana in Fire" was completed, Rongchen Pictures released another blockbuster, which was so loud that it almost crushed "Gu Jian Qi Tan"!
Sina Entertainment News

“Exclusive news: Rongchen Films officially announced the TV series version of “Three Lives Three Worlds” and “The Journey of Flower”! Di Lieba and Zhao Liying are leading the production, and the sky-high price shocked the industry.”

"As the global box office of Vientiane Island exceeded 8.5 million US dollars, Rongchen Pictures officially announced today the launch of the TV series plan of Eternal Love and The Journey of Flower."

"According to insiders, the total investment in the two projects will reach 4.5 million yuan, setting a new record for domestic TV drama investment. The cost of a single episode will be 600 million yuan, far exceeding the 300 million yuan per episode of "Gu Jian Qi Tan"."

“Special effects account for 40% of the total, and the ‘breathing wonderland’ is created independently by the most sophisticated painting artist!”

As soon as the news of "Eternal Love" and "The Journey of Flower" came out, fans of the original novels were ecstatic.

Even crazier is the TV station.

Several satellite TV stations including Mango TV, Blueberry TV and Tomato TV contacted Rongchen Pictures as soon as possible.

This is the first time that a bidding war has started before the TV series even starts filming.

Soon someone revealed that the initial sales price of a single episode of the two dramas was expected to exceed 600 million.

In addition to TV stations, advertisers are also unwilling to lag behind.

The exclusive sponsorship fee for "Three Lives Three Worlds" was raised to 1.1 million yuan by two cosmetics brands.

On Weibo, the topic of "Reba's version of Bai Qian" was searched hotly in one hour, with over 1 million views.

When Li Chen was interviewed by The Sixth Princess, he was asked about the original intention of investing heavily in the two TV series.

As a result, Li Chen's words made many TV actors cry.

"I just want to break the prejudice that movie actors are superior to TV actors. Reba's eyes have the spirit of Bai Qian, and Liying's stubbornness is the true nature of Hua Qiangu."

Zhang Ziyi, the actress who starred in the film, was so upset that she sent a WeChat message to her teacher Zhang Yimou: "Teacher, I may have to break my promise."

(End of this chapter)