Rebirth: I'm filming extra scenes on the set

Chapter 193 Director Chen, you are my inner demon.

"Actually, I'm pretty easy to chase. Who knows, if someone tries... they might catch me."

Chen Cheng's eyes widened when he heard what the junior sister said.

Just as Chen Cheng was preparing for the next move, Wang Zhonglei came over and said, "Director Chen, you're here early."

"Uh, I was just chatting with my junior sister and forgot about today's topic."

"It's okay, we're just here to chat. Director Chen, here, you have a few old friends who keep talking about you."

"This way..."

Under the leadership of Wang Zhonglei, Chen Cheng met two Kung Fu emperors.

Jackie Chan, and Jet Li.

This was not the first time Chen Cheng met Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

Not only was it not the first time they met, they had met many times before.

Especially in "The Warlords", Chen Cheng and Jet Li communicated the most.

"Chen Cheng, you are here."

"I was just looking for you."

Saw Chen Cheng coming.

Jet Li was very happy: "You are the only one missing. I was just talking about you with Brother Cheng Yi. Congratulations, you almost finished first in the three lists."

Chen Cheng smiled and waved his hands: "Brother Jie, don't tease me about being number one on the three lists. When you and Brother Cheng Xi became famous overseas, I didn't even know where you were."

Cheng Xi propped up his glasses and said, "I'm old now. Things are different now. Now it's you young people's world."

As he spoke, Cheng Yi patted Chen Cheng on the back and said, "There will be a premiere later. Please give me more suggestions."

After a few polite words, Chen Cheng and his junior sister entered the cinema.

Although Chen Cheng has worked with Jet Li and Cheng Yi and filmed movies together.

But seriously.

Chen Cheng was not that familiar with the two of them.

The relationship hasn't reached that stage yet, so being polite to each other is enough.

The movie will start soon.

The story of The Forbidden Kingdom is about an American teenager who is crazy about Chinese Kung Fu, but he is often bullied in real life. By chance, he got a jade-like golden hoop, and with the mysterious power of the golden hoop, the boy returned to China thousands of years ago.

The story is so-so.

This is also normal.

The stories of blockbuster movies are usually mediocre.

Chen Cheng once complained that for a while he couldn't understand why the story couldn't be written better for such a big production.

I found out later.

The bigger the production, the less likely the screenwriter is to write it well.

Or if it's written too well, the director may sometimes wonder if the audience can't understand it.

So we continued to reduce the content, and finally came up with a very general story that everyone can understand.

Although doing so does make the story easier to understand.

But many times, he also lost the most core thing of a movie.

Two hours are over.

Many audience members expressed positive feedback, and Cheng Yi and Jet Li also walked out from the backstage.

This aroused the excitement of many movie fans.

Everyone took photos with Brother Cheng Xi and Jet Li.

A group of media reporters also took out their cameras, capturing the scene from every angle and with every expression.

It seems that "The Forbidden Kingdom" took over the previous "Those Years".

No.

It is more popular than "Those Years".

At least.

That's what it looks like on the surface.

Regardless of the topic.

Or from the media popularity.

Or even more from the reviews of film critics.

The Forbidden Kingdom is an epic blockbuster.

“The best kung fu movie ever.”

"It's the first time in history that two great Kung Fu stars will be on the same stage together."

"If you don't watch it, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

Yes.

No matter from which angle you look at it.

The Forbidden Kingdom is a classic that you must watch.

Under the influence of this.

Since its premiere, The Forbidden Kingdom has been a box office success.

In the first week, he broke the 1 million box office record.

This first-week box office record of 1 million is even more impressive than that of "Curse of the Golden Flower" at the time.

"Director Chen, thank you for commenting on our film The Forbidden Kingdom."

Wang Zhonglei seemed very excited.

The collaboration of two great Kung Fu superstars is a major masterpiece of Huayi.

They had some concerns before.

Now let’s see.

The effect should be pretty good.

"You're welcome."

Chen Cheng responded on the phone without any expression.

He just said a few polite words at the time.

If Wang Zhonglei took it seriously, there was nothing he could do.

But for some reason, Wang Zhonglei suddenly remembered Chen Cheng's prediction of the box office.

Although he had been suppressing his impulse, he would definitely not ask Chen Cheng this time.

The next question is dog.

But he said this in his heart countless times, but Wang Zhonglei was still like a possessed person, and asked again: "Director Chen, how much do you think our movie "Kung Fu King" will make at the box office?"

"Well, it's hard to say about box office performance."

"Director Chen, we are all family, there is no need to talk about different things."

"No, it's really hard to predict the box office. Look, my last movie, Those Years, I thought it would be number one on the three charts, but I don't know who did that."

"Uh...this..."

Wang Zhonglei was a little embarrassed.

Although he was not entirely involved in this damn thing, he was still partially involved.

Anyway, that period of time.

Chen Cheng almost became a public enemy in the industry.

Fortunately.

In the end, Chen Cheng was suppressed.

If he really gets first place in the three lists, how will the others survive?

"Indeed, the box office is a mysterious thing. But, Director Chen, this time I really want to ask you."

"Boss Wang, forget it. I've always had a bad mouth."

"Whoever dares to say that you have a bad mouth, I, Wang Zhonglei, will be the first to disagree. Director Chen, can you give me a prediction?"

“Really want to predict?”

"real."

"You won't blame me."

"will not."

"Well."

Touching his chin, Chen Cheng smiled coldly: "It should be very good, probably around 2 million."

"What……"

Wang Zhonglei vomited blood: "Director Chen, do you know how much we invested in Kung Fu King?"

"It is said to be 5 million."

"Yes."

"What about the 2 million box office?"

"Oh, maybe we'll lose some money. That's okay, nine out of ten movies lose money."

"Director Chen, just wait for me."

With a click, Wang Zhonglei hung up the phone.

He was once again angered by Chen Cheng.

"Damn it, this kid really pissed me off."

"I just don't believe that you can predict it accurately every time."

"We broke 1 million in the first week, and you still say 2 million. Do you think we are just eating for free?"

"I want to show you the power of two great Kung Fu superstars."

Wang Zhonglei swore.

After The King of Kung Fu is taken off the shelves, he will definitely call Chen Cheng and return the humiliation he suffered today.

but.

For Chen Cheng.

But he didn't care.

Chen Cheng’s current situation is very delicate.

That is, most people may still regard Chen Cheng as their competitor.

But Chen Cheng did not reach the top like Zhang Yi.

So everyone will try every possible means to cooperate with Chen Cheng.

Huayi is one of them.

They also invited Chen Cheng repeatedly.

The reason.

Although they are in competition with Chen Cheng, they also have great expectations for cooperation.

This may be a small benefit after Chen Cheng failed to win the first place in the three lists.

……

"Director Han, how much do you think our movie "The Forbidden Kingdom" will earn in mainland China?"

"It's hard to say, I guess it's over 3 million."

"Did you ask Chen Cheng what his prediction was?"

"No, what's wrong? I'll go ask later."

"I already asked."

"Ah, how much?"

"He said about 2 million."

"About 2 million, a little to the right would be 3 million."

"Director Han, you're being a little too right. But I guess what this guy wants to say is that our box office is only about 1.8 or 1.9 million."

"so little?"

"No."

"What do you think?"

"That doesn't make sense. Either of the two superstars has the potential to support a box office of over 2 million. 2+2 equals 4. Even if it's not 3, it's much greater than 2. How could it be around million?"

"I think so too. If it's around 2 million, why would we invite two great Kung Fu emperors to come? It would be better to let each of them shoot one movie, so that we can make more money."

"Well, it seems that Chen Cheng might have made a mistake this time."

"Director Han is wise. I'll have a good chat with him after I finish the painting."

Wang Zhonglei became calm.

but.

As soon as Wang Zhonglei finished his meeting, Han Sanping immediately called Chen Cheng.

Although the box office predicted by Chen Cheng was far from what he had predicted.

You can hear Chen Cheng's data.

Han Sanping couldn't help but choose to believe Chen Cheng.

After all, Chen Cheng has never lost since he started predicting box office.

"Chen Cheng, have you predicted the box office of Huayi's new film again?"

"I didn't want to test it, but this guy insisted that I do it." "So you said about 2 million?"

"I estimate it to be around 1.8 million to 1.9 million, and I tend to lean towards 1.8 million."

"Isn't that too low? These are two Kung Fu superstars."

“I would also like to predict higher.”

Chen Cheng said helplessly.

This kind of combination in movies and TV shows can often have a certain effect.

But if used improperly, it may even have the opposite effect.

Did the first-ever collaboration between Lung Yi and Jet Li have a counterproductive effect?
Chen Cheng didn't know.

What Chen Cheng knew was.

This movie is not good.

But Huayi has not yet realized that the box office of The Forbidden Kingdom is about to collapse.

the second week.

Compared to the popularity of the first week.

In the second week, although the first day was still very popular, there was a lot of complaints and insults.

On the second day of the following week, the box office fell below 1000 million.

On the third day of the second week, the number dropped to 700 million.

On the fourth day of the third week, the number dropped to 500 million.

It continued to decline all the way.

You thought it was normal.

Sometimes it is true.

But to the two kung fu superstars, he was abnormal.

Not only is it abnormal, it also fails to reflect the superstar value of the two Kung Fu Emperors.

In the third week, the daily box office had reached around 300 million.

Until The Forbidden Kingdom was officially taken off the screen.

The box office of "The Forbidden Kingdom" in mainland China was only 1.8 million.

……

Nortel.

Chen Cheng glanced at the King of Kung Fu.

Same as in the previous life.

Without any special influence from Chen Cheng, The Forbidden Kingdom still follows a similar trajectory to its previous life.

If nothing unexpected happens.

This blockbuster movie invested by Huayi turned out to be another loss-making deal.

Even.

The same is true for the overseas box office market.

With an investment of 5 million RMB, it was extremely difficult to recover the cost in 08.

But sometimes, many investors, including producers and directors, just can’t figure it out.

Why is it so difficult to make money despite such a huge investment and such a strong lineup?
On the contrary, some small-scale companies with little money suddenly became popular.

of course.

This is not absolute.

until.

When one of Chen Cheng's senior brothers suddenly came to visit him, Chen Cheng began to understand the reason behind this.

"Brother Chen Cheng, I didn't expect you knew me."

Ning Qian seemed extremely surprised.

Although Ning Qian did make some money from his previous film Crazy Stone.

But the box office of Crazy Stone was only over 2000 million. For a big-name director like Chen Cheng, Ning Xiao is nothing.

Even though Ning Qian is Chen Cheng's senior brother.

But when he met Chen Cheng, Ning Xiao did not dare to act like a senior brother.

Not only does he not have any airs as a senior brother.

Ning Qian also showed an attitude of being eager to learn.

"Brother Ning Hao, that's not true. When I was in school, my teachers often used your film "Incense" as a teaching material."

"Thank you for the compliment. This movie also lost money."

"Loss doesn't necessarily mean it's bad, it's just a matter of the times and environment."

“Although losses do not necessarily mean bad things, it is not reasonable to say that losses are good things.”

Chatted with Ning Xiao for a few words.

Chen Cheng heard it.

Ning Xiao is under a lot of pressure.

Compared to "Crazy Stone", the pressure at that time was greater.

At the time of "Crazy Stone", Ning Hao had nothing.

After the movie became a huge hit, Ning Hao became somewhat famous.

Not only did it become a little famous, it also won the favor of investors, and thus this crazy racing car came into being.

But investors are not Shancai Tongzi. They favor you because they think you have talent and can make money for them.

If you can't make money for him, I'm sorry, the investor will stay away from you immediately.

"Brother, have some tea."

Seeing Ning Hao's mentality, Chen Cheng asked Ning Hao to slow down for a while.

That’s what a new director is like.

Even if you make a successful film, you can't have too much confidence.

Not to mention.

The investment at this time was 2000 million.

The investment at that time was less than 300 million.

It’s a loss of 300 million, so it’s a loss. Anyway, the loss to the investors is not big.

But 2000 million.

That's equivalent to the entire box office total of Crazy Stone.

"Brother, do you know why some big productions, big investments, and big actors still lose money?"

Chen Cheng asked.

Ning Hao shook his head: "I don't know either."

“Will they develop a dependence on the route, thinking that they can make money by doing this?”

"Route dependent?"

Ning Hao was stunned.

This word is new, but easy to understand.

Route dependency exists in any industry.

The same is true in the film market.

The more successful filmmakers were in the past, the more they would use their old methods.

They think that big production, big investment and big actors are a guarantee of box office success.

Although most of the time yes.

But in the new market, more and more often it is not.

"I seem to understand a little bit."

Ning Hao nodded.

but.

He still couldn't calm down.

He doesn't care about the big investment, big box office, and big cast now.

The current 2000 million is already a huge investment for him.

If he screwed up 2000 million...

Ning Hao didn't dare to think about it any further.

"Brother Ning Hao, I have filmed many dramas and summed up a lot of experience. Sometimes when the crew has money, the filmmakers will not use their brains too much, but when the film has no money, these filmmakers will start to use their brains. Do you know why this is the case?"

"It is precisely because we have no money that we need to use our brains to make this movie stand out from the crowd."

Ning Hao still felt that he didn't understand.

Chen Cheng said, "Brother, let me ask you, is your film profitable?"

"Compared to the previous one, of course. But compared to the others, it's not much money."

The production budget for Crazy Racing was only over 1000 million, plus various publicity and promotion expenses, it was only 2000 million.

So if it really costs more than 1000 million to make a movie, it's basically not much money.

even.

Such films with limited budgets usually cannot hire particularly famous stars.

If you invite me.

Excuse me.

Some can't afford the star's salary.

"Since you have no money, have you used your brains?"

Looking at Ning Hao.

Chen Cheng said with a smile.

But Chen Cheng's words suddenly made Ning Qian excited.

“Have we used our brains?”

"I use my brain. I use my brain almost every day, every night, every hour, every minute."

"Brother Chen Cheng, you know, in order to shoot this drama, I thought about it while eating, sleeping, taking a shit, and even making out with my girlfriend... You know, I definitely put my brain into it."

Done.

Ning Hao was stunned for a moment.

He seemed to understand somewhat.

"Brother Chen Cheng, are you talking about... our movie "Crazy Racing"? "

"Brother, have some tea."

Chen Cheng made a gesture of invitation: "Since you have tried your best to use your brain, the rest can be left to fate."

……

"Director Han, tell me, why did the box office of The Forbidden Kingdom only reach 1.8 million? Why?"

"That's impossible. Two superstars, two kung fu masters, no matter how you calculate it, it can't be 1.8 million at the box office."

"Director Han, ..."

On the phone, Wang Zhonglei was a little incoherent.

these days.

As the box office of The King of Kung Fu was finally settled, Wang Zhonglei's previous expectations gradually became disillusioned.

but.

I feel so depressed, I don't know why.

Chen Cheng's prediction seemed to have become Wang Zhonglei's inner demon.

Whenever he thought of the Forbidden Kingdom, he would think of Chen Cheng's prediction.

Whenever Wang Zhonglei thought of Chen Cheng's prediction, he couldn't sleep all night.

"Boss Wang, the box office is like this, I can't be the one suppressing it."

Han Sanping was helpless and said, "Who told you to ask Chen Cheng for predictions? I found that you have the potential to be a masochist."

"Yes, I have the potential to be a masochist. Director Han, I bought a whip. I'll come to your place later. Please whip me hard."

"I……"

Han Sanping shuddered: "Boss Wang, I don't have this hobby."

"Then tell me why our box office of "The Forbidden Kingdom" was only 1.8 million."

"I don't know."

Han Sanping vomited some blood.

I don’t know what’s wrong with Wang Zhonglei today.

"Director Han, I want an explanation."

"I really don't know."

"I want an explanation."

"Okay, let me explain."

Frustrated by Wang Zhonglei, Han Sanping touched his chin and said, "The explanation is, you can ask Chen Cheng to test you again later."

(End of this chapter)