Rebirth: I'm filming extra scenes on the set

Chapter 318 I am the producer of Rush Hour.

New Line Cinema is a small independent film distribution company in Hollywood.

When it was first established, New Line Cinema mainly produced horror films and distributed low-cost films.

Later, the film performance improved greatly, especially after purchasing the Hong Kong Golden Harvest film "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", New Line achieved great success.

After that, we started to produce big films.

They are most famous for the Lord of the Rings series.

Also.

The Hobbit series is also a work of New Line Pictures.

Including the Rush Hour series in which Cheng Xi participated...etc.

However, New Line's foundation is not enough.

Although some films have unique vision, many of them have experienced failure.

This eventually led to New Line Cinema being acquired by Warner, one of the eight major Hollywood companies.

Just though the new line was acquired.

However, according to the acquisition contract at that time, the new line still has the right to operate independently.

But a pity.

After several movies suffered losses.

New Line has reduced the production of most of its works in recent years.

Like the Rush Hour 4 they were preparing to make.

But considering the profitability, New Line has suspended this work indefinitely.

Chen Cheng went to Hollywood these days.

The Hobbit, produced by New Line, recently had several preview screenings in North America, with very good results.

What's even better is.

Although Chen Cheng's role as the Elf King only appeared in a few scenes, he showed great popularity.

Many viewers who watched the preview expressed their opinions, saying that they wanted more plots about the Elf King.

It is not possible to have more plot for the time being.

but.

It would be OK if there were more lenses.

Although Chen Cheng had not shot many shots before.

But it was only a preview at this time and had not yet been officially released.

Chen Cheng went to Hollywood this time just to reshoot some scenes.

"Chen, your looks seem to have improved again."

Director "Peter" looked at Chen Cheng and said with some disbelief.

although.

Chen Cheng seemed to be the same as before, without much change.

But the overall feeling it gives people is completely different.

Chen Cheng naturally knew why this was the case.

This is because the charm value increases to 8 points.

At the same time, his attribute values ​​in all aspects also increased to 90 points.

With the continuous increase of these attribute points.

Chen Cheng's charm and temperament are constantly rising.

"Thanks, Peter."

Chen Cheng and Peter hugged each other.

Although Chen Cheng only played a role in The Hobbit.

But Chen Cheng is more than just an actor.

Take Chen Cheng for example, he has produced so many films in Hollywood.

His status is no lower than Peter's.

even.

To some extent.

Peter also has to please Chen Cheng.

After all, Peter is just the director.

But in Hollywood, the most authoritative person is not the director, but the producer.

"I think this will be the next billion-dollar movie after The Lord of the Rings."

Chen Cheng said to Peter.

Peter sighed, "The movie hasn't been released yet, and it's still unknown whether it can reach $10 billion. Even if it does, I'm just using the name of a well-known IP. If I didn't have the IP of Lord of the Rings, and I were asked to shoot a brand new movie, let alone $10 billion, it's still unknown whether I can make $5 million."

It is precisely because of this.

Peter, however, had great respect for Chen Cheng.

To know.

Chen Cheng since entering Hollywood.

The series of films he participated in producing are not big IPs.

instead.

With his participation, these works became big IPs.

……

Chatted with Peter.

At this time.

New Line President "Shay" also enthusiastically invited Chen Cheng to his office.

Regarding Chen Cheng.

"Shay" was very interested.

Not just interested.

Even he was a little envious.

As soon as Chen Cheng entered his office, "Shay" said, "Chen, it seems you have produced a lot of works in Hollywood recently. Let me see, Big Hero 6, The Martian, and Joker... Wow, you alone are as capable as a film production company."

"It's not just me producing it alone. There are a lot of collaborations here, such as with Warner, Paramount... etc. I'm just one of the producers."

"We at New Line are the same. Even the works we produce are also co-produced with major film companies. Otherwise, if a blockbuster with an investment of more than 1 million US dollars suffers a loss, the loss will be heavy. Just like our "Rush Hour 3" a few years ago."

Chen Cheng became interested when talking about "Rush Hour 3".

In fact, he came to Hollywood for another reason, which was for the "Rush Hour" series.

"I think the Rush Hour series is a good IP. Does New Line not want to release Rush Hour 4?"

Chen Cheng asked "Shay".

"Shay" said, "It's not that we don't want to release it, but we may not release it for the time being. As you know, the investment in Rush Hour 3 was as high as 1.4 million US dollars, but its global box office was only 2.5 million US dollars. Rush Hour 3 alone has lost all the profits of the first two Rush Hour movies."

“Losing money is really a headache.”

Chen Cheng smiled.

"Shay" was very interested in Chen Cheng and said, "Chen, I really want to know how you make every movie profitable in Hollywood."

This is also the reason why "Shay" invited Chen Cheng to his office.

Since Chen Cheng came to Hollywood.

All the works he produced in Hollywood were profitable.

Even the small-budget productions he had made before were profitable.

If those small costs had not been promoted and marketed well, the profits might have been even greater.

"This..."

How do you say this kind of thing?

Would Chen Cheng say to you, I'm cheating?

Or.

I was reborn.

I can tell whether a movie can make money or not just by looking at it.

However, Chen Cheng does not rely solely on cheats and future information to make films.

Having been in the circle for so long, Chen Cheng has also gained his own set of experience.

After thinking for a while, Chen Cheng said, "I think that having a good script is half the battle. The reason why many films fail is because they don't have a good script."

"Shay" agreed with Chen Cheng's point of view.

But this recognition is of no use.

Having said that.

What is a good script?
You think it's useless.

This has to be considered good by everyone.

And everyone has a different perspective.

You said yes.

He said what to do?
However, Chen Cheng went on to say, "For example, if I were to produce Rush Hour 4, I would probably not follow the original Rush Hour model."

"Oh, Chen, how would you make it?"

"If it follows the traditional Rush Hour model, it will still have a certain box office. However, Rush Hour 3 has clearly proved that this model is very dangerous. In other words, the combination of Cheng Yi and Chris Tucker may not have such a strong chemistry if it happens again. If it were me, I might make some changes. For example, add more other elements."

"Shay" became more interested in Chen Cheng.

Yanyan signaled Chen Cheng to continue.

Chen Cheng did not disappoint "Shay".

The purpose of his coming here is to let "Shay" restart Rush Hour 4.

“For example, bringing out the elements of The Expendables in Rush Hour.”

"what?"

"Shay" thought he had heard wrongly.

But Chen Cheng went on to say: "Yes, Rush Hour and The Expendables can actually be integrated. Of course, we can try to incorporate some elements in the early stage, and then we can strengthen the cooperation in the later stage."

This may seem a bit ridiculous, but there is actually nothing wrong with it.

"Shay" didn't quite understand at first, but soon he understood: "Is this a collaboration between Marvel and DC?"

"Yes, that's pretty much what it means."

Chen Cheng nodded. Marvel and DC are two well-known IP companies in the United States.

A series of Marvel heroes were born under its banner, such as Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Captain America.

The ones in DC are Superman, Batman, Flash, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern... etc.

Many fans have made suggestions.

Why can't Marvel heroes unite with DC heroes and work together for once?

It's like creating the Avengers from Marvel heroes.

Create the Justice League from DC heroes.

Now it’s just a matter of bringing the heroes of the two companies together again.

But it's a pity.

The two companies have no such plans.

But in fact.

Both companies did this a long time ago.

For example, the early years.

The two companies have collaborated to launch the "Superman and Spider-Man" series and "Screenwriter vs. the Hulk".

even.

Later they also launched "Avengers vs Justice League".

But these are just cartoons.

These have not yet been adapted into films.

But the comics have it.

According to the trend.

sooner or later.

Marvel heroes and DC heroes will meet on the big screen.

This was the idea that Chen Cheng had when he combined "Rush Hour" and "The Expendables".

"You, this is a genius idea."

"Shay" was shocked by Chen Cheng's idea.

He really didn't expect it.

"Rush Hour" can actually be linked to "The Expendables".

of course.

Gotta get this one done.

Chen Cheng not only had to convince New Line Cinema, he also had to convince the producer of The Expendables, Sylvester Stallone, the core member of The Expendables.

If it were someone else, the two companies would never be able to reach a cooperation with such an idea.

But there was Chen Cheng as a middleman.

That's different.

Although "Rush Hour" and "The Expendables" are both good IPs.

But they all face a series of problems.

Rush Hour is facing a loss problem.

Although "The Expendables" was profitable, and "The Expendables 2" also made a lot of money.

But the premise for this big profit was not because of Stallone, but because of Chen Cheng.

This is not the most important thing.

The most important thing is.

Stallone knows.

All the main members of the "The Expendables" series, including him, have grown old.

If "The Expendables" wants to go further in the future, it can only continue to add new blood.

For example, Chen Cheng’s joining was a very successful operation.

but.

Chen Cheng provided a more creative solution.

In addition to adding new blood, you can also consider adding other characters who have already made a name for themselves.

If this operation is successful.

Then.

Whether it's "Rush Hour" or "The Expendables".

They can all create their own universe like Marvel or DC.

……

"Brother, the Mainland Directors Association wants to invite all of our Hong Kong directors to join. Have you received the news?"

"I heard about it, but no one has contacted me yet."

"Brother, what do you think?"

"I haven't thought about it yet."

"Brother Xi, you have to think about us in Hong Kong. It's fine that the price increase of our Directors Association was suppressed before, but if we are all recruited, how will we survive in the future?"

"You can't say we're recruiting them. After all, the mainland film market is so big, and this is a trend. Hong Kong is still too small."

"That being said, how many well-known directors are there in the mainland? Do they still want to lead us?"

"Feng Xiaogang, Brother Chen Kai, don't they count?"

"Forget about Feng Xiaogang and Chen Kai, their level is average."

"Where is Zhang Yi?"

"Only Zhang Yi is holding the line, who else is there?"

"Have you forgotten about Chen Cheng?"

"Uh……"

Cheng Xi was chatting with a group of Hong Kong directors.

But he wasn't thinking about the Directors Guild right now.

He is now considering another film of his, Rush Hour 4.

Yes.

In terms of time.

Originally, "Rush Hour 4" was going to be filmed a long time ago.

But up to now, there is still no progress on the new line.

He communicated with director Brett.

Bright reported that New Line had always planned for Rush Hour 4, but Rush Hour 3 suffered heavy losses, so it had been shelved.

There is no way around this.

But Cheng Xi is very much looking forward to this movie.

"Rush Hour" is Chen Cheng's most successful work in Hollywood.

Especially "Rush Hour 2", which grossed 3.5 million U.S. dollars worldwide.

Don’t underestimate the amount of $3.5 million.

But that was a 2001 film.

The most important thing is.

"Rush Hour 2" grossed more than 2 million U.S. dollars in North America, that is, the U.S. market.

This ranked fifth at the North American box office that year.

Together with "Rush Hour 1", it also ranked 7th in North American box office that year.

It can be said.

"Rush Hour" is Cheng Wei's most successful work.

Although Cheng Xi has produced many works in recent years, his performance is not good.

Only this year's "Chinese Zodiac" managed to save some face.

However, "The Chinese Zodiac" only performed well in the country and had no market in the international market.

If Cheng wants to maintain his superstar status, he must continue to achieve success in the global market.

But a pity.

Although Cheng Xi is a global superstar.

But he is just an actor in the "Rush Hour" series.

It can even be said that he is one of the two protagonists.

Cheng Xi is indeed indispensable to "Rush Hour".

But Cheng Xi did not have much say in the work "Rush Hour".

"Bright, Rush Hour is a trademark of New Line. We can't just give up on Rush Hour 3 if it loses money."

Cheng Xi communicated with director Brett.

Brett also sighed: "What you said makes sense, but as a director, I can't make the decision."

"However, if I lower my salary, I can get a salary of less than 2000 million US dollars."

"How much can you accept under $2000 million?"

"At least $1500 million."

“That’s still a very large number.”

Brett shook his head.

Although this kind of pay reduction is feasible, it is actually not of much use.

The loss of "Rush Hour 3" is not due to the high salaries of the two leading actors.

Although their pay is indeed very high.

But even if their pay was reduced to $1000 million, based on the box office of "Rush Hour 3", they would still suffer a huge loss.

just.

Even director "Bright" doesn't know when New Line will be able to restart Rush Hour...

At this time.

However, Brett received an email from New Line Company about the restart of Rush Hour.

(End of this chapter)