I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

Chapter 213 You Are the Female Lead This Time

"coming?"

At this time in the manager's office of the film and television department, Yan Rui was not surprised to see Xu Kong.

Because Xu Kong had mentioned to him before about his ideas for his next drama.

The main thing is to accept investment from Fengqing Entertainment.

When Xu Kong and Fengqing Entertainment parted ways, Yan Rui really didn't know why the two sides still maintained their current relationship.

But none of this matters. He really doesn't have much way to influence Xu Kong's current thoughts.

Including if Xu Kong plans to shoot a new drama himself in the future, even if no one invests, Feng Ge will still pay for it himself.

When The Legend of Sword and Fairy was first released, Xu Kong got an investment of 200 million yuan as soon as he arrived. This matter was almost entirely decided by Lin Hong, and some people in the film and television department and the company inevitably had some rumors.

But now, with the movies "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" and "The Long Season" released some time ago.

The results are there, and it is almost impossible for anyone to stand up and oppose it directly.

……

“Most of the process should be the same as when we worked with Penguin before.”

"But I still want to remind you that it's best to determine the details of the cooperation in advance to avoid any disputes later."

Yan Rui said kindly.

He didn't know that Xu Kong was now one of the shareholders of Fengqing Entertainment, and as far as Yu Yaqing was concerned, Xu Kong would definitely have absolute say in the project.

The main reason is that Fengqing Entertainment is not a big company like Penguin.

If you take investments from these relatively small film and television companies, you will receive a lot of demands, which can easily lead to problems.

For example, the recent drama "Feng Hua" starring Shang Yuxin is a good example.

Xincheng Pictures is a typical example of a company that thinks that since it has invested money, it can naturally make decisions and give orders.

……

But after he gave this kind reminder, Xu Kong unexpectedly did not respond.

Instead, he replied calmly:
"I don't plan to film the drama I mentioned before for the time being."

Yan Rui was a little at a loss as to what to do with Xu Kong's sudden change of mind.

"Is there a problem with Fengqing Entertainment?"

In Yan Rui's opinion, Feng Ge would definitely agree.

The most likely reason why Xu Kong suddenly changed his mind was that something happened at Fengqing Entertainment.

But Yan Rui thought it was normal.

Given Fengqing Entertainment's financial strength, the investment budget it can give to Xu Kong is definitely not very high.

If he made some more demanding requests, given Xu Kong's temper, it would be normal for him to refuse later.

……

But Yan Rui's very confident guess was met with a negative answer from Xu Kong.

"It's just that we are not filming it right now, but we will continue with the follow-up."

Xu Kong answered truthfully.

This made Yan Rui a little confused.

"So what is Director Xu's plan now?"

For Xu Kong now, basically nothing is wrong.

Fengqing Entertainment is also willing to invest, and if Xu Kong requests it, Fengge can also provide a considerable budget.

Even if these are removed, it is already a very safe option.

With Xu Kong's "Legend of Sword and Fairy" and "The Long Season" this year, there are plenty of capitals willing to invest in Xu Kong's new drama.

……

“I plan to make a movie first…”

Xu Kong spoke with a calm expression.

For him, there is actually not that much difference between online dramas and TV series and movies.

Even the filming period could be shortened due to its length.

But when Yan Rui heard this decision, it meant something else.

Xu Kong actually plans to enter the film industry.

But if you think about it, it seems understandable. "Want to See You", which was his debut work, became a hit last year.

And the reputation and reviews are not bad.

As for this year's "The Legend of Sword and Fairy", it can be said to be the drama with the highest popularity and data in recent years, and it can be called a phenomenal hit.

This is an achievement that many TV drama directors may never achieve in their lifetime.

In addition, in terms of word of mouth, "The Long Season" has a terrifying score of 9.4.

In the eyes of many film critics, this drama is no longer a simple suspense drama, but more like a work of art of quite high level.

In other words, Xu Kong's current commercial performance and reputation as a director have reached a rather exaggerated height.

Regardless of whether Xu Kong will run out of ideas in the future, just based on these two dramas this year, Xu Kong's position among domestic TV drama directors is unlikely to be shaken.

……

Judging from his achievements, it is understandable that Xu Kong chose to go further and make movies.

But in terms of time, Xu Kong has only been an artist for about three years.

And his professional directing career lasted only a little over a year.

All I can say is that Xu Kong is not just as prolific as people say he is, he is also very prolific in music and film and television.

In less than two years, they have filmed three dramas, and all three were hits. It would be fine if you didn't think too much about it, but if you focus on this aspect, it is indeed a bit scary.

……

"There are still some differences between movies and TV series..."

"If it were another director, I might have to persuade him a little bit."

"You know it's useless to persuade me."

Yan Rui answered truthfully.

But he still added: "But as for the movie, I may need to apply to the higher-ups first."

“How much do you expect the investment to be?”

Xu Kong hesitated for a moment, then answered: "About 200 million."

In fact, the investment budget required for the movie he decided on should not be particularly high.

And he definitely did not take any salary, but chose to take a share of the profits.

However, when it comes to shooting budgets, there are definitely people who think that the budget is too small. No director would complain that the budget is too high.

……

"Twenty million?"

Yan Rui nodded.

Such an investment is not particularly high, but it is certainly not low.

If it were some other directors in the company who were planning to make movies from the TV series field, the company's top management might not really agree to a budget of 200 million.

But Xu Kong did not mention the other party’s relationship with the top management for the time being.

Based on the performance of the previous two dramas, the company would hardly refuse any offer.

Of course there are risks, and they are not small.

After all, movies are not like TV series, where you can negotiate copyright fees with various platforms before they are aired.

In any case, a certain amount of cost can be recovered, and the biggest risk is still borne by the platform.

But when it comes to movies, after they are released, everything is decided by the market and the audience.

If the box office isn’t good, then it won’t work.

Losing all your money is common in the industry.

Even if the copyright can still be sold after the film is taken off the screen, people will only pay a high price for it if the commercial performance is good enough.

Otherwise, people are not fools and would not rush to buy bad movies with ridiculously expensive copyright fees.

……

But if the director is Xu Kong, not only will the top management not refuse, even Yan Rui will think that the other party is worthy of Fengge's investment.

Even if this first movie lost money, given Xu Kong's age, it can be said that he still has huge potential in the future.

"Has the subject been decided?"

Yan Rui originally wanted to ask about the script, but Xu Kong obviously changed his mind at the last minute, so he would definitely not be able to see the script in the short term.

"It's an urban romance, I guess." "But the setting should be in the last century..."

Xu Kong already had a choice in his mind, and he did not hide it at this time, but said it directly.

"Last century?"

Yan Rui was slightly stunned.

Almost subconsciously, I thought of the recent controversy over "Feng Hua" involving Shang Yuxin, Chang Dachun and Xincheng Pictures.

It is also a period film. Xu Kong suddenly decided to make a movie at this point in time. Originally, he thought that Xu Kong probably wanted to try to enter the film industry.

But I just remembered now that Xu Kong had already decided to film a new drama for Fengqing Entertainment.

In other words, the other party changed his mind at the last minute.

But what prompted him to have this idea is very interesting.

……

“Do you act it yourself?”

"The actress who plays the leading role..."

Yan Rui asked tentatively.

Xu Kong nodded.

"I plan to play the male lead myself, and as for the female lead... I have tentatively decided on Shang Yuxin."

Because this was a sudden idea of ​​Xu Kong's, he hasn't communicated with Shang Yuxin yet.

However, he felt that the other party would most likely not refuse.

It is not surprising that Xu Kong directed and starred in Yan Rui himself. In other words, although Xu Kong was not the protagonist in the previous "The Long Season", he also starred in it.

Among the current young actors in China, Xu Kong's acting skills are truly outstanding.

But choosing Shang Yuxin as the female lead is a bit unusual.

You have to know that during this period, Shang Yuxin's reputation as a box office poison has spread completely.

Although Chang Dachun and Xincheng Pictures did not gain any advantage in public opinion, the perception that Shang Yuxin is not suitable for acting in movies has been completely implanted in the minds of many ordinary netizens.

What kind of relationship do the two have that Xu Kong is willing to help Shang Yuxin like this?
Yan Rui couldn't help but have some wild thoughts for a moment.

But he was not stupid enough to ask these questions in front of Xu Kong.

……

"I will tell the higher-ups about your idea. If nothing unexpected happens, there shouldn't be any big problems."

"After you finish writing the script, just continue with the normal approval process."

Yan Rui said with a smile.

He felt that if the news that Xu Kong was planning to make a movie was released, it would probably cause quite a stir.

Today, Xu Kong, let alone among the younger generation of directors, even among all the directors in the entire industry, has an alarmingly high level of popularity and fame.

"Thank you, Manager Yan."

Xu Kong nodded.

He was not surprised that Feng Ge agreed.

And even if Feng Ge was not prepared to invest, with his current abilities, he could easily raise enough funds from outside.

If it really doesn't work, Xu Kong himself can afford the cost of this movie.

But after all, he still has a contract with Feng Ge, and investing on his own will always involve more troubles.

Such complicated situations as the company's commission to him.

Therefore, the best outcome would naturally be if Feng Ge himself was willing to invest.

Everything just needs to follow the previous profit-sharing model of The Legend of Sword and Fairy.

……

In the afternoon, Shang Yuxin came to Xu Kong's personal studio.

In fact, she didn't want to meet Xu Kong, or she didn't want to meet Xu Kong during this period of time.

Especially when they met by chance in the morning, Shang Yuxin didn't want Xu Kong to see her in that state.

"Director Xu, it's rare for you to come to me."

Shang Yuxin smiled as usual.

Said with a slightly resentful tone.

Although she often came to Xu Kong's studio, she always came on her own and Xu Kong almost never took the initiative to look for her.

Xu Kong's expression was calm, and his hands were still typing on the keyboard.

He had almost finished writing the script for his new drama, but now he had to put it on hold and prepare to finish writing the script for his next movie first.

Although it was indeed because of meeting Shang Yuxin in the morning that Xu Kong made such a decision impulsively.

But since I have decided to do it, I won’t regret it too much.

The movie has to be made sooner or later, it’s just a little earlier.

"I might be filming a new movie next. Are you interested?"

……

Xu Kong's words surprised Shang Yuxin a little, but then she felt happy from the bottom of her heart.

This may be the only good news she has heard in recent times.

"of course."

"I've said it before, as long as Director Xu asks me to act in a play, I will act in it."

Shang Yuxin's level of trust in Xu Kong is indeed different from when they first met.

Shang Yuxin refused at first, but after reading the script of The Legend of Sword and Fairy, she agreed hesitantly.

This time, I didn't even ask what the subject matter was or what type of role to play, I just agreed directly.

"Can I ask, is this still a fairy tale drama?"

Ever since The Legend of Sword and Fairy became popular, the so-called fairy-tale concept proposed by Xu Kong has now become mainstream.

Although most of them are still imitations of ancient idol dramas, they are all labeled as fairy tale dramas during their promotion and marketing.

Xu Kong shook his head.

"No."

Shang Yuxin was not surprised. After all, the three dramas Xu Kong had starred in so far did not have many similarities in terms of subject matter and genre.

"Suspense drama?"

"The Long Season" has such a good reputation and the data is also quite good, reaching the level of a hit drama.

It is normal that Penguin invited Xu Kong to shoot a new drama for its suspense theater again.

But Xu Kong still shook his head.

……

"Am I still the second female lead?"

"I don't care about the role. I can play the third female role or a supporting role. As long as it's your drama..."

Shang Yuxin quickly opened her mouth to explain.

In fact, she must be somewhat grateful. After all, the movie "Feng Hua" had just flopped, and with such bad reputation and box office, she would definitely not be able to take on any new movie in the short term.

……

"Neither. This time you are the leading lady."

Xu Kong suddenly raised his head and spoke seriously.

Shang Yuxin's expression was slightly surprised.

I never thought that Xu Kong would choose me as the heroine, after all, even apart from Song Youyou, who has a special relationship with Xu Kong.

With Xu Kong's current fame and the fact that he has worked with two movie kings, it would certainly not be difficult for him to invite any actress.

"Also, I don't plan to continue filming TV series or web series. I plan to make movies."

When Shang Yuxin heard what Xu Kong said, she suddenly froze.

Xu Kong didn't say it explicitly, but he chose to make a movie at this time and specifically found her, the so-called "box office poison", to be the female lead.

In fact, there is no need to explain anything specifically.

I don’t know if it was because I was moved or because I thought about the various grievances I had suffered during this period of time, but at this moment, all kinds of emotions surged up at the same time.

Although I tried hard to control myself, I suddenly felt my nose sore and tears welled up in my eyes.

……

(End of this chapter)