Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 613 Paying Tickets for Entry
Compared to the unremarkable opening of "Dragon Boys," this halftime party was quite different. Columbia Pictures isn't stupid; they realized the film could make money, and quite a lot of money, so of course they immediately offered all the support they could.

A cocktail party must be held, and celebrities must be invited. The goal is to keep the actors, directors, and crew satisfied so that we can make another film and earn money!
No one thinks they have too much money. Even if Columbia Corporation thinks it has too much money, the board of directors doesn't.

Keanu Reeves, wearing a slightly loose tie, sat alone at the edge of the party.

Even with his limited understanding, he could tell that the people at this celebration party today all held very high positions.

At least it's not something a new actor like him can easily pull off.

Keanu Reeves was stuffing a plate of persimmons into his mouth.

Actually, he wanted to drink, but he hadn't touched alcohol for over a month, so when he saw it again, he didn't feel so craving it.

He's actually quite happy right now, but perhaps because of his appearance, he still looks a bit melancholy.

Suddenly, with a snap, a hand landed on his thigh. Upon closer inspection, it was a woman who appeared to be of considerable weight and quite imposing.

Keanu Reeves was slightly surprised.

I'm super!

what's going on!
He looked at Akira Furuya in the distance.

Master! Help me!

……

……

"Reeves?"

Gu Ming glanced at Keanu Reeves, who was being harassed, and felt a mix of emotions. He then whispered a few words to the person next to him.

Anyway, let's get him out of here first! Gu Ming was afraid that if the young man was taken away by the rich woman, he wouldn't be able to come back.

After settling in, Gu Ming turned to the guest in front of him.

Jerome Charles Weintraub.

Nickname: Jerry.

Yes, it's Jerry from Tom Jerry.

Gu Ming recognized the face. This was the official producer of Dragon Boys, a partner of Columbia Pictures. This person was most famous for having trained his artists to win Emmy Awards three times. His vision and ability were both outstanding.

Now that there's a different producer, Jerome still takes the initiative to contact him, and Gu Ming is no exception.

Among so many teams, Jerome could instantly identify Gu Ming as the real deal.

Admittedly, Mark Griffiths is the director and Keanu Reeves is the lead actor.

but.

The person who drove the project was Gu Ming.

The two shook hands, and Jerome gestured invitingly, "Would you like to sit over there?"

"please!"

Gu Ming sat down, with a small table between them.

"I must say, your vision is truly exceptional. This film is a perfect fit for the North American market, and it has already grossed forty million dollars in the US! Its final box office is sure to surpass one hundred million dollars, especially with the added benefits of distribution through videotapes and other channels..."

Jerome clicked his tongue in amazement: "This is truly a prime example of achieving great things with minimal investment."

Gu Ming smiled but said nothing.

Dragon Boys is a prime example of achieving great success with limited resources. If it weren't necessary to finish filming in the United States to be considered a local film, and if Gu Ming had filmed the entire movie in Hong Kong, the cost would have been even lower.

"What's most remarkable is that this film features a qualified kung fu master."

Jerome suddenly leaned closer and laughed, "Yes, that's the kind of kung fu master they want."

Gu Ming also laughed: "That's why we filmed it this way, isn't it? We knew what they wanted."

A few words were all it took for the two to hit it off immediately.

"It seems you really want to enter the American market. Columbia Pictures didn't do its best for the success of this film, and we deeply regret that. However, if there is a sequel, Columbia will demonstrate enough strength to absolutely deserve the quality it should have."

Gu Ming's palm remained lightly pressed on the table, but he had completely understood Jerome's words. This meant...

Dude, you've succeeded in your pledge of allegiance. You'll make money, and you'll be playing the kind of kung fu master we've been looking for. All the Japanese elements in the film are the kind we can accept, without any blatant export of Japanese elements.

So, you passed! Hollywood has decided to accept you! Columbia has decided to accept you! Welcome to Hollywood, my brother!
"After all, it's forty million US dollars."

Gu Ming shook his head inwardly.

It's still about money.

Once you've made enough money, who cares if you're Japanese, Australian, alien, or indigenous!

Hollywood is the place with the most standardized and direct entertainment rules in the world.

If you can make money, we'll work with you. It's that simple.

Jackie Chan earned a profit of $40 million at his peak in Hollywood, and he accepted it willingly because he was worth the money.

So even if Jackie Chan flops in a movie, he still gets a second chance. That's the special treatment he gets as a top-tier Asian actor.

On the contrary, Chow Wan-fat was tossed around in Hollywood, making no money and only starring in bad movies with poor reviews, such as playing a captain with a Jules-like face in Pirates of the Caribbean. In the end, he was kicked out and returned to Hong Kong to develop his career.

Ultimately, they didn't make any money, so they didn't even have autonomy.

But now, he's different.

He made money, and Americans were certain he could make money, but the Americans themselves didn't.

Because apart from being distributed by Columbia Pictures and bearing the Columbia name, the entire production and copyright of this film were handled by Gu Ming, allowing him to receive almost all of the box office revenue.

In this situation, naturally, the situation reverses.

It's not you begging us to make money, it's us begging you to give us money!

Gu Ming, holding his wine glass, gave a slight bow.

"Actually, I wish Colombia could have shown some strength earlier. For example, if we had held a press conference at the beginning, the box office would undoubtedly have been better."

“Yes, you’re absolutely right.” Jerome clapped his hands. “I also think there should be a press conference like this! Not just press conferences, there should be more!”

Jerome moved closer again, lowering his voice.

"I'll try to find some good scripts when I have the chance. You... you know what I mean."

Gu Ming understood, of course.

"Not as a supporting role, but as the lead actor."

“That’s right, you deserve it! I heard Universal Pictures even went to Japan to approach you? They really have no taste. People who truly aspire to be great actors wouldn’t make those kinds of films. That was their mistake.”

Jerome extended his hand, looking at Gu Ming with a questioning gaze.

Gu Ming then raised his hand and shook hands with Jerome.

Looking forward to a pleasant collaboration in the future!
Jerome casually pointed: "There are reporters over there, want to take a picture with them?"

"Of course, please!"

Gu Ming pulled Jerome along. Just as the American producer was about to say no, he felt a lightness in his body, as if a leaf had been forcibly pulled to the reporter's side.

Jerome couldn't help but curse inwardly.

Wow, that's amazing!
In front of the camera, the two showed off their neat smiles, revealing eight teeth.

The reporter suddenly moved closer.

"Could you two disclose the film's production costs and current box office figures?"

Gu Ming said, "The production cost of this film is six million US dollars."

Jerome chimed in: "Current North American box office: forty million dollars!"

The reporter immediately looked up.

That's truly incredible!
(End of this chapter)