Huayu Entertainment: Tianxian really wants to improve

Chapter 433 The Star-Studded Gravity Opening Ceremony
Liu Yifei's acting style is mainly based on method acting.

If she really gets absorbed in a horror movie, she might actually have trouble sleeping at night.

Thinking about this, Liu Yifei gave up the idea with some disappointment, regretting that she could not take another step down the path of scaring people.

Gu Bei breathed a slight sigh of relief.

If Liu Yifei really did act in a horror movie, the scene would be a bit hard to imagine.
The only acceptable version is probably the beautiful ghost Xiaoqian from A Chinese Ghost Story. Unfortunately, Liu Yifei's version was really a bit shocking, wasting the 23-year-old Liu Yifei who was at the peak of her beauty.

How about... we give it a try?
Gu Bei's heart stirred at this thought.

Although Liu Yifei's 2011 version of A Chinese Ghost Story was highly suspected of being used for money laundering.

However, reinterpreting the story of Xiaoqian with a postmodern perspective is also a very good subject.

However, if Gu Bei were to take the lead, the approach would inevitably be very different from the original work and Xu Ke's version, and it would be a completely new version.

"What are you thinking about?"

Liu Yifei looked at Gu Bei curiously.

"What would you be like if you became a female ghost?"

Gu Bei raised his head and answered seriously.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yifei's face flushed slightly: "Durian Mango!"

"what?"

No, what are you thinking about?

Gu Bei was completely confused, not understanding why such a serious answer had been given. Where exactly was there a place to drive?

For the next two weeks,
Gu Bei and Liu Yifei were constantly flying around North America, rushing to film all sorts of shows.
However, the topic of gravity limits the number of shows they can appear on.

The explosion of an Indian satellite triggered a chain reaction, forcing a Chinese female astronaut on a Chinese spacecraft to survive in space. She eventually returned to Earth aboard the Tiangong-1 space station, which was launched and abandoned by China.

This kind of introduction is destined not to be a topic that the general public will like.

Gu Bei and Liu Yifei have so many shows to promote themselves.

The main reason is that they are famous enough.

Moreover, the North American news market is already highly competitive, with a considerable number of programs that have a regular audience. You don't necessarily need to appear on those few famous programs to find your film's audience.

In addition, Gu Bei's constant promotion at film festivals, and the fans he had accumulated from his previous works,
Fans of independent films are not averse to watching the survival story of the Chinese female astronaut; in fact, the fact that she is Chinese is a plus.

I spent most of September in North America.

But as the end of September approached,
Gu Bei and Liu Yifei returned to China.
Because the global premiere of Gravity is about to begin.

……

9 month 29 day.

Magic City.

The weather in Shanghai was still hot at the end of September, but the fans' enthusiasm was even more intense than the weather.

The opening ceremony of Gravity was already surrounded by fans who had come after hearing the news, making the red carpet prepared for the ceremony completely impassable.

This includes not only Liu Yifei's fans, but also a considerable number of fans of other celebrities, as the number of stars attending today's opening ceremony surpasses that of any previous opening ceremony.

"Look over there, it's terrifying! What opening ceremony can be this lively? I feel like it's even more lively than the World Expo next door!"

"I guess you haven't covered the World Expo. If you went there to cover the news recently... don't even mention it, it's all a story of hardship and tears!"

"At the opening ceremony of this 'Gravity' event, all the big-name celebrities from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong must have attended, right?"

I have to say, it has to be Gu Bei! I attended the opening ceremony of his Linlang Entertainment before, and it was a non-stop thrill ride—the opening ceremony was more exciting than a movie!

"There's no way around it, this is Gu Bei's gravity. Linlang Entertainment's 'Tang City Earthquake' has already grossed over 700 million at the box office, and it even won the double-month championship in July and August."

"I estimate that if Gu Bei's Gravity doesn't gross more than a billion yuan domestically, it'll be considered a failure, right?"

Don't make any promises you can't keep!
Have you seen the news abroad? ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! publicly mocked Gu Bei's "Gravity," saying no North American would watch a movie about Chinese space exploration. Gu Bei is probably going to suffer a major setback this time!

"Hehe, you're still too young. It's only because others object that the film is good. I'll put my words here: Gravity will be the moment when Linlang Entertainment rises to the top of the Chinese entertainment industry. Gu Bei will definitely be a legend this time!"

During the discussion among the press corps, opinions differed.

There are mindless people who believe Gu Bei can create miracles.

Some believe that Gravity will be Gu Bei's first flop.

However, the premiere is on Wednesday the 29th, while Gravity will not be officially released until Friday, so the issues they discussed will take a long time to verify.

at this time,

A burst of frenzied noise erupted from the red carpet.
Most of them consisted of high-frequency screams from women, accompanied by some hoarse shouts from men.

Who is this?

A sense of doubt arose in the reporters' minds.

Subsequently,

Then a handsome man with slicked-back hair walked out. It was none other than Leonardo DiCaprio, who was once the most handsome man in the world. He was walking briskly over with his signature smile.

The reporters instantly erupted in excitement.

"What's going on? Nobody told me Leonardo DiCaprio was coming too! Wasn't he supposed to be on vacation?"

"Question, hurry up and think of a question! What should we ask him when he comes over? What if my English isn't good?"

"Director Gu's connections are too deep. It's one thing for celebrities from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong to come for Linlang Entertainment, but can he really pull Leonardo DiCaprio over from across the Pacific?"

but,

Amid the expectant gazes of the reporters,
Leonardo simply walked quickly past them and hugged Gu Bei at the end of the red carpet.

"Welcome to China, Leonardo."

Gu Bei wasn't quite sure if Leonardo DiCaprio had come to China for promotional activities.

However, when he won the Oscar, he did come to China to promote The Revenant. The organizers even presented Leonardo with a "Heaven rewards diligence" plaque. It was hard to tell whether he was a fan or a hater. In any case, the jokes were extremely numerous.

“It’s because I’m on vacation, and you know, Bare is a bit too clingy!” Leonardo said to Gu Bei with a slightly troubled expression.

Since winning the Oscar,
Leonardo is currently in a semi-open state.
This is good news for his current girlfriend, Bar Refaeli, who loves being with Leonardo DiCaprio. The last time they broke up, it was because she was too controlling.

However, considering her age, Bare is almost at the age where Leonardo DiCaprio would be eliminated.

"It's time for you to get back to work."

Gu Bei replied with a smile.

He certainly didn't want Leonardo's classic works from the 10s to never see the light of day because he helped Leonardo win Oscars. "I also need to find a project worth starting over on!" Leonardo smiled at Gu Bei. "Bruce, you've significantly raised my minimum requirements for projects."

Is this a request for me?
Gu Bei smiled and said, "Don't worry, Inception is in the works."

After chatting with Gu Bei for a few more minutes, Leonardo walked into the opening ceremony venue.

"Director Gu, you really have a lot of influence!" Han Sanpin walked over with a smile. "A global premiere is only a global premiere if people from all over the world attend."

Only Director Gu could attract foreign media to report on the event, and even have international superstars attend the opening ceremony.

Gu Bei looked at the celebrities filling the venue, and every glance revealed a familiar face.

He smiled and said to Han Sanpin, "Chairman Han, with so many celebrities here to support you, why are you still making fun of me?"

Han Sanpin smiled and shook his head, emphasizing, "They're not here to support me, they're here to support you!"

After a pause,

Han Sanpin said meaningfully, "Or rather, the venue of Linlang Entertainment!"

Gu Bei was moved when he heard this.

China Film Group is indeed in a class of its own in terms of sheer size.

However, due to its state-owned enterprise status, the power held by Han Sanpin is in a Schrödinger's cat-like state.

When he was powerful, Han Sanpin could use the "Founding of a Nation" project to allow him to choose any Chinese celebrity he wanted.

When he was weak, Han Sanpin was ignored.

But Linlang Entertainment is different.

Linlang Entertainment doesn't produce many films; only three each last year and this year.
But last year's three movies,
Very Perfect pioneered the chick flick genre in China.

The Message set a box office record for Chinese-language films and even the entire Chinese film market.

Bodyguards and Assassins, featuring a cast of many award-winning actors and actresses from Hong Kong, won the box office champion during the 2009 Lunar New Year season.

This year's "Lost in Thailand" helped create the Spring Festival film season.

The Great Tang Dynasty Earthquake once again broke the box office record for Chinese-language films.

Linlang Entertainment is currently enjoying immense popularity, but Gu Bei had already experienced this feeling after winning an award at Cannes, so he was indifferent to the change in the entertainment industry's attitude towards Linlang Entertainment.

Although Gravity is not a film by Linlang Entertainment, most of the people in it were probably there to support Gu Bei and Linlang Entertainment.

Just as Gu Bei was pondering, another commotion broke out on the red carpet.

Who else is a heavyweight guest?
Gu Bei looked up and saw a familiar figure, but the identity of this person made Gu Bei's face show a strange expression.

"Director Gu, nice to meet you."

Li Bingbing, dressed in an elegant formal gown, smiled at Gu Bei and extended her hand.

"Hello, I've heard so much about you."

Gu Bei said lightly.

He was naturally aware of the reputation of the "Four Dan and Two Bing" (referring to four top actresses and two top actresses in Chinese opera).

What puzzled him was that Li Bingbing should have renewed her contract with Huayi for a few more years and was still staying with the agency that had discovered her.

Given the bitter rivalry between Gu Bei and Huayi, why would Li Bingbing choose to attend the opening ceremony of Gravity?
"Sigh, it seems I really didn't leave a good enough impression on Director Gu."

Li Bingbing revealed a hint of sorrow, "Have you forgotten the last time we met was in Hengdian, when you and Qianqian attended a private cocktail party?"

Looking back now...

Gu Bei recalled for a moment,
It should be when Gu Bei was teaching Liu Yifei how to refuse the director's kissing scene.
At that time, he was discussing the renovation of the Gravity Studio with Hengdian Group. Li Bingbing and the Li Xue sisters were kept outside by security guards at the private party that Hengdian Group had prepared for Gu Bei and Liu Yifei.

Who can remember things that happened so many years ago?

Gu Bei's expression remained unchanged; he simply smiled faintly and said, "I was just thinking that I didn't leave a enough impression on you, after all, I was just a small director who had just won an award back then."

奖？
That's the Palme d'Or!

Li Bingbing almost lost her composure.

She had originally intended to use a small joke to bring the two of them closer, but Gu Bei clearly didn't buy it and was much calmer than she had imagined.

After a pause,

Li Bingbing got straight to the point:

"Director Gu, although I am still under Huayi's management, Huayi has no control over me."

So, whenever Director Gu needs you, don't forget about my choice!

"Okay, I won't forget!"

Gu Bei said calmly, without making any statement.

It seems Li Bingbing is genuinely eager for Hollywood connections.
Even at the risk of offending the two Wangs of Huayi Brothers, I still want to attend the opening ceremony of Gravity.

It was all to curry favor with Gu Bei and Liu Yifei, just like when she wanted to contact Hollywood distributors back in Hengdian.

Having ambition is a good thing.

Gu Bei does not reject ambitious people.

But as long as Li Bingbing is at Huayi, he naturally can't cooperate with Li Bingbing even once. Otherwise, what if others think that Gu Bei and Huayi have reconciled?
Seeing that he couldn't find an opportunity with Gu Bei, Li Bingbing said goodbye and left to catch up with Liu Yifei, who was not far away.

After a while,
The opening ceremony proceedings began.
Gu Bei, Liu Yifei, and Cheng Long went on stage and began to follow the host's instructions.

Although the opening ceremony of Gravity was star-studded, with almost every celebrity in attendance, its essence was simply to attract attention and let people know that the movie Gravity existed; there was nothing particularly innovative about the format.

The host, trying to find a juicy angle, asked Jackie Chan, "Brother Jackie Chan, I don't know why you would take on a movie that's only a few minutes long?"

Cheng Long glanced at Gu Bei and said with a smile, "It's mainly because Director Gu's invitation was too persistent. He told me that I am the most familiar Chinese face in the world, and Gravity really needs me to expand into overseas markets."

I thought about it, and realized that there really weren't any sci-fi blockbusters like Gravity in China before, so I came here.

But Director Gu certainly didn't skimp on my salary!

The host turned to Gu Bei: "Director Gu, it seems you have high expectations for Gravity's box office performance overseas. Can you predict the final box office results for Gravity?"

"let me see……"

Gu Bei held the microphone and looked down at the audience.

This question was clearly designed to create a big news story, and Gu Bei certainly wanted to create one.

He smiled and said, "This is my most expensive film to date, and I think it should also be my highest-grossing film. So I'll predict it will be worth $500 million!"

Gu Bei's answer immediately caused the audience to gasp in shock!
How dare you say that!
(End of this chapter)