The Birth of the Best Director

Chapter 80: Building a Robot Universe!

……

It’s similar to Liu Shishi’s situation.

After "The Labyrinth of the Heart" won the Palme d'Or, Lu Zhiyuan, as a director, also received many invitations.

What magazine interview, what academic conference.

Some media even suggested making a documentary about him.

This kind of 360-degree, all-round flattery and compliments can indeed make people addicted.

"Brother Kun, that's not necessary. I have no interest in this kind of interview. If there are any invitations like this in the future, please help me turn them down."

"What's the point?"

"I am a director, and I should let my films speak for me."

Xin Yukun is keen on these social activities and likes to wander around the world of fame and fortune because he can meet more beautiful young stars.

But Lu Zhiyuan doesn't like this kind of drinking and socializing.

Although these socialites have gorgeous appearances, no matter how gorgeous they are, can they compare with Liu Yifei and Reba?

Even if these two people asked him to go out, he was too lazy to go.

……

"Ayuan, I asked James to find me a good script."

Just when Lu Zhiyuan was designing various art scenes for the movie "Upgrade" at home, he suddenly received a call from Zhao Shanshan.

"What script?"

Lu Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment.

The filming of this movie hasn't started yet, so how did Zhao Shanshan find another script?
What does it mean?
Want him to double-open?

"Ayuan, have you forgotten? After watching Transformers 2 last time, didn't you tell me not to think too much, the future is yours?"

"To support your future, I contacted James and asked him to help me search the Hollywood script library to see if there are any scripts with robot themes."

"James was very efficient. He quickly told me that Disney was interested in the same robot script as him. Luckily, he acted quickly and snatched it from Disney."

Zhao Shanshan was a little excited.

Since it has intercepted Disney's script, it must be a good thing.

Scripts are like men. If no one wants them, they must be bad.

If someone is vying for it, there must be something shining about it.

"You stole Disney's script? What kind of script is it?"

Zhao Shanshan's words also aroused Lu Zhiyuan's interest.

She is really capable of taking action.

We just watched a movie together a few days ago and thought that robot movies have potential. So, does this mean James should go to the script library to search?
"The name of the script seems to be 'Iron Arena'. It's centered around a robot boxing match and focuses on the underground fighting world."

Zhao Shanshan gave a brief description.

Lu Zhiyuan listened for a moment and asked, “Robot boxing match?”

Isn't this "Real Steel"?

It's normal for creative ideas to collide with each other when it comes to scripts.

If he wanted to make "Real Steel", he wouldn't care who had the script... because different directors, even if they got the same script, would definitely tell different stories.

As long as he is fast enough.

Maybe, while Disney is still setting up the project, his movie has already been halfway through filming.

What else can the other party do?
Want to sue him?
sure!
We all have backers and backgrounds, so let's take our time in the lawsuit.

The final outcome is most likely to be reconciliation.

Or else?

Disney and Universal Pictures jointly spent money to hire lawyers, allowing the law firm to make a fortune?
"Sister Shanshan, please send me the script."

Although, Lu Zhiyuan was not interested in the original script.

Because he remembered very clearly that the original script was revised at least three times, and it was changed beyond recognition before it was made into a movie.

But it can also be used as a reference.

"Okay, take a look and I'll send it to your email."

Soon, Zhao Shanshan sent the script over.

Lu Zhiyuan took a few glances and suddenly felt overwhelmed.

This thing is too bloody and dark.

The main plot of the story is not the father-son relationship in "Real Steel" at all, but violent underground fighting.

There are also various gangs manipulating the gambling game, as well as various shady plots.

too dark.

Absolutely 18+.

It's a wonder a script like this could be filmed, no wonder it had to be revised so many times. "This script definitely won't pass muster. But I think the robot boxing match setting is quite interesting."

The truly interesting thing about "Real Steel" is not the script at all, but the presentation of visual effects.

Various robots simulate human boxing matches.

The collision of machines, the roar of engines, and various heavy metal music make people's blood boil.

To put it bluntly, this movie is a smaller version of Transformers, coupled with a boxing match and some father-son affection.

Since it is a scaled-down version of Transformers, the box office appeal of this movie... is definitely far less than that of the original Transformers.

After all, from a certain perspective, "Transformers" is a no-holds-barred fighting competition involving cosmic scenes and the background of saving the earth and saving humanity.

And "Real Steel" is just a small boxing match in the cyber future.

In terms of structure, it is quite different.

Of course, the cost will also be saved a lot.

"Ayuan, is it okay or not?"

Lu Zhiyuan said the setting was interesting, but he also said the script was not very good, which confused Zhao Shanshan.

“You can take pictures!”

Lu Zhiyuan thought about it and decided to give it a try.

He is still very interested in robot wars.

The most important thing is that after filming "Real Steel", we can go on to film "Pacific Rim", both of which are robot series.

The latter scene is more grand.

The setting is more interesting too.

Although the plot of "Pacific Rim" is also very weak, the scenes of robots fighting monsters are more exciting than Transformers!

As long as the plot becomes more reasonable and compact, and the visual effects are done well.

Lu Zhiyuan is very confident that the box office performance of "Pacific Rim" will not be much worse than that of "Transformers".

In fact, the types of movies that can truly sweep the world are nothing more than action movies, science fiction movies, and superhero movies.

Action movie?
Jet Li was ruined, Fang Long was old... From then on, action movies in China almost began to decline, with only the "Ip Man" series having some repercussions.

But it is simply unrealistic to rely on this level to compete globally.

Superhero movie?
There's no such soil in China, and it seems that only "Wolf Warrior" was popular for a while. Apart from that, it was "Lost in Thailand" that started the rise of comedy films.

But when it comes to comedy films, the cultural gap is too serious.

Comedies made by Northerners may not be liked by Southerners, let alone audiences in other parts of the world.

Only robot science fiction films can sweep all markets around the world.

Because, in this type of movie, the protagonist is always a robot, and the audience doesn’t care what race or nationality the protagonist is.

The most convenient way is for Lu Zhiyuan to get the S-level reward and promote a few newcomers at the same time.

Moreover, robot science fiction films can also maximize the advantages of Lu Zhiyuan himself.

That kind of extreme visual impact.

This is also why he often studies the two great painters, Moebius and Peter Max.

One is the organic fusion of machinery and life.

One is a master of pop psychedelia.

Using their art style and integrating it into the visual impact of the robot war will achieve the best effect.

"If you think it's okay, that's fine."

"I'll first find a script team and come up with 10 scripts with different focuses. Once you finish filming 'Upgrade,' we'll discuss the next movie."

Zhao Shanshan learned from Xin Yukun that Lu Zhiyuan was very picky about scripts, and few scripts written by others could satisfy him.

The biggest problem when they make movies is not the pictures, the special effects, or the actors.

But the script.

Fortunately, however, scripts are the cheapest.

10 scripts don’t even cost as much as one special effects shot!
"Ayuan, I have one last favor to ask of you."

"Help me put on a scene... please."

"It will definitely rain on Tiantian's birthday, July 21st, on the Xi'an City Wall. Even if the weather isn't good, there will be artificial rainfall."

"This is her 21st birthday present. Just treat it as a child's delight."

Zhao Shanshan didn't say much about the rest.

She believed that as a smart man, Lu Zhiyuan knew how to make this story come true.

Even if the story was made up by Lu Zhiyuan.

But from this day on, this story will be true.

(End of this chapter)