Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 168: Media Reputation, the Gradually Emerging "Double J Plan"

The interactive session of the premiere also ended, and the audience was still immersed in the final back view of the "Four Horsemen" and the aftertaste of the words "To be continued" on the screen.

Next came the media interviews.

The main creative team walked into the interview area one after another, stood in front of the backdrop, and the spotlights suddenly exploded.

The first questioner was a senior reporter from Variety, and his question was very precise:
"Mr. Director, the 'Easter Egg' at the end of the film hints at plans for a sequel. Have they already started working on it? Can they still use the same cast?"

Wu Chen directly handed the microphone between James McAvoy and Scarlett Johansson.

The two of them were also very playful: "As long as you think the movie is good, then we will make it!"

Wu Chen took back the microphone and chuckled, "So you should know the answer."

The whole audience burst into laughter, and the reporters couldn't help but smile.

Just like that, the interview came to an end under the media's questioning. There were no sharp questions. After all, this was a purely commercial popcorn movie, without so much complex human nature and reflections to explore.

At the same time, major media outlets and film critics in Los Angeles have been eagerly writing on social platforms and on manuscript paper. Wu Chen expects to see most of the news tonight.

After a while, the premiere process came to an end, and the creators briefly thanked the audience in the back hall of the theater and left.

Han Sanping took advantage of this opportunity to quickly step forward, his eyes eager:

"Are you really not interested in Lionsgate's 'Double J Plan'?

Michael told me it would be at least an A-level production."

It's an A-level production in Hollywood. Even in Hollywood, there are not too many productions of this level in a year.

Han Sanping’s meaning is very clear. Such a big plan involves Hollywood, Jackie Chan and Li Lianjie, so it must be done by China Film Group. Who else in China has this ability besides China Film Group?

Wu Chen also felt a headache.

Is there any domestic film company that can resist the temptation of "The Forbidden Kingdom"?
The second-tier Lionsgate Films plus Cheng Long and Li Lianjie, a Hollywood behind-the-scenes team, is a fatal temptation for the domestic market today.

Wu Chen thought for a moment and changed the subject: "Boss Han, is China Film Group interested in taking over the Huayi Poly project?"

"You know about this too?" Han Sanping smiled and said with pride, "Huayi Poly has copyright issues. They can't handle a project as big as Red Cliff.

It still depends on China Film Group to take over
How about it, are you interested? The investment is huge! "

"."

For a moment, Wu Chen didn't know whether he should thank Han Sanping or what.

The two projects introduced to him were both terrible movies, each more deceptive than the other.
They are all pitfalls.

"Obsidian and Star Films don't have as many channels as China Film Group to raise funds. The funds have to be used to prepare for the second part of "Now You See Me"."

Han Sanping was stunned. With this calculation, doesn't that mean he has three blockbuster movie plans on hand?

Two A-level productions and one domestic blockbuster.

"Mr. Han, to be honest, I personally don't think John Fusco, the screenwriter, who is a foreign screenwriter writing a Chinese story, is particularly reliable, even though he has research on Chinese culture."

Wu Chen slowly expressed his doubts, "Sometimes we can't even write a good story ourselves."

"Well, I'll think about what you said carefully."

Han Sanping said half-believingly that it was a big-budget movie after all, and he would not make the final decision directly.

What Wu Chen said was not wrong, but the script has not been released yet.

Wu Chen was not in a hurry. He would persuade him if he could. If that didn't work, he could just let Han Sanping learn a lesson. Anyway, although the movie was a loss, the actual loss was not that big.

The next day, Wu Chen took the crew to New York, and then to London and other places.

The media reputation and coverage of the Los Angeles premiere have already been released and are spreading rapidly from Hollywood.

In every report, Wu Chen's name was mentioned more frequently than any other movie he had ever made.

This is the influence of Hollywood A-level productions, real blockbusters.

Now You See Me, the most incredible screen magic of 2006. —Variety

Wu Chen's blockbuster debut is even better than expected: the most dazzling robbing the rich to help the poor ever! — The Hollywood Reporter

Pure summer movie magic—literally. Better than Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve, and Ocean's Thirteen combined, you won't believe your eyes—and that's the point. —Empire

Now You See Me, third-rate magic, second-rate film, first-rate marketing. — Los Angeles Times

Overall, most reviews are still positive. Although some media have complained about the twist in the ending and the plot not standing up to scrutiny, for the vast majority of viewers, the movie is more than enough.

Watching a blockbuster is all about enjoying popcorn. As Wu Chen traveled around North America, even to the London premiere, news of the film was already flying around China.

June in Beijing's film and television circles should have been quieter than in previous years.

Because there are almost no blockbusters released this month, the audience can't even call out the names of the few films in the schedule, and the theaters are empty.

But cinema managers are not pessimistic.

Because at this time, television, newspapers, portals, blogs, forums, and billboard advertisements were almost everywhere filled with news about "Now You See Me".

The Hollywood blockbuster "Now You See Me" is about to hit mainland China. Lead creator Wu Chen and Scarlett Johansson will appear in Beijing on the 15th!

[A Chinese director directs a Hollywood A-list film, "Now You See Me," which has already taken North America by storm!]

What's the most anticipated summer movie this year? Perhaps the answer lies here!

CCTV Film Channel Special: Now You See Me and the New Landscape of Sino-US Film Cooperation

【.】

At a time when "roadshows" had not yet become popular, the topic of "Now You See Me" had become a hot topic at Beijing's drinking parties, academic seminars, among students, and among office workers after dinner.

Domestic audiences have already been ignited with enthusiasm.

"Don't lie to me again, don't make it another 'The Promise'!"

"It looks like Wu Chen didn't mess up. The North American media wouldn't be as outrageous as us, just spreading rumors!"

"As long as the film is good, I'll support it by buying a movie ticket. Besides Wu Chen, I think the only other Chinese director capable of directing Hollywood A-level productions is Li An."

"."

The premiere invitations had already been sent out everywhere by China Film Group, just like last year's "The Promise", and they wanted to invite everyone they could.

Everyone who received the invitation felt a sense of familiarity.

Because China Film Group did the same thing during the Lunar New Year holiday last year.

"Brother, shall we go?" Wang Zhonglei looked at the invitation in his hand and asked Wang Zhongjun.

"Why not?" Wang Zhongjun said calmly, "Didn't you say that Wu Chen and Xiaogang had a good conversation in Cannes? Why not invite Xiaogang and the others along as well?

"And a few days ago, Cheng Long told me that someone was planning to bring him and Li Lianjie together to make a movie. He had already spoken to Li Lianjie, and they both had this plan, but it was still in the initial stages of contact."

"Ah?" Wang Zhonglei's eyes narrowed slightly, and he was shocked when he heard the words, "Didn't Li Lianjie say that he would not take martial arts films after "Huo Yuanjia"? Why..."

Wang Zhonglei also stopped talking.

Whether to go back on one's word or not mainly depends on the people who cooperate and the scale of the cooperation. Obviously, Li Lianjie thinks that there is potential for cooperation with Cheng Long, and the person who brought them together is obviously extraordinary.

"It should be from Hollywood, which one?" Wang Zhonglei asked.

"Lionsgate, a collaboration with Wu Chen."

After Wang Zhongjun finished speaking, Wang Zhonglei frowned, "Brother, this is not going to be easy. Besides Wu Chen, there's also Han Sanping, who's like a Pixiu."

"Cooperation requires mutual consent. It's impossible for Han Sanping to be on high alert throughout the entire premiere.

Huayi must go down the path of internationalization, and it must be ahead of other film companies except Wuchen and China Film Group."

Wang Zhongjun argued convincingly.

At this time, in London - outside the window is the English scenery with drizzling rain. As the gray clouds cover the last rays of sunset, night is approaching.

It was just after five in the evening in London, but in China at that time, it was already late at night or in the early hours of the morning.

Wu Chen and the main creators were driving to today's premiere venue when they received a call from Liu Yifei in the car.

Wu Chen picked up the phone with a smile: "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"Hehe, get ready for bed. Will you be back tomorrow?" On the other end of the phone, Liu Yifei was leaning on the bay window of the bedroom. She was wearing a long silk nightgown, her skin was as white as cream, and her long hair was flowing.

Liu Yifei's tone was gentle, and the ending sound was like a feather sweeping past her ears.

"Well, everyone, get ready to adjust to the time difference on the plane so that we can prepare for the domestic premiere on the 15th." Wu Chen looked out the car window at the foggy Thames. "Let's watch the premiere together on the 15th. Don't practice extra tonight."

"Really?" Liu Yifei asked cheerfully, her tone revealing unmistakable joy. "Then Shu Chang and I will go together!"

"Well, I've reserved the best viewing seats for you."

(End of this chapter)