Reborn in America, I'm serious about making money.

While Zhang San was busy with his business in mainland China, "Kimba the White Lion" was released. When Zhang San found out, he learned about the first day's results from Robert. Only then did he realize that the movie he had initiated and produced by Shanghai-American Film Production Co., Ltd. had been released.

The animated film "Leo the Great Emperor of the Jungle," which was released four years earlier than planned and produced by the Shanghai-American film studio, began its preview screenings on June 1st. By June 5th, it had grossed a total of 16 million US dollars at the box office. This box office figure actually made it the top-grossing film on a single day from June 1st to June 5th, which also heralded the arrival of the summer movie battle for this film.

Tessney's Lion is hailed as the last great work of hand-drawn animation, grossing $9.684 million worldwide; in addition to that, there is another figure, which is $10.7392 billion.

This figure likely includes the two re-releases on IMAX and 3D screens, which grossed $1568 million and $9424 million respectively in North America.

In 1997, the musical adaptation of the animated film *The Lion King* premiered on Broadway. By April 2012, its cumulative box office revenue on Broadway had reached $8.538 million, surpassing the long-standing Broadway box office legend, *The Phantom of the Opera*, to become the new box office champion. A year later, *The Lion King* became the first musical in Broadway history to surpass $1 billion in cumulative box office revenue.

Recalling that lion and comparing it to his own, Zhang San laughed. The $18 million box office on the opening day indicated that his film wasn't too far behind.

On the same day, "Pretty Girl and Wild Monster" grossed $9.3 million; nearly $9 million more, a result that was beyond everyone's expectations.

On Saturday, "Leo the Great" grossed $21 million, an increase rather than a decrease; while "Pretty Girl and Wild Monster" grossed just over $7 million.

On Sunday, "Leo the Great" grossed $23 million, rising again; while "Pretty Girl and Wild Monster" grossed $5 million.

On its opening weekend, "Kimba the White Lion" grossed $62 million in North America, and $78 million including preview screenings.

It beat "Pretty Girl and Wild Monster" to become the undisputed box office champion of the summer; at the same time, it also became a great start to the summer.

The first box office champion was born. When the news reached the Shanghai Animation Film Studio, they were speechless with astonishment. Eight days, seventy-eight million US dollars...

"Holy crap!"

Although they were all cultured people, it did not prevent them from expressing their feelings. This matter also attracted the attention of relevant management departments in Shanghai. They also learned from some channels that Shanghai-America had produced a movie that grossed $78 million at the North American box office.

"Hey, how much did we charge back then?"

A leader asked his secretary, who naturally had a good memory, with some curiosity. He immediately replied, "It was six million US dollars..."

As the leader's secretary, she also shared some interesting anecdotes about the production of the animated film, including the amusing story of how $50,000 turned into $5 million.

The leader nodded to indicate that he understood, and then said, "This one about Shanghai-America and North America..."

"global."

"Yes, this global company is very good. We should strengthen cooperation in the future and promote the best things from China." After thinking for a moment, the leader added, "Shanghai-America has made contributions and should be given more support."

The Shanghai American Film Factory has been doing well lately. The city allocated them a piece of land to build employee welfare housing and also gave them bonuses... They've been doing very well recently. In addition to the Shanghai American Film Factory, other brother units that had provided support were also proud and included the movie in their external publicity.

The capital city also received the news and wanted to bring it over.

"This is a difficult situation. They offered six million US dollars back then, and now they want to buy it and put it there. I'm afraid they'll ask for an even higher price, right?"

When the news reached Shanghai-based American Film Institute, they hoped that Shanghai-based American Film Institute could act as a go-between to allow Universal Pictures to screen the film in mainland China.

"This might be a bit difficult! But isn't that person over here? We can ask him for help."

The person they were talking about was Zhang San; Zhang San was still in Shanghai, and it was already evening when he received the news.

"Xiao Fen, you mean they want to import 'Kimba the White Lion' for release in mainland China?" Zhang San thought for a moment. It was released in mainland China in 1995, a year later, but the box office reached 40 million RMB.

"Let's talk about it tomorrow."

At 10 a.m. the next day, Zhang San met with the people from Shanghai Animation Film Studio and talked about importing the film. After all, Shanghai Animation Film Studio was the producer of the film. Therefore, Zhang San said, "It's possible, but given the situation in mainland China, it will be difficult to calculate the box office. So I have a suggestion: let's make each copy 10,000 yuan."

There is precedent for this. When Hong Kong films were released in mainland China, they were basically sold as copies. Initially, it was a revenue sharing arrangement, but for some reason, box office figures were difficult to track, so they switched to selling copies. However, this arrangement didn't last for more than a few years.

"Mr. Zhang, you are very righteous. I will report this matter to my superiors."

Upon receiving the news, the higher-ups were delighted, and both sides began discussing the number of copies to be made. In the end, they ordered five hundred copies, but these five hundred copies would be made by them on the mainland.

At that time, movie tickets in mainland China were very cheap, only 0.25 yuan each. This was unthinkable in North America. Even if everyone in mainland China watched the movies, it would only cost 300 million RMB, which is only 60 million USD, far from enough.

Moreover, box office figures are difficult to track here, and not everyone watches them. Generally, the trend starts in big cities, then moves to surrounding smaller cities, and finally to rural areas.

These 500 copies will probably take more than a year before they can be shown for free in the countryside; Zhang San contacted Robert and told him his idea.

"Robert, although the mainland's economy is not as good as North America's now, its potential should not be underestimated in the long run. We should develop this market in advance."

"Send someone here to sign the contract, and bring a copy with them."

As the owner of MCA, is it okay for you to make this decision? Even if the company disagrees, the boss agrees! What, are you trying to rebel and sue me?

One reason why Hollywood looked down on the Chinese market back then was that ticket prices were too cheap.

Now, I'm giving away benefits myself. 500 million RMB may not seem like much, but it's still a small amount. Plus, I've made good connections with them. Isn't that wonderful?

Zhang San's considerations spanned decades, but Robert surprisingly said, "In the early years, Tissney also cooperated with the mainland, but was dealt a blow by some events..."