Entertainment Rebirth Rhapsody

Chapter 472: The Big Winner in Life
After shaking hands with Joss Whedon and exchanging a few pleasantries, Bruckheimer walked up with Robert Iger and Kevin Feige.

The old rogue raised his eyebrows proudly at Shanhe, winked at him, and said with a smile:
"Qiu, you are so proud. No one else can make the two big Hollywood CEOs stand there and wait for half an hour!"

Shanhe rolled his eyes at the old rogue, smiled and shook hands with Robert Iger and Kevin Feige, and asked knowingly:
"Robert, Kevin, how come you two busy guys have time to come to Memphis to visit the studio?"

Robert Iger shook Shanhe's hand and replied with a smile:
"There's nothing we can do. As Disney's largest individual shareholder, you've been absent from the board of directors, so we had no choice but to come to you!"

Kevin Feige also smiled and continued:
"Qiu, I've always wanted to have a good talk with you, but I never found the opportunity. This time I came uninvited!"

"Haha...Okay, I'll treat you tonight. I know a good restaurant in Memphis. Wait for me for a while while I tell the crew!"

"OK!"

"Then we won't be polite!"

...

At this time, Heath Ledger and Will Smith calmed down and came forward to greet several Hollywood power figures.

A few minutes later, Shanhe and Bruckheimer got into the car with three Hollywood bigwigs and left the filming site.

Watching the car going away, Will Smith nudged Heath Ledger with his elbow and gossiped:
"It's the first time I've seen two powerful Hollywood figures come to visit the set together!"

"Haha...Qiu is the boss, he's a bigger shot than them all!"

"Fuck, I forgot about this after working with him every day. Why do you think they came to see Qiu?"

"I don't know!"

Heath Ledger smiled and responded,
“But it’s definitely related to the Avengers series.”

"Wouldn't Disney and Marvel want Yau to take over the Marvel Universe?"

"Will, you don't understand me!"

Heath Ledger shook his head and replied,
"No matter what conditions Robert and Kevin offer, Qiu will not accept the comic universe!"

"why?"

Will Smith asked in confusion,

"If Qiu takes over the Avengers series, a global box office of 2 billion US dollars will not be a difficult task for him. Just do the math, Qiu's income will be extremely terrifying by then, and the profit share alone will be over 200 million!"

"Hehe... Is Qiu short of money? The last thing he cares about is money!"

Heath Ledger smiled and said with emotion,
"Will, do you know what conditions Warner and DC Comics offered to Qiu in order to get him to join?"

Will Smith asked curiously:

"What conditions?"

"I heard from Jerry that Qiu can get a considerable number of shares in DC Comics without spending a penny, and he can get screenwriter's share for every movie he participates in writing. If he directs the movie, the basic box office share can be as high as 20%!"

"Fuck, no one can refuse this offer, right?"

"Qiu refused without hesitation!"

"What the fuck! Qiu is an incredible person. This is billions of dollars in income. I really don't understand what he is thinking!"

"It's simple. Qiu doesn't like the comic book universe. He thinks superheroes are shit. There's no logic at all. It's all bullshit!"

"Haha...everyone in the Hollywood Vanity Fair world is talking nonsense. Look at those big shots, they all say one thing on the surface, but another thing in private!"

"Qiu hasn't changed much. He's different from everyone else, that's why he's so successful!"

"That's right, he is the most self-disciplined big shot I have ever met!"

...

On the other side, Shanhe had a pleasant dinner with several Hollywood power players. In the first half of the dinner, the topic of the group revolved around the explosive development of the Chinese film market and the cooperation between Disney and Chuhe Films. They did not talk about anything related to the Marvel Universe. It was not until the dinner was over and the dessert was served that Robert Iger pointed out the focus of this visit.
"Qiu, the release result of Avengers 2 is far from our expectations. Disney has discussed and summarized it several times. The key reason is the inadequacy of the script. We came to you this time for the follow-up Avengers 3. This series is the main line of the entire Marvel Universe. There can't be any more accidents. We need your help!"

Shanhe picked up the napkin, wiped the corners of his mouth, and replied calmly:
"Robert, I'm Chinese. I don't have the comics passion that you M people have, so I've never been involved in Marvel Universe projects. I don't pay much attention to superhero movies, so I probably can't help much. Isn't it a bit counterintuitive for you to come to me?"

"you are too humble."

Kevin Feige said,

"Qiu, I have read all your novels and movies. Your talent and creativity are amazing, and you have unparalleled control over emotions, which is exactly what the Marvel Universe lacks. Film adaptation is your strong point, and no one in the world can match you. You are the best person to bring changes to Avengers. We need a story that is both logical in comics and creative!"

Shanhe smiled and still declined:
"Haha... Kevin, you think too much of me. I'm not omnipotent. Successful adaptation is based on understanding and experience. Inspiration and creativity come from love and recognition. I don't have any of these when it comes to the Marvel Universe!"

"There's no rush for this. Qiu, you're a shareholder of Disney, so don't rush to refuse."

Bruckheimer saw that Shanhe was about to reach a dead end, so he winked at Shanhe and said:
"Robert, Kevin, you have to give Qiu some time. He is not God. It is impossible for him to figure everything out at once!"

"Jerry is right, there's no rush!"

Robert Iger responded with a smile:
"In a few days, I will send the plan of the entire Marvel Universe to your email. Qiu, take a look first. If you have any requirements, you can tell me directly."

Shanhe nodded reluctantly, "Okay, I'll take a look first. As for the rest, I can't guarantee it!"

Kevin Feige raised his glass and responded with a smile:
"Qiu, we need your advice and help, which is vital to Disney and Marvel!"

Bruckheimer smiled and chimed in:

"I never doubted Yau's talent!"

Shanhe glanced at the old rogue. This old guy was really cunning. He had earned favors from both sides.

"Let's see and then talk!"

...

At the end of June, "Operation Mekong" ended all overseas releases except for the one in China where it is still postponed.

The domestic box office is approaching 4.5 billion RMB, and the global box office of 1.4 billion US dollars has amazed the world!

From the box office alone, Chuhe Film and Television and China Film Group each reaped a profit of nearly 100 million US dollars. Even Golden Shield Film and Television, which invested a small amount, earned nearly 100 million US dollars. It can be said that they made a lot of money and were rich. There is still a lot of follow-up income, such as online copyright, disc rental and distribution, peripheral income, etc.

It is no exaggeration to say that one movie produced by Shanhe is enough to support a large film and television company, making film and television companies around the world envious to the extreme.

"Avengers 2", which cost the Marvel Universe a huge amount of money, has also completed its journey of global screening. In comparison, its performance is somewhat unsatisfactory. The data of million US dollars in North America and barely breaking billion US dollars in the global box office made Disney and Marvel very embarrassed.

This was a project with a production investment of over 300 million and a total investment of nearly 400 million U.S. dollars. The box office of 1.2 billion U.S. dollars was not even enough to fully recover all the costs. Although this project cannot be considered a failure, it is certainly not a success either.

Disney and Marvel are increasingly eager to get Shanhe to help with the project. Since their last visit, Robert Iger and Kevin Feige have called Shanhe from time to time, and their words imply that they want Shanhe to give some suggestions to the Marvel Universe.

After Shanhe read the information given to him by Robert Iger, he roughly recalled the results of the third phase of the Marvel Universe. To be honest, the Marvel Universe could wreak havoc and sweep the world without Shanhe's help.

Films such as "Captain America 3", "Ant-Man", "Doctor Strange", "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" and so on have all achieved impressive global box office. Looking at this plan list for the Marvel Universe, Shanhe couldn't help feeling a little bitter.

In his opinion, superhero movies are really boring and are nothing more than popcorn movies lacking logic. Their repeated success is largely due to the global hegemony of the United States, the global influence of Hollywood, and the production and distribution foundation of North American films.

If Chinese-language films want to compete with Hollywood, it will not only require a long period of accumulation, but also the rise and prosperity of the country. This is not a status quo that can be completely changed by one person or one company. After more than ten years of hard work, there are still many difficulties ahead, and China still has a long way to go!
Shanhe shook his head, shook off the inexplicable emotion, and opened the "Avengers 3" folder on the computer screen. There was only a comic "Infinity Gauntlet" and a character image of the villain boss Thanos.

Shanhe had actually watched "Avengers 3: Infinity War" in his previous life. Although he did not have a very deep impression, he could retell the general plot and it is not impossible to copy it out. Speaking of which, the big boss Thanos in "Avengers 3" still has some style. He is a very charming and idealistic villain. The plot of "Avengers 3" is much better than that of "Avengers 2", and its box office performance is not bad. It seems to have exceeded billion US dollars worldwide. What Bruckheimer said is right, it's not bad to make some extra money!
In early July, after nearly three months of filming, "Green Book" reached its wrap-up moment. Without Shanhe's explicit instructions, Bruckheimer had already arranged the wrap-up party according to Shanhe's habit.

After spending a lively night with the crew, Shanhe boarded a flight to Italy the next day. He will accompany his wife to complete the location shooting of "Wonder Woman" on the paradise island on the Mediterranean coast, and then return to Beijing together.

During the few days he accompanied his wife on the filming at Paradise Island, he fully experienced the daily work of an average Hollywood director.

The director of "Wonder Woman" is female director Patty Jenkins. This person is no unknown person. More than ten years ago, she wrote and directed "Monster", which made Charlize Theron win the Oscar for Best Actress. However, her fame and qualifications are not enough to shake the two major Hollywood capitals of Warner and DC Comics.

In Shanhe's opinion, the shooting scene was completely controlled by producer Charles Roven, and director Patty Jenkins was just a tool who was locked within the scope of the script. Even changing a few lines had to get permission from the producer. Her rights were not even as great as those of the leading actress Anne Hathaway.

Since Shanhe entered the film and television industry, all projects have been based on his ideas. Not to mention Shanhe, even the rookie directors in China have more say than the director of "Wonder Woman". This is the first time Shanhe has seen such a frustrated director, and he can't help but sigh, but Hathaway is not surprised.
"My dear, this is the real job of most Hollywood directors. Hollywood is different from China. Here, the producer is responsible for the work. You can't compare your experience with others. That's unfair to others!"

"Okay, now I understand why Hollywood movies always follow a routine. The director has no room to play in the film."

Hathaway hugged her husband and smiled.

"Haha... honey, don't you always say that execution is more important than creativity in commercial films? If you want to express yourself, then go make independent films. If you want to have greater power, then you must first prove your ability and have greater fame, like you and Nolan."

Hathaway is right. The producer responsibility system in Hollywood does guarantee the execution of the project to the greatest extent possible and reduces the risk of film failure to a certain extent, but the disadvantages are equally huge.

The producer responsibility system has stifled the talents of most directors and teams. Even commercial films are a kind of cultural product, which is completely different from industrial products. Without talent and creativity, the entire film industry will face decline.

It is hard to judge which is better. In comparison, Shanhe still prefers the domestic production method. His literary sentiment cannot bear to see a director become a production machine.
Shanhe shook his head and changed the subject with his wife.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. When will Wonder Woman be finished?"

Hathaway leaned in her husband's arms and replied with a little melancholy:

"It should be another month. We have traveled almost all over Europe in the past two months. After the location shooting is completed, the green screen shooting in the studio will take some time. I can only stay at home for a few days before I have to go back to Warner's studio to continue shooting."

"it does not matter!"

Shanhe patted his wife on the back and responded with a smile,
"Don't you video chat with the children every day? You also stayed at home with them for a few days last month. A month has passed quickly."

"That's all I can think of, Qiu. I don't want to be so busy anymore. I just want to watch the kids grow up!"

"You decide for yourself. I support your decision!"

...

A few days later, the "Little Kitty" landed at Beijing International Airport, and the Shanhe couple returned to their warm home and to their children.

The little bear Qiu Yanche is already three and a half weeks old. After spending a few months in kindergarten, he has become more active than before. He is like a naughty child with a million questions. He really misses his parents. As soon as he sees Shanhe and Hathaway, he will cling to them and even hug his mother when he sleeps.

The younger sister Qiu Yanhui is also ten months old. Compared with her brother, she is much more shy. It took Shanhe and his wife a whole day to make her familiar with strangers.

Carrying his happy and noisy son on his shoulders, holding his babbling daughter, and watching the elders chatting with his wife, Shanhe was extremely satisfied. At this moment, he fully experienced the feeling of being a winner in life.

(End of this chapter)