Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 153 Return the favor

Wow~
The media was in an uproar.

The box office has exceeded 100 million, which is already a great affirmation. How can it exceed the box office of "The Shallows"?

You know, "The Shallows" is now the annual box office champion.

Doesn’t that mean that “A World Without Thieves” will become the annual box office champion?

"Thank you Director Zhang Chen for your bold prediction of the box office of A World Without Thieves. Of course, I also hope that the more the better..."

Feng Xiaogang bowed and expressed his gratitude, feeling that it was the right decision to invite Zhang Chen today.

What is propaganda? Propaganda is when the words are shocking.

Zhang Chen is helping to promote "A World Without Thieves".

Because he is not the producer, he is also the current annual box office champion, so the effect he said is better than what Feng Xiaogang said himself.

Zhang Chen smiled but did not sit down. Instead, he said to Feng Xiaogang, "Director Feng, how about we make a bet?"

Feng Xiaogang was a little unable to adapt to Zhang Chen's unconventional tactics, and it seemed that he had completely taken control of the initiative of the premiere.

He first looked at Zhang Guoli in the audience, as if to ask, "Did you arrange all this?"
Zhang Guoli shook his head.

Feng Xiaogang looked at Zhang Chen again. This kid was acting on his own.

But now it’s the premiere, and Feng Xiaogang can’t refuse.

"What does Director Zhang want to bet on?"

"Let's bet on whether the box office of A World Without Thieves can exceed 100 million! If it does, Director Feng, please let me play a cameo role in my next film. If it doesn't, I'll be your assistant director for free in Director Feng's next film."

At this moment, Feng Xiaogang even began to doubt Zhang Chen's motives for doing this.

It feels like Naked is helping him promote the movie, and is actively helping to find topics.

But why did Zhang Chen do this?
That’s not all. Zhang Chen added, “Oh, by the way, I promise to keep my word. If I lose, I will really be your assistant director. I will never be like Zhou Xingxing…”

Zhang Chen's obvious words immediately aroused the curiosity of the media.

The host was also sensible and immediately asked, "Director Feng, what kind of Zhou Xingxing is Director Zhang talking about?"

At this moment, Feng Xiaogang wanted to give Zhang Chen a thumbs up.

Zhou Xingxing broke his promise, which was a hype point he had planned, but he just had no idea how to detonate it. Unexpectedly, Zhang Chen helped him detonate it.

It's just a living Bodhisattva~
"Okay, Director Zhang Chen, I'll make this bet with you..."

Feng Xiaogang's acting skills are not bad. At this time, he has fully understood that Zhang Chen is praising him, so he immediately cooperates.

Then he looked at the host next to him with a helpless expression and said, "Originally I didn't want to talk about this, but since Director Zhang has already said it, I will explain it to you.

Here's the thing. At the beginning of the year, Stephen Chow and I had a verbal agreement that we would each make a cameo appearance in each other's movies.

Then in July, I flew to Hong Kong and played the role of the leader of the Axe Gang in Kung Fu. When I asked Stephen Chow to come and play a cameo role for me in A World Without Thieves, he said his schedule was not suitable and refused to cooperate...

That's actually what happened. I think what Master Xing did was inappropriate. Everyone agreed, and I kept my promise. But when it comes to you, it doesn't count. To use the words of people in Beijing, Master Xing's behavior is not fair enough."

Feng Xiaogang did not comment further, but his meaning was very clear.

Zhang Chen didn't say anything this time and sat down calmly.

Of course, he did not do this for the sake of licking his own wounds. He was already a billion-dollar director. Although he had little experience, his box office was high enough to be on par with Feng Xiaogang.

The reason for doing this is simply to repay a favor.

Feng Xiaogang led the core members of the Beijing circle to take sides during the war of words. Although they did not take sides at the first time, it was still a favor.

All debts of favor must be repaid.

Zhang Chen is just returning the favor.

Wow~
The media was once again in an uproar, with many people raising their hands to ask questions.

Feng Xiaogang looked at the turbulent scene and said loudly, "Sorry, everyone. Today is the press conference for A World Without Thieves. We won't discuss the guest appearances here. I will only answer questions related to A World Without Thieves."

After he said this, many raised hands were put down, but some people still persisted.

Feng Xiaogang pointed to one, and the other party immediately asked, "Director Feng, do you think that if Stephen Chow doesn't guest-star in your movie, will it have an impact on the final box office of A World Without Thieves?"

Upon hearing this question, the other reporters reacted immediately.

Why didn't we think of asking this?
The organizer only said that they would not discuss each other's guest appearances, but only "A World Without Thieves", so wouldn't it be enough to combine the two issues?

Feng Xiaogang didn't expect the other party to be so cunning, but the words had already been spoken, so he could only answer: "Of course not, Director Zhang Chen is a billionaire director. He just praised "A World Without Thieves" so much, so I am naturally full of confidence."

Feng Xiaogang thought that since Zhang Chen was so cooperative today, it should be okay to borrow his name again.

The premiere reached its climax with a series of cool moves by Zhang Chen, and the effect was very good. Even Dong Jianqiang later told him that the effect of such publicity was simply too good.

His actions increased the exposure of "A World Without Thieves" a lot, which might be worth 10 or 20 million yuan in box office revenue if converted into box office revenue.

After the premiere, the organizer arranged a thank-you banquet.

Zhang Chen wanted to go to the bathroom, and when he was passing a corridor, a room suddenly opened, and a small hand pulled him in.

"Sister Lotus, woo woo~"

……

In the hall, Fan Jiuyi looked everywhere for Zhang Chen, but to no avail.

Then she started to think in reverse, looking for Li Lianhua's trace, but also to no avail. It's over~
At this moment, Sister Jiuyi was 90% sure that Zhang Chen had fallen into the hands of that old witch.

Sure enough, not long after, two people were seen walking out of a corridor, one in front and one behind.

She was about to go forward to ask, but Feng Xiaogang approached Zhang Chen first: "Director Zhang, thank you so much for today. Your operation has saved us a lot of trouble."

"Director Feng, you are so polite. I am just returning the favor. Director Feng helped me so much some time ago. I have always remembered this favor. Today I finally found a chance to repay you."

"Haha, Director Zhang, don't leave in a hurry. There will be an internal private party later. We are all family members. Come along~"

At this time, Feng Xiaogang had already regarded Zhang Chen as his younger brother and was ready to introduce some friends in his small circle to him.

Zhang Chen had no objection.

It is common practice to hold a thank-you reception after the premiere, the main purpose of which is to provide a venue for the organizers to connect with the guests who came to support the event.

Feng Xiaogang and Zhang Guoli walked around the venue with wine glasses in hand, taking care of everyone, and then appeared in a private room.

"I won't introduce you, we all know each other~"

Indeed, I know them all.

Zhang Guoli, Feng Xiaogang, He Bing, Ge Daye, Zhang Hanyu...

All together, there are no more than 10 people, which is considered Feng Xiaogang's own small circle.

"Director Zhang, I really want to thank you for helping promote the movie today..."

Feng Xiaogang raised his glass, and Zhang Chen also raised his and clinked his glass, "Don't call me Director Zhang anymore, just call me Zhang Chen."

"Okay, Zhang Chen, let's go~"

Everyone drank it all.

"Zhang Chen, do you really think that 'A World Without Thieves' can make over 100 million yuan at the box office?" The person who asked this question was Zhang Guoli.

After tonight's actions, they were a little unsure whether Zhang Chen really thought highly of this movie or was just praising it during the promotion.

"Of course it's true. Although what I said tonight was propaganda, it's not fake at all."

Even Feng Xiaogang was a little surprised.

He thought Zhang Chen was just like him, just talking nonsense when promoting the movie.

"Everyone, don't you know the quality of A World Without Thieves? What I said is not flattery, but my true thoughts.

It brings together a group of the best actors, the film has just the right pace, and the subject matter is novel. If such a movie cannot make over 100 million yuan, then what kind of movie can make over 100 million yuan?

Of course, it may be a little difficult to surpass The Shallows, and you have to be careful about the smear campaign from your competitors..."

"You mean Stephen Chow's Kung Fu?"

Zhang Chen nodded.

"How else can he criticize us? At most he can criticize Liu Nai Cha's acting skills..." Zhang Guoli obviously also knew that Liu Nai Cha was the shortcoming of this movie.

If I had to say who the only actor with poor acting skills is, it would probably be Liu Nai Cha.

Zhang Chen shook his head: "If I want to criticize A World Without Thieves, I will focus on one point - the values ​​promoted by A World Without Thieves are wrong."

Seeing everyone confused, Zhang Chen explained: "The hero and heroine of the story of "A World Without Thieves" are a pair of thieves. What you want to express is that a prodigal son who returns is worth more than gold, or that it is the deeds that count, not the heart, right?"

Seeing everyone nod, Zhang Chen said: "But I don't care about that, I just want to know their identities.

No matter what Wang Bo and his wife did, they were thieves. Can the good things he did now make up for the bad things he did in the past?
Merits are merits, faults are faults, do you understand?
I insist that "A World Without Thieves" and "Young and Dangerous" use the same routine.

The plot of Young and Dangerous is very simple. What are Chen Haonan and his gang? They are gangsters. Are they good people? They collect protection fees and fight for territory every day. Can they be good people?
But how to portray them as positive characters? It’s simple, just find a group of even worse people to be villains.

In this way, the actions of Chen Haonan and others will appear just, and the audience will view them as good people without any guilt when watching the show.

Because everyone’s values ​​are actually very simple. Anyone who is bullied by bad people must be a good person.

The same logic goes for "A World Without Thieves". Wang Bo and his wife are thieves. Even if they are ready to stop, they are still thieves. They are still thieves even if they protect Sha Gen. This identity will never change.

It's just that they encountered a group of worse thieves, which made them seem to be on the righteous side.

I wrote a letter to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, asking them why Young and Dangerous was banned but A World Without Thieves was released openly, using the same tactics.

After Zhang Chen finished speaking, the private room suddenly became quiet.

Everyone, look at me and I look at you.

Feng Xiaogang smacked his lips and looked at Zhang Chen in disbelief:

"I'm so glad I didn't become your rival. If A World Without Thieves collided with The Shallows instead of Kung Fu Hustle, I would have been vilified by you~"

"Yes, fortunately, 'The Shallows' didn't choose the Lunar New Year holiday." Zhang Guoli also echoed.

He Bing went even further: "And the incident of reporting Bigstar a while ago, what's wrong with your brain? How can you come up with all kinds of crooked tricks..."

The atmosphere seemed a little awkward for a moment.

Zhang Guoli immediately tried to smooth things over: "He Bing didn't mean that. He just wanted to express his admiration..."

He Bing also reacted and agreed, "Yes, I just wanted to express my admiration, nothing else."

After the meal, Zhang Chen seemed to have become one of our own.

Zhang Guoli wanted to do it again, but Zhang Chen begged for mercy: "Uncle Guoli, I really can't do it. I have to catch a plane to the United States tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)