Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 302: "Hurricane" Premiere
The North American rights to Taken were sold to 2000th Century Fox for $20 million

As soon as the contract was signed, Zhang Chen released the news.

He is not afraid that 20th Century Fox will use shady tactics like Miramax did.

In the previous life, Miramax had cheated many Chinese companies. They signed a contract with him at a high price at a film festival and then broke the contract. By that time, the film festival had already ended and the producers couldn't find other buyers, so they could only sell it to him at a low price.

Zhang Chen was not afraid that 20th Century would do the same, as there was still the Toronto Film Festival to come, and the payment deadline was stipulated in the contract terms.

Selling the North American copyright is the best advertisement. After 20th Century Fox, film producers from other regions came to the door one after another.

In the end, Europe sold a total of 600 million US dollars, Japan and South Korea sold a total of 500 million, and Southeast Asia sold negligible amounts.

The overseas copyrights totaled more than 3000 million US dollars, which did not exceed "Hero", but was also very good.

When the news reached the country, it caused a stir.

"Taken" has become a hit even though it hasn't even been released yet.

Everyone wants to see what this action movie that amazed foreigners is like.

Han Sanping of China Film Group Corporation is in high spirits these days. Not only China Film Group Corporation, but also several investors of "Hurricane" are all smiling.

3000 million US dollars, converted into RMB, is at least 2.4 million. This is not box office revenue, so there is no need to split the profits.

This means that "Hurricane" has not only recovered its costs before it was released, but also earned 1.2 million.

Not to mention Zhang Chen’s movies, the domestic box office starts at at least 100 million, which is all pure profit.

While some companies were celebrating, other film and television companies were feeling jealous.

At Orange Sky Entertainment, Rainie Wu was recently finalizing the "Red Cliff" project with Wu Kebo, and his face darkened when he heard the news.

Zhang Chen previously vowed that he would use "Taken" to teach him how to shoot a spy movie. Now that "Taken" is so popular, isn't that a slap in the face of Rainie Wu?
"Director Wu, who do you think is more suitable to play the role of Sun Shangxiang?" Wu Kebo immediately signaled his assistant to turn off the TV and change the subject.

Wu Yusen pretended not to know: "Zhao Yanzi, invite him first. Not only him, we want to make this drama a classic, the more stars the better. In addition to those main roles, you can invite the rest to audition..."

He had already made a plan in mind, "By the way, there's no need to audition for the role of Xiao Qiao, the one I brought with me, Lin Chi-Lin, is pretty good~"

Wu Kebo flattered: "Of course, Director Wu's vision, I still trust it..."

……

mid-September
After Zhang Chen and others returned from Venice, the publicity efforts for "Taken" immediately reached a new level.

Subway stations, bus stops, airports, shopping malls, large shopping centers, and movie theaters - there are posters of "Taken" everywhere.

Dong Jianqiang released the second trailer, which is still very exciting~
In Zhang Chen’s movies, he himself has always been the biggest selling point.

Zhang Chen took a group of main creators to travel between various cities to promote the movie. Wherever they went, fans were very enthusiastic.

This is actually equivalent to bringing the roadshow forward.

Signing autographs, taking photos, attending events, appearing on TV shows...

Xingchen Entertainment and Bona are competing for various media resources because "The Myth" is about to be released on the 23rd, a week earlier than "Taken".

On the 21st, "The Myth" held a grand premiere at the Great Hall of the People.

Jackie Chan, Stanley Tong, Kim Hee Sun, Alex Leung and Shao Bing attended the event, and this blockbuster production, which is said to have cost 160 million Hong Kong dollars, finally met with movie fans.

According to media reports, the premiere alone cost 3900 million.

It's really bullshit.

This bad habit was started by Zhang Weiping. When "House of Flying Daggers" was released, a compilation concert was held, which was said to have cost 2000 million yuan. After that, everyone liked to exaggerate the cost of the released blockbusters.

It’s like if you don’t make tens of millions at the premiere of a blockbuster, you’d be embarrassed to call it a blockbuster.

The premiere was grand, with some Korean reporters coming specifically to interview. I don’t know if they came for Kim Hee Sun or Jackie Chan.

During this period, someone interviewed Liang Jiahui and asked him whether he was optimistic about "The Myth" or "Taken".

Liang Jiahui is an old hand, how could he fall into such a trap?

"The two films are of different genres, but both are good movies. If possible, I hope everyone will watch them. I guarantee that they will give you a different experience."

The media failed to stir up trouble and wanted to continue, but was immediately interrupted by the host.

Are you kidding? You mentioned "Taken" at the premiere of "The Myth". Dude, are you here to ruin our show?

The next day, there were overwhelming reports about "The Myth". After all, it was Jackie Chan's transformational work. Who has ever seen what Big Brother looks like in armor? Watch "The Myth" and you will see it.

The competition for media resources between the two films has reached a fever pitch recently, and the premiere will undoubtedly bring a wave of popularity to "The Myth".

But Dong Jianqiang is not in a hurry because the premiere of "Taken" is about to be held.

September 9, Workers Stadium
Dong Jianqiang was not very satisfied with the venue of the premiere, feeling that it was overshadowed by "The Myth".

But "The Myth" was shown in the Great Hall of the People, and "Hurricane" could not also be shown in the Great Hall of the People, so it had to settle for the next best option.

Zhang Chen had no doubt that if the Bird's Nest was built at this time, Dong Jianqiang would choose the Bird's Nest without hesitation.

A recognized stadium in Beijing, it is not as good as the Great Hall of the People in terms of level, but it far surpasses the latter in terms of space.

With tens of thousands of spectators in the stadium, it doesn't seem crowded at all.

A group of leaders who had just attended the premiere of "The Myth" a few days ago attended again. They didn't even leave after the previous premiere.

A lot of leaders from China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, and Xi'an Film Group came.
There are quite a few celebrities, dozens of them.

In addition to the main creators such as Tony Leung, Chen Daoming, and Xu Qing, many other actors also came. Fan Binbin, Zhang Guoli, Ning Hao, and the main creators who became famous because of "Stone" - Huang Bo, Xia Yu, Xu Zheng...

In addition, the stars under Hua Jie, Chang Jihong, Li Xiaowan, and Hong Kong Emperor Entertainment Group...

It's really star-studded...

Since entering the venue, the reporters' flash cameras have never stopped.

Dong Jianqiang was very satisfied with the on-site effect. He said that anything was fine as long as it was not worse than the premiere of "The Myth".

Now it seems that Gongti may have a better effect.

Zhang Chen talked about the birth process of "Taken" on stage: "At that time, the Hong Kong media slandered Ning Hao. I stood up to say a few fair words for Ning Hao, and immediately someone attacked me, saying that I only know how to make horror movies, that I am young and not experienced enough, and that I said "Hancheng Raiders" was not good because I don't understand spy movies...

This is unbearable, so I said at the time, I will make a spy film to teach you big directors what a spy film is. Haha, I actually sent an invitation to director Wu Yusen for today’s premiere, but he didn’t come…”

Zhang Chen on the stage had no taboos at all and just said whatever he wanted to say.
When the audience heard that Wu Yusen did not come, they immediately burst into laughter.

They like to watch Zhang Chen confront others the most. Just this sentence makes it worth coming here today.

The reporters were even more excited and recorded the whole scene. It can be said that Zhang Chen is a good friend of us reporters and provides us with materials all the time.

Only a few leaders in the guest seats looked at each other and shook their heads slightly.

People of their age are not used to this kind of confrontation, but they also know that Zhang Chen is just like that.

He is known as the most trouble-making person in the entertainment industry, no doubt about it!

Han Sanping didn't care at all and watched Zhang Chen speak happily.

The "Red Cliff" project, a collaboration between Orange Sky Entertainment and Rainie Wu, actually had no intention of involving China Film Group.

This guy wants to eat alone.

Although Zhang Chen had reminded him before that Cheng Tian’s “Red Cliff” was a big pit and it was best not to join.

But I think you can choose not to join, but you can't not invite.

Of course, some people wanted to stir up trouble: "Excuse me, The Myth also held its premiere a few days ago. The two movies are both in the 11th slot. Is there any competition between them?"

Of course Zhang Chen knew what the other party wanted to do. If it was someone else, Zhang Chen wouldn't care whether he created hatred or not, but for Cheng Long, there was no need to do that.

After all, they went to support the film in Venice. The fact that Taken was able to gain popularity so quickly in Venice had something to do with them. It was a favor.

“Competition? There is no competition.

"The Myth" and "Taken" are two different types of films and there is no competition between them.

Moreover, Mr. Liang Jiahui and Mr. Cheng Long are very good friends. Mr. Liang Jiahui participated in both works. This is more like a game between their friends.

"The Myth" is Mr. Cheng Long's transitional work. Before this, Cheng Long had never filmed a costume film.

"Taken" is also a transitional work for Liang Jiahui. He basically never took action films before, let alone this type.

We all transform together, and of course we want to witness each other’s transformation together, isn’t that great?”

Zhang Chen was talking nonsense in a serious tone. They had discussed this with Cheng Long in advance.

Someone will definitely ask this, so everyone should answer this way to avoid media hype.

"Excuse me, why did you choose the subject of human trafficking?"

Someone asked other questions and the previous question was revealed.

This time Zhang Chen's expression became serious: "Because I hope the whole world will pay attention to this issue. The issue of the sale of women and children is actually a very heavy topic. No one wants to talk about it, but it is real.

Has everyone watched the trailer?
The numbers in the trailer are not alarmist; they are taken from formal official reports.

I hope everyone can take him seriously. Besides, although there are some exaggerations in the movie, many of the plots are based on prototypes.

We don’t feel it because the country protects us too well. Abroad, it’s not peaceful. There are many dirty and cramped places that we can’t see. So I hope that when you travel, especially young women, you must pay attention...”

Zhang Chen didn't dare to say too much, as saying too much might easily arouse the resentment of relevant departments.

He originally wanted to extend the topic to a domestic work, such as "Lost and Love", but after thinking it over he gave up.

With the precedent of "The Accidental Murderer", saying too much could easily put Xingchen Entertainment in trouble again.

The atmosphere was too heavy, and someone immediately asked, "May I ask, why is Liang Jiahui the protagonist? I heard that Cheng Long had recommended himself..."

This question successfully attracted everyone's attention. Zhang Chen smiled and said, "Why? The reason is very simple, because Mr. Liang Jiahui is my favorite actor, no doubt about it."

Hearing Zhang Chen say this, the audience immediately responded with a loud "wow".

"As for the fact that Cheng Long recommended himself, it did happen. When I sent the script to Mr. Liang Jiahui, Cheng Long happened to be with him. He read the script and was very interested. He accompanied me to the audition.

But my brother's screen image is quite different from this drama, so it was not suitable. Therefore, the cooperation was not successful in the end. As for why it was not suitable, I believe you will understand it after watching the finished film. "

Initially, Zhang Chen denied that Cheng Long recommended himself, after all, it seemed like he was just trying to ride on someone else's popularity.

But later Cheng Long admitted it himself, so there was no need for Zhang Chen to cover up for him anymore.

At that time, Cheng Long probably thought that this was a work starring his good friend Liang Jiahui, and wanted to take the initiative to help increase its popularity.

I just didn't expect that it would become so popular in the end and even become a rival to my own "The Myth".

(End of this chapter)