Huayu: Starting from Fahrenheit

Chapter 421 The Eccentric Stephen Chow, Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons

Baidu's capitulation to the alliance is undoubtedly a very significant and inspiring event for the entire industry.

There is no other reason.

Baidu's capitulation represents a further step forward for the industry in promoting the legalization of digital music.

Many musicians will benefit from this.

This is especially good news for those whose economic situation has shrunk significantly in recent years due to industry contraction.

Because Baidu paid them copyright fees.

The rights protection alliance's resounding victory in its confrontation with Baidu has benefited many people.

Wu Zhuo was no exception.

Firstly, his reputation in the industry reached its peak at this time.

Previously, people respected him because he had broken into the international scene, was one of China's most popular singers, and was also one of the most bankable artists in the country.

Ultimately, everyone respects him because he's popular.

Now it's different. He has genuinely helped many people in the industry to plan and gain benefits, and everyone is grateful to him for this.

Reputation is sometimes useless, but at other times it is extremely important.

It really affects your standing in this industry.

Just like now.

Because of this incident, Wu Zhuo has become a leading figure among domestic musicians.

Several music awards invited Myung-Haku to serve as a judge during this period.

Meanwhile, some domestic music critics who were previously indifferent to him have changed their attitudes towards him drastically after this incident.

All the articles that used to mock and criticize him have disappeared.

Instead, articles praised his various deeds.

"Haha, this Ding Taisheng is hilarious, look at his articles."

In his villa in Beijing, Wu Zhuo was brainstorming ideas for next year's album, while Liu Shishi was surfing the internet.

Suddenly, she burst into laughter and called out to Wu Zhuo, "Come and see!"

When Wu Zhuo went over to take a look, he discovered that Ding Taisheng had published two completely different articles.

The previous article was full of sarcastic remarks about him, saying that his music was not sophisticated, but the next article turned him into the most talented person in the music industry, a superstar in China.

Wu Zhuo checked the publication dates of the two articles; one was from September, and the other was from recently.

Just by looking at him, Wu Zhuo knew that this guy was a fence-sitter.

However, the name Ding Taisheng sounds familiar.

After thinking for a while, Wu Zhuo finally remembered.

Isn't this guy Ding Taisheng from later generations, who went against his conscience and tried to ride the coattails of various trends just to become famous?

Judging from his current appearance, this guy doesn't seem to be doing very well.

"There are too many people like him online, just ignore him."

Wu Zhuo didn't want to pay any attention to this guy.

Music critic, to be honest, is the cheapest profession in the industry.

Even someone who knows absolutely nothing about music can become a music critic.

Ding Taisheng is essentially someone who couldn't make it in the music industry and had to choose a profession to earn a living.

Of course, there are also some great people among music critics.

However, those people are mostly big shots, and they generally don't make comments.

Unless, unless the money is in place...

"Stop looking at these things, you're making yourself stupid."

Wu Zhuo flicked her forehead.

"Ah, I was wrong, I was wrong..."

……

The morning sunlight streamed into the room through the gaps in the curtains, waking Wu Zhuo.

He sat up, glanced around the room, and immediately gave a wry smile.

The two of them tossed and turned for most of the night last night before finally falling into a deep sleep. It's already past 10 a.m. now.

Seeing that Liu Shishi was sleeping soundly, Wu Zhuo did not disturb her. After getting up and washing up, he went to the study.

He was just thinking about coming up with tracks for his new album when the phone rang.

Upon picking it up, I saw it was Chen Huiying.

Upon seeing that it was Chen Huiying, Wu Zhuo, who had initially not wanted to talk to her, quickly picked up the phone and answered.

Chen Huiying is now the head of Legendary Entertainment Agency, and she generally doesn't call herself.

Therefore, if she calls me, it's usually because she has something important to report.

"Sister Huiying, is there something you need?"

Wu Zhuo sat down on the sofa in the study.

"Didn't you tell me to keep an eye on Stephen Chow's activities? I've learned that he's preparing a Journey to the West project."

We are currently looking for partners.

As soon as Chen Huiying finished speaking on the other end of the phone, Wu Zhuo immediately perked up.

“I understand. Sister Huiying, please help me contact Stephen Chow, on behalf of Legendary Film Company.”

"Make sure you get a date with him before he gets involved with another company."

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

After hanging up the phone, Wu Zhuo lost interest in arranging the songs. He picked up the phone, intending to call Stephen Chow directly, but after thinking about it, he put the phone down.

He actually has Stephen Chow's phone number.

The two had met once before in Hong Kong and exchanged phone numbers.

But that meeting between the two was just an ordinary one.

If you really think about it, he has almost no relationship with Stephen Chow.

Calling directly to ask about "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" would be too presumptuous.

Yes, it's the "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" project.

As early as the beginning of the year, Wu Zhuo had heard from friends in Hong Kong that Stephen Chow was preparing a Journey to the West project.

He immediately took it to heart and asked Chen Huiying to keep an eye on it.

He originally thought the project wouldn't start until at least next year, but he didn't expect Stephen Chow to have already started preparing for it so soon.

But it’s normal to think about it.

Many movies may be released this year, but the preparation time may have been two years ago or even earlier.

Stephen Chow's projects are known for being slow, with preparation time typically taking one to two years.

Given that it was released in 2013, preparations for this year's release are normal.

Furthermore, putting aside Stephen Chow, even Legendary Pictures' own project, "Wolf Warrior," started preparations this year, but the release date is still uncertain...

After browsing through his phone, Wu Zhuo thought about which of his friends was on good terms with Stephen Chow and could ask him to help make connections.

But after flipping through it, he was speechless.

He discovered that none of his friends could help him.

It's not that his circle of friends is small.

His circle of friends is quite large, including people from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China; he knows a lot of people.

The reason no one helped him is that Stephen Chow is too aloof.

Ever since this guy fell out with the Xiang family over Shaolin Soccer, he's basically become a lone wolf.

In addition, his reclusive personality made him even fewer friends.

As for Andy Lau?

Don't be silly. Everyone thinks Andy Lau and he have a very good relationship, but smart people know that they are just nodding acquaintances.

Take a look at the next few Stephen Chow movies.

Which of his movies features those so-called big-name friends? Do you really think Stephen Chow didn't want to invite them for cameos?
It's not that he didn't want to invite them, it's just that their relationship was really bad.

After flipping through the phone book, Wu Zhuo had no choice but to call Stephen Chow himself.

I'll take the liberty, it's better than having Huayi Brothers snatch this project away.

beep...

The phone rang for a while, and just when Wu Zhuo thought no one would answer, the call was finally connected.

Stephen Chow's distinctive voice came through.
"Hello, who is it?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhuo's gaze turned somewhat strange. He remembered personally seeing that Stephen Chow had added his name to his contacts.

Now they're asking who it is? Has this guy deleted me?

Keeping this question to himself, Wu Zhuo smiled and spoke.

"Mr. Stephen Chow, this is Wu Zhuo. How have you been lately?"

"Wu Zhuo?" Stephen Chow on the other end of the phone seemed puzzled, and after a long pause, he said:

How did you get my phone number?

Wu Zhuo's lips twitched, but he still explained, "We exchanged phone numbers in Hong Kong last time, don't you remember?"

"Oh! Sorry, I got a new phone, I might have deleted you."

Stephen Chow seemed a little embarrassed, but he immediately asked again:

"Did you call for something? If not, I'll hang up now, I'm very busy."

Wu Zhuo: "..."

He finally understood why this guy was considered difficult to deal with.

"I heard that you have a new project, Mr. Stephen Chow?"

"Yes, but I don't hire actors from outside, and you're too expensive, I can't afford you."

Wu Zhuo was completely immune to the impatience in his tone and said:
"My purpose this time is not to act in your movie, but to invest in your project."

Stephen Chow, this project of yours should be mainly targeting the mainland market, right?

I happen to own a film and television company in mainland China, with well-established distribution channels. I think we can collaborate.

When Wu Zhuo mentioned investing, Stephen Chow seemed quite interested, but there was also a hint of doubt in his tone.

"This project of mine is not something that ordinary people can get involved in. My initial estimate is that the investment will be at least hundreds of millions. Can you participate?"

Furthermore, my targets are Huayi Brothers, Enlight Media, and Legendary Entertainment; other companies are not under my consideration.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhuo fell silent for a long while before speaking:
"Since Legendary Entertainment is among your targets, didn't you ever check who the owner of this company is?"

Stephen Chow on the other end of the phone didn't speak immediately, but instead asked the person next to him in a low voice, presumably his assistant.

Then Wu Zhuo heard a few whispered questions and answers.

Who is the owner of Legendary Movies?

"It's Wu Zhuo, that singer. Didn't you meet him last time? The young man you said was very handsome."

"Forehead……"

Stephen Chow seemed to realize that the person on the phone with him was the boss of Legendary Pictures. After a moment's pause, he spoke to Wu Zhuo on the other end of the line:

"Mr. Wu, let's arrange a time to meet! I'm in Beijing right now, when are you free?"

"I'm in Beijing right now. Let's meet at the Beijing Hotel!"

Wu Zhuo gave an address.

"Okay, see you in two hours."

After hanging up the phone, Wu Zhuo shook his head helplessly.

"Who are you talking to on the phone?"

Liu Shishi woke up at some point, yawning as she walked into the study.

"I had arranged to meet Stephen Chow to discuss a project, and we were supposed to meet in two hours."

I won't have breakfast with you.

Wu Zhuo rubbed her head, changed his clothes, and drove his latest Maserati straight to the Beijing Hotel.

Wu Zhuo let Xiao An handle the table reservation, while he went directly there.

He wasn't planning to wait until the appointed time to go.

When he makes an appointment to meet someone, he usually chooses to meet them in advance.

This has always been his habit.

This applies regardless of whether the person is important or not.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Wu Zhuo went straight to the private room.

He gave the waiters a few names on credit, ordered the food, and asked them to serve it on time. Then he sent the private room number to Stephen Chow's group, and he waited quietly in the room.

Not long after, only about ten minutes, Stephen Chow arrived.

He came alone.

Well, bodyguards don't count.

"Just you alone? I remember the last time I ran into you in New York, you had more than thirty bodyguards."

He was somewhat surprised to see that Wu Zhuo was the only one in the private room.

"When I'm not in China, I'm usually alone."

It's different in North America; it's more chaotic there, and I'm afraid of being attacked.

Wu Zhuo smiled and helped him move the chair away.

Stephen Chow nodded, sat down, and waited for Wu Zhuo to bring the food. He then spoke directly:
"I prefer to be direct. You said you want to invest in my new project, how do you plan to invest?"

Wu Zhuo sat down opposite him and said, "That depends on how much investment you need, Mr. Stephen Chow."

Since you've chosen Legend as your target, you obviously know our strength.

We have already produced two films that grossed over 300 million yuan at the box office, as well as high-quality low-budget projects like "Lost in Thailand".

For these three projects, our investment budget didn't exceed forty million; our capabilities speak for themselves.

"You guys are really amazing. These three projects are all benchmark projects in the industry."

Stephen Chow nodded, acknowledging the capabilities of Legendary Films, then paused before adding:

"However, because your project investments have never exceeded 50 million, I am very worried about whether you can operate a project exceeding 100 million."

"You don't need to worry about that. We've basically got all the domestic channels in place."

We have established a strategic partnership with Wanda Cinemas, and we also cooperate with other smaller cinema chains at various levels.

You don't need to worry about the distribution at all.

As for publicity, you don't need to worry about that either.

We were able to get "Lost in Thailand," a film with an investment of 800 million yuan, to gross ten times its initial investment. This perfectly demonstrates our marketing prowess.

At this point, Wu Zhuo looked at him and said, "Actually, the reason why you chose Enlight Media and Huayi Brothers is simply because of their various resources."

In fact, we can do the same thing.

How much can you invest?

This is actually what Stephen Chow cares about most.

He approached a large company because his project required a massive investment of over 100 million, a sum that most small companies simply couldn't afford.

"I need at least 1.2 million yuan in funding, and I will not participate in the investment of this project myself."

I only take the director's fee.

However, in addition to my director's fee of 2000 million, I also want a share of the box office revenue.

How much of the box office revenue share do you want?

Wu Zhuo looked at him.

"At least 20%, or if the box office exceeds 300 million, I'll take 50 million. If it exceeds 500 million, you'll give me 80 million. What do you think?"

In fact, I don't think my request is excessive, and I'm worth the price.

If you agree, we can sign the contract immediately, and the project can start right after the New Year.

(End of this chapter)