I was just thinking about taking the arts exam and you said I've been playing supporting roles

Chapter 418 The real test has finally arrived!

August 2, 2012, celebration banquet for "Painted Skin 2".

After a full month, as of yesterday, "Painted Skin 2" has officially surpassed 15 billion yuan in box office revenue, and is still earning around 1000 million yuan per day.

Industry expectations for this film have risen from 10 billion to 15 billion, and now it has broken the 17.89 billion box office record of Zhang Yimou's "The Flowers of War" during this year's Spring Festival, reaching a new milestone of 18 billion.

Furthermore, this is a very likely event, and Huayi specially held this celebration banquet to invite Huayi's artists, as well as the main actors, director and behind-the-scenes staff of "Painted Skin 2".

"Come, let us all raise our glasses and celebrate this sacred moment!"

Wang Zhongjun stood there triumphantly, with a row of ice sculptures depicting the number 15 billion behind him, along with a special poster announcing that "Painted Skin 2" had surpassed 15 billion.

"15 billion is just the beginning, and also a new starting point for Huayi!"

"This is a great moment for Chinese cinema!"

Let's wish Chinese films all the best!

slam-la-

Thunderous applause filled the air, and everyone was in high spirits.

Everyone present wore a look of pride and excitement.

15 billion yuan—this is a number that many people didn't expect before the release of "Painted Skin 2." Moreover, if someone had told them last year that Huayi Brothers would produce a film with a box office of 15 billion yuan next year, many people obviously wouldn't have believed it.

Especially considering it's an IP that Shanghai Film Group didn't have high hopes for, which Huayi Brothers snatched at the last minute, and even cast a new director who had just emerged in the industry.

It's clear that none of this could possibly be the case that the box office reached 15 billion or even higher.

However, "Painted Skin 2" did it, and Wu Ershan, along with lead actors Zhou Xun and Chen Kun, did it. These people have now become the main characters at this celebration banquet.

Wu Ershan was surrounded by many sycophantic artists, and Chen Kun and Zhou Xun were surrounded by colleagues who came to congratulate them.

……

"Third Master, this time we owe a great deal to the assistance of China Film Group!"

Wang Zhongjun walked up to Han Sanpin. Huayi Brothers was the main distributor of "Painted Skin 2", but China Film Group was also a co-distributor and contributed a lot to the screening schedule.

"You're too kind, Mr. Wang!"

"China Film Group will spare no effort to promote good movies!"

Han Sanpin smiled. He maintained an open and inclusive attitude towards all the CEOs of film and television companies in the industry.

In addition to Huayi Brothers Media, several other companies that have recently gained some recognition in the industry also produced "Painted Skin 2", such as Enlight Media and H&R Century Pictures.

They all invested, not only because of the recent boom in the domestic box office market and their desire to get a piece of the pie, but also because they wanted to learn from the industry giants' experience in filmmaking.

Both Wang and Wang are open to all comers, believing in win-win cooperation. Unlike Chen Jin, who is stingy and only invests in his own films, at most collaborating with China Film Group. In fact, the industry is full of complaints about Chen Jin.

If you make money but don't share it with us, you'll be ostracized by your peers, and they might even smear you behind your back.

However, now that Chen Jin has slunk away to Hollywood to make movies, they can't really say much.

"Third Master, have you seen Chen Jin's new film?"

Wang Zhonglei asked quietly from the side.

Han Sanpin smiled slightly, of course he knew why Xiao Wang asked that question. Although "Painted Skin 2" did achieve great success, it did not mean that they could rest easy.

The name Chen Jin still made them very wary.

After all, he has been doing very well in the industry these past two years, starring in and investing in many films that have broken Chinese box office records, and he also has a strong personal box office appeal.

So who can say for sure that his new film won't break another record?

No one dares to deny it.

In addition, the film's promotional hype during this period has been overwhelming, and almost everyone has seen Chen Jin's assassin look in a suit in "John Wick".

This is a stark contrast to his previous roles.

An actor who won the Venice Film Festival Best Actor award for his acting skills has actually opened up a career path similar to that of Jackie Chan and Jet Li in the action genre.

When did this guy become such a good fighter?

Chen Jin's outfit and the sharp, cool fighting in the promotional video have really heightened the anticipation of many of his fans.

I enjoyed watching it.

Many fans who naturally enjoy action movies have high expectations for this film.

Although action films are losing money at the Chinese box office year after year, the market is definitely a blue ocean. You could say that the audience going to the cinema now grew up watching Hong Kong action films.

They'll definitely buy into a good action movie.

In addition, "John Wick" is Chen Jin's directorial debut, written and starring role, marking her first attempt to leave art films and venture into action blockbusters.

There are also commercial productions made in Hollywood!

……

With a variety of buffs and promotions, each day is different, which has brought this summer blockbuster to the point where many people are eager to see it.

These days, audiences will buy tickets and go to the theater as soon as they see a movie that they think is good, unlike in the future when they might hesitate and think it might be a bad movie.

In 2012, as long as there was hype and publicity, there would be audiences willing to pay.

This is why "Painted Skin 2" was able to gross over 7 million yuan in its original timeline.

Because you've done a great job with online and offline promotion, as long as you're willing to invest money, you can get young couples in love to go to the cinema to watch movies; and get young couples who have just entered the middle class to go to the cinema for entertainment during their weekend leisure time.

Ultimately, there are only so many entertainment options these days, and movies are among the most cost-effective.

Unlike the future, where there are too many choices, coupled with the impact of short videos, a two-hour-long film is no longer enough to attract viewers.

Unless your film is truly outstanding, it won't get word-of-mouth recommendations from audiences, who will then go to the cinema to see it for themselves.

Nowadays, you can make money from any movie.

Therefore, Huayi Brothers' rise to become China's leading film company is actually due to the benefits of film policies and the market, rather than being a true blockbuster maker.

Looking at his past and future films, none of them are considered masterpieces by the public, and there are no new directors who have been promoted by Huayi Brothers.

He mainly used his connections and funds to cultivate a mature mechanism for directors to make films.

Such film companies are indeed unlikely to last long; it's just that many industry insiders are blinded by their own involvement.

Instead of worrying about competitors, why not focus on creating another blockbuster?

Han Sanpin was speaking to the Wang brothers.

At his level, his considerations are certainly not based on bias or preference. In his view, Huayi Brothers and China Film Group are both outstanding film industry leaders in China. If the two companies can flourish together, that would be something he, China Film Group, and the higher-ups would be happy to see.

This is why he endorses many film companies and supports many new directors.

Because of his position, he obviously had to prioritize the overall situation.

"Of course, haha!"

Wang Zhongjun, who was standing to the side, knew that Han Sanpin was unwilling to talk about Chen Jin. In fact, he had just thought of it on this day of celebration and then asked about it.

Regardless, Chen Jin's "John Wick" is indeed a strong contender for the summer box office champion and even the record-breaking box office in China, just like "Painted Skin 2". The Wong brothers didn't really take their other films seriously, but this sudden emergence of Chen Jin was something they were very wary of.

"There are still too few masterpieces and blockbusters!"

Han Sanpin sighed: "We need to work harder next year. Two blockbuster films in one summer is obviously not enough, and it can't meet the needs of the market and the audience!"

"With this movie being such a huge success, we should probably launch more new projects next year, right?"

"It also gives opportunities to new directors. Isn't this a good example? Wu Ershan is a good director. By supporting more new directors, more films can be produced!"

"..."

The two brothers listened to Han Sanpin with bated breath, but in their hearts, they were both thinking about the first sentence he had said.

Two blockbuster movies in one summer?
Does "Third Master" refer to Chen Jin's "John Wick"?

The other one, needless to say, is definitely their "Painted Skin 2," but the other one, after thinking it over, should be this seed player. The two brothers couldn't help but exchange a glance, and at the same time guessed what the other was thinking.

It seems that Third Master really has high hopes for Chen Jin's new film.

How can you be so sure it'll be a blockbuster before it's even released?
Wang Zhonglei felt a sense of unease. He had watched several trailers for "John Wick" and had to admit that he was amazed by Chen Jin's action scenes.

This kid is really talented. Who would have thought his action scenes would be so outstanding?

The key point is that this movie is his directorial debut. Whether it's credited or not, at least the trailer gives people a feeling of excitement and exhilaration.

A hitman's revenge, Hollywood's individual heroism—this is exactly the kind of popcorn script that's currently popular in China.

"Alright, it's getting late, and we have a meeting tomorrow morning!"

"Zhongjun, Zhonglei, I have to go back now!"

Han Sanpin glanced at the time, and the Wang brothers quickly escorted him to the hotel entrance.

On the way back, Wang Zhonglei couldn't help but say, "Brother, I have a bad feeling about what Third Master said!"

"What's wrong? Did Chen Jin scare you this much?"

"It's not that I'm scared, it's just that this movie is completely different from his usual style. I almost didn't recognize him when I saw the promotional material. That guy is actually played by Chen Jin, and his fighting skills are really outstanding..."

Wang Zhonglei sighed. Wang Zhongjun, of course, had also seen the trailer for "John Wick": "Leizi, don't overthink it. Do you really think Chen Jin is Sun Wukong, able to perform magic tricks from the moment he was born?"

"18 billion? It's not so easy to just break through. Even after deducting the publicity and costs, we still spent nearly 4 million extra."

Of course, the 4 million yuan box office revenue was not without its benefits, contributing almost the same amount to the overall box office growth. More importantly, Huayi Brothers' stock price has hit the daily limit for several days, with an overall increase of more than 30%, and its market value is about to break through 200 billion yuan.

Shareholders and investors are very satisfied with this move.

"But this movie will definitely do well at the box office!"

Wang Zhonglei had this premonition.

"Let's aim for 10 billion. I estimate that 10 billion should be enough to push it. If it's happening simultaneously in North America, it will also have a stimulating effect!"

"The main reason is that Chen Jin's previous films all had an element of chance!"

In fact, Huayi and other companies in the industry have analyzed this.

The market had anticipated Chen Jin's box office appeal, but it wasn't as strong as expected. Although she remains the number one male star in China, it's a stretch to say that she set a box office record.

"Love is Not Blind" and "So Young" both originated from Singles' Day marketing, while "The Founding of a Republic" goes without saying, and "Nanjing" was also the first to benefit from the traffic dividend of the Spring Festival season.

As for "The Big Events of Life," it was thanks to Venice's assistance.

So ultimately, Chen Jin's record-breaking films are all traceable, rather than just becoming a blockbuster out of thin air.

Now, "John Wick" should be a film that can truly verify whether Chen Jin is a fraud or not.

There were no awards or brilliant marketing campaigns; all that mattered was a great summer movie season.

"If it can reach 10 billion, then Chen Jin will definitely be the number one in the country!"

"However, it's not that scary!"

Wang Zhonglei analyzed, and Wang Zhongjun nodded. In fact, they both had a thought they dared not say.

That is, if "John Wick" breaks the mainland box office record again, then there will be no excuse to doubt Chen Jin's own value.

Regardless of factors like hype, release dates, traffic dividends, or marketing, Chen Jin will become the first male star in China to truly carry the box office.

This is the outcome that the two kings of Huayi Brothers least wanted to face.

They thought it was impossible to achieve, so they didn't say it.

The celebration banquet for "Painted Skin 2" was still in full swing, while Chen Jin, accompanied by her assistant, quietly landed at Beijing Capital International Airport.

In a few days, it will be the domestic premiere of "John Wick".

Tomorrow, the film will also begin its first wave of pre-sales on major websites and in cinemas.

The real test for Chen Jin has arrived.

However, Chen Jin's first test now is the reporters who are waiting for him at the airport.

Everyone knows that Chen Jin will definitely return to the mainland in the next few days because his new film is being released. As the absolute core of the film, which is also the lead actor and director, it is impossible for him not to appear.

So, the reporters had actually been staking out the airport for several days.

"Brother Jin, what are your thoughts on 'Painted Skin 2' grossing 15 billion yuan?"

"Chen Jin, are you back for the premiere of your new film, 'John Wick'?"

"Brother Jin..."

"..."

Countless questions were thrown at Chen Jin. Wearing a mask, Chen Jin originally intended not to comment, but the reporters were just too "enthusiastic," so he had no choice but to answer as he walked.

After finally getting rid of those guys, she was still secretly filmed in Zhu Yanmanzi's car.

Chen Jin is completely indifferent now, he doesn't care who he is anymore. People in the industry actually know that he has a very good girlfriend.

During this period, there have been many rumors circulating online, but some die-hard fans are unwilling to believe them. They only want to hear an official announcement from the celebrity before they will give up.

"How long have you been waiting?"

"Give me a kiss, honey~~"

Once in Zhu Yanmanz's car, Chen Jin looked at his girlfriend, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, and missed her terribly.

He has already told his assistant to take a taxi home by himself.

"Hmm~"

The two lingered in the car for a while, before Zhu Yanmanzi gently punched his chest twice and started the car.

If this continues, there's no guarantee that a reporter won't take pictures of the couple being affectionate.

The reporters nearby haven't gone far yet... Thank goodness Zhu Yanmanz's car has good privacy glass!

(End of this chapter)