Chinese Entertainment Intelligence King

Chapter 380 It's not about who's better, but who's worse; "Fatty Huo" versus "Wang Tongxin"

At the beginning of 2010, the film market was basically dominated by Avatar.

Even "Bodyguards and Assassins," which originally had a chance to make some money, now seems unlikely to even reach 3.5 million.

"A Simple Noodle Story" fared even worse.

It was brutally defeated by "Bodyguards and Assassins" on the surface, and behind the scenes, Han Sanye made various underhanded moves. In the future, it will also be surrounded and attacked by a group of new works such as "Avatar" and "Confucius".

Currently, the film's box office is estimated to be around 1.5 million, with a maximum fluctuation of a few million.

Judging from this data, the results are not bad, and it even ranks firmly in the top ten of the mainland list this year.

But don't forget, this movie was directed by Zhang Yimou.

Starting with "Hero," you can say that Zhang Yimou's films have controversial reputations, but you can't say that his films have poor box office performance.

"Hero" broke records at an unprecedented rate, "House of Flying Daggers" ranked among the top three at the box office that year, and "Curse of the Golden Flower" broke the record for domestic film box office again.

Even the art film "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles" grossed 3000 million yuan, ranking among the top ten at the box office that year.

With "A Simple Noodle Story," Zhang Yimou, carrying the prestige of the Olympic opening ceremony director, has already established himself as the top director in China. He has also invited Shen Yang, who became incredibly popular last year, and Sun Honglei, as well as Zhao Benshan to lend their support.

This lineup was designed from the outset to be the box office champion of the year, or even to break records.

Before the movie was released, New Pictures' goal was to guarantee 4 million yuan and target 5 million yuan. The outside world generally believed that 3 million yuan would not be a problem, which shows how strong the momentum was.

The current success is partly due to Han Yan's suppression, but the biggest problem is that the movie itself is terrible.

After all, the appeal and influence of Zhang Yimou and his team are undeniable. China has a large population, and it has no shortage of stubborn people who refuse to listen to advice.

The first "Red Cliff" movie was heavily criticized, but the second one almost reached 3 million yuan at the box office.

Yan Li and Master Han were somewhat disappointed.

But there's nothing we can do; Zhang Yimou at his peak is just that good. If his films didn't gross over 100 million, the two wouldn't be Zuo Shandiao and Yan Batian, but rather Dongfang Bubai and Yang Dingtian.

The claim that "A Simple Noodle Story" cost over 100 million yuan is pure nonsense.

Xiao Shenyang and Sun Honglei are famous, but they are not movie actors. Their movie salaries are low, let alone for Zhang Yimou's movies.

For many artists, a masterpiece by a renowned director is a stepping stone in their career, and their pay can be discounted.

The biggest investment in the entire film should be the purchase of the rights to "Blood Simple," which reportedly cost several million dollars, but the credibility of this claim is not high, since it is not a super IP and is a work from many years ago.

According to industry insiders, the production cost is estimated to be around 30 to 50 million yuan, but the marketing and distribution costs are hard to predict.

The main problem is that this movie wasn't marketed in the normal way; the arguments and clarifications far outweighed the movie itself, making it really hard to calculate how much money was spent.

But I imagine the total cost would be at most tens of millions, plus some profit from other film copyrights, so we should be able to break even.

However, although they didn't lose money on paper, New Pictures had been waiting for Zhang Yimou for a long time over the past two years, which is equivalent to several years before they could produce such a project. In the end, it turned out to be a waste of time and effort, the company's reputation was ruined, and their cash cow, Zhang Yimou, ran away.

With Mr. Zhang's temper, it's easy for him to develop high blood pressure; he might even develop heart disease from holding it in.

Mr. Zhang isn't the only one at risk of high blood pressure; Mr. Wu from Taiwan is also in serious trouble.

"The Treasure Hunter," which boasted an investment of over 100 million yuan, grossed less than 60 million yuan at the box office, becoming cannon fodder in the fierce competition between "Bodyguards and Assassins" and "A Simple Noodle Story."

This movie was actually quite bad, on par with "A Simple Noodle Story," but the latter was more famous, so it was overshadowed.

Jay Chou was persuaded to return to the music scene, and Sister Zhiling was ridiculed by various groups. But the one most affected was actually Chen Daoming.

Prior to this, Chen Daoming had a very high public image: excellent acting skills, good looks, good temperament, good speech, and strong principles. He gave people the impression of a refined and profound artist, and was extremely popular among middle-aged male actors.

Such a high-profile persona usually brings them success, but once something goes wrong, the more they are praised in the past, the more they are trampled on.

If other big names had directed "The Treasure Hunter," they might have been dragged down by the bad film, but they wouldn't have been attacked so fiercely.

Take Eric Tsang, for example. Nobody pays any attention to him. Everyone knows he's made a lot of bad movies.

However, Chen Daoming has a high public image and few scandals, so it's rare to seize an opportunity to criticize his lack of ambition and condemn his depravity.

It was only because Zhou Lin was there to set things up, and there was also Zhang Yimou, who fell even harder from his pedestal, that Chen Daoming could have been nailed to the pillar of shame by the movie "The Treasure Hunter." Even so, it is a dark history that he cannot erase.

Chen Daoming was in trouble, and Chow Yun-fat and Cheng Long were also having a hard time.

The movie "Little Big Soldier" wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly outstanding either.

Moreover, Wang Lihong is really not suited for acting. She didn't exactly drag the film down, but she didn't offer any help or surprises either. It was all Jackie Chan who carried the film.

Many people complained that Xie Tingfeng in "New Police Story" was just a prop, but compared to Wang Lihong, you can tell that Chef Xie has some skills; at least he's a useful prop.

In a drama with two male leads, if one of them doesn't shine, it's like the drama is crippled.

Not to mention, this film is not the kung fu comedy that Jackie Chan is good at.

Jackie Chan wanted to change his image. In the two films, "Shinjuku Incident" and "Little Big Soldier", Jackie Chan played a pathetic, powerless, and tragically ended little man.

However, while he wanted to change his image, the market and audiences still wanted to see him in a kung fu comedy where he stumbled and fell as he defeated all his enemies.

Even if the reason for the rampant success of "Avatar" is Jackie Chan's name, coupled with Wang Lihong, a king of the music scene, the estimated box office of 1 to 1.5 million yuan has already demonstrated the attitude of the market and the audience.

As for Chow Yun-fat's "Confucius," it's not even as good as "Little Big Soldier."

The entire movie can be described in two words: boring and mediocre. Calling it a bad movie might be a bit harsh, but it really wasn't good.

Judging from the current box office trend, it's questionable whether "Confucius" will even gross over 100 million yuan.

It's worth noting that Chow Yun-fat is one of the highest-paid actors in the industry. Jackie Chan's income is based on profit sharing, with his earnings tied to box office revenue, while Chow Yun-fat's income is based on savings.

Besides Chow Yun-fat, the lead actress, Ms. Chow, also received a high salary among actresses. In addition, with various grand scenes, the production team claimed a budget of 150 million yuan, which, even after deducting a lot of the exaggeration, would still be close to 100 million or tens of millions of yuan.

With this investment and box office performance, "Confucius" can definitely compete for the title of the most unprofitable film during the Lunar New Year season.

The production company behind "Confucius" is Dadi Times, which is not well-known, but its subsidiary Dadi Cinemas is quite famous.

Currently, it fluctuates around the top ten in the domestic cinema market, mainly developing in Guangdong and Guangxi, and can be considered a dominant force in South China.

It's worth mentioning, however, that Dadi Cinemas has only been established for three years, and in terms of development speed, it is definitely one of the most outstanding among emerging cinema chains.

Dadi's ambitions are quite good; he also wants to follow the same path as Yi'an, pursuing both film and television investment and theatrical releases.

Unfortunately, cinema chains can keep expanding as long as they have money and power, but investing in movies really depends on ability and luck.

Let alone Dadi, even Wanda, which is already a leading cinema chain, has encountered several setbacks and is currently hesitant to invest.

Their inability to run on two legs makes Yi'an, who can run fast and steadily on two legs, even more valuable.

Amidst a host of box office flops, "Bodyguards and Assassins," already practically guaranteed to be the top-grossing domestic film of the Lunar New Year season, shines brightly and dazzlingly alongside the brilliance of Yi An behind it.

Southern Metropolis Daily's sharp commentary: Yan Li, this "Yan Batian," is actually a tyrant created by a group of incompetent peers. It's not that Yi An is so great, but that his peers are all hopeless.

However, many people believe that this statement is not objective. Why is everyone else bad, but Yi'an is not?

This is probably inseparable from Yi'an's excellent and advanced corporate culture, operating mechanism, and the outstanding management and judgment of its leader, Yan Li.

We cannot attribute Yan Li and his colleagues' efforts to the mistakes of their peers. Instead, we should discuss why only Yi An did not make mistakes.

Yan Li did not respond to either opinion; he still quite liked the current public perception of Yi An.

However, excessive praise would bring Yi'an a lot of unnecessary burdens.

Especially in the film and television industry, quality varies, and the relevant judgment standards are relatively subjective. If you insist on claiming that everything produced by Yi'an is a masterpiece and that it is the only conscientious company in China Entertainment Group, you are sometimes easily ridiculed or even embarrassed.

As it is now, it's not the best, but it's better than its peers. Being an industry leader is enough.

Yan Li doesn't like to compete for the best; the pressure is too great. Competing for the worst is his comfort zone.

...

It wasn't just Yan Li who liked to compare how bad things were; women also liked to compare things when they got together.

In late January, Huayi Brothers actress Luo Haiqiong married her boyfriend of many years, Fei Qi, vice president of Huayi Brothers, at the Platinum Hotel in Beijing. Many Huayi Brothers artists and celebrities from the entertainment industry came to offer their congratulations.

Huo Siyan was naturally present at such a lively occasion.

She had a decent relationship with Luo Haiqiong, and her good friend Liu Yun was also on good terms with her. When invited, she came along with Liu Yun to have some fun.

Liu Yun also brought her boyfriend Zheng Jun. The two have already gone public with their relationship and are now extremely affectionate, inseparable, which makes Huo Siyan very annoyed.

What's so great about a man in his forties?
Liu Yun and Huo Siyan have an interesting relationship. On one hand, they often play together and think of each other when things happen. On the other hand, they often compete with each other, have various cricket-related hobbies, and even get jealous of Qin Lan.

Seeing that Huo Siyan was in a bad mood, she insisted on keeping Zheng Jun in front of her.

Only after Huo asked her to leave did she let Zheng Jun go to chat with his friends and then she began to care about Huo Siyan again.

"You've been single for a while now, it's time to find someone."

Huo Siyan had previously claimed to have a boyfriend, but they broke up and got back together several times because he couldn't come to her place. Finally, at the end of last year, she was dumped.

Once I'm single again, I can't help but be pressured by my girlfriends to find a boyfriend and get married.

After all, Huo was born in 1980 and will soon be thirty years old. The eldest and second eldest sisters in the Teddy Sisters group who are ahead of her are already mothers, so she is already considered an older single woman.

"Why should I care? Isn't Lao Si (Li Xiaolu) single too?" "Although he's single, he has suitors. That Jia something-or-other, I think he's quite attentive."

Liu Yun and the others all know that there's a handsome young man who's been pursuing Li Xiaolu relentlessly lately. He has a great temper, a decent career, and a good family background, and many of the girls think they're a good match.

"Tch, someone who has to pay with a credit card just to give away a bag, and the fourth brother is really willing to deal with him."

Huo Siyan looked disdainful. She was more familiar with Li Xiaolu and knew more about Jia Nailiang's situation.

My family has a little money, but that's about it. I'm not doing very well myself, and I'm always broke. If I go out and spend a little more, I either use my credit card or call my parents to mooch off them.

Li Xiaolu was spoiled from a young age and spent money like water.

Having grown up, become famous, and made money, she has more money in her pocket. In the past year or two, she has also shared some of the money Yan Li gave to Huo Siyan as a reward for her hard work, and she has been spending money extravagantly.

Huo Siyan hadn't done the exact calculations, but she estimated that they made several million a year. Just the two of them spent over 300,000 yuan on new clothes when they went shopping before the Lunar New Year.

Can Jia Nailiang afford this level of spending?

Liu Yun felt that Huo Siyan's thinking was a bit wrong; how could she only look at money when it came to feelings?

"It's not that I only care about money, it's that I can't live without money. If your husband only makes a few thousand yuan a month, would you still be willing to stay with him?"

Although Zheng Jun is a bit old, he is still a well-known singer. His annual income from copyrights and other sources is more than enough to support Liu Yun.

Jia Nailiang struggles to support himself, let alone the delicate and pampered Li Xiaolu. He can't expect Li to support him instead.

"Hmm, that's probably what this kid is planning. Fourth sister is an only daughter, so he can get both her and his money."

Huo Siyan's ramblings went further and further off track, starting to resemble the stereotype of a "phoenix man" (a man from a poor background who achieves success). Liu Yun simply couldn't listen to her anymore.

"Mind your own business and mind your own business."

"So you understand this principle. Then mind your own business."

Huo Siyan and Liu Yun were arguing when they suddenly saw a figure and frowned.

"Why is she here?"

"who."

Liu Yun turned around and saw Wang Ou talking to the bride Luo Haiqiong. Huo Siyan looked at the two of them with a puzzled expression.

"Don't you remember them acting together?"

"We're all in the same circle; we can't get to know each other if we're not filming together."

Luo Haiqiong is a well-known Qingyi actress, and Wang Ou is a popular actress. They have many activities and gatherings in the industry, so it's not surprising that they became friends.

Just then, Wang Ou seemed to spot Huo Siyan. He looked around first, then slowly approached and delivered a fatal blow.

"Hey, shorty, haven't seen you in a while, what happened? You've become a fat woman!"

Back when the crew of "The Imperial Palace of the Qing Dynasty" was on set, Wang Ou was often bullied by Qin Lan and Huo Siyan.

She couldn't afford to offend Qin Lan, and it was understandable that people were causing her trouble. What Wang Ou hated most was Huo Siyan, that sycophantic lackey.

Upon meeting today, he immediately touched on two of Huo Siyan's sore spots.

Needless to say, the short one is fat because Huayi Brothers went public and Huo Siyan made a fortune. Her already weak ambition slackened, and she became a little indulgent, gaining some weight.

Huo Siyan is petite and voluptuous, and the clothes she wore today were quite tight, so it was slightly noticeable.

Ordinary people might not notice, but female celebrities are extremely sensitive about their figure and weight, and Wang Ou is no exception.

Huo Siyan was furious, but she was no longer a novice. She remained calm and retorted sharply.

"Tsk tsk, this isn't 'Sexy Chicken Essence,' oh no, now I should call her Sister Tongxin. Where are your three girlfriends?"

Wang Ou used the fat woman to provoke Huo Siyan, who then followed suit and mocked Wang Ou's recent leak of his alternate account.

The phrase "four golden hearts + sisters united in heart" has become a meme online. Wang Ou, the newly crowned "Sister United in Heart," is jokingly called the best lover in the entertainment industry by some netizens because she takes pride in having lovers on her alternate account and even helps her sugar daddy find sisters.

Wang Ou's face darkened slightly. This shorty's mouth is still so foul. No wonder you can't grow tall.

Liu Yun, who was standing next to her, also spoke up. No matter how much she and Huo Siyan competed with each other, to outsiders, they were all members of the Teddy Sisters group.

"Isn't it inauspicious for someone of your status to come to a wedding?"

Wang Ou glanced at her and asked in confusion, "Who are you?"

This is pure insult. Although Liu Yun is not very famous, she is not unknown either. She is also a member of the Teddy Sisters group. How could Wang Ou not know her?

"I am your mother!"

Liu Yun, with her fiery temper, immediately started cursing. Wang Ou didn't hold back either: "She's not particularly pretty, but my dad isn't picky, so she'll have to make do."

Wang Ou's parents divorced long ago, so she had no psychological burden in using this to retaliate.

"Holy shit..."

Liu Yun panicked, but Huo Siyan pulled her back: "It's their wedding, don't cause trouble."

Then she looked at Wang Ou: "You slut, if you're so tough, don't leave later. Let's find a place to practice."

"You two are attacking me? Am I crazy?"

Wang Ou was speechless. Huo Siyan said, "Go ahead and call for more people. Don't say I'm bullying you. We have more people, so call more."

"hehe."

Wang Ou took out his phone and dialed a number: "I don't have that many people, you can talk to my man."

Huo Siyan looked at the familiar number on the screen, her teeth itching with anger: "Trying to cheat, huh?"

"You call it cheating when I ask my man for help? You try asking him for help then!"

Wang Ou's alternate account was exposed, which was embarrassing, but it also brought him into the public eye.

She knew that many people disliked her, but Wang Ou didn't care. She was proud to be Yan Li's lover, and Yan Li was willing to stand up for her in any situation.

Whether Huo Siyan and Yan Li had an affair or not, would she dare to do what she did?

“Let me tell you, I’m only doing this out of respect for Teacher Qin Lan. You’re just a dwarf in front of me, shorter in every way.”

Wang Ou gestured to show his height compared to Huo Siyan's, curled his lip in mockery, and then turned and slipped away.

If that shorty and the crazy woman next to him really lose their temper and give her a couple of blows, it will be too late for Yan Li to stand up for her.

Wang Ou has run away, and Huo Siyan is furious.

She could accept that she was inferior to Qin Lan, and she could accept that she was inferior to Dong Xuan and Fan Xiaopang, but for this slut to dare to lord it over her was an utter disgrace.

Liu Yun was also frustrated, but she couldn't do anything about it. No matter what, Wang Ou was Yan Li's woman. If they really messed with Wang Ou, it would be a slap in Yan Li's face.

"Let's find Sister Lan."

Liu Yun suggested that while they couldn't do anything about the chicken essence, Qin Lan could still suppress Wang Ou.

The rivalry between Qin Lan and Wang Ou is a matter of palace intrigue, and Yan Li may not necessarily interfere.

Why look for Qin Lan? She's also Yan Li's woman, it's just that he can't say it outright.

Huo Siyan was thoroughly provoked and, unwilling to ask Qin Lan for help, decided to get revenge herself.

That slutty chicken spirit is so powerful, she's probably connected to those few golden hearts. If she can achieve unity, so can I.

The Teddy Sisters are no good; they're too close to Qin Lan, and the risk of exposure is too high.

Huo Siyan's mind raced. With the New Year approaching, there would be countless gatherings and events. She decided to look around and see if there were any suitable candidates.

Hmph, once she finds a new candidate, she'll even kick Li Xiaolu out.

This crazy girl is too much trouble, and she's a member of the Teddy Sisters. Who knows when she'll get into trouble? Let her get entangled with that poor guy.

Just then, Huo Siyan saw Wang Ou chatting with a beautiful girl. On a whim, she stepped over.

"...I mainly do print modeling work, and I came here with an older sister this time."

Huo Siyan quietly approached Wang Ou from behind, sized up the girl, and suddenly blurted out, "What's your name?"

"what?"

Both Wang Ou and the girl were startled. Wang Ou almost opened his mouth to curse, but he held back after glancing at the girl and still managed to retort.

"You're everywhere."

"We're just chatting, one more person won't make a difference. Hey beautiful, what's your name?"

Huo Siyan smiled and extended her hand, which the latter grasped with some surprise: "Hello, Teacher Huo, my name is Zhang Xinyu."

　(4000/258000)

　　
　
(End of this chapter)