Video Editor

Chapter 268 An unexpected surprise
Suning had anticipated what Powell would say, so he was not surprised at all. Of course, he would not be so stupid as to just admit what Powell said, because that would make him the biggest idiot in the world.

Some things are so wonderful that you can do them but never say them out loud. Even if everyone knows it, so what? Do you have any evidence?

Storage space is Suning's greatest strength. To catch a thief, you must catch his dirty work. This principle is applicable wherever you go, so Suning is not worried at all.

Seeing that he couldn't get any information out of Suning, Powell suddenly felt very frustrated. He really didn't expect that the "young man" in front of him would be so difficult to deal with. He was thinking that he could get useful information from Suning to expand his own arms business.

Seeing Powell leave in disappointment, Suning shook his head with amusement. He had put in so much effort just to ensure that he could remain safe as always, so how could he possibly have too much entanglement with Powell.

Because the Hong Kong police could not find any evidence that Suning had stolen arms, they only restricted Suning from leaving Hong Kong for a week, and then Suning regained his freedom. At this time, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" had already been edited.

Because it missed the National Day period in 03, Suning decided to let "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" hit the Christmas and New Year's Day period, trying to use its high quality and the news of stolen arms to get a global screening.

Of course, there are many complicated things involved. Fortunately, because of the movie "Elevator", Suning is not without some fame in North America, so the real connection can still be made.

Of course, Edward from Lionsgate was the first choice for the North American market. After all, Suning understood the principle of focusing on what they were familiar with and not on what they were new to. "Elevator" made Edward and Lionsgate a lot of money, so of course they still valued "Mr. and Mrs. Smith".

Lionsgate headquarters in Santa Monica, California, USA.

Suning held a preview of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" here to allow Lionsgate to see the specific quality of the film.

"Sue, why did you name this film like that?"

"Haha, this is just the hero's code name!"

“Su, we can all see it!
You have great faith in this Mr. and Mrs. Smith movie!"

"Yes! To be more precise, I have confidence in myself!"

"Haha, I just like confident Orientals like you!" In fact, Edward also admired the Oriental man in front of him who was fighting alone.

Soon after the opening credits, the main film began, and Edward was surprised again, "Suning, is the Su Media Culture Company in the opening credits your new company?"

“Yes! It was just established in August!
I hope to receive help from Mr. Edward and Lionsgate in the future!"

“Haha, no problem!
As long as your videos are of good quality, there is absolutely no problem in cooperating with us!"

The two-hour film screening completely shocked the Lionsgate executives present. They were all experts in this field and certainly saw the prospects of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith".

"Su, this is unbelievable!
You actually made such a high-quality film, and it's obviously not as awkward as the last one, 'Elevator'! " Edward knew Suning very well, so he was very surprised at this moment.

"Su, you're growing so fast!"

"Haha, let's talk about the North American release next!"

"Well! Your video is definitely of top quality!
It's just that the choice of the heroine was a bit poor, and your appearance is also a bit disappointing!"

"Alright! My Edward, stop finding fault with me!

If you, Lionsgate, really think this film is terrible, then buy the rights to it and adapt it yourself!" Suning felt a little unhappy about Edward's comments.

“Oh my God!

You are really the worm in my stomach!

I just had the urge to buy the adaptation rights, and now you've seen through it!"

"Haha, tell me about the conditions of your Lionsgate!" Suning seemed to have Edward and Lionsgate in his grasp.

Edward did not directly answer Suning's question, but met with several other senior executives to discuss it. It didn't take long for them to come up with a conclusion.

"Su, we at Lionsgate have decided to invest $10 million to purchase the global distribution and adaptation rights for Mr. and Mrs. Smith!"

"Edward, you are still like this!

To be honest, you are really not a good partner!
You should know that I have invested more than 7 million US dollars in this movie, which almost emptied all my savings!"

"Su, I know you've poured everything into this film, but let's be business people. Ten million dollars is a lot!"

"Edward, your last film, 'Elevator,' sold for $1.8 million in both Europe and Southeast Asia!
I am confident that this Mr. and Mrs. Smith will be more in line with the tastes of North American audiences!"

Edward and other Lionsgate executives were not surprised by Suning's refusal. They knew that what Suning said was true, but they were still unwilling to admit it because of their inherent arrogance, and the first negotiation eventually broke down.

Suning had anticipated this situation a long time ago and did not show any impatience. Instead, he went straight back to the hotel he had booked in Santa Monica.

Just when Suning was considering whether to contact Cameron now, Suning welcomed an unexpected visitor at the hotel. Mr. Liu from Warner Music Greater China appeared in front of Suning with a middle-aged Westerner.

"Boss Liu, I heard you were promoted to Warner headquarters!

I didn't expect you to show up in Santa Monica!"

"Haha, Suning! It seems you don't consider me a friend!

You came to the United States and didn’t even come to find me!

If I hadn't heard that you were coming to America, would you have decided not to meet me?"

"Haha, I heard that you, Mr. Liu, have been promoted to the US headquarters!

I was worried about affecting your work, so I didn't think of disturbing you!"

"Suning, this is David, the film acquisition manager for Warner Bros. Entertainment in the United States!"

"Hello, Mr. David! It's an honor to meet you!"

"Mr. Su, I've heard a lot about you!"

"Suning, Manager David wants to talk to you about Mr. and Mrs. Smith!"

"Oh? How did Mr. David know about my movie?"

"Haha, Mr. Su's last film, 'Elevator', became the best horror film in North America!
And we also heard that Mr. Su’s “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” is of even better quality!
We at Warner Bros. Entertainment are certainly very interested!"

"Haha, I wonder what conditions you Warner will offer!"

We are all smart people. From David's mouth, Suning has already analyzed that Warner has an insider in Lionsgate, and the level of the insider must be not low.

The eight major Hollywood film and television companies in the United States can be said to be the overlords of the world's film and television industry, but there are still brutal battles among them. Of course, these have little to do with the "small shrimp" Suning.

"As far as we at Warner Bros. know, Lionsgate is leaning towards buying out the distribution rights, and they're even considering acquiring the adaptation rights! And we at Warner Bros. are more inclined to work with you, Mr. Su, and then take a share of the box office revenue from Mr. Su's Media!"

"Hmm! It's a good suggestion to get a share of the box office!

Just how much share will Warner Bros. give?" Suning nodded noncommittally, then asked the most crucial question.

David and Mr. Liu next to him exchanged a smile, then uttered a startling figure, "35 percent!"

"." Suning, who had seen many ups and downs, was also a little surprised, and suddenly admired the courage of Warner Bros.

You have to know that Westerners have always disliked Chinese entertainment films. For Chinese entertainment films released in the United States, it is already very good for the producers to get a 15% share. It is impossible to get 35% according to normal international practice.

"Mr. David, Mr. Liu, are you really sure it's 35 percent?"

“Yes! We are sure!

But we want the global distribution rights for Mr. and Mrs. Smith!
If Mr. Su is willing to sell the adaptation rights, Warner Bros. will offer $3 million!"

"Global distribution rights? Does that mean you'll also handle the domestic distribution in China?"

"Yes! We at Warner Bros. will organize simultaneous global releases!"

"Sure! I wish us a pleasant cooperation!" Suning thought about it and found no reason to disagree, so he nodded in agreement.

After resolving the distribution issue of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Suning felt a lot more relaxed. He left Hong Kong and headed straight for California, USA, because he attached great importance to the distribution of this film.

Without any worries, he contacted Cameron Tiachi. Cameron seemed very surprised by Suning's contact and immediately flew to Santa Monica, California.

"Suning, when did you come to the United States?"

"Just arrived yesterday! I recently shot a new movie, and I came to California to discuss distribution with Lionsgate!"

"Oh? Is it solved? Do you want my help?"

"Haha, it's settled! The distribution rights have been given to Warner Bros. Entertainment!"

"Warner Bros.? Suning, you also have connections with Warner Bros.?" Cameron Diaz seemed a little surprised.

"Yes! You should have heard that I wrote a few songs before and submitted them to Warner Records for release! And then we got in touch!"

“Oh my God!

I really didn’t notice!
Suning, you are still a singer!"

"Haha, just a self-congratulatory work!"

Next, Suning enjoyed himself in the United States at Cameron's invitation. Of course, he also met Cameron's rumored boyfriend Justin Timberlake. Now they have become official boyfriend and girlfriend.

“Suning, the last time we met in Madrid, it was because of me and Timberlake that we had a huge fight!
I was in a very low mood at the time, so I misunderstood you like that!"

"Haha, Di Yaci, you don't need to explain anything to me!

As a friend, I am very happy to see you come together!"

Through the introduction of Cameron and Justin Timberlake, Suning learned about the complicated relationship between the two, and was still very surprised at the Americans' views on love.

After traveling between Hong Kong and the United States, Suning felt very tired when he returned to Beijing.

Although "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" has not been released yet, Suning's bold move has made "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" a hot news, so the heroine Gao Dayuan's popularity has also risen, and she suddenly received many movie invitations.

Gao Dayuan was waiting for this moment of achievement, so he accepted all of them without hesitation, and then each crew worked hard to film the show without even asking Suning for any opinion.

Looking at Gao Dayuan who was rushing to the scene, Suning sighed helplessly, because Suning knew that their relationship had come to an end, and they had broken up peacefully in such a speechless situation.

Because the distribution of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" was handed over to Warner Bros. in the United States, Suning returned to his monotonous study life after returning to China.

However, the sharp-eyed Suning still realized that someone was watching him secretly. After thinking about it, he thought it was related to the incident of the gun lost by the Hong Kong crew. It seemed that he had made a big fuss and made the Hong Kong police still afraid.

Suning's guess was correct. There was indeed someone secretly observing Suning's every move. They were the two policemen who were originally arranged by the Hong Kong police to go to Suning's crew. Of course, they were accompanied by mainland police.

"You two, is there any error in your intelligence?"

"Captain Liu, our Hong Kong police's intelligence will never be wrong!

Even arms dealer Powell suspected Suning of stealing the arms!"

"You said it too! It's just a suspicion, and there's no substantial evidence!" Captain Liu from the mainland police was a little confused.

"Ah! This is also the weak point of our Hong Kong police!
Moreover, Suning is just an ordinary Beijing Film Academy student on the surface, so there is really no need for him to go to such great lengths to steal a gun!

Is the student identity just his personal disguise? "

"Huh? No way!

I still suspect that you, the Hong Kong police, are overthinking it!"

"Captain Liu, this batch of arms is huge! Once it gets out to the outside world, it will definitely cause a bloody storm! Therefore, our Hong Kong police are facing tremendous pressure!"

"But, it's not a good idea for us to just wait like this! Do you want us to think of some solutions?" Captain Liu also knew that the situation was very troublesome.

"Oh? Captain Liu, do you have any ideas?" The two Hong Kong policemen looked at Captain Liu with their eyes lighting up.

"fishing?"

"What? Fishing?"

"Yes! Let's go fishing!
Haven’t you, the Hong Kong police, already taken control of the arms dealer Powell?
Simply arrange for Powell to contact Suning directly and ask for a batch of arms to be sold at a low price!
By then we'll catch them red-handed, and Suning's denials will be useless!"

"Haha, Captain Liu, this is a brilliant move!" The two policemen from Hong Kong were surprised.

“That’s what we do!
I don't believe I can't catch Suning's fox tail!"

Suning didn't know that a big net was coming towards him at this moment, but even if he knew, he wouldn't care. After all, he was invincible in this aspect.

(End of this chapter)