Huayu Entertainment: Tianxian really wants to improve

Chapter 272 Welcome our two newly minted billionaires!
"This game doesn't have a return function!"

"I don't care, I just want my tomatoes!"

In the van, Liu Xiaoli looked at the basket of tomatoes Liu Yifei was holding and couldn't help but ask, "Qianqian, where did you buy these tomatoes?"

I distinctly remember that you didn't like tomatoes!

"No, I love to eat it!"

Liu Yifei picked up a tomato and took a big bite, the juice spilling out.

Her eyebrows curved into crescents, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, making her look very happy.

Gu Bei had these bought from the nearby market, and Liu Yifei treated them as if they were products she had 'grown' herself, so she was naturally happy to eat them.

"Sissi!"

Liu Xiaoli turned around and asked, "When are you planning to go to the Venice International Film Festival?"

"I haven't decided yet. I'll go visit Changchang on set in a couple of days. She keeps telling me how tough it is to film Chinese Paladin 3, so I have to go see for myself!"

Liu Yifei shook her head and happily ate her tomato. "Then we have to go to North America. Gu Bei has business negotiations to attend."

"I'm talking to people from IMAX. I want to borrow IMAX 3D cameras from them."

Gu Bei explained to Liu Xiaoli, who was looking at him with a puzzled expression.

He wanted to borrow one of only two IMAX 3D cameras in the world.

Equipment of this caliber is always only available for rent, not for sale.

Even renting requires advance booking and approval from IMAX.
Film crews with limited resources often can't even borrow IMAX 3D cameras.

As for those Hollywood blockbusters, IMAX wants them to use their technology, but they don't want to because it would greatly increase the production costs.

Even with Gu Bei's gravity,

Only a few scenes will use IMAX 3D cameras.
Because both the rental fee and the special film were too expensive!
"After visiting North America, we're going on vacation, and then we can catch the Venice Film Festival right after our vacation ends."

Liu Yifei said happily.

Working non-stop is not her work habit.

Taking a break after finishing a film is in line with her work rhythm.

"It just so happens that after filming The Sound of the Wind is finished, I also need to rest for a while, and that period also happens to be my and Sisi's birthdays."

Gu Bei said with a smile.

The two of them have birthdays that fall between the end of August and the beginning of September, which is more than half a month apart.

When Gu Bei confessed his feelings last year, he promised that they could take a vacation together every year around this time, and now he has fulfilled that promise.

Liu Yifei smiled at him. Originally, she thought Gu Bei was just joking, but judging from Gu Bei's current arrangements, he was quite serious about it.

"You young people can make your own arrangements!"

Liu Xiaoli nodded with satisfaction as she watched the interaction between the two.

Then she said to Liu Yifei, "Don't go too crazy. Don't forget the audition for Gravity. It's going to take place right after you return from Venice!"

"Oh~"

Liu Yifei readily agreed.

at this time,

Gu Bei's phone rang.
He discovered it was an unexpected call: "Hey, Eric, what's up?"

This was a transoceanic phone call across the Pacific Ocean, from Eric, the president of Summit Entertainment.

Gu Bei knew that Eric wouldn't call so suddenly unless it was something important.

"Bruce, I wanted to ask about the revenue from the second window of Twilight City. Is it due soon?" Eric asked.

"It's almost time."

However, the revenue sharing from Summit Entertainment still needs to be calculated by our finance department.

Only then can I call you.

Gu Bei said lightly.

We're not in a rush to split the profits.
But neither you nor Crystal are in Los Angeles.

This is really worrying for the people in the company.

Eric emphasized to Gu Bei, "You should have seen the briefing, right?"

The Twilight DVD sales were absolutely phenomenal.

This is a huge sum of money, far exceeding our initial expectations!

"Eric, those people on your board are a bit ridiculous!"

Gu Bei found it somewhat amusing. "Even if we wanted to run away, we'd have to wait until the Twilight series' potential was fully exploited before we did!"

Are you afraid we'll run off with the money?

Twilight City I alone was not enough to satisfy Gu Bei's appetite.

However, Eric's words also make sense; the revenue from the second window of Twilight is indeed quite substantial.

Neither he nor Liu Yifei are currently in Los Angeles, which is a real test for the employees of Rose Pictures.

Before Eric could respond, Gu Bei said, "However, my movie in China is finished filming, and we'll be returning to Los Angeles soon!"

After a brief chat with Eric, Gu Bei hung up the phone.

Gu Bei looked at Liu Yifei: "Qianqian, the plans have changed. We're getting ready to fly to Los Angeles!"

The plan to visit the set of Chinese Paladin 3 has to be temporarily shelved.

Gu Bei and Liu Yifei only rested in Kyoto for two days before flying to Los Angeles.

"Is there a superstar coming today?"

As Liu Yifei stepped out of the arrival gate, she saw a group of reporters standing outside the stainless steel railing and asked them curiously.

"Isn't there one standing here?" Gu Bei said to her with a smile.

"loquacious!"

Liu Yifei rolled her eyes at him.

She knows her current situation.

Currently, only *Whiplash* and *The Forbidden Kingdom* have grossed less than $100 million in North America combined. They don't deserve the superstar treatment Leonardo DiCaprio enjoys.

Moreover, in both of these films, she was only a supporting actress, so she couldn't be considered a leading lady at all.

“The future is promising!”

Gu Bei said with a smile, "Starting next year, North America will usher in your era!"

Liu Yifei smiled and said, "Then I'll wait and see!"

As the two continued walking towards the arrival gate,
The reporters acted as if they had spotted a target.
They rushed toward the stainless steel railings at the arrival gate like a horde of zombies unleashed from their cages.

“Crack!” “Crack!” “Crack!”

A series of flashes were aimed at Gu Bei's face.

"Bruce, what's your opinion on the possibility that Twilight Saga will become the best-selling DVD in North America in 2008?"

"Bruce, do you have anything to say in response to the THR (The Hollywood Reporter) report on you?"

They claim that according to their sources, all royalties and sales revenue from the investment you brought in from China will belong to you alone, making you a billionaire! "Bruce, are you the actual controller of Rose Pictures?"

Gu Bei narrowed his eyes slightly.

The group of reporters and media personnel were holding microphones and conducting a probing interview with Gu Bei.

After hearing their questions, Gu Bei realized that these reporters were there because of Twilight's performance in the home entertainment market.

The North American home entertainment market generates $200 billion annually, more than double the total box office revenue in North America!

It can only be said that wealth can move people's hearts.

In North America, the title of billionaire is more effective than that of a master director.

After all, most master directors would find it difficult to accumulate a net worth of one hundred million US dollars in their lifetime.

Faced with the crowd's questioning, Gu Bei's mind worked quickly, and he immediately responded:

"I think it's great. It shows that many people missed Twilight in theaters this year because of inadequate promotion."

But it's okay, Twilight 2 will be released as scheduled next summer!

"As for the Hollywood Reporter's inaccurate report, I want to be a billionaire. I don't need Twilight. My own world is enough for me!"

"Finally, I am not the actual controller of Rose Pictures, and I do not hold a single share of Rose Pictures!"

After answering the first batch of questions,

Gu Bei immediately left the arrival gate.

And he ignored the reporters' follow-up questions.

His answer was somewhat evasive, and his main purpose was to downplay his image as a nouveau riche who made his fortune overnight, and to highlight that he made his money through the technology of movies and games.

But every word he said was true and could withstand scrutiny from multiple sources.

The same applies to the equity stake in Rose Pictures.
Gu Bei indeed doesn't own a single share of Rose Pictures.
Due to the existence of estate and gift taxes in North America, holding shares on behalf of others is extremely rare in North America; otherwise, the taxes on transferring shares would be exorbitant.

After a while,
Gu Bei and Liu Yifei got into the car in the parking lot.
Eric sat on the sofa in the extended Lincoln, holding a champagne glass: "Welcome our two newly minted billionaires!"

"My God, Eric! Are you taking us for an 80s movie?"

Gu Bei hugged Eric and couldn't help but complain about the extended Lincoln he had rented, wondering why so many people in the Los Angeles area liked to use this car to celebrate.

"I think it's pretty good!"

Looking at the twinkling lights on the car roof, Liu Yifei smiled and shook hands with Eric.

"Bruce, Crystal has way better taste than you!"

Eric laughed heartily, "Looks like you got quite a mess out of the reporters!"

Gu Bei's expression turned serious: "Did the information leak from your sources?"

"That's none of our business!" Eric shrugged and shook his head in denial. "Only a handful of people at Summit Entertainment know that you control most of Twilight's royalty revenue and sales split."

On the contrary, it's your and Crystal's Rose Pictures...

Gu Bei felt somewhat helpless.

They look like employees of Rose Pictures.

It's more like a news source for The Hollywood Reporter.

But this is Hollywood, and every studio has employees who act as informants for reporters, so all sorts of news are flying around every day.

"If you ask me, why not enjoy it all?"

Eric leaned back, looking at Gu Bei with envy. "If I could earn as much money as you, all the pretty girls in Los Angeles would be throwing parties at my house right now!"

Gu Bei looked at Eric speechlessly.
At your age, why are you still thinking about spending money so much?
However, after hearing Eric's words, Gu Bei did feel a little relieved.

He had initially intended to keep a low profile and not flaunt his wealth, but this is the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, and even if he really wanted to keep a low profile, he couldn't. He might as well enjoy the aura of a billionaire.

at this time,

Gu Bei felt a hand wrap around the soft flesh of his waist and then twist it.

The technique and the force felt familiar.

It's like a natural skill for women; when faced with the same situation, they can skillfully find a man's soft spot and take action without any instruction.

Gu Bei glanced back at Liu Yifei and chuckled as he retorted to Eric, "You should let Leonardo DiCaprio throw this kind of party. I can't enjoy this kind of party!"

Eric shrugged, looking somewhat disappointed.

The group arrived at Rose Film Studio.

"Welcome to my two newly minted billionaire bosses!"

Karen, the producer of Twilight, greeted Gu Bei and Liu Yifei in the same way.

"Bring me the data report!"

Gu Bei stretched out his hand, "We don't even know how much money we'll get!"

Karen smiled and took out three reports, handing them to Gu Bei, Liu Yifei, and Eric.

How do I tell?

Looking at the data report, Liu Yifei felt a bit lost. She quietly poked Gu Bei's soft waist and asked softly.

Gu Bei already had a good idea of ​​these numbers; he kept an eye on the weekly briefings, but this table contained the final figures.

He casually pointed and said, "Start looking here. This is the sales figure for the Twilight DVD in North America in its first week. The following is the total sales."

"hiss--"

Liu Yifei gasped, "Over 360 million copies sold in the first week, with total sales of $6500 million?"

She remembered that Whiplash only grossed $1500 million, and Summer's 500 Days only grossed $3000 million. The two movies combined were less than the first week's sales of Twilight.
"Yes, didn't you see the sales weekly report I forwarded to you?"

Gu Bei looked at Liu Yifei with some curiosity.

Liu Yifei clasped her hands together and apologized softly, "You forwarded too many emails to me."

Gu Bei: “…”

Aren't you afraid I'll bankrupt your company?
Gu Bei didn't know whether to admire Liu Yifei's unwavering trust in her employees or her laid-back attitude.
With mixed feelings, he pointed to the floor below: "This is the total sales figure for North America so far, a total of 1127 million units, with a total sales revenue of $2.03 million!"

This was the first time Gu Bei had ever seen this number.
No wonder reporters are saying that Twilight has already secured the top spot in the North American DVD market for 2008.
The DVD market has been declining every year since it peaked in 2004. This year, apart from Twilight, other movies have sold significantly less than other movies with similar box office performance.

Indiana Jones, Hancock, and Kung Fu Panda are currently releasing DVDs.

All of them are far less than Twilight. Not to mention Twilight's two hundred million dollars, the estimate is only around one hundred million to one hundred million dollars.

The only threats to Twilight are Iron Man and WALL-E.

But neither of them seemed to be major players in the DVD market; they just appeared somewhat threatening.

On the contrary, the one most likely to surpass Twilight is...

The Dark Knight should be about to break $5 million at the North American box office.

However, The Dark Knight was released three months later than Twilight, and its box office performance was much stronger. The earliest it will be released on DVD is December, in order to capitalize on the Christmas market.

Before that, Twilight would be the only film to gross over $200 million in North America this year.

Gu Bei felt a bit quiet and looked at Liu Yifei.

Just then, he noticed that Liu Yifei was also looking at him.
After she looked into her own eyes...

He couldn't help but mutter, "Gu Bei, so much money..."

(End of this chapter)