The Birth of the Best Director

Chapter 135 Who will be the next Alita? A chance to make a name for oneself in film history!

……

Universal Pictures has chosen to turn a blind eye to Starlight Pictures' poaching of talent from Focus Features.

After all, Lu Zhiyuan's value, in some respects, has surpassed that of the entire Focus Films company.

However, the group had just acquired NBCUniversal and was unwilling to cause too much turmoil during the internal integration process.

The subprime mortgage crisis had a significant impact on the United States.

At this critical juncture, laying off employees or selling the company would have a huge impact.

Conservative media outlets will swarm in and attack NBCUniversal, which will in turn affect the company's stock price and make matters worse for the company.

Saving a little money on layoffs is likely less than the stock price drop.

However, if we consider the problem from a different perspective, the result will be completely different.

Amidst a sluggish market, the company recruited Lu Zhiyuan, a rising star director of commercial films, and together they established a production company specifically for making AI robot movies.

This is an extremely positive development!
Adam Ferguson could easily see the pros and cons here.

While other companies are stagnant and clinging to their own little corner of the market, Universal Pictures is actively expanding outwards and building a new IP matrix.

The capital market will certainly give Universal Pictures a higher valuation and give him, as chairman, a positive evaluation.

……

And so, Starlight Brilliant North America branch was successfully launched.

During this period, Zhao Shanshan traveled back and forth between China and the United States, and she visibly lost weight.

A week before the Chinese New Year, she finally settled the company's overall strategy, leaving the remaining details to James, the new CEO of the North American branch.

"Sister Shanshan, you've worked so hard these past few days. Here, have some more soup, I made it especially for you."

Seeing the soup that Jing Tian had specially made for her, Zhao Shanshan felt a warm feeling in her heart.

Our eldest daughter is becoming more and more like a virtuous wife and loving mother. She makes soup at home every day and knows how to manage a household so well.

Just a year ago, she couldn't even wash a dish.

"Ah Yuan, you should have some too."

Seeing Lu Zhiyuan silently trying to walk away, Miss Jing Tian pulled him over and gave him a sweet smile.

"Oh Well."

Lu Zhiyuan is now a little scared when he sees soup being made.

However, this soup isn't meant for men; it seems to be for women. The taste is different, with a slightly sweet flavor.

This put Lu Zhiyuan at ease.

"The production company issue is settled. From now on, we can make our own decisions and don't have to be at the mercy of others."

"I've discussed the funding for the movie 'Real Steel' with Adam Ferguson. Universal Pictures will contribute $2000 million, and we'll contribute $2000 million ourselves."

"Apple is planning to continue sponsoring the remaining $1000 million. All you have to do is add a few more Apple logos to the movie."

Siri, the intelligent AI assistant, is essentially providing free advertising for Apple as long as it continues to appear in Lu Zhiyuan's movies.

Apple clearly understands that once a voice assistant like Siri appears, other mobile phone manufacturers will likely follow suit and develop their own voice-enabled smart assistants.

But it's no use.

Those mobile phone manufacturers can no longer find a great director like Lu Zhiyuan to implant concepts into their products and brainwash the world.

Apple has a first-mover advantage, and as long as it maintains this advantage, it will be difficult for other mobile phone manufacturers to surpass it.

And the advertising costs they have to pay are only a mere 1000 million US dollars a year.

Very good deal.

After all, an ad during the Super Bowl costs $1000 million.

In comparison, sponsoring Lu Zhiyuan's movies is more cost-effective.

"Going forward, the commercial copyright value of our films will be split 50/50 with Universal Pictures globally, but domestically, we will monopolize the value of these copyright derivatives."

When Zhao Shanshan said this, Miss Jing Tian immediately clapped her hands.

That's amazing!

Zhao Shanshan is incredibly capable to have negotiated this deal.

The domestic market may seem small now, but with China's 14 billion population, as the economy continues to develop, even just 1% of the population is willing to spend, which represents a huge market.

This is a huge profit.

"In addition, the marketing and distribution work in Europe and America is handled by Universal Pictures. In China, however, our own marketing and distribution channels have an advantage over Universal Pictures, and Universal Pictures doesn't compete with us for the profits."

Zhao Shanshan explained many details to Lu Zhiyuan.

The main topic of discussion was the profit-sharing ratio.

Anyway, no matter how you calculate it, it will definitely earn more than when we partnered with Focus Features.

The guaranteed minimum is over 40% of the total profit.

If the Chinese market can one day surpass the North American market, their profits will reach over 60%!

"Sister Shan, I understand. Chinese elements in the film are very important. I never thought of giving up the domestic market."

As China's economy develops rapidly and people have more and more money in their pockets, the Chinese market will become a major player in the film market.

Lu Zhiyuan recalls that in another time and space, "Kung Fu Panda 2" and "Transformers 3" both grossed over $2 million at the box office in China.

With money to be made, Hollywood is naturally paying more and more attention to the Chinese market, adding many Chinese elements to its films to please Chinese audiences.

During this period, China and the United States were in a honeymoon phase.

It is very suitable for Lu Zhiyuan's development.

When the US and China begin a direct confrontation, and Lu Zhiyuan has honed enough talent and accumulated enough capital, he can return to China.

If he wanted to, he could easily crush those domestic directors with a single move.

To be honest.

Based on Lu Zhiyuan's understanding of another time and space, only "The Wandering Earth" gave him a sense of the shadow of a heavy industry film.

The rest of the comedies and dramas are best left unmentioned.

It only catered to the audience in the short term, and from a technical point of view, it is of no use to the overall development of domestic films.

Without the emergence of new technologies, if you keep making the same type of film every day, the audience will eventually get tired of it.

After all, Lu Zhiyuan knew all too well what the situation was like with screenwriters in China.

They've asked them to write a script for them, and they've written over 100 versions, but so far, none of them have come up with one that satisfies them.

Of course, the screenwriter can't be blamed for this.

With so little money, who's going to work hard for you?

Those screenwriters even live a precarious life, constantly fearing for their lives. How can they possibly have the mind to settle down and create seriously?
"By the way, Sister Shanshan, the movie 'The Warring States' has been advertised as having a budget of 1.5 million. Could you give me a sneak peek at the exact amount?"

Lu Zhiyuan couldn't resist asking the question in the end.

He only asked such a private question because his relationship with Zhao Shanshan had become quite close.

Otherwise, he wouldn't bother asking any more questions.

What does it have to do with him?
But now, the two are as close as family, so they can't just stand by and watch Zhao Shanshan get taken advantage of, can they?
1.5 million? That's outrageous.

After the establishment of the special effects company, Lu Zhiyuan reduced the special effects costs to $2000 million, which was enough to make another sci-fi action blockbuster like Upgrade.

"5000."

Zhao Shanshan whispered a number in Lu Zhiyuan's ear.

That's more or less.

Considering that several well-known actors were hired, their fees are estimated to account for half of the cost.

It's not too bad.

"Ah Yuan, how about I quit acting?"

Miss Jingtian could sense that Lu Zhiyuan seemed a little worried about the movie "The Warring States".

If making a movie would upset Lu Zhiyuan, she'd rather not go at all.

"No, no, you should still go and act. We've hired so many stars, and even if we replaced the actress with another one, it wouldn't be enough to carry the role. Only your beauty can do it."

Lu Zhiyuan quickly said a few kind words.

If Miss Jingtian doesn't go, he'll definitely make him drink soup at home every day.

He was mentally happy, but his health was deteriorating, which was not conducive to the long-term development of his career.

Besides, if Miss Jing Tian doesn't act in some bad movies, how will people know how amazing her directing skills really are?

Recently, there has been a lot of praise online for Jing Tian's acting skills, saying that she portrayed the domineering aura of the female CEO of YG Entertainment in a very realistic way.

It really left him speechless.

Heaven knows how many brain cells he used to make Miss Jing Tian look beautiful in the photos.
……

After finishing the soup, Zhao Shanshan checked the time and saw it was already 9 p.m., so she left early.

There are still some tasks at the company that she needs to handle.

It was snowing lightly outside, and the weather was a bit cold, but Zhao Shanshan felt warm inside.

That year was truly fulfilling for her. She mentored a great director and became a celebrity in the industry, attracting attention wherever she went.

It really feels like a dream.

"Mr. Zhao, Brother Honglei is here."

Back at the company, Zhao Shanshan was surprised to learn that Sun Honglei was waiting for her in her office.

What is he here for?
With a sense of doubt, Zhao Shanshan arrived at the office.

When Sun Honglei saw Zhao Shanshan return, he immediately handed her a bank card: "President Zhao, the payment was too much. I feel unworthy of it. Let me return it to you."

Zhao Shanshan's eyes widened.

Having been in the industry for so long, this is the first time I've ever seen a celebrity complain that their pay was too high and return it.

Sun Honglei looks like a bull terrier, but I didn't expect him to be such a nice person. The contrast between his inner self and his appearance is so great.
"Just say what you want to say, don't give me that."

The claim of returning the payment is just a gimmick; he definitely wants something from me.

Zhao Shanshan understood this very well.

Sun Honglei smiled shyly and scratched his head: "Well, the company is paying me so much, I'm really scared. What if the movie flops? How am I supposed to greet Brother Yuan at an awards ceremony later?"

People with a casual relationship call Lu Zhiyuan "Director Lu," while only those with a close relationship call him "Brother Yuan."

Otherwise, do you even deserve to be called Brother Yuan?

Sun Honglei and Lu Zhiyuan had never met before, but he was lucky enough to be chosen to play the male lead in "The Warring States" and become partners with Miss Jing Tian.

As for Miss Jing Tian, ​​most actors in the industry have heard of her to some extent.

Putting everything else aside, her boyfriend's name is Lu Zhiyuan. Just for that alone, who wouldn't treat him well?

"You want to make a 'Real Steel' movie too?"

Zhao Shanshan saw through Sun Honglei's thoughts at a glance and nodded with a smile: "Under normal circumstances, A Yuan definitely wouldn't come looking for you."

Sun Honglei thought Lu Zhiyuan thought he was ugly, and his face darkened, feeling a little embarrassed. He didn't know who spread the rumor that Lu Zhiyuan liked to cast handsome men and beautiful women in movies and believed that ugly actors didn't deserve to be on the big screen.

"but……"

Upon hearing the word "but," Sun Honglei immediately perked up and revealed an expectant expression.

Zhao Shanshan continued, "However, your 'Lurking' was so well-made, my father really liked it. So, I'll definitely put in a good word for you."

"Besides, you're so sensible."

This was the first time Zhao Shanshan had encountered someone returning her payment, which saved her a lot of money.

Sun Honglei is so sensible, she is willing to lend him a hand.

"Honglei, wait a moment, I'll make a call and ask."

In front of Sun Honglei, Zhao Shanshan made a phone call to Lu Zhiyuan: "Ayuan, it's like this, didn't you tell me before that in the Dunhuang battle, amidst the swirling yellow sand, the protagonist group encountered a nemesis, the Northwest District's gatekeeper boss, the Great Wall Guardian, and had a fateful warrior duel with the protagonist group?"

"What do you think about letting Sun Honglei pilot this mecha?"

Upon hearing this character setting, Sun Honglei's eyes lit up.

A sky full of yellow sand, guardians of the Great Wall, a fateful duel between warriors... and then think back to Lu Zhiyuan's superb aesthetic sense of passionate battle style, as well as the cool design of mecha.

This battle is sure to be very exciting.

Sun Honglei's heart was instantly filled with excitement.

As a man, whether you're 10 or 60, who wouldn't want to pilot a mecha at least once?
You can't drive one in real life, but driving one in a movie is just as awesome!
"I've heard of the actor Sun Honglei; he could play a tough guy without much trouble. But I don't know Sun Honglei personally."

"My original plan was to cast Duan Yihong for this role; Teacher Yu recommended him to me."

Duan Yihong and Yu Feihong co-starred in "Love Comes Again". He is from Yining, Xinjiang, and is a typical Northwestern man.

But Lu Zhiyuan understood that Zhao Shanshan's words implied a personal connection.

He immediately thought of the movie "The Warring States".

After a moment's thought, Lu Zhiyuan said, "Sister Shanshan, how about this? In this movie, the mecha battles are very similar to professional leagues, where a coach usually leads a player."

"Let Sun Honglei and Duan Yihong come together. We'll decide who will be the coach and who will be the player after the auditions."

At this moment, Zhao Shanshan heard Jing Tian's voice coming from the phone, asking Lu Zhiyuan which woman he was talking to again, and why he was making calls so late at night.
His voice revealed a hint of jealousy.

"Okay, I understand. You can go ahead with your work."

Zhao Shanshan quickly hung up the phone and looked at Sun Honglei: "So? It's just a minor supporting role, and you have to compete with others. Are you going or not?"

"Of course I'll go! Duan Yihong is nothing, he's only fit to be my coach."

Sun Honglei won the Best Actor award at the Magnolia Awards for his role in "Lurking". His next step is to move from the small screen to the big screen.

When it comes to making films for the big screen, who in China can compare to Lu Zhiyuan?
An art film won the Palme d'Or.

To make a commercial film that directly broke the domestic box office record.

Sun Honglei knew that "The Warring States" was a bad movie, but he still returned his salary. Was it because he had a change of heart?

He's already famous and has plenty of money.

Next, it's time to pursue a higher stage.

This is the moment when he is most ambitious, and it's definitely not for a pittance.

He was determined to prove himself; if he could make good TV series, he was sure his movies wouldn't be bad either.

However, at this stage, the best resource he can get is "The Warring States".

He was so unwilling to accept it.

Fortunately, there's a hidden perk behind the movie "The Warring States".

And so, he used his intelligence to unlock this Easter egg and made a film about it in "Real Steel".

“Alright. I’ll personally take you to Dunhuang then.”

Zhao Shanshan felt that she was different now, that she had the aura of a big boss, and that she was starting to have the final say.

Last year, when filming "The Great Biography of Sun Tzu," she didn't receive this kind of treatment.

When she arrived at the film set, the director was outwardly respectful to her but inwardly disdainful, and even had people put on an act in front of her.

Now, who would dare to do that?
Her words carried little weight, but if she complained to Lu Zhiyuan even once, he would turn around and say a few sarcastic remarks to the media, and she would be finished in the directing circle.

Sun Honglei is so awesome; "Lurking" was a huge hit.

In October, we invited him to participate in the film, and he agreed to come only after we offered him three times the normal fee.

Now, in order to play a small supporting role in Lu Zhiyuan's movie, he not only obediently returned his salary, but also owes himself a favor.

This is all because I had the discerning eye to discover Lu Zhiyuan!

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao. Well, I'll be going now if there's nothing else. I wish you a happy Chinese New Year in advance, all your wishes come true, and eternal youth and beauty."

As for his salary, Sun Honglei only takes what he is entitled to, and he has a clear conscience.

If the other party gives too much, and the movie turns out to be a bad one, you'll have to bear the blame that wasn't originally yours.

It's better as it is now.

He took what he was entitled to, and through Zhao Shanshan, he got a favor and landed a role in Lu Zhiyuan's Hollywood sci-fi blockbuster.

Although he was just a supporting character, there are differences between supporting characters.

The boss guarding the Northwest region, the "Great Wall Guardian," who caused the protagonist group a great deal of trouble, is a true iron-blooded tough guy.

This supporting character is more individualistic and charismatic than the main character in the movie "The Warring States"!
Great directors are just different.

Even a minor supporting character feels like an epic hero.

……

After leaving Zhao Shanshan's company, Sun Honglei looked smug and self-satisfied.

Many people saw it inside the Starlight Brilliant Company.

Soon, rumors began to circulate.

That very evening, the news that Sun Honglei had landed the lead role in "Real Steel" swept through the entire entertainment industry like a hurricane.

"What? Sun Honglei is the main character? What makes him so special? I'm way more handsome than him, and I'm much more famous than him!"

"Give me the lead role, and I won't ask for a salary; I'd even be willing to pay myself to do it!"

At this moment, countless male celebrities from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong are practically dying of jealousy.

What gives Sun Honglei the right to do this?
"Lurking" was indeed very popular, but it was just a TV series.

Moreover, Sun Honglei looks like a bull terrier and is not at all handsome or beautiful. Does this fit Lu Zhiyuan's aesthetic standards?
Is he qualified to star in Lu Zhiyuan's sci-fi action film?
"Director Chen, Sun Honglei got the lead role. What do you think about that?"

Reporters and media outlets couldn't find Lu Zhiyuan for interviews because he would simply disappear when he wasn't filming.

Left with no other option, the reporters and media outlets had to find Chen Kaige, who was attending a business event at the time.

Sun Honglei had acted in Chen Kaige's "Mei Lanfang," and the reporters and media thought that Sun Honglei had come into contact with Lu Zhiyuan through Chen Kaige.

“Fake news.”

Chen Kaige waved his hand, telling the reporters and media to move away and stop asking him all sorts of nonsense.

So boring.

Each one of them has a brain about the size of an almond.

Are you sure it's fake news?

Chen Hong felt that the news sounded very plausible, and it might actually be true.

She nudged Chen Kaige and whispered, "Why don't you call Zhiyuan and ask? If you make a mistake, people will laugh at you."

"What's the point of asking? Don't I know him well enough?"

Chen Kaige dismissed it with disdain.

Of all the people in the world, I know Lu Zhiyuan best.

A Hollywood movie with a budget of $5000 million has a Chinese female lead, so how could the male lead possibly be Chinese?
Will North American audiences accept this?

Asking this kind of question suggests an IQ below 60, which is simply baffling.

Chen Hong rolled her eyes at Chen Kaige and then called Lu Zhiyuan herself: "Zhiyuan, I just ran into a group of reporters who asked about Sun Honglei. It seems he's going to be in your movie. Is that true?"

"What, it's true?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Kaige slipped and almost lost his balance.

Seriously, bro, you're really looking for Sun Honglei?

When did your taste change?
"Oh, a supporting role, a minor supporting role, and you still have to compete with Duan Yihong. I agree, those reporters just don't understand you, they believe everything they hear."

Seeing Chen Kaige breathe a sigh of relief, Chen Hong covered her mouth and laughed.

"dare you laugh."

Chen Kaige looked over with annoyance.

"What? The female lead hasn't been found yet. We need to find a girl around 12 years old, with an exotic look. Are you planning to go to the Northwest after the New Year to take a look?"

"I'd like to introduce someone to you. Unfortunately, there aren't any suitable ones."

Chen Hong learned some more information from Lu Zhiyuan, which greatly satisfied her vanity.

Others can't get any useful information at all, but this couple is different; whatever you ask, Lu Zhiyuan will answer.

This is what status in the martial arts world is all about.

……

[Male lead cast confirmed, female lead undecided!]

Renowned director Lu Zhiyuan will be traveling to Northwest China after the New Year to search for the next Alita!

The following morning, many newspapers published a major news item in their entertainment sections.

As everyone knows, Lu Zhiyuan loves to select young actresses who are still innocent and have never acted before, so that he can easily train them.

But no matter what, one must be beautiful and have unique features.

Seeing this morning's newspaper mention that the female lead for the movie "Real Steel" has not yet been cast, the female students at several major art colleges in China are all quite excited.

Li An's casting for the film "Lust, Caution" caused a sensation in the country.

After all, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon grossed $2 million worldwide, and Zhang Ziyi became incredibly popular.

Both are renowned directors, but Lu Zhiyuan is far more skilled at directing than Li An.

In "Upgrade," Dilraba's portrayal of Alita caused a sensation worldwide.

What role does Zhang Ziyi play?
Now, there aren't many memorable things about it.

"Real Steel" is a sequel to "Upgrade," as anyone with eyes can see in the movie. It has a larger budget and, like "Transformers," is a true visual blockbuster.

IMAX 3D visual blockbuster!

Lu Zhiyuan was the first Chinese director to use this technique.

Regardless of the film's overall box office performance, being able to become the female lead in this film will undoubtedly leave a mark on Chinese film history!
The female lead could become the next Megan Fox.

The next Dilraba.

Even if I become the next Liu Shishi, that would be fine.

(End of this chapter)