The Birth of the Best Director

Chapter 245 The 6th S-level talent, the global box office champion in January!
……

After the New Year's Day holiday, universities began their exam week.

Dilraba, hailed by netizens as the greatest female star in history and known as the actress who played Alita: Battle Angel, has returned to her alma mater, the Beijing Film Academy.

Like all college students, I took the final exams.

……

"It's over."

"I can't do a single problem."

"Never mind, let's just fill out the exam paper first. We must have the right attitude."

"I hope the teacher will give me some face. As the most outstanding female star in the history of Beijing Film Academy, please don't let me fail. Otherwise, how can I face going home?"

"The way my brother looks at me will make me feel so ashamed!"

She was either filming outside or sleeping with famous directors at home. Dilraba almost never attended classes at school. She would only come to school occasionally during the semester to check in and take the final exams.

Now, she understands the importance of knowledge.

When the book is used, it will be less regretful.

In the examination room, Reba wrote furiously.

Regardless of whether I know the answer or not, I'll just scribble something down to fill the test paper, hoping the teacher will be lenient.

Anyway, university exams don't have anonymous attendance.

"Reba, have you finished answering all the questions? Can I copy them?"

Someone nearby reached out a greedy hand towards Dilraba.

Because Reba rarely attends school, she doesn't recognize this classmate.

This guy is so shameless, he actually asked to borrow my exam paper to copy it?
There's absolutely no sense of boundaries!
Upon hearing this request, Reba was completely stunned and simply handed in her paper early and left.

……

"Senior Reba, how did your exam go?"

Outside, Dilraba happened to run into Gulnazar, who had also handed in her exam paper early.

Naza played a very beautiful princess of a fallen kingdom in "Real Steel 3", and was filmed by Lu Zhiyuan to be extremely stunning, perfectly fitting the definition of a beautiful, strong and tragic character.

Recently, it has become incredibly popular.

At school, her classmates looked at her with admiration.

Of course, some people are sour-mouthed and secretly say that Nazha started as a small-time model on Moko.com and must have gotten to where she is through underhanded means.

Naza really wanted to say, "You guessed it! I'd love to use underhanded tactics to get ahead!" Unfortunately, she hadn't had a chance to do so yet!
Because there's a mountain in Altay blocking the way.

"That's how it is. Exams don't affect our ability to be actors. As actors, good acting skills are all that matter."

What else can be said about Dilraba?
Should I tell Nazha that I wrote nothing but nonsense?
She has her pride too! The greatest female star in history!

“Senior Reba, you’re right! Next time Brother Yuan asks me, that’s how I’ll answer. Otherwise, if he finds out I’ve been scribbling all over the answer sheet, he’ll definitely yell at me.”

Naza chuckled.

Dilraba knows Lu Zhiyuan best; if she says that, she already knows what's going on.

He won't yell at you.

Dilraba waved her hand dismissively, thinking to herself, "If anyone's going to scold someone, scold me first."

"Let's go home and eat."

The two women linked arms, preparing to call their driver to take them home for dinner.

But at the school gate, I encountered a familiar nanny van.

The person inside the van saw the two of them come out and waved to them from afar: "Dilraba, Gulnazar, come on up."

Dilraba and Gulnazar exchanged a glance, then looked puzzled.

It's Liu Yifei.

Why is she showing up at the school gate out of nowhere?
Dilraba and Gulnazar exchanged a glance, somewhat puzzled, but still got into the car.

"Sister Niu, what are you doing at the school?"

Dilraba asked the question.

Liu Yifei didn't know how to answer, so she glanced at Nazha.

Naza's eyes sparkled; she clearly guessed what was going on.

Under Liu Yifei's watchful gaze, Nazha whispered a few words of explanation to Dilraba.

"Oh, I see. Sister Niu, you want to subtly ask me if my brother really has a problem with you behind your back?"

Dilraba understood and a smile appeared on her face.

Unexpectedly, Liu Yifei also has a weakness.

"Ah."

Liu Yifei nodded seriously: "Dilraba, this is very important to me."

If Lu Zhiyuan has a problem with her, how can Liu Yifei work with him on movies?

She's been hanging around Lu Zhiyuan for almost four years, just waiting for him to take her on a journey. Otherwise, wouldn't all those four years have been for nothing?
"Sister Niu, before I answer your question, let me ask you one first."

Dilraba smiled but didn't immediately answer Liu Yifei's question. Instead, she posed a new question, leaving Liu Yifei puzzled.

"go ahead."

At this moment, Liu Yifei sat upright, feeling as if her future was completely in Dilraba's hands.

"The problem is this."

"Try to recall what tone of voice your brother used when he spoke to you."

"Yes, I know you can't describe it in a short time. Next, I will give you four examples, and you can find the ones that fit you."

"Example 1, Liu Yifei, your acting skills are a bit poor."

"Example 2, Liu Yifei, your acting skills are a bit poor, but I can make you look very beautiful in photos."

“Example 3, Liu Yifei, your acting skills are so bad, what future do you have if you follow others to make movies? Only I can make you look great.”

"Example 4, Liu Yifei, you are simply amazing! You have both beauty and intelligence, acting skills and talent. You are the best actress in the world!"

After giving four examples, Dilraba looked at Liu Yifei and asked, "Sister Niu, which category do you fall into?"

After much thought, Liu Yifei concluded that she did not fit into any of the above examples.

However, she found a similar description: "It should be example 2. Although he didn't say it, he probably thought my acting was a bit weak, but he still appreciated me. He saw it through the eyes of a man."

Who appreciates you? Say it again!
Dilraba's heart shattered, and a memory kept churning in her mind.

Back then, at the Queen Mary Cruises restaurant on the Los Angeles pier, there was a scene where Liu Yifei tried to seduce Lu Zhiyuan.

She remembered this matter very clearly.

Fortunately, Lu Zhiyuan completely ignored Liu Yifei, which comforted her a lot.

"Reba, thank you. I feel at ease now that you say that. At least he doesn't dislike me."

Liu Yifei patted her small chest. Her already slightly sloping shoulders slumped down, making her look like a golden shaded kitten wearing only a pinafore dress.

"Sister Niu, you're overthinking it. Why would your brother hate you for no reason? He's spent his whole life trying to perfect one thing."

"He doesn't think about trivial things."

Dilraba felt that Liu Yifei was worrying unnecessarily.

Lu Zhiyuan didn't even bother to read the online discussions; he had his own way of handling things.

No one could disturb him at all.

"Dilraba, Gulnazar, are you going home now? I'll give you a ride."

Liu Yifei was eager to flatter Dilraba.

Dilraba has now achieved great success and become the undisputed number one female star in history; her life has reached its zenith.

Going forward, she will most likely only want to be the wife of a famous director, rather than continue making Lu Zhiyuan's films.

In this way, wouldn't the position of female lead in Lu Zhiyuan's movie be left vacant?

Although no one said it aloud, a war without gunfire had already begun in secret.

Gao Yuanyuan acted the fastest.

Liu Yifei felt that she had to keep up with the pace and get ahead of Liu Shishi!

Otherwise, years later, her situation with Liu Shishi would be reversed... and others would call her Sister Niu!

The prestigious title of "Sister Niu" should be given to Liu Shishi.

This is absolutely not okay!

……

Dongshan Villa.

Liu Yifei had her driver take Dilraba and Gulnazar home.

She had planned to see the two of them to the door and then turn around and go home.

Then, she would order the online trolling company she worked with to wipe away all the messy, negative information online.

Who says Lu Zhiyuan hates himself?
It's completely fabricated!

If Lu Zhiyuan dislikes him, would Xiao Wang always be willing to give him the roles in the movies that Huayi Brothers invested in?
Mr. Wang only reconciled with me because of Lu Zhiyuan.

"and many more!"

"Pull over!"

However, at this moment, Liu Yifei suddenly decided not to leave.

because……

She saw a familiar figure standing at the door of Lu Zhiyuan's house.

It's Zhao Shanshan.

Zhao Shanshan seemed a little embarrassed to go in. She stood outside Lu Zhiyuan's house, pretending to be waiting for someone, but in reality, she was listening intently to what was happening inside.

There is no doubt that someone is inside the house.

who is it?

Of course, it's Miss Jing Tian!

She's back.

At this moment, the gossip spirit in Nazha and Liu Yifei's hearts began to burn fiercely.

Upon seeing this, Dilraba's expression immediately changed.

……

In the yard.

The grape trellis has been set up, but it's bare and there's nothing on it.

Reba plans to plant grapevines next spring, and by summer they will naturally be lush and bear abundant fruit.

Two people were standing under the grape trellis.

"Ah Yuan, I asked you a question before. If we break up and you meet me again, will you cheat on me?"

You didn't answer me then.

"Now, can you tell me what your answer is?"

Miss Jing Tian had timed it perfectly; today was the exam day at the Beijing Film Academy, and Dilraba was definitely at school, not by Lu Zhiyuan's side.

She came here specifically to ask Lu Zhiyuan for an answer.

Of course, she didn't just come here casually.

Before coming, Miss Jing Tian specially got a hairstyle that Lu Zhiyuan liked the Empress Princess Cut, and then permed it into a long, straight black style.

In addition, she wore an exquisitely applied makeup.

The eyebrows should be thin, like willow leaves, and the cheeks should be lightly blushed, like the peach blossoms of spring, with a touch of shyness.

Most importantly, the lips.

It should be thin and have a slight curve.

Whether you pout or purse your lips, the more delicate and charming you are, the better.

This is Lu Zhiyuan's favorite makeup look.

……

"Senior Reba, don't be impulsive! Wait a minute! Let's hear what Brother Yuan has to say."

Outside the door.

Nazha stopped Dilraba from rushing in, her gossip-loving heart beginning to burn.

So exciting!
I can't believe I got to eat this kind of melon!
It was definitely worth the trip.

"What are you waiting for? I don't want to know the answer!"

Dilraba didn't want to gamble; she had all the chips in her own hands, so why would she gamble?
Jing Tian got something for nothing!

Losing means no loss. Winning means taking everything.

Only a fool would be willing to gamble like that!
"Tian Tian, ​​I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said. I welcome you to my home, but I don't want to hear you say these things here."

Lu Zhiyuan was somewhat surprised by Jing Tian's offer to him.

Jing Tian is a very respectable person, how could she do such an indecent thing?

It's just baffling.

It was beyond his expectation.

However, this could be a trap.

Lu Zhiyuan glanced at his phone and said in a flat tone, "It's almost time, and Dilraba will be back soon. To avoid any awkwardness, you should go back first."

Finally, I'll leave you with a piece of advice.

"A woman who throws a tantrum is like boiling, muddy water. Even if I'm parched, I'll never take a sip."

obviously.

In Lu Zhiyuan's eyes, Jing Tian was throwing a tantrum.

"it is good."

Miss Jing Tian stared coldly at Lu Zhiyuan, and after a moment, she suddenly laughed.

"You're still the same as before, so cold and indifferent. You haven't changed at all from the person I remember."

"You must remember what you said."

"When you go to Florence to film, if Gao Yuanyuan tries to seduce you like that, you should use that same line to shut her up and make her so angry she wants to jump off a building."

Jing Tian could now sense the devastating blow Gao Yuanyuan had suffered.

In Lu Zhiyuan's mind, she was actually a temperamental woman, like boiling muddy water. Even if he died of thirst, he would not drink a drop of her water.
That's so elegantly said!
Insulting someone without using a single swear word.

But it really sounds awful.

I'm so angry I feel like I'm going to explode!

"gone."

"Tomorrow, Starlight is holding a celebration party for its listing. Don't forget to come and have a look."

Miss Jing Tian didn't seem angry. She waved casually at Lu Zhiyuan, turned around, opened the door, and left.

Outside the door, Miss Jing Tian encountered Dilraba and Gulnazar.

There was absolutely no awkwardness or coldness between them when they met as rivals.

Miss Jing Tian even smiled at Dilraba: "Take good care of my man. Wait for me to come back."

"Sister Tian Tian, ​​it's getting late, you should go home soon."

Dilraba was very satisfied with Lu Zhiyuan's performance.

As for Miss Jing Tian, ​​she's probably gone mad.

What? Your man? He's mine! There's a limit to wishful thinking!
"Sister Fei, you're here too?"

Jing Tian wasn't surprised to see Dilraba and Gulnazar at the door. But encountering Liu Yifei was a real surprise to her.

She briefly greeted Liu Yifei and then went back with Zhao Shanshan.

Sitting in the car, Jing Tian gently turned a ring on her hand and murmured, "When Qin lost its deer, the whole world chased after it. However, who will ultimately win is still unknown!"

……

After Miss Jing Tian left.

The atmosphere in Lu Zhiyuan's home immediately became much lighter.

Just now, Lu Zhiyuan said to Miss Jing Tian, ​​"A woman who throws a tantrum is like boiling, muddy water; even if she dies of thirst, she won't drink a drop."

Dilraba absolutely adored Lu Zhiyuan.

This also allowed other women to have a new understanding of Lu Zhiyuan.

"Sister Fei, it seems like this is your first time visiting my home. Please make yourself at home."

"Nazha, go pour me a cup of tea."

Lu Zhiyuan never treated Nazha as an outsider, always regarding her as his errand boy.

Naza was quite happy; most people couldn't even get a job like hers.

At the very least, it shows that Lu Zhiyuan didn't treat her like an outsider.

As long as she clings to Dilraba's coattails, she'll at least have the status of a sister-in-law!

"Sister Fei, you don't come here unless you need something. Are you in some kind of trouble? You can tell me and see if I can help you."

Lu Zhiyuan isn't bragging.

After the release of "Real Steel 3", it was praised to the skies by both independent media and official media across the country.

Zhang Yimou's position as the national advisor was almost in jeopardy.

Even though the director is incredibly talented, he still makes bad movies.

Since his debut, Lu Zhiyuan has never made a bad film, and his box office performance has created countless miracles, leading the second place by a wide margin.

Chen Kaige looked down on Zhang Yimou, but he was truly impressed by Lu Zhiyuan!
In addition, Lu Zhiyuan has very good relationships with all the film and television companies.

Even with Huayi Brothers, the most difficult company to deal with, he treated them like brothers.

Other people in the entertainment industry are always inexplicably targeted... Lu Zhiyuan has never encountered anything like this.

Because he is willing to share the benefits.

Get everyone involved to make big money.

In this situation, his earning speed was not affected at all. On the contrary, because he had streamlined all the processes and stopped all kinds of internal friction, his efficiency in doing business became very high.

"Everyone online is saying that I offended you. May I ask how I offended you? I've come here today specifically to apologize."

Seeing that Lu Zhiyuan knew nothing and even wanted to help her solve her troubles, Liu Yifei felt a little sweet inside, and her smile revealed her teeth.

“You have indeed offended me. Everyone came to my birthday party last month except you. I will remember this for a long time.”

Lu Zhiyuan was joking.

Hearing this, Liu Yifei smiled and was completely relieved.

The two chatted for a few more minutes, and then it got dark.

Lu Zhiyuan said, "It's almost time. Why don't you stay and have a simple meal with us? Do you have any dietary restrictions? Tell Reba before ordering."

Dilraba originally wanted to cook for Lu Zhiyuan herself.

But Lu Zhiyuan felt it was too troublesome.

Ordering takeout is more convenient. Anyway, the chef who cooks for him is from a nearby hotel, which is more reliable than Dilraba's cooking.

"Then I won't be polite."

Liu Yifei originally wanted to leave, but then she remembered that she had just read online that Lu Zhiyuan looked down on her, but in the end, Lu Zhiyuan invited her to dinner at his home.

Anyone who dares to talk nonsense again? Smash their head on!
……

After eating.

Liu Yifei took a photo with Dilraba and Gulnazar, and then posted the photo on Weibo to express her gratitude for their hospitality.

Lu Zhiyuan did not leave the country.

But enough.

Dilraba and Gulnazar are both nominally signed artists with Lu Zhiyuan's company.

If Lu Zhiyuan doesn't like Liu Yifei, then these two would have to be crazy to go out to dinner with Liu Yifei.

Especially Reba.

Everyone on the internet knows that she is Lu Zhiyuan's girlfriend.

Her photo with Liu Yifei speaks volumes.

Once this photo is released, it will absolutely shatter all the rumors.

……

At the same time, Liu Yifei's company's online army began to mobilize, trying to clear Liu Yifei's name everywhere, claiming that Liu Yifei and Lu Zhiyuan had a very close relationship.

They've known each other for four years, more than friends but not quite lovers. Lu Zhiyuan is only avoiding Liu Yifei because he has a girlfriend, to prevent Dilraba from getting jealous when he goes home.

Gradually, the rumor began to subside.

But the massive traffic generated by this rumor completely boosted the success of *Real Steel 3*. Many people sympathized with Lu Zhiyuan, believing he must have encountered some problems with his college entrance exam!
There's a high probability there's something fishy going on.

Or perhaps, someone else took the place of her.

However, Lu Zhiyuan has already made a name for himself, so we won't dwell on the past.

……

Netizens are just watching the drama unfold; once they've had their fill, they move on.

But for female celebrities in the industry, this is a war without gunpowder.

"Shishi, don't worry."

"You're definitely going to be the female lead in that movie."

"You spent 1000 million to buy the script from Brother Kun, and you already have it. Liu Yifei can't take it away even if she wants to."

The filming of "Love O2O" is about to begin, and Yang Mi made a special trip to see Liu Shishi before joining the crew.

They've made up.

They're even more ironclad than before.

"Shishi, I'll make some money for Brother Yuan first, show you enough value. Then, I'll find Reba and push you to become the leading lady."

“The three of us will stand firmly together. Dilraba will be the director’s wife, you will be the lead actress, and I will be your supporting actress. What do you think?”

If she can't be the lead actress in a Hollywood blockbuster, Yang Mi thinks that it shouldn't be a problem for her to try for the second female lead role.

The second female lead is also very capable.

Look at Hanikezi.

It's become incredibly popular lately!
Last year, Hanikezi filmed for two months and earned $500 million in salary alone.

Yang Mi works herself to the bone for a year and that's all she earns.

Not to mention, Hanikezi transformed into a steel girl who loves eating potato chips in "Real Steel 3", which made those otaku absolutely adore her!
Recently, Hanikezi has signed two huge commercial endorsement deals.

One of them is an endorsement deal for potato chips.

Besides potato chips, there's also Coca-Cola!
After all, if you're eating potato chips, how can you go without cola?
Yang Mi had filmed a Pepsi commercial before, but she wasn't the only spokesperson; she was just one of a large group of people.

He didn't receive much in endorsement fees.

Hanikezi is different; she's the only one in the entire commercial.

The true and only protagonist.

Moreover, this advertisement is to be shown all over the world.

World-class stars are just different.

So enviable!

Yang Mi can forget about ever achieving Dilraba's historical status, but she still wants to fight for Hanikezi's position through her own abilities.

"Shishi, you're going to Florence, so behave well."

"Of course, don't even think about seducing him, or he'll definitely give you a piece of his mind. Even if you have feelings for him, act naturally and gracefully."

"You need to give him a certain feeling."

"For someone like him, physical pleasure is not important; what matters is the spiritual feeling, a resonance of the soul."

Yang Mi also knows Lu Zhiyuan very well.

She and Zhang Tianai were among the first people to know Lu Zhiyuan.

"Mmm. Honey, you're right, I'll write it all down."

Liu Shishi now has several strategists around her, each of whom is exceptionally good at coming up with ideas. She believes that by absorbing the wisdom of these people, she will surely be invincible.

"You're really a lucky fool."

Seeing Liu Shishi's performance, Yang Mi was really jealous.

Such a silly girl, she's blind too. How come Lu Zhiyuan took her flying but couldn't see himself?

……

December 2013, 1.

Starlight Brilliant officially went public with a market value of 200 billion. On the opening day, it instantly hit the daily limit with almost no selling pressure.

Real Steel 3 is currently showing in theaters with great fanfare.

As of today, the film has grossed $1.8 million in North America and over 15 billion yuan in China, for a total of $2.3 million.

In Europe, the box office is close to $2.5 million.

Including other scattered countries, the box office exceeded $7.5 million in two weeks.

Although the box office revenue in the second week was 50% lower than the $500 million earned in the first week, it seems to be showing some signs of decline.

But it depends on who you're comparing it to.

The Avengers grossed $6.54 million worldwide in its opening weekend!
The following week's box office only reached $2.23 million.

It dropped by 64%!

The fact that "Real Steel 3" only dropped by 50% indicates that the long-tail effect is better.

Most importantly, the box office of "The Avengers" in North America was simply outrageous, twice that of "Real Steel 3"!
This is completely unequal competition.

Even with Chinese audiences putting in a lot of effort, "Real Steel 3" will most likely only break 20 billion yuan at the domestic box office.

Converted to US dollars, it's just over 3 million US dollars.

It's less than half of the more than $6 million that The Avengers made in North America.

……

Thanks to the continued box office explosion of "Real Steel 3", it boosted the sales of all the derivative rights of previous films in the series.

The stock price, which is dazzlingly high, is also rising steadily.

The company's assets in China are negligible; at most, they wouldn't exceed 20 billion yuan.

However, Starlight Pictures owns 40% of YT Studios, one of the best independent film studios in North America.

This is a hen that lays golden eggs.

After Starlight Brilliant went public, the stock forum was buzzing with excitement.

"Real Steel 3 has grossed $7.5 million in two weeks, and its long-tail effect far exceeds that of The Avengers. Based on my understanding of the film market, this movie will eventually gross over $13 billion! It will be the runner-up at the box office this year!"

"Besides, the dazzling starlight definitely hides profits!"

"Leaving aside the box office figures for the 'Real Steel' series, just considering the merchandise alone, YT Entertainment likely generated over $15 billion in profit."

"During this period, I did some on-the-spot research at several cinemas near my home. The monsters from the Real Steel series, as well as Jaeger figurines, were basically sold out."

"In addition, the Battle Angel Alita and Empress Alita dolls are selling like hotcakes."

"Don't even mention that there's no stock in theaters. I checked on Taobao, and I couldn't find any genuine products either. There are plenty of pirated copies, but not many people are buying them."

What's the point of buying a collectible doll or figurine if you're buying a pirated copy?
After all, enthusiasts who buy dolls and figurines do so to collect and commemorate their creations, investing a great deal of their own emotion into the process.

Piracy lacks these additional spiritual meanings.

Therefore, the profit margin for dolls and figurines is very high, and sales are very stable.

Of course, the prerequisites for making doll figurines sell out are also very demanding.

We need a director to create a shared memory for all young people of this era, a kind of era-defining label that resonates across the entire internet.

Clearly, the Real Steel series has succeeded!
Starlight Entertainment owns 40% of the rights to the Real Steel series. If they develop it properly, this company will have endless stories to tell for the next 20 years.

"Brothers, Brother Yuan attended the star-studded celebration party!"

"Steady, steady!"

"Previously, someone leaked a rumor that Brother Yuan and Starlight Brilliant parted ways due to differences in their philosophies. What's the current situation?"

"The martial arts world isn't just about fighting and killing; it's about human relationships and social graces!"

"Based on my understanding of Brother Yuan over the years, he never makes enemies for no reason. He has devoted his entire life to only one thing: making good movies for us movie fans!"

"Buy more! Buy more!"

"A 200 billion yuan investment in Starlight Plaza is a steal!"

"Study!"

"After Starlight Brilliant raised funds, it will cooperate with Wanda to acquire AMC Theatres in North America. It is the second largest theatre chain in North America. Once acquired, it will create a synergistic effect with Brother Yuan."

"Big directors, big IPs, big theater chains... I can't see any flaws in this model. It's practically perfect!"

The story of the star-studded brilliance was told so beautifully.

Even without institutional investors putting in much effort, retail investors alone drove the stock price of this company to its daily limit.

Moreover, some predict that this company will see at least 10 consecutive daily price limits! It will only enter a period of adjustment after its market value reaches at least 500 billion.

The listing of Starlight Entertainment boosted the entire entertainment sector, causing Enlight Media and Huayi Brothers to rise continuously.

It has industry leaders, a compelling story, a clear concept, legitimate profits, and a legendary director overseeing the project…

At this moment, the entire Chinese film industry seemed to be connected because of one person.

All forces should be directed in one direction!

All for the sake of making Lu Zhiyuan the best in history!
……

The celebration banquet was star-studded and very large.

They invited almost all the big-name stars, directors, producers, and company bosses in the industry.

However, the star-studded shareholders and leadership were not the core of this celebration banquet.

After all, they are outsiders to the entire industry.

It's just capital.

This era was a golden age for Chinese-language films, with an overwhelming influx of foreign capital wanting to enter the market.

Which company can't raise money?

The key is how to create good works!
Only good works can tell compelling stories and continue to rake in countless amounts of money!

"Brother Yuan, this is Wang Baoqiang. I'd like to offer you a toast."

Mr. Wang brought Wang Baoqiang to speak with Lu Zhiyuan, asking him not to be too polite to Wang Baoqiang when filming the movie, because of his own connections.

We must urge him on.

Young people can only make progress through constant encouragement and motivation.

"You're welcome."

Upon their first meeting, Lu Zhiyuan clinked glasses with Wang Baoqiang, then looked at the young CEO: "Baoqiang, the young CEO has been recommending you to me, saying you have more potential than Duan Yihong. I've thought about it, and I should give him face."

Lu Zhiyuan's words were impeccable.

Firstly, they praised Duan Yihong.

Duan Yihong created a tough guy character in the "Real Steel" series, and is now quite famous.

Secondly, it flattered Mr. Wang, making him feel very important.

Thirdly, by having Xiao Wang express his trust in Wang Baoqiang, he created a positive mindset in Wang Baoqiang.

really.

At this moment, everyone was very happy.

"Baoqiang, you can rest assured now."

Young Master Wang laughed heartily and patted Wang Baoqiang on the shoulder.

Let him work hard with Lu Zhiyuan. Moreover, from a certain perspective, Wang Baoqiang can be considered to have joined the group with his own investment.

These words made Wang Baoqiang chuckle in a simple, honest way.

In the era when coal mine owners were rampant, it was always pretty young girls who would bring their own funding to join productions, pleading with the director to do them a favor. She, too, dreamed of becoming an actress.

Unexpectedly, he also experienced this kind of treatment.

"Thank you, Mr. Wang."

Wang Baoqiang had always thought that Xiao Wang was bragging. Although he was quite respectful to Xiao Wang on the surface, he had been secretly criticizing him for a long time.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Wang's method of making friends actually worked this time.

Wang Baoqiang couldn't understand how someone as talented and intelligent as Lu Zhiyuan could be friends with someone like Xiao Wang.

But he doesn't need to figure it out.

I'd be happy just to get a role.

"Baoqiang, go have fun by yourself. I'm going to talk to Akun for a bit."

Xiao Wang and Lu Zhiyuan didn't get along, but he and Xin Yukun hit it off and made a pact to have a blast in Los Angeles next time.

"Sister Yuanyuan, this is Baoqiang. If you need anything after joining the crew, just let me know."

Flattering Lu Zhiyuan was useless, but Wang Baoqiang learned a trick from Sun Honglei: flattering the female lead was the most effective.

"Oh. Hello."

Gao Yuanyuan politely greeted Wang Baoqiang, but her gaze remained fixed on Lu Zhiyuan.

But now, after turning around, Lu Zhiyuan has vanished?
This made Gao Yuanyuan feel uneasy, and she couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Jing Tian is gone too. Are those two secretly getting together again?"

That brat Dilraba is still chatting with Liu Shishi?

Is she stupid?

……

In the adjacent lounge.

Lu Zhiyuan closed the door and listened quietly to the mechanical sounds that began to turn in his mind.

Just now, the system notification sound suddenly appeared.

As expected, the system should have settled the accounts ahead of schedule.

The top-grossing film worldwide in January 2013 was undoubtedly *Real Steel 3*.

The global box office champion for December was "The Hobbit: The First Hobbit," which ran for a full 15 days and grossed $6.85 million in December.

However, after January, the film's box office performance plummeted.

In this context, "Real Steel 3" took the baton from "The Hobbit" and swept the box office worldwide.

After about 15 days in theaters, "Real Steel 3" has grossed $750 million at the box office, slightly more than "The Hobbit."

Thinking about this, Lu Zhiyuan was utterly speechless at Peter Jackson!
If Peter Jackson weren't in this time slot, how great would it be to go head-to-head with him?
When two tigers fight, both are severely injured.

In this situation, everyone's box office performance was greatly affected.

This is a classic case of harming others without benefiting oneself!

As of now, The Hobbit: The First Hobbit has grossed less than $800 million at the box office, and it is highly unlikely that it will break the $1 billion mark.

A budget of just over $9 million is the ultimate fate of this film.

It grossed less than the $10.2 billion box office in another timeline.

The $1 million lost in box office revenue is the result of going head-to-head with Lu Zhiyuan.

The impact on Lu Zhiyuan was even greater.

In its first week of release, The Hobbit 1 alone raked in $100 million at the North American box office.

Not to mention, the UK and France, two major box office markets, also lost an estimated $5000 million in box office revenue!

It's incredibly difficult to become the highest-grossing film worldwide each year.

The movie "Real Steel 3" was relatively weaker compared to the star-studded cast of "The Avengers".

In terms of scheduling, we've encountered another formidable competitor.

The box office outcome is self-evident.

"However, Peter Jackson, you ultimately lost."

In a head-on collision, with roughly the same number of screenings worldwide, "Real Steel 3" eventually surpassed "The Hobbit" at the box office.

Although the data is not yet available, it is highly likely that the box office will surpass that of other countries by the end of today.

Therefore, the system provided the reward in advance.

"Ah Yuan, what are you doing here? Are you drunk like me?"

Zhang Tianai's face was a little flushed from drinking, so she came to the rest room to catch her breath.

Reba, Hanikezi, and Gulnazar, these three people took off together.

The three individuals signed endorsement contracts with major international brands, and their combined income is higher than that of dozens of artists in other agencies combined.

Based on the endorsement deals she handles, Zhang Tianai is currently the top agent in the Chinese entertainment industry!
"Ah Yuan, let me pour you a glass of water."

Zhang Tianai had drunk too much and was feeling dizzy, but her first priority was still to check on Lu Zhiyuan.

"Xiao Ai, sit down and rest. I'll get you a glass of water. You've worked so hard these past few years."

Lu Zhiyuan helped Zhang Tianai up, poured her a glass of water, and told her to drink it slowly.

He, on the other hand, closed his eyes and quietly enjoyed the upcoming awards ceremony.

This year was a bit better than last year. At his awards ceremony, there was a guest in attendance: Zhang Tianai, who was quite drunk.

At this moment, Zhang Tianai's eyes were somewhat unfocused. She rested her chin on one hand and silently looked at Lu Zhiyuan.

She probably wouldn't have been so bold if she hadn't been drunk.

But since we're already drunk, we have nothing to fear!

Anyway, once you sober up, no matter what you did, you can say you were drunk, your mind was blank, and you don't remember anything.

……

coming!

Like an old-fashioned pendulum clock, the pendulum swings back and forth. At a certain point, suddenly, the gears click.

Then, the clear sound of bells rang out.

Lu Zhiyuan began to listen to the system's beautiful broadcast.

—[He was born in London, England, and at the age of seven, he began his earliest filmmaking by using his father's camera to film his toy soldiers.]

—[At the age of 19, his surrealist short film "Tarantella" appeared in PBS's independent film series, officially launching his path to genius!]

……

—[At 30, he finally entered Hollywood, directing and writing the film "Memento." The film's outstanding performance earned him widespread acclaim, and he received his first Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and several other awards.]

……

—[He is a master filmmaker who combines commercial success with artistic merit! He is one of the few directors who has consistently achieved huge commercial success in Hollywood while maintaining a strong personal style and creative freedom.]

—【His masterful use of the IMAX format and his unwavering commitment to film shooting greatly propelled the development of large-format, high-resolution, and immersive cinematic experiences. His insistence on practical effects aesthetics raised the bar for realism in action scenes and spectacles.】

—[He excels at handling extremely grand themes, such as time, space, memory, human existence, the universe, and moral ambiguity, employing complex and intricate narrative structures, such as non-linear storytelling, parallel editing, and circular structures, to present them. This challenges the audience's intellect and provides a unique cinematic experience. He has made mind-bending a hallmark of commercial cinema.]

……

—【He is a great engineer and architect! The grand worldview, intricate narrative structure, breathtaking physical wonders, and unique audiovisual style he created are extremely rare among contemporary directors!】

—【He is Christopher Nolan, a true cinematic giant!】

—Whether you love everything about him or not, you can't ignore the profound mark he has left on film history and popular culture!

……

The reward that was revealed this time actually belongs to Christopher Nolan!

Lu Zhiyuan has always regarded Nolan as his lifelong enemy!
Because, among the new generation of directors, Nolan is simply too outstanding.

So outstanding that in history, there is no director who can serve as a model for Nolan.

Stanley Kubrick might be considered a template for Nolan, but there are still differences.

In short, as a fellow professional, Lu Zhiyuan greatly admires Nolan.

Although it is highly unlikely that "Real Steel 3" will break the $15.6 billion box office record set by "The Avengers", Lu Zhiyuan is not discouraged.

Because one day, all his box office earnings will add up to the highest in history.

Currently, the all-time box office record holder is Spielberg, with a total of $102 billion.

Lu Zhiyuan has completed about 40% of the work.

The Real Steel trilogy likely grossed $36 billion, and with Upgrade's $5 million, the total exceeds $40 billion.

Based on box office figures, he has officially entered the all-time Top 10.

Next step: surpass Tim Burton!
— [Congratulations! You've accomplished the impossible. Your film, *Real Steel 3: Perseus*, has stunned the world and is considered a masterpiece that perfectly blends art and commerce, showcasing true mecha aesthetics.]

—[Congratulations on winning the global monthly box office champion in January 2013, breaking the Chinese single-day box office record, and breaking the Chinese single-film box office record. With four consecutive films achieving huge commercial success, you have become a globally recognized genius director, hailed as the Michelangelo of the new era!]

—[Reward obtained: S-rank talent - Christopher Nolan, unparalleled visual immersion.]

"Yes!"

How many S-level talents does Nolan actually possess?
Lu Zhiyuan had no way of knowing, but he did know that he possessed a sixth S-level talent.

No.

He also possesses an innate, exceptional artistic temperament, worthy of an S-class standard.

He should have 7 S-level talents!
(End of this chapter)