I'm just trying to ride the wave of popularity!

Chapter 275 Fearless of any sharp edge!

"Mr. Tom, are you sure you want to license 'Vampire Hunter,' which was originally scheduled for a December release, to China's Tianyu Media for an early release?"

"Yes!"

In the Columbia Pictures office.

Tom Smith nodded, his eyes fixed on the "Vampire Hunter" project.

This film, with a budget of $1.6 million, blends classic monster images such as Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and werewolves. It tells the story of monster hunter Van Helsing, who is sent by the Catholic Church to Transylvania to fight Count Dracula and uncover the mystery of his own origins...

This project is Columbia Pictures' last film to be released this year. It was originally scheduled for release in December and served as Columbia Pictures' final film of 2004.

But at this moment!
Tom Smith, however, moved up the world premiere of this movie!

In fact, the moment "The Black Robe Alliance" beat "Catwoman," Tom Smith keenly realized that the superhero movie market was about to welcome another contender.

If it were just about dividing up the market, that would be one thing!

But by the way!
This damn "Black Robe Alliance"!
Tom Smith looked down at the set of data on his desk...

That's the latest global sales figure for the official DVDs of "Spider-Man" from Columbia Pictures.

Previously, the company's internal analysis team unanimously predicted that, based on its astonishing global box office of $8.12 million, "Spider-Man" would sell at least 600 million DVDs in its first week in North America, or even more...

however……

After its first week, Spider-Man only sold 400 million copies!

Far below expectations!
He investigated the market and found that the culprit was the movie "The Black Robe Alliance"!
He glanced down at the Los Angeles Times his secretary had brought him.

The entertainment section's headline was a striking one: "[A Chinese madman has planted the 'anti-British' virus in the minds of the audience]."

When "The Black Robe Alliance" rewrote and subverted the entire plot of "Spider-Man"...

When the plot of "Spider-Man" becomes a manipulation and deception in "The Black Robe Alliance"...

After watching "The Black Robe Alliance," who would still want to buy the official DVD of "Spider-Man"?
This is a humiliation!
A gust of wind blew by, and Tom Smith's finger slammed heavily onto the box office figures for "The Black Robe Alliance".

His expression gradually turned cold: "The Chinese used $12 for 'Saw' to rake in $1 million at the box office, and used the knock-off special effects of 'The Black Robe' to shatter the DVD market for 'Spider-Man'..."

He picked up the information about "Martial Soul 3" from his desk and squinted.

"I've seen his first two movies..."

"The special effects of these two movies are average, but they have not been badly received in the Chinese market."

"We must take the third part seriously!"

"..."

The secretary hesitated for a moment before looking at Tom and finally said, "But it's facing off against 'Dekkertmann.' Are we taking this a bit too seriously?"

"There's a Chinese saying, 'Make thorough preparations for everything.' Tell those people at Tianyu Media that once 'Darkman Ultraman's' box office performance falters, immediately launch the 'Vampire Hunter' promotional campaign to squeeze out the 'Wuhun' series' screening space!"

"it is good!"

....................................

10 month 29 day.

A light rain began to fall in Yanjing.

[Xuan Shi Entertainment] entrance.

Wearing a mask, Liu Jinghua, the head of the copyright department, marketing department, and film and television department of [Huashang Brothers], silently got out of the car.

Then, led by Zhang Jingya, they entered [Xuanshi Entertainment].

This is Liu Jinghua's second visit to [Xuan Shi Entertainment].

The first time Liu Jinghua came to Zhou Yang was on the eve of the release of "The Lord of the Rings". At that time, she had a somewhat condescending attitude, thinking that she had already given him a way out.

This time, Liu Jinghua had completely lost the arrogance he displayed the first time. Instead, he began to approach the situation cautiously, acting as a collaborator with his lawyers.

She knew all too well that the battle between "Catwoman" and "The Black Robe Alliance" had changed the entire landscape of the Chinese film industry, and if she didn't adjust her strategy in time, no one knew what the future held for [Huashang Brothers]...

"Mr. Zhou is waiting for you inside!"

"it is good!"

The office door opened.

Liu Jinghua straightened her clothes and then silently walked into the office.

"Hello, Mr. Liu!"

"Hello, Mr. Zhou!"

Outside the window, the rain was drizzling.

Inside the room, Liu Jinghua saw Zhou Yang with a gentle smile, preparing to pour her some plain water...

Just then, Liu Jinghua laughed, took out a box from his pocket, and carefully handed it to Zhou Yang: "President Zhou, don't drink plain water, I brought some Da Hong Pao tea..."

Zhou Yang was taken aback, then quickly stood up and took the box: "Sit down, Mr. Liu, please sit down..."

"Yes." As Zhou Yang accepted the red robe, a brief silence fell over the office.

Liu Jinghua watched as Zhou Yang unpacked the tea and sniffed its aroma, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Then he saw Zhou Yang skillfully take the tea and brew it.

When the fragrant tea filled two cups, Zhou Yang took out some snacks from the drawer and placed them on the tea table, his tone warmer than when they first met: "Mr. Liu, what brings you here today?"

"Mr. Zhou, I heard that 'Wu Hun 3' is going to be released..."

"Yes."

"Our film, 'Ultraman,' is also about to be released..."

"I know... So, Mr. Zhou, first of all, I want to sincerely apologize to you for what our [Huashang Brothers] did to the 'Black Robe Alliance' some time ago. Of course, I also apologize for the arrogance we showed you when we first met!" A breeze brushed against Liu Jinghua's face as he looked at Zhou Yang, his words becoming exceptionally sincere, his gaze filled with seriousness. "Mr. Liu, it's all in the past... I'm not a petty person..." Zhou Yang chuckled and shook his head.

Upon hearing this, Liu Jinghua fell silent, unsure of how to respond.

It's not that I'm petty or narrow-minded.
Weren't the previous poaching, film scheduling cuts, and public relations crackdowns all things you instructed to do?

and also!

It's because Tianyu Entertainment once snatched a role from you, and you've been holding a grudge ever since. Every now and then, you're in a bad mood, so you go to Tianyu's office to cause trouble and make sarcastic remarks.

Liu Jinghua even suspected that, if the law allowed, Zhou Yang might even dig up the ancestral graves of Deng Baiqiang, the chairman of Tianyu Media!
This is not something a magnanimous person would do!
Seeing Liu Jinghua remain silent, Zhou Yang pushed up his glasses and narrowed his eyes: "President Liu, just state your purpose..."

"I don't want 'Ultraman Deckard' to compete with 'Wuhun 3'. I hope Mr. Zhou can postpone the release of 'Wuhun 3'. Besides that, I'm here for the sake of 'Ultraman Deckard's' screening schedule..."

"The scheduling is the cinema's business, it has nothing to do with me. I believe the cinemas will abide by the [Domestic Film Protection Agreement]..." Zhou Yang shook his head with a smile.

“Mr. Zhou, you and I both know that ‘Decker Ultraman’ isn’t a domestic film. We don’t need to play these word games…” Liu Jinghua paused, then stared at Zhou Yang: “Mr. Zhou, let me be frank. You’ve seen the impact of ‘Decker Ultraman’… The Chinese film market is huge. I know you’re incredibly talented, and every film you make has amazing box office returns, but relying solely on films under [Xuanshi Entertainment] to support these cinemas is probably too much of a strain…”

Zhou Yang remained silent after listening.

Liu Jinghua silently took out a cooperation agreement from his bag and handed it to Zhou Yang: "President Zhou, this time we've come with sincerity. We're willing to share a portion of the profits from 'Dekker Ultraman' in this cooperation..."

Zhou Yang took the contract, glanced at it quickly, and nodded.

Liu Jinghua came here with genuine sincerity.

The contract shows that the revenue sharing for "Dekker's Ultraman" is quite generous.

but……

"I have no problem with that, but [Xuanshi Entertainment] and [Cinema Alliance] are not owned by me alone now, so I can't make decisions..." Zhou Yang shook his head with a smile: "I won't disrupt market rules, don't worry. I won't interfere with the [Cinema Alliance]'s film scheduling either..."

"Mr. Zhou, let's stop beating around the bush and tell me your terms..." Upon hearing this, Liu Jinghua frowned.

"Mr. Liu, just tell me what you can give me!"

Liu Jinghua remained silent for a long time, then stared at Zhou Yang: "I know you have a toy and copyright operation department. Let's sign an agreement. Your 'Martial Soul' series of toys will be licensed to us, and we will also license the operation of our 'Decker Ultraman' merchandise to you. We'll cooperate and make money together! As long as we continue to cooperate with the Japanese side and continue to have the agency cooperation rights for Chinese merchandise, we [Huashang Brothers] and you [Shengshi Entertainment] will maintain our merchandise cooperation. What do you think?"

After Liu Jinghua finished speaking, he took out another agreement and handed it to Zhou Yang.

Zhou Yang took the agreement, glanced at it, remained silent for a long time, then narrowed his eyes and flipped through the information on "Dekker Ultraman".

"I'm not particularly interested in 'Decker Ultraman,' but if you can use your resources to help me expand the merchandise for the 'Martial Soul' series, then... I might consider a collaboration!"

"it is good!"

Liu Jinghua nodded.

Just as both sides' lawyers were reviewing all aspects of the agreement, confirming that everything was correct, and preparing to sign the cooperation agreement.

Liu Jinghua's phone rang.

Liu Jinghua went outside to answer the phone.

When she came back, her expression was complicated.

Then...

"Mr. Zhou..."

"you say……"

“In November, two Hollywood films will be joining the fray. One is ‘Vampire Hunter,’ licensed to Tianyu Media by Columbia Pictures, and the other…” Liu Jinghua paused for a moment, then continued, “The other one, Warner Bros., through its board of directors, licensed us a film called ‘The Incredible Hulk’…”

“So…” Zhou Yang narrowed his eyes.

"Just now, the board of directors rejected our cooperation agreement. Their meaning is..."

"..."

Seeing Zhou Yang frown, Liu Jinghua stood up.

"President Zhou, give me half a day. I'll go and persuade the board of directors! Our two companies can't keep fighting like this!"

"it is good."

Zhou Yang nodded calmly.

Not long after Liu Jinghua left in a hurry.

Che Xiao, the director of "Wu Hun 3", rushed in!

"Mr. Zhou, something's happened. How about we reschedule the release of 'Wu Hun 3'? I just received news that the November film market isn't just about 'Dekker Ultraman,' but also about a Hollywood film with pre-licensed rights!"

"Besides, it seems the Hollywood film industry has made a call to the authorities, implying that their film screenings should not be restricted due to personal grudges... Of course, they will also require our Chinese co-production film company to handle film licensing for major cinema chains in China, and hope that we will respect market choices... This seems to refer to our [Cinema Alliance]..."

"This time, we might really have to fight!"

Seeing Che Xiao's terrified expression, and noticing the two film documents on the table, Zhou Yang squinted and asked, "When have we ever not gone all out?"

"This time it's different, it's a Hollywood blockbuster, completely different from 'Catwoman'..."

........................

9 o'clock in the evening.

Zhou Yang's phone rang.

The call was from Liu Jinghua, his voice tinged with apology: "I'm sorry, Mr. Zhou, the board of directors is very stubborn. They might try to block your 'Wu Hun 3.' So, I'll try my best to secure a better screening schedule to avoid conflict with the promotional period... As for the cooperation, I'll try my best to negotiate again and prevent the two companies from fighting at this time..."

"We won't shy away from anyone's attacks!" After hearing the voice on the phone, Zhou Yang shook his head with an icy expression: "We're setting the release date for November 3rd! If you want to take me down, bring it on!"

"..."

(End of this chapter)