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

Chapter 295 One Hundred Million Endorsement Fee

3 month 15 day.

[XuanShi Entertainment] has released five tokusatsu movies in a row.

Although these films performed reasonably well at the box office, their online reputation was less than satisfactory, with generally low ratings.

Some films, if they weren't so fresh and exciting to the market, wouldn't have made much money at the box office...

However, there is one exception: a movie called "Racing Ultraman".

Although the title is "Ultraman Racing," this movie doesn't borrow plots from the Japanese tokusatsu series "Ultraman" like the other four. Instead, it uses a completely new "transformation" system from the suit to the plot and the overall direction of the film, even abandoning the traditional laser-firing style...

Even the movie's plot is entirely original...

In 2000, an archaeological team discovered an ancient stone coffin with dragon patterns in the Yunling Mountains, unexpectedly awakening the dormant "Shadow Demon" race.

College student Lin Hao unexpectedly obtains the "Dragon Soul" transformation system, becoming a modern-day Dragon Soul Warrior. Through cooperation with the Special Investigation Bureau, he gradually unlocks combat forms such as Crimson Flame, Azure Mist, and Mystic Armor. Facing the threat of the final boss, the "Shadow Demon Lord," Lin Hao upholds the belief of "protecting the lights of every home," breaking through his limits in the ultimate battle and winning a future for humanity with the "Dragon Soul Supreme" form.

……

The script outline for "Racing Ultraman" lay on Zhou Yang's desk.

In fact, when Zhou Yang first looked at the outline of this movie, he thought of the original "Kamen Rider" series from his previous world.

Kamen Rider Kuuga...

The film became a phenomenal hit in Japan after it was released in 2000.

The average viewership rating was as high as 15.2%, with the final episode achieving an astonishing 23.5%.

The protagonist Yusuke Godai's transformation belt toy sold 200 million units, and the theme song "Boy" topped the Oricon chart for three weeks.

Its innovative bio-armor design and core concept of "fighting to protect the smiles of others" profoundly influenced the development of tokusatsu dramas over the next 20 years, earning it the reputation among fans as "the spiritual origin of the Heisei Riders."

In 2005, the Chinese version of "Kamen Rider" was in its nascent, exploratory stage...

The Japanese Kamen Rider series has not been officially introduced to mainland China. Pirated discs are available on the market, but they are mostly sold under the name "Ultraman".

Viewers mainly accessed the content through pirated DVDs/Hong Kong and Taiwan channels, and domestic TV stations only broadcast overseas tokusatsu films such as "Dinosaur Special Edition" sporadically.

The domestic industry is also at a very ordinary stage, lacking both mature works and an industrial system.

And in this primitive stage...

The emergence of "Racing Ultraman" made Zhou Yang realize the opportunity to seize the market early and incubate the IP.

The "Martial Soul" series is an IP, but relying solely on this one IP is far from enough!

He needs more movies like this!

……

The office door opened.

Director Jiang Litao of "Racing Ultraman" walked in through the door.

When he saw Zhou Yang, he was very emotional, and his hands holding the data were trembling!

The past three months have felt like a dream to him!

In fact, I joined [Xuan Shi Entertainment] just to make a living, and even planned to do what other directors do: casually make a movie called "Racing Ultraman," add some racing plots to fool the audience, and just swindle some money...

However, once he actually joined [Xuan Shi Entertainment], he discovered that Zhou Yang's team paid special attention to his ideas.

Zhou Yang personally approached him to discuss the script, and Che Xiao and Shen Long also frequently discussed special effects filming techniques with him, even encouraging him to be bold and innovative.

This feeling of being trusted gradually infected Jiang Litao, and his long-dormant dream of special effects was slowly rekindled...

He began to take the film seriously and stopped being perfunctory.

He stayed up all night rethinking the script, polishing it bit by bit, from costume design and character settings to the world-building of the tokusatsu film.

He consulted a large amount of information and even personally participated in the design of the suit, striving to make every detail full of passion and enthusiasm.

Ultimately, although the name "Racing Ultraman" sounds like a "money-grabbing" work, Jiang Litao gave it a completely new soul—an original transformation system, a unique fighting style, and a story about protection and faith.

"Mr. Zhou...you wanted to see me?" Jiang Litao looked at Zhou Yang, unable to suppress his excitement.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the unfolded box office report for "Racing Ultraman." Zhou Yang adjusted his glasses and smiled as he checked the numbers: "1300 million on opening day, 92% occupancy rate... Director Jiang, this one is different from the other four abstract flops."

Jiang Litao's breath hitched, and his clenched fist trembled slightly.

Three months ago, he was still doing odd jobs on the film set, but now he is being called "Director Jiang" by an industry giant.

"Audiences criticize other movies as 'spiritual pollution'...but with you, they ask—when is the sequel coming out?"

Jiang Litao trembled slightly, wanting to say something, but he was too excited to make a sound, and his whole body turned red.

"For your first film, I've approved a production budget of 500 million RMB. For your second film, I'll give you 1500 million!"

Everyone was stunned when they heard those words, and he stared at Zhou Yang in disbelief!

"What I want is not just one movie, but a tokusatsu universe..."

Zhou Yang opened the drawer and took out a stack of yellowed Japanese tokusatsu magazines: "Japan's 'Kamen Rider' hasn't landed in China yet, and the tokusatsu universe hasn't truly begun to form a network. Now it's our turn to build China's tokusatsu universe!"

Jiang Litao nodded but didn't respond. Instead, he looked at the Frankenstein-like gourd Ultraman on the poster. At that moment, he suddenly understood Zhou Yang's strategy: using an abstract, bad film to attract attention, and planting the seeds of a real IP amidst the criticism.

Zhou Yang tossed over a business plan: "Dragon Soul Warrior series, six installments over five years, with full development from theatrical releases to merchandise."

He narrowed his eyes. "But I want you to do two things—"

“You said.” Jiang Litao’s voice was hoarse.

"First, what I need to revolutionize with this series is not the box office, but the childhood memories of an entire generation!" Zhou Yang tapped the shattered racing car model on the table: "Second..."

He suddenly lowered his voice: "Let directors like Liang Xiaogang never understand why elementary school students would rather save their breakfast money to watch your movies."

"From now on, you no longer need to ride on the coattails of Ultraman's popularity and fame!"

Zhou Yang took out a project approval document for "Dragon Soul Warrior" and an agreement and handed it to Jiang Litao: "Sign this agreement, and from now on, apart from the investment share and director's fee, 10% of the revenue from merchandise, box office, profits, and all aspects of the 'Dragon Soul Warrior' universe will be yours!"

Jiang Litao took the project approval document for "Dragon Soul Warrior," his fingers trembling uncontrollably.

The paper shimmered faintly in the sunlight, yet it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

He stared at the words "10% share" on the document, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and suddenly he felt his eyes welling up with tears.

Three months ago, he was still carrying equipment on the set of [Tianyu] and being bossed around by the production assistants. He had never even sat in a proper director's chair.

Now, Zhou Yang is presenting him not only with a contract, but also with an opportunity that could etch his name into the history of Chinese tokusatsu.

"President Zhou..." His voice was hoarse beyond belief, and his hand gripping the documents trembled uncontrollably: "Aren't you afraid I'll mess this up?"

Zhou Yang smiled, his gaze behind his glasses sharp as a knife. He narrowed his eyes and said, "The suit design for 'Racing Ultraman' was drawn by you lying on the floor of the prop room, and the special effects storyboard was polished by you and your team through seven sleepless nights using stick figure sketches."

He suddenly leaned forward, the nib of his pen slamming heavily against the dragon logo on the cover of the proposal. “You’re the only one in the whole company who dares to change the final battle to ‘transformation while a motorcycle leaps over lava’—Director Jiang, that’s the crazy spirit I need!”

The office air conditioner hummed softly, but Jiang Litao felt his blood boiling.

He remained silent for a long time, then clenched his fist!

Next!

"Sign!" He suddenly grabbed his pen, his eyes bloodshot as he looked up. "But there's a condition—the villain in the second movie has to be called 'Shadow Demon General,' and he has to ride a burning skeletal horse!"

He grinned, revealing an almost ferocious smile: "I'm going to make every child have nightmares about it!"

“Okay!” Zhou Yang nodded.

Speaking of the Kuruma, Zhou Yang lowered his head and thought of another movie, falling into a brief daze and deep thought.

I don't know how much time passed before I saw Jiang Litao after he had signed his name.

He laughed.

"Now, let's create a world that will shock people like Liang Xiaogang so much they'll lose their dentures!"

"it is good!"

Jiang Litao nodded vigorously, then took a deep breath: "I won't let you down, President Zhou!"

"Go!"

"Ok!"

Jiang Litao silently walked out of the office.

After Jiang Litao left the office, Zhou Yang looked at Zhang Jingya beside him.

"Jingya..."

"Mr. Zhou..."

"By the way, I'd like to ask, are there any motorcycle brands among the brands that have recently expressed interest in collaborating with us?"

"Yes!" Zhang Jingya was taken aback, then lowered her head, glanced at the series of documents in her hand, and then looked at Zhou Yang: "There are about 12 motorcycle brands..."

"Only 12?" Zhou Yang was stunned when he heard this.

"These 12 are domestic brands with strength and a willingness to pay high prices..."

"Oh, any interest from Harley-Davidson motorcycles?"

"They haven't contacted us yet, and we haven't contacted them either. Big brands like these generally don't proactively approach us for collaborations unless there are special circumstances. Of course, if you could personally endorse us, I think..."

"I see..." Zhou Yang pondered for a moment, then suddenly revealed a shrewd smile: "Then help me spread a word—say that my new movie is going to do product placement for a motorcycle brand, and let these 12 manufacturers bid for it. Any endorsement fee less than 100 million yuan is out of the question!"

"One hundred million?!" Zhang Jingya's eyes widened, and her voice changed.

The astronomical price tag left her stunned.

Her mind went blank!
And at this moment...

Zhou Yang narrowed his eyes: "Tell them, I'll direct it myself!"

Zhou Yang lowered his head and wrote four characters on the table.

The Demon Knight.

(End of this chapter)