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

Chapter 397 Epilogue (Part 8)

In late December 2008, a biting cold wind swept across China.

An indescribable tension permeated the entire internet world, with almost everyone in the film industry focused on this pivotal showdown that would determine the course of history.

This is a crucial battle concerning the future of Chinese cinema, and its significance has long transcended ordinary commercial competition, becoming a cultural symbol etched in the annals of the times.

……

On the LED screen outside the cinema, the real-time box office data for "God of Monsters" and "The Alda" constantly stirred the emotions of countless people...

This also stirred the emotions of countless netizens on social media platforms such as [Movie House] and [QuickBlog]!
In the first few hours, "The Arda" led the pack with an overwhelming advantage, with every IMAX theater sold out, and social media was filled with adoration and praise for Karlov's visual magic...

This groundbreaking film has indeed deeply moved countless people, and there is absolutely no doubt about that!

Film critics are also pessimistic. One well-known film critic published a lengthy article overnight, asserting that "Chinese special effects are at least ten years behind Hollywood."

Some people were criticizing him, saying he couldn't get up from his knees, but he earnestly cited a lot of data, saying he was just stating a reality...

As night fell, the wind direction gradually reversed.

On the trending topics list, the hashtag #Taotie Tears Up the Statue of Liberty# suddenly appeared at number one.

A secretly filmed video uploaded by a netizen named "Behind the Bronze Gate" showing Baxia devouring Grass has gone viral, with views exceeding 800 million in two hours.

The comments section erupted: "This is what you call a Chinese monster!"

"Does a Hollywood plastic lizard deserve to be called a mythical beast?"

"It's not a monster, it's a divine beast, the god of monsters, a divine beast!"

"..."

At 3 a.m., the [Movie House] server experienced another slowdown due to a surge in traffic.

Technicians discovered that the source of the paralysis was actually Liang Xiaogang's post under his real name: "Just finished watching 'Adada' for the second time. Have some people really been kneeling for so long that they can't stand up anymore? This special effects level is top-notch even in Hollywood!"

This director, who was once known for his admiration for Western culture, is now unusually supportive of Chinese films.

Opinions vary: some believe he was forced to do so to make a living, some think he was trying to be different, and others speculate that he was instructed by Zhou Yang... after all, he is now a director under Zhou Yang's management.

But in any case, these discussions are no longer important...

At 4:00 AM on December 24, 2008, box office figures exploded across the internet like a thunderclap!

The Arda grossed 1.1 million RMB on its opening day, crushing God of the Monsters' 7000 million RMB. The stark difference in numbers stung the nerves of all Chinese moviegoers.

However, when the cinema statistics report was released, the entire industry was shocked!

The two films presented drastically different audience situations: "God of Monsters," priced at 30-60 yuan, actually attracted far more viewers than "The Arda," priced at 50-120 yuan.

This means that, based on the same ticket price, "God of Monsters" has already surpassed it in potential box office revenue!
This phenomenon has sparked heated debate within the industry…

Some lament that the low-price strategy has lowered the value of the Chinese film market, while others are excited about "using attendance to prove the audience's choice."

With the release of box office figures for "Adada: God of the Monsters" and "Alda," a nationwide discussion about ticket prices quickly erupted online.

A poll conducted by a reputable film forum asked, "If ticket prices were the same, would you support domestic films?" The results showed that 80% of viewers chose to firmly support domestic films, only 5% explicitly opposed them, and the remaining 15% adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

Even more shockingly, as the discussion continued to escalate, calls for a price increase spontaneously emerged on social media.

Numerous netizens have jointly called for raising ticket prices for "God of Monsters" to prove the market value of domestically produced films!
"30 yuan is a fair price, but our movie is absolutely worth the 120 yuan ticket price for an IMAX theater!"

"We absolutely cannot let Hollywood think we can't afford to lose!"

"We can win, we can break box office records, so why shouldn't we win?"

"Yes!"

"Why!"

"..."

This bottom-up wave of "price increase petitions" peaked when the box office data was released on the second day!

Data shows that "The Arda" grossed 1.08 million yuan, a slight decrease from its opening day; while "God of the Monsters" saw a slight increase with a gross of 7100 million yuan.

Despite the overwhelming petitions for price increases, Zhou Yang remained unmoved.

In the early hours of the 26th, [Xuanshi Entertainment] released only a brief statement: "We hope to show the audience a good movie with the utmost sincerity. A temporary victory or defeat is not that important to us. Even if we lose this time, as long as our fans are still here, we will still be able to win next time!"

With this statement coming down!

Instead of raising prices, they issued additional movie tickets to all ticket buyers, effectively further reducing prices.

This move completely ignited the market!

The industry was in an uproar, with many exclaiming, "Zhou Yang has gone mad!" But the audience was absolutely thrilled!

Social media posts showcasing "second and third viewings" are flooding in, long queues at cinemas are reappearing, and some people are even traveling across cities with their suitcases to see the movie.

The price reduction strategy, which seemed like a sign of weakness, actually led to an exponential increase in the number of viewers for "God of Monsters," and the box office curve rose against the trend.

When the data for the third day was released, a miracle occurred: despite the huge difference in ticket prices, "God of Monsters" broke 8000 million in box office revenue in a single day!
It broke the historical record of Chinese domestic films, and even the record of "Transformers"!
Meanwhile, "The Arda" grossed 1 million RMB, still far ahead, but its advantage seems to have disappeared!
This "retreat to advance" tactic ultimately transformed the enthusiasm of Chinese audiences into a torrent that rewrote history, reigniting the flames of war in the entire film market.

……

From December 27 to 29, 2008, the Chinese film market witnessed an unprecedented movie-going frenzy.

The box office battle between "Adada: God of the Monsters" and "Alda" has entered a fierce stage. With coupons offered by [XuanShi Entertainment] and continuous appeals from forums such as [ZhouYang's Home] and [Movie Home], more and more movie fans are spontaneously joining the "Support Domestic Films" movement.

IMAX theaters across the country urgently added extra screenings, and cinemas nationwide also reopened one after another, opening up more screenings. However, movie tickets were still in short supply, creating a situation where tickets were hard to come by.

The final three-day data showed that "God of the Monsters" saw its daily box office soar from 8000 million to 9000 million, while "The Alda" dropped from 1 million to 9300 million.

The gap between the two films has narrowed to a mere 300 million, and the balance of power is quietly shifting.

Theater managers were shocked to find that many viewers were holding two movie tickets and moving between different theaters, and there were even cases of entire families going to see "God of Monsters" together.

Everyone was shocked to realize!
This box office miracle, driven by public enthusiasm, is completely rewriting the historical landscape of the Chinese film market.

……

Amidst a howling cold wind, the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve 2009!

Liu Jiasheng stood outside the cinema, watching the electronic screen show that the box office gap between "God of Monsters" and "The Alda" had narrowed to the level of several hundred thousand.

Meanwhile, audience enthusiasm is spreading like wildfire, with daily attendance records being broken...

At this moment, all his previous unease and tension had vanished!

He started to change!
Emotionally.

However, just as everyone held their breath, waiting for the comeback, Zhou Yang made another move!
In the early hours of January 1st, "Robot Baby Power" suddenly started pre-sales!
The animated film "Robot Baby Power," marketed as "China's first sci-fi mecha animation," featured a Q-version robot carrying a golden cudgel on its shoulder and standing on the remains of a Transformer on its promotional poster, along with the slogan "30 yuan for the whole family." Upon its release, it caused a sensation in the market.

Liu Jiasheng was speechless with shock as he witnessed the pre-sale data skyrocket through the [Xuanshi Ticketing] APP.

In just half an hour!

120 million movie tickets!
Sold out completely!

Zhou Yang's aggressive three-pronged approach completely shattered the industry's expectations of a 'conservative response'.

He would rather earn less money, and even make his works compete with each other, in order to put his opponents to death.

In the global box office arena!
He may not be able to gain an absolute advantage!
But in the Chinese domestic market!

He seems determined to completely overwhelm his opponent!

this moment!
With the number of pre-sales exceeding historical records!
Theater managers worked through the night to adjust the screening schedule. The countdown for "Robot Baby" was added to the electronic display screen and flashed alongside the real-time data of two other movies, showing no signs of being inferior!

See this scene!
Liu Jiasheng's hand holding the phone trembled uncontrollably, and in a daze, he seemed to hear the deafening roar of the giant wheel of time being pushed forward by Zhou Yang.

Could it be!

This movie!

Want to be famous?

January 1st, morning!
When Liu Jiasheng saw the heads of several film and television companies, including Tianyu Media, lose control of their emotions during an interview, they angrily roared, "Zhou Yang is a madman!"

However, Zhou Yang's official account did not respond, but instead posted posters for two other unreleased films, "Adar: King Kong Shoots Down Planes" and "Pacific Rim," seemingly hinting that an even more ferocious counterattack was yet to come...

As long as the other side continues to make inflammatory remarks, these two movies will be released immediately.

this moment!
seem!

It's making a declaration!

I can release it at any cost!

We're going to crush you head-on!
We're going to shatter your "legends" with sheer numbers!
The King of Hollywood Movies!
so what!
This is China!

Yes!

This is China!
here!

It's Zhouyang's place!

This astonishing move shook the entire film industry, and everyone was awestruck by Zhou Yang's do-or-die determination.

Countless filmmakers talk about this madman in private...

after one day!

Early in the morning of June 1.

"Robot Baby Power" has not yet been released!
but……

All the merchandise that was released in advance has already sold out completely...

In the wind and snow, Liu Jiasheng stared at the box office data screen outside the cinema.

Feel the impact of this number, which resonates like a war drum throughout the era.

He stared intently at "Robot Doll Power"!
This movie from [Xuan Shi Entertainment]...

What kind of surprises will they receive?

After this movie is released, then...

how is it?

(End of this chapter)