Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 116 Shares, spread all over the place
Chen Kai and his team arrived in Beijing and were delighted when he mentioned The Promise!

"Tianxia" actress Gao Yuanyuan was so excited at Cannes that she revealed her boyfriend is Zhang Yadong!

Cheng Long criticizes Kim Hee Sun for being overpriced and poorly skilled, and says he doesn't want to work with Korean stars anymore!

These days, Chinese figures on the Cannes stage are flooding the entire entertainment pages, and the most popular one is "The Promise".

The news that Han Sanping returned to Beijing happily has spread. The three of them all looked relaxed. After more than ten hours of flight, not only did they not show any signs of fatigue, but they were in a good mood and greeted the media who came to pick them up at the airport.

"The word they said most was 'amazing.'"

"They praised it as a very unique film with Chinese cultural connotations and a strong visual impact."

"I have always been confident about The Promise, not just now."

Brother Chen Kai is now full of confidence and can't wait for the film to be released tomorrow. He is "heartbroken" that it will take another half a year to be released. He feels that there are still too few film schedules in China, otherwise "The Promise" would not have to wait for the Lunar New Year holiday and could meet the audience in advance.

At this time, Wu Chen also received a call from Han Sanping, asking about Jason Blum and Michael Burns.

"They're arriving tonight. They'll adjust to the time difference and get some sleep. It won't affect tomorrow's negotiations." Wu Chen replied with a smile, flipping through the reports on the portal website:

"Mr. Han, it seems like selling the copyright in Cannes went smoothly."

"Oh, it's not bad." Han Sanping said happily, "I'm relieved. Although some copyright holders are still negotiating, most of the risks are gone."

Although Han Sanping did not say it explicitly, it is obvious that more than half of the costs have been recovered.

Brother Chen Kai's Palme d'Or is still popular overseas, and it is known as an oriental fantasy blockbuster, which really works.

"I'm going to go take a rest first. I have to prepare for your big production tomorrow."

Han Sanping felt that if he were younger, with this excitement, he would not need to rest at all and could just start a new round of negotiations directly.

"Boss Han, see you tomorrow."

Wu Chen said this and hung up the phone.

On the other side, Brother Chen Kai looked at the media reports with a smile on his face, revealing an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

After this Cannes appearance, all the doubts disappeared, leaving only praise.

"By the way, what do you think President Han has to say about coming back? These days, President Han has been muttering about an important matter after he comes back." Chen Hong sat aside, gently shaking her calves, and said leisurely.

"It's hard to say. It might be related to Wu Chen. I asked him the other day. Although he didn't say it directly, he hinted at something." Brother Chen Kai leaned back in his chair and didn't care.

"Wu Chen is still young. Even if we bring Han San together, we can't do a big production. A big production worth 30 million US dollars is only Zhang Yimou and I in China.

Everyone else is inferior.”

Chen Hong nodded in agreement, as if she had thought of something. "I heard from people in the industry that Huayi is also planning to help Feng Xiaogang make a big film."

"Feng Xiaogang?" Brother Chen Kai smiled disdainfully. Strictly speaking, Feng Xiaogang couldn't even sit at his table for dinner.

A director who only has box office success but no awards can only make a living in China at the moment. He has to be forced to sell the copyright at a low price when selling it abroad. How big a market can he create?

"Let's wait until he finishes filming." Brother Chen Kai squinted his eyes and went into a rest state.

The next day.

The capital's sunshine shines on the freshly washed floor tiles, creating distinct light and shadows.

The national flag in front of the China Film Building flutters in the breeze, the welcoming steps are spotless, and several security guards stand at their posts, with the staggered lobby view behind them through the glass doors.

Gao Chengsheng arrived early, wearing a neat suit. He stood in front of the door, looking around and checking his watch from time to time.

Suddenly his cell phone vibrated. He looked down and immediately called Han Sanping.

After a while, Wu Chen, Jason Blum and Michael Burns slowly walked over.

Han Sanping also just walked out of the building, with a steady step and a smile on his face: "Mr. Blum, Mr. Burns, welcome, welcome."

On the side, a publicity staff member of China Film Group had already raised his camera from a distance and took a few photos.

Wu Chen took a glance, and Gao Chengsheng came over and whispered to Wu Chen:
"President Han specially arranged this. If everything goes well, the China Film official website will release the news tonight and arrange a press conference tomorrow to officially announce the project."

Wu Chen smiled softly upon hearing this: "Boss Han is really efficient and effective."

Several people entered the building and, under the guidance of Gao Chengsheng, took the exclusive elevator directly to the conference floor on the sixth floor.

The conference room is not small, but it is neatly arranged and has soft lighting.

Six bottles of mineral water and several blank meeting record books were neatly placed on the long table.

The silver-gray logo "Chinese Film" on the wall is low-key and authoritative.

Wu Chen, Blum and Burns took their seats in turn. Gao Chengsheng sat in the back corner, opened the meeting notebook and prepared to take minutes.

The translator sat between Han Sanping, Blum and Burns, and made a brief communication.

Blum pulled out a thick budget plan in English from his briefcase and distributed it to everyone present.

"This is our preliminary calculation of the production cost, which is arranged according to the ratio of the current script length and the visual concept map." The sound of flipping papers can be heard one after another.

Wu Chen had already read it, but he just flipped through a few pages and closed it with a calm expression.

Michael Burns finished his cigarette carefully and nodded slightly: "There's no problem with this cost structure."

But Han Sanping frowned and tapped the table with his fingers: "Forty million dollars?"

He glanced at Wu Chen, then looked at the "$40,000,000" written prominently on the cover.

"This number is unlucky in China. The number four is taboo in our industry."

He then changed his tone, "Although it's a top-tier B-grade production, it doesn't sound ambitious enough. I suggest raising it to $45 million, putting it squarely in the A-grade production category."

Both Blum and Burns were stunned, and then looked at Wu Chen, as if asking: Are all the Chinese so rich?
Wu Chen smiled and then said, "We can reserve some for later use as backup funds. There might also be some fluctuations in the actors' budget, so there's really no need to be so calculating."

Seeing Wu Chen say this, Jason Blum naturally nodded. "Okay, the budget is the budget, just be prepared. And it's 45 million, with 50 million for external publicity and production. It's classified as an A-level production, which will make publicity easier."

Michael Burns saw that no one had any objections, and the amount proposed was only 5 million US dollars, which was not much after several companies had submitted, so he naturally had no questions.

Han Sanping was in a good mood. It had to be a big production. Increasing the budget would not make any splash at all. With more production costs, he could get a bigger share.

"I'm investing 10 million US dollars, which is equivalent to 5 million US dollars for the director and screenwriter. I want to convert the creative profit rights and add them to my share." Wu Chen said directly.

Now the issue is share distribution. Since Wu Chen is the creator leading the project, there is naturally room for negotiation.

The first two are easy to discuss, but the amount of the creative dividend rights is negotiable.

Wu Chen wanted a high price, but how could Lionsgate allow it? If Wu Chen offered five million, wouldn't that mean he would be taking up nearly half of the share?

The two sides argued about this point for a long time.

At noon, everyone had a few bites in the China Film canteen. Finally, with the help of Jason Blum and Han Sanping, the creative dividend rights were calculated to be US$300 million, equivalent to US$1800 million, and they held a dominant share.

Lionsgate gave in, reduced its investment, and acquired an 11.1% stake for five million in exchange for greater "distribution rights" and the right of first refusal at the same price for North American, streaming and television copyright distribution and home theater copyrights such as DVDs.

Jason Blum invested $1000 million because Blumhouse is being built, and holds a 22.2% stake.

China Film Group invested RMB 1200 million and holds 26.7% of the shares.

The three parties shook hands and the matter was settled.

The atmosphere in the conference room finally relaxed.

The clock has quietly pointed to a little after four in the afternoon. Golden sunlight pours in from the large windows on the west side, casting a shadow on the conference table, as soft as a thin blanket.

The air conditioner blows air gently, and the sound of city traffic outside the window is blocked by the thick glass, as if the whole world is reduced to the laughter and whispers exchanged by the few people in the room.

Han Sanping leaned forward slightly and whispered something to Gao Chengsheng, who nodded and took note.

Then, Han Sanping stood up and said with a smile, "Then let's stop here for today. I'll treat you tonight.

A press conference will be held tomorrow afternoon."

Evening, Capital Hotel.

One of the most prestigious and established state-level hotels in Beijing, it has a grand layout and overlooks the night scene of Chang'an Avenue with its brilliant lights and flowing traffic.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the China Film Building, the brightly lit China Film Publicity Department finally finalized the publication of an important piece of news.

The official website clearly states: "China Film Group will collaborate with Hollywood to launch a new generation of commercial genre films."

At this time, major media outlets in Beijing received invitations from China Film Group.

"Editor-in-chief, I just received an invitation from China Film Group. There will be a press conference at the China Film Group Building at 3:00 PM tomorrow."

"It seems like other media outlets have received it too. I see they're all asking what's going on. It seems China Film Group is going to release a big project."

"Hurry up and check out the China Film official website. China Film has announced the news."

Under the headline of China Film's official website, it is clearly written:

China Film Group has reached a cooperative consensus with multiple parties on a new Sino-US co-production film project.

The film will be directed and written by young Chinese director Wu Chen, and partners include Jason Blum, representative of the well-known Hollywood film production company Blumhouse, and Michael Burns, head of international copyright and chief operating officer of Lionsgate.

This project is a deep collaboration across multiple dimensions, including creative dimension, production system, and distribution strategy. It will also be a new internationalization attempt by China Film Group, and is scheduled to be fully launched soon.
Attached below is a photo of the four people shaking hands and meeting under the China Film Building.

"Wow, no wonder China Film Group held a press conference. That's not right. Why didn't China Film Group list the production costs?"

"He's so cunning, he deliberately didn't write it down, waiting to reveal it at tomorrow's press conference."

"."

Reporters and editors from many media outlets have complained, but it has not affected their plans to go to the press conference tomorrow. They have even started preparing questions.

In a short time, the news spread like wildfire.
(End of this chapter)