Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 294 *The Martian*, a science fiction film
The next morning.

The special coverage of the 64th Venice International Film Festival continues to unfold, especially the controversy surrounding "Lust, Caution," which has not yet completely subsided.

However, the attention of Beijing's film and television industry has quickly shifted to the project launch conference for the Sino-US co-production project, which will be held in the China Film International Auditorium that afternoon.

Inside the newsstand, morning light shone on stacks of traditional print media, and eye-catching headlines and trending terms attracted the attention of many:
"Universal Pictures," "China-US co-production," "Wu Chen's latest masterpiece." The ink on the lettering had a slight sheen.

However, compared to the rapid updates of portal websites and forums, the influence of print media is now far less than before.

However, some readers still have the habit of flipping through a newspaper during their leisure time to get the latest news and feel the solid feeling of ink and paper.

At this moment, lighting technicians, set designers, and sound engineers in the China Film International Auditorium were busily adjusting equipment. Staff members moved back and forth, and media document bags bearing the red logo of China Film were neatly stacked on the tables.
In the center of the LED backdrop in the hall, the words "China Film International Joint Project Press Conference" were prominently displayed, with a red curtain below, clearly indicating that this was a segment specifically designed to reveal the film's title.

In the afternoon, in the International Conference Hall.

The auditorium was meticulously decorated today, with cameras and microphones set up in front of the media seats. Frontline reporters from almost all the entertainment sectors in Beijing gathered here, and even smaller media outlets that usually couldn't get a seat made a point of sending people here early to reserve one.
After all, this involves a major project involving Wu Chen in collaboration with Universal Pictures, China Film Group, and Shanghai Film Group. Such news would be enough to generate front-page traffic in any online or offline media outlet.

The stage curtain in the auditorium was drawn back, revealing a huge logo and the prominent company name displayed on the backdrop:

China Film Group, Universal Pictures, Shanghai Film Group, Star Cinema, Obsidian Pictures, Blumhouse Films
Leading domestic and Hollywood companies joined forces.

The reporters below the stage were already eagerly anticipating the announcement, whispering among themselves: "We've been waiting all day, it's finally going to be announced. I wonder what Wu Chen is up to this time?"

"With China Film Group making such a big fuss, this subject matter must be quite complex."

"Universal and Blumhouse are both here, so it must be a big-budget A-list production."

Amidst the murmurs and as the lights dimmed, the host stepped onto the stage, his voice strong and clear:

"Thank you to all our media friends for coming today. China Film Group is collaborating with Universal Pictures, Star Cinema, Blumhouse Films, Shanghai Film Group, and many other companies to launch a major film project. Now, please welcome our representatives to the stage and take their seats."

After a round of enthusiastic applause, Han Sanping, David Lyndon, Wu Chen, Ren Zhonglun, and Jason Blum stepped onto the steps in turn.

The scene was filled with a blinding white flash, and everyone smiled and nodded to the media below the stage.

"Next, let's give a warm round of applause to Mr. Han Sanping, Chairman of China Film Group, for his speech."

Han Sanping leaned closer to the microphone, smiled, and said, "Thank you all for coming."

Today's collaboration is not only a landmark event, but also a historic and groundbreaking endeavor for Chinese cinema and directors.

As soon as he finished speaking, the flashbulbs went off in the audience as reporters snapped photos, their excitement palpable.

In China, especially in certain special occasions, accurate language expression is extremely important.

"This kind of storytelling makes it feel like it's not your average film."

"What constitutes a breakthrough, and what exactly is this major theme?"

"Looks like this is a super bombshell, absolutely a bombshell!"

"."

After Han Sanping finished speaking, he nodded to the host, who understood and announced with a smile:

"I believe everyone has been eagerly anticipating this co-production project. Next, please welcome the film's director, Mr. Wu Chen, to reveal the film's title and subject matter."

All eyes were on Wu Chen, whose gaze was calm, yet whose tone was unhurried:

"Thank you all. Today, I am officially announcing a new film project:"
The Martian, a science fiction film

Just as Wu Chen finished speaking, the red curtain slowly opened, revealing a visually striking poster:
A desolate red planet looms against the dim backdrop of space, its surface riddled with ravines and dust storms.

In the very center, the four bold red characters “Mars Rescue” stand out prominently, with the words “The Martian” in both Chinese and English below.

Instantly, the flashbulbs on the scene went off like an explosion.

The media personnel all stared at the poster, snapping photos of it frantically, and then a wave of heated discussion erupted.

Mars? Rescue?

Science fiction film?
The reporters quickly lowered their heads to take notes. The title itself was full of boundless imagination, and some couldn't help but smile, as if they could already smell the scent of tomorrow's front-page headlines.

Wu Chen glanced back at the poster.

Well, actually there's nothing else besides a Mars statue, but it's not bad that China Film Group managed to produce something decent in a day.

After the audience calmed down a bit, Wu Chen continued:
"This is a hard science fiction film themed around Mars exploration, survival, and interstellar rescue. Our goal is not just to tell a story about Mars, but to make it a blockbuster that combines scientific rigor with commercial entertainment."

Wu Chen's calm tone instantly drew gasps of amazement from the reporters.

The reporters at the scene immediately erupted in disbelief: "Hard science fiction? It's not even soft science fiction!"

"A sci-fi film, especially an interstellar rescue blockbuster, is this the first time a domestic director has made one, and the first time for a film like this?"

"How many years has it been since China has touched on this subject? Can a science fiction film even be made?"

"I don't recall Wu Chen having made any sci-fi films in recent years; that's quite a leap."

Seeing this, the host quickly regained control of the situation and said with a smile:

"We would also like to hear from representatives of Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Pictures about their views on the collaboration."

David Lyndon took the microphone with a polite smile and said in fluent English:

"Universal is very pleased to collaborate with China Film Group, director Wu Chen, and other partners on this mega-scale science fiction production with a budget of $100 million."

This film's subject matter is among the most challenging even in Hollywood. We are willing to invest our best resources and go all out to create a film that allows global audiences to experience the震撼 and realism of this Mars rescue.

"That's really a big production, a production cost of one hundred million US dollars?"

"The production cost is outrageous, it's close to 800 million RMB. How many box office hits will it need to break even?"

"As expected of a hard science fiction film, even if there's some filler, it probably won't be much!"

"."

The reporters immediately started discussing it.

At this point, Jason Blum bluntly stated with Hollywood-style humor, "As everyone knows, I've always been a huge fan of Wu, and as a fan, I unconditionally support Wu's films."

A knowing laugh immediately erupted from the audience.

The host quickly announced the start of the Q&A session, and all the reporters in the audience raised their hands in unison, creating a very lively scene.

The first reporter quickly grabbed the microphone: "Director Wu, there are very few attempts to make science fiction films in China. Why did you suddenly choose this subject matter, and even collaborate with Hollywood?"

Wu Chen smiled and nodded, looking calm: "Because filming a true science fiction film requires sufficient funding, technical support, and industry experience."

Universal Pictures' global distribution network and Hollywood industry system can precisely meet this need. We also hope to take this opportunity to demonstrate that Chinese filmmakers are equally capable of producing world-class science fiction works.

The second reporter immediately stood up: "Mr. Han, what is China Film Group's role in this project? Will the domestic distribution of the film be a joint effort between China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group?"

Han Sanping smiled slightly, then changed the subject: "China Film Group has secured the domestic distribution rights this time, but we also fully respect Shanghai Film Group's revenue-sharing model. This is a win-win cooperation, not a closed monopoly."

As he spoke, Han Sanping smiled and nodded at Ren Zhonglun, who was forced to smile and oblige. However, Ren Zhonglun almost lost control of his micro-expressions at this moment, and was cursing inwardly: This bastard really knows how to talk a good game.
"Director Wu, have the lead actors for 'The Martian' been finalized? Will there be any Chinese actors joining the cast, or will it be like 'Now You See Me'?"

Another reporter asked loudly, his eyes burning with intensity.

This question was clearly the most pressing concern for the actors, and all the reporters stopped writing, eager to hear Wu Chen's response.

Wu Chen's expression turned serious, and he said earnestly:
"The casting process hasn't officially started yet. After this project is announced, we will launch a global casting process at an appropriate time. Unlike 'Now You See Me,' this time actors from both China and the United States will participate."

(End of this chapter)