Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 324 Science fiction reflects today's predicament
The lights inside the arena reflected the expressions of surprise and delight on the faces of the audience.

When Wu Chen said "the box office is around 200 million," the audience, who had been smiling, immediately started discussing and expressing some surprise.

Although "Kung Fu Hustle" had already surpassed 100 million RMB in box office revenue in mainland China a few years ago, it was Stephen Chow's masterpiece and had the potential to become a phenomenon.

"CJ7" is a soft science fiction comedy with fairy tale elements. The subject matter is relatively niche in China. If it weren't for Stephen Chow, it would never have been so popular.

For a film to gross 200 million yuan, this figure still seems quite aggressive in the mainland Chinese film market, which is not yet fully open, because the number of films that gross 200 million yuan is indeed very small.

The investment in "The Warlords" was as high as 40 million US dollars, but the box office in mainland China was reported to have just exceeded 200 million yuan. However, many people in the industry know that the actual box office of this movie stopped at 1.99 million yuan and failed to break through.

But precisely because of this, the atmosphere inside the venue suddenly became much more lively.

In the front row of guests, both Han Sanping and Zhou Xingchi had smiles on their faces.

Wu Chen is a man whose judgment is generally accurate. If this film grosses 200 million in mainland China, it will definitely bring in a substantial return for China Film Group and Star Overseas.

It's worth noting that Stephen Chow's films can generate substantial box office revenue and copyright sales across Asia, provided they perform well at the box office.

Some reporters were quick to find topics to discuss, turning around to ask Stephen Chow: "Director Chow, did Director Wu and Director Ning's box office predictions meet your expectations?"

"Haha, the box office predictions made by Director Wu and Director Ning are exactly what I hoped for. Actually, making this sci-fi comedy is a new challenge for me."

Just a few days ago, I was discussing with Chairman Han what would happen if the box office performance was poor; I would have to personally visit Chairman Han to apologize. Now I'm relieved.

Stephen Chow is used to being discreet and low-key in Hong Kong, but now, on the mainland, a new land he is gradually becoming familiar with, he has laughed out loud, a rare occurrence.

"Director Zhou is joking. We always support talented and ambitious directors. Even if we lose a little money, it's no big deal."

Han Sanping was overjoyed and quickly chimed in.

The atmosphere was joyful, and the audience burst into knowing laughter.

At this moment, a young reporter raised a microphone from the crowd, his voice slightly excited:
"Director Wu, you were very focused during the screening and immediately gave the evaluation of '200 million yuan box office' after the screening. So I would like to ask you, what do you think of 'CJ7' as an attempt to combine 'science fiction + emotion'?"
You yourself are currently preparing for the sci-fi film "The Martian." Do you feel a connection to it?

Upon hearing this question, Wu Chen smiled slightly. After all, it wasn't the premiere of "The Martian," so he naturally had to ask. He gestured to Stephen Chow next to him with his eyes.

The latter gestured for him to enter and casually picked up the microphone, saying, "I was planning to discuss this topic with Director Wu after the screening, but I didn't expect you to bring it up beforehand."

"Hahaha!"

The atmosphere reached a fever pitch, with media flashes going off frequently.

Wu Chen slightly suppressed his smile, his voice steady and firm:
"I have always believed that what truly moves people in science fiction films is never the 'setting' but the people."

He paused for a moment, and many media outlets had already automatically pressed the record button in front of the microphones.

"CJ7 appears to be a family comedy, packaged as science fiction, but at its core it's about emotions."

The dilemma and dignity of a father, the loneliness and growth of a child—these are eternal themes of humanity, only projected through the lens of an alien creature.

Science fiction is not about showcasing distant technological prowess, but about using a future perspective to reflect on our current predicaments.

A few seconds of silence fell over the audience. A middle-aged film critic nodded slightly.

Wu Chen continued:
"I hope that future Chinese-language science fiction will not forever chase after visual spectacles, but will pose questions, even in fictional worlds, that make viewers pause for two minutes in their real lives after watching: 'If I were there, what would I do?'"

Therefore, I personally think that Director Zhou's "CJ7" did a great job, conveying both laughter and tears, which is an extremely difficult expression. It transformed many unspoken feelings of love into the actions of the alien dog on screen; it's a silent warmth that is more powerful than anything shouted out.

"I hope my science fiction can also quietly say something."

As soon as he finished speaking, all the camera flashes went off.

"Amazing!" Stephen Chow clapped his hands and couldn't help but exclaim to Han Sanping, "Chairman Han, please send me an invitation to the premiere of 'The Martian' too!"

"Hahaha, good!"

"."

That evening, film and television media outlets were all reporting on the premiere of "CJ7," and Wu Chen and Ning Hao's box office predictions were naturally used by the media as headlines to attract traffic:
Wu Chen and Ning Hao both predicted that "CJ7" would not only break 100 million yuan at the box office, but would reach 200 million yuan. Stephen Chow jokingly said, "I can relax now."

[At the premiere of "CJ7," Wu Chen commented on Stephen Chow: "Science fiction reflects today's predicament."]

[The premiere of "CJ7" brought both laughter and tears, receiving positive reviews; Wu Chen's comment about "200 million yuan at the box office" ignited market anticipation!]

The following morning, the French windows were half-open.

The January morning light in Hong Kong spilled onto the table, the pale golden tea swayed, and a yacht slowly approached the shore in the distance outside the window.

Mrs. Heung held a cup of tea, glancing at the Ming Pao Entertainment newspaper on the table out of the corner of her eye.

The front page featured the headline "CJ7 Premiere Sold Out, Wu Chen Speaks Out in Support of Stephen Chow," accompanied by a photo of Stephen Chow and Wu Chen laughing and talking about science fiction, along with a shot of Han Sanping laughing.

"Hmph, he really knows how to find a backer." Mrs. Xiang put down her teacup and spoke in a cold tone.

Xiang Huaqiang, who was wiping his cuffs, looked up at her and said, "That's enough. Anyway, Yong Sheng won't be cooperating with him again."

"He clearly used you as a stepping stone to get us ashore."

Mrs. Xiang's voice was slightly louder, with a hint of suppressed annoyance, "Don't forget what happened back then. He ruined 'A Chinese Odyssey' and went bankrupt. He lost money. Who's to blame? We lost money too."

"We only didn't help him with 'Shaolin Soccer,' and now look at him, he's all grown up. He won't give us 'Kung Fu Hustle,' and he hasn't said a word about 'CJ7.' He's hooked up with Han Sanping in mainland China and he's not going back now."

Xiang Huaqiang didn't respond. Upon hearing the words "Shaolin Soccer," he couldn't help but recall a sentence he had given to Stephen Chow years ago:

"Who would dare invest in you? Nobody understands your movies, do you even understand the market?"

Unexpectedly, this sentence struck me right on the head in just two years.

However, the mainland is the mainland, and Hong Kong is Hong Kong; the rules are different on both sides. With Han Sanping backing him up, Stephen Chow was helpless.

Now that Hong Kong's expansion northward is unstoppable and the Hong Kong film and television industry is showing signs of fatigue, he also needs to consider which mainland China companies, China Star and Win's Entertainment, should cooperate with in the future.
(End of this chapter)