Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 393 Dad, someone is bullying me

Beijing, China Film Group building.

Han Sanping glanced at the fax again before turning his attention to the printed email.

The email contained suggestions regarding the timing, key points, and how to coordinate promotional efforts in North America with the reputation of promotion in mainland China.

After reading it, Han Sanping subconsciously reached for the internal phone to contact his secretary: "Contact Global!"

“Mr. Han,” the secretary cautiously reminded him, “Los Angeles might not be the right time right now.”

Han Sanping immediately remembered it and then gave up.

Wu Chen also landed in Los Angeles and returned to China this morning.

Around noon, some media outlets that had caught up with Wu Chen at the airport published their interviews and related content.

"It was quite a surprise. We sent copies of the film 'Paranormal Activity' to many companies, including Blumhouse and me. At first, we just thought the DV movie was interesting and it wasn't expensive, so we bought it."

Later, I adjusted the editing rhythm and added some music, and I didn't expect it to be so popular.

"If I'm looking forward to it, I hope it will break $100 million in North America. The global box office will be released in a few days, so I don't know for now."

When this interview was circulated within the industry, countless people fell silent. Over 100 million in North America—that's an incredible return on investment!

Most importantly, damn it, this thing was actually delivered right to our door.

For a moment, no one knew what to say.

Inside the Beijing Film Academy, Zhang Huijun chuckled upon seeing the news, then looked up at Mu Deyuan.

"I think Wu Chen graduated in 10, right? He's already a second-year graduate student. That's fast."

“It’s really fast.”

Mu Deyuan was also filled with emotion, and for a moment he thought of the time in 03 when Wu Chen, full of youthful vigor, came to his office with "The Dark Side" in his hand.

Five years have passed in the blink of an eye.

"Our school will celebrate its 60th anniversary the year after next, which will also be the year he graduates with his master's degree. The honor of 'Outstanding Graduate' is basically reserved for him."

Find some time to ask him if he has any new ideas for making a dedicated graduation project; if not, choose a suitable one from his completed projects.

Mu Deyuan nodded upon hearing this.

The November wind already carried a dry chill.

The curtain has slowly been raised on the Lunar New Year film season.

The first to raise the banner was "Mei Lanfang".

Chen Kaige led a group of leading and supporting actors into CCTV's "Art Life," changing his attitude from the stern and indifferent demeanor he displayed in "The Promise" to a more approachable one this time.

Instead of enthusiastically discussing his own views and praising the film, he humbly and sincerely stated that "Mei Lanfang" has many shortcomings and hopes that everyone can offer more criticism.

It has to be said that this side of Chen Kaige is quite rare, and he has won the favor of many netizens.

"Chen Kai has changed. I thought he was going to be like he was back in 'The Promise'."

"I hope it will be another 'Farewell My Concubine.' I'm quite looking forward to this biographical film, which is also a field that Chen Kaige is familiar with."

"."

Audience expectations for "Mei Lanfang" are quite high, and Weng Li, a spokesperson for China Film Group, was also full of confidence in an interview:

"We have great confidence in Director Chen's film, and we've submitted it to next year's Berlin Film Festival. Our box office target is 1.5 million yuan."

Not long after the announcement of the 1.5 million yuan budget for "Mei Lanfang", Huayi Brothers arrived with "If You Are the One".

Standing on the press conference stage, Wang Zhonglei exclaimed confidently, "Two hundred million is not difficult; let's try our best to get three hundred million."

Both films scheduled for the December Lunar New Year season have announced their box office targets, putting pressure on "Ip Man," which is sandwiched in between.

Everyone in the industry laughed.

If the predictions are accurate both ways, then the one in the middle will definitely die. It's not unusual for the third brother to die when attacked from both sides, with the eldest and second eldest fighting.

Both the production companies, Times Classic and Oriental Film, are at a loss. They really can't predict how well "Ip Man" will fare at the box office, given its precarious position.

Of course, at this time, more people are focusing their attention on "Bad Genius" which will be released during the New Year's Day holiday.

This highly anticipated film, a collaboration between Ning Hao and Wu Chen (one directing, the other writing), has been generating considerable buzz since filming began. What will its box office target be? Meanwhile, Lu Xun, perhaps not wanting to be left out, made a public appearance in front of the media.

"Hehe, a first draft of the film has already been edited and sent to the State Administration for review. Because it involves sensitive issues, the review process is extremely complicated."
"Nanjing! Nanjing!" will definitely miss the Lunar New Year release window, which is a real shame. We've worked incredibly hard on post-production, but time is tight, the scenes are grand, and there are many details. For the sake of the film's quality, we regretfully have to forgo the Lunar New Year release. Our current plan is to release it on April 22nd next year.

When asked about his expectations, he composed himself, paused briefly, and then said solemnly:
"In terms of investment and cast, it has the prestige of a blockbuster; in terms of subject matter, it touches on a wound that we can never erase. We respect history and strive to recreate the painful memories of that time with the most authentic portrayal."
As for box office expectations, I've seen several films released during the Lunar New Year season discuss this, so I'll add my thoughts: exceeding 100 million yuan is the most realistic goal.

Lu Xun's remarks were quickly reported by various media outlets.

But to be honest, the industry has reacted coldly to this.

"It's not a Lunar New Year film, why are you trying to ride the wave?"

"Scheduled for next April? That's a long way off. Let whoever wants to see it decide."

However, just two days later, a bombshell announcement rocked the entire industry:

【环球影业官网官宣：吴宸执导的科幻大片《火星救援》将于2009年5月2日登陆北美，国内定档4月26日，领先北美近一周！】

The Sino-US co-production sci-fi blockbuster "The Martian" is set for a mainland China release on April 26th! It's poised to become the biggest contender in the first half of next year!

[It is reported that the global promotional campaign for "The Martian" will officially begin after the Spring Festival!]

【.】

On the morning the news was released, major forums were already buzzing with excitement.

"Finally, some good news!"

"There are still six months left, that's too long. Can we move up the filing date?"

"."

Many production companies in the industry breathed a sigh of relief and checked whether their prepared films and planned release dates clashed.

If you crash, shift gears immediately.

The Martian is simply unmatched by any other domestic blockbuster, at least not by any other film. The box office revenue brought by the cameo cast alone is probably worth more than 100 million yuan.

At this moment, many people recalled the release date of "Nanjing! Nanjing!" announced by Lu Xun a few days ago, and their expressions immediately turned strange.

Star Media.

In the general manager's office.

Qin Hongzheng stood by the window, listening to the information reported by his secretary, and confirmed it several times.

"Is the message accurate?"

The secretary nodded: "Mr. Qin, it's definitely correct. I specifically checked the Global Times website."

Upon hearing this, Qin Hong's expression darkened, and he fell silent.

Nobody wants to be released during the same period as The Martian, including him.

For a moment, he couldn't help but wonder—was Wu Chen retaliating? Did he deliberately choose this time to suppress Lu Xun's "Nanjing! Nanjing!"?
But on second thought, the probability is not high.

After all, Lu Xun only made the announcement two days ago. Setting a release date for a blockbuster is not that simple. Universal Pictures couldn't possibly make a decision in just two or three days and announce the news at the last minute.
"What bad luck!" Qin Hong couldn't help but sigh, and then called Lu Xun.

"President Qin, it's impossible, absolutely impossible! Huanqiu must have done it on purpose. No, it's Wu Chen who definitely did it on purpose!"

At that moment, Lu Xun felt as if the sky had fallen, and he couldn't help but curse on the phone.

"Director Lu, please reconsider and see if we should change the release date. 'The Martian' is only four days away from us."

Qin Hong pinched the bridge of his nose, sighed, and then hung up the phone.

He also needs to think about the scheduling issue.

All I could hear was the busy signal of "beep-beep-".

Lu Xun stared at the blacked-out phone screen and had no choice but to quickly go online to check the news. He confirmed that the domestic release date of "The Martian" was indeed set for April 26th, and he almost fainted from anger.

"That's outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"

Furious, Lu Xun could only call Lu Tianming.

"dad"

(End of this chapter)