Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 430 Industry Sensation, Showing Off

The box office results for the midnight screenings truly surprised both Han Sanping and Ren Zhonglun.

"Send the message quickly, tell the publicity department to congratulate us as soon as possible, and spread the news out as fast as possible!"

Han Sanping and Ren Zhonglun made their decisions at almost the same time.

Major media outlets are still eagerly awaiting the midnight box office figures for "The Martian".

"I wonder how long this statistical system will continue. It should have been improved a long time ago. They only start collecting data when there are large areas of land involved."

"It should be soon. I heard the theaters are very cooperative."

Before the words had even finished, China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group, two industry giants, issued congratulatory statements almost simultaneously, and instantly, various portal websites, entertainment media, and cinema chains were in an uproar.

The editorial offices of major portals such as Sina Entertainment, Sohu Entertainment, and NetEase Entertainment are now in complete chaos.

"Holy crap, The Martian is going crazy! Are those midnight screening box office figures made up?"

"That can't be right, the midnight screening only grossed 508 million? Is there some error in the statistics somewhere?"

The editing room erupted in excitement, everyone's faces filled with shock and disbelief.

"Doesn't this nearly double the box office revenue for midnight screenings in China?"

"The previous record was only a little over two million, and now it's jumped to five million. It's simply outrageous!"

"The box office figures for this midnight screening on the first day... wouldn't today's first day box office be..."

The group exchanged glances simultaneously.

It's worth noting that midnight screenings typically account for about 10% of the day's total box office revenue, though the exact figures may vary.

That means The Martian will open with a box office of at least 4000 million on its opening day.

"Outrageous, outrageous!"

Despite the gasps of amazement from the crowd, the media reacted swiftly, and the first wave of box office news for "The Martian's" opening day was quickly released:

[Shocking! "The Martian" midnight screenings grossed 508 million yuan, significantly breaking domestic film history records!]

[The Martian raked in 508 million yuan at midnight box office, potentially igniting the strongest May Day box office storm this year!]

[A stunning opening of 508 million! Is "The Martian" poised to surpass 5000 million in box office revenue on its opening day?]

【.】

In an instant, all sorts of reports swept across the entire internet.

Industry insiders were shocked and rubbed their eyes as they read the report.

"Is it really not a typo?"

"Really? Is there some mistake?"

"Holy crap, how much did they get on the opening day?"

"."

Meanwhile, in the meeting room of Huayi Brothers, Wang Zhongjun, Wang Zhonglei, and Feng Xiaogang were discussing the preparations for "Aftershock" around the table. After hearing the news from their staff, the three looked at each other, their faces filled with shock.

"508 million for the midnight showing?" Wang Zhonglei's lips twitched, and he muttered subconsciously, "Could it be that the figure was inflated?"

As soon as he said that, Wang Zhongjun couldn't help but roll his eyes at him.

Wang Zhonglei smiled awkwardly, realizing he had said the wrong thing.

Feng Xiaogang shook his head and smiled wryly: "It's not surprising that the midnight screenings of this first top-tier hard science fiction film by a domestic director, especially with Wu Chen at the helm, have high box office numbers. I just didn't expect it to reach this level."

Feng Xiaogang couldn't help but reveal a hint of envy in his words.

This box office record is definitely going to be broken, but it's unclear how high it will go. Although it's good for everyone in the industry to see the ceiling opened up, he hopes that he will be the one to break that ceiling.

Wang Zhonglei sighed and murmured, "If we had invested, our application for listing on the Growth Enterprise Market might have been approved much faster." Upon hearing this, Wang Zhongjun couldn't help but nod, a hint of regret and envy rising in his heart as well.

At this moment, almost all film and television companies understood one fact: the box office ceiling for mainland films was about to be completely broken by "The Martian".

Meanwhile, Lu Xun sat in front of his computer, his face pale as he stared at the news reports on the screen, his fingers constantly refreshing the page, his expression one of utter despair.

"How is it possible to have 508 million in midnight screening box office?"

He muttered repeatedly in disbelief, "There must be a mistake, it's absolutely impossible, how could it be five million?!"

The comment section on the screen was filled with cheers:
"I went to see it at midnight, and the theater was packed. The movie definitely deserves its box office success!"

"A groundbreaking sci-fi film by a domestic director! Wu Chen's film is flawless, and it's full of top-tier stars. I initially went for Liu Yifei, but then I watched it for the plot."

"Judging by the sold-out midnight screenings, I think the box office on the first day will easily exceed 40 million!"

"I bought a ticket tonight too, just to show my support!"

Faced with this overwhelming wave of positive reviews, Lu Xun felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. He abruptly stood up, pacing back and forth, muttering to himself incessantly:

"No, we have to think of something, otherwise 'Nanjing! Nanjing!' will be finished!"

On the other side, the soft morning light from outside the window spilled into the villa on the outskirts of Beijing, casting a hazy glow on the white gauze curtains in the room.

Liu Yifei lay on the bed, wearing a light beige cotton nightgown, the hem of which swayed gently with her swinging legs.

She was barefoot, occasionally circling one toe in the air, holding her phone in her hand, and a look of joy on her face.

Shu Chang, standing next to him, opened her mouth, looked at the report, and showed an expression of disbelief.

"It's so tall!"

"Is it very high?" Liu Yifei tilted her head, looking nonchalant, and then chuckled softly, "Hehe, I think it could actually be even higher."

"Sisi," Shu Chang rubbed her forehead, "Do you know what this box office figure means? If the anti-theft measures had been better, the box office would probably have skyrocketed!"

It's a pity there aren't enough screens. If there were 10000 screens, it wouldn't just be a matter of breaking 40 or 50 million on the opening day.

As she said this, she couldn't help but shake her head again: "It's terrifying. I can't believe any film in the last two years has achieved this result."

Liu Yifei turned over, lay on her back on the bed, put her hands behind her head, looked at the ceiling, and softly hummed in agreement.

Shu Chang suddenly remembered something and turned to ask, "By the way, why didn't you go to the publicity event with Wu Chen? Wasn't he going to Sichuan Province today?"

Liu Yifei blinked and smiled lazily: "Yeah, he said I'm working too hard and told me to take a break and not to follow him."

"Ouch." Shu Chang chuckled and couldn't help but pinch that tender arm.

Liu Yifei couldn't help but ask coquettishly, "What are you doing?"

Meanwhile, in the southern part of the country, on the Sichuan Plain...

A silver-gray minivan was speeding along the highway. Outside the window, rows of rapeseed fields were beginning to turn yellow and green. In the distance, the clouds, typical of late spring, hung low, pressing down on the rolling mountains. The air was humid and slightly cool.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Wen was a little excited.

He glanced at Wu Chen, who was leaning against the window, quietly watching the farmland and receding hills outside, his expression calm and serene, his fingers still slowly fiddling with his phone. He couldn't help but speak up:

"Director Wu, are you still not satisfied with the midnight box office?"

"No, that's not it." Wu Chen withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "The box office is alright."

"Then what's with that expression of yours?" Jiang Wen stared at him for a while, but couldn't tell if he was happy or angry.

Wu Chen's lips twitched, as if he wanted to laugh but held it back, and he simply said softly, "I just feel like it's unnecessary."

Jiang Wen stared at him in silence for two seconds, then her lips twitched.

Damn it, he's finally found someone in the industry who's even better at showing off than him.
(End of this chapter)