Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 525 I just threw in over 100 million.

The news that "1939" has been officially scheduled for release has captivated many people, like a boulder falling into a pond, creating ripples that are bigger than expected.

The front page of the portal website featured the headline: "[Wu Chen's Golden Bear Film '1939' Officially Scheduled for Release on April 23]", and the comments section was almost unanimously supportive.

Meanwhile, in the conference room inside the Shanghai Oriental Film Company.

On the long table lay the publicity and distribution plan for "Ip Man 2," and a heavy silence filled the air.

"Let's slightly adjust the schedule and move it to April 29th."

A senior executive closed the folder, his voice barely audible.

Someone on the other end immediately looked up, brows furrowed: "The 29th is a Thursday!"

"There's nothing we can do about it. Your movie was released around the same time as his, so you can't beat him."

These few words, like cold water poured on a hot pan, brought the discussion to an abrupt halt.

No one wants to admit it, but they know in their hearts:

The first "Ip Man" film laid the foundation, but no matter how much it sold, it was still a kung fu film.
Even setting aside the fact that Wu Chen's "1939" is a patriotic war film and boasts the "Berlin Golden Bear" award, the mere mention of "Wu Chen" is enough to draw audiences to the theater.

After all, movies are auteur works, and Wu Chen's name itself represents a style and quality. There is no doubt that audiences will pay for this name.

A moment later, a low sigh echoed in the hall: "We can only avoid it for now and let it be shown for a week first, so that it won't have too much of an impact."

No one objected.

However, the biggest impact was not on the domestic market, but on Marvel Studios' "Iron Man 2".
On the other side of the world, in Los Angeles, at 10:30 a.m.

In an office building in Santa Monica, the curtains of a Marvel Studios conference room were half-drawn, and sunlight streamed through the gaps onto the table.

On the table lay a stack of stills from "Iron Man 2," Tony Stark's armor reflecting light off the paper.
"Someone from Paramount just called."

The senior executive in charge of overseas distribution looked grim. "China Film Group rejected our possibility of releasing the film during the May Day holiday."

There was silence in the conference room.

Kevin Feige clasped his hands on the table, his brow furrowed.

It's worth noting that 2008's *Iron Man* was Marvel Studios' first independently produced film, distributed by Paramount. Its success turned the "Marvel Cinematic Universe" from a dream into reality.

However, the success of a single film is not enough to prove that the model is sustainable. Iron Man 2 is the second film in the MCU, and it directly determines whether "Marvel is just a flash in the pan".

The Chinese market is currently experiencing a surge in growth.

Avatar has grossed 13 billion yuan in less than two months since its release. Based on the trend, it is not impossible for it to break 14 billion yuan before it leaves theaters. This huge box office is something Iron Man 2 must strive to capture.

Director Jon Favreau couldn't help but ask, "Why?"

"Wu's '1939' should be scheduled for release first."

"That film that won the Berlin Golden Bear?"

"Yes."

The group exchanged glances and saw the bitterness in each other's eyes.

To be honest, a Golden Bear-winning film isn't that competitive for Hollywood blockbusters. The real question is who directs it and what kind of movie it is.

If it were to go head-to-head at the same time, Iron Man 2 might win, but the result would definitely deviate from what they wanted.

This is like Spielberg making "Saving Private Ryan" and releasing it around the same time as "Iron Man 2." Even in North America, this box office battle wouldn't be harmonious.

"Let Paramount try to secure a better time. There's no need to directly compete with Wu; besides, China Film Group won't release any slots."

Kevin Feige made a decision in a very short time.

Paramount acted swiftly.

Han Sanping listened to his secretary's report, a slight brow furrowing his expression, a hint of suspicion flickering across his face. "Why are these foreigners so interested in 'Iron Man 2'? That's strange."

If it were Universal or Warner that made the suggestion, he might give them some face, since there's still a basis for cooperation.

But Paramount and Marvel, who cares? As long as they've given us the timeline, that's fine.

However, when Han Sanping was curious and talked to Wu Chen, he also mentioned this matter.

Wu Chen immediately understood.

Iron Man 2 is no less important to Marvel than the first film.

Because Iron Man 2 needs to be "stable".

On the one hand, it is necessary to prove that the MCU model is sustainable and to support the progress of subsequent films such as Thor, Captain America, and the Avengers;

On the other hand, Marvel's original film financing structure was backed by a $5.25 million non-recourse financing from Merrill Lynch in 2005, and the stable returns of the early films were a key indicator.

Kevin Feige certainly knew this.

"By the way, I saw that Starry Night Pictures submitted another script for review, 'Mechanical.' Should we give it to a new director?"

Wu Chen chuckled lightly. Sure enough, he had already guessed that Han Sanping would ask that question.

"Well, it's a film directed by a newcomer. Xingchen and Wanda Pictures invested in it together, giving him 1500 million yuan in funding. How well it turns out depends on him."
"Mr. Han, your information network is too good! I remember the script outline was only submitted for review today."

Low-budget, sci-fi film, directed by a new director.
Han Sanping's eyes flickered, his tone carrying a hint of mockery:
"I'd say you guys aren't very generous either. Xingchen and Wanda combined only invested 1500 million. People would laugh at that if they heard about it, and you call that a sci-fi film?"
Look at me, I invested in Wong Jing's "Future X-Cops," and in one go, I threw in over 100 million! See that poster? Andy Lau's suit of armor, doesn't it look futuristic enough?

Wu Chen was stunned by what he heard, and almost burst out laughing, struggling to hold it in.

What was that sound you were making?

"It's nothing, it's nothing," Wu Chen said, trying to calm himself down.
"I've seen the poster; the armor looks alright. 'Mechanics' doesn't have armor, but the design and special effects won't be any worse than yours. It just has fewer scenes, only one main scene, so the cost is lower."

Mr. Han, your "Future X-Cops" has a lot of scenes, right? It seems quite expensive.

"Forehead"

On the other end of the phone, Han Sanping was speechless for a moment.

After hanging up the phone, he sat in his office, staring at the documents on his desk, his brows gradually furrowing.

He sensed that Wu Chen didn't seem to have high hopes for "Future X-Cops".
If someone else says it, he just ignores it.

But it just so happens to be Wu Chen.

Wu Chen's understanding of science fiction films is far deeper than that of most people in the industry.

He rubbed his temples and muttered to himself, "I hope it's not what I think."

Since the beginning of the year, almost all of China Film Investment's films have lost money, with the only one that has been 100% profitable being "1939".

Thinking of this, he felt a tightness in his chest.

On the other side, in the villa's living room.

Liu Yifei watched as Wu Chen clutched his stomach, laughing so hard his shoulders trembled slightly, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion.

"What are you laughing at? Tell me!" She couldn't help but lean closer, her eyelashes trembling slightly, her tone a little coquettish as she pressed for an answer.

Wu Chen hadn't stopped laughing, and his breathing was a little unsteady.

This made Liu Yifei even more curious. She grabbed Wu Chen's hand and shook it gently, saying, "Tell me, tell me! I want to know too!"

"nothing."

"Huh? No way, tell me now, hmph, you have a little secret."

(End of this chapter)