Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 711 has just begun and is about to be unsealed.
Beijing, Wanda headquarters.

The top-floor office is decorated in a sophisticated and elegant style, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the bustling CBD.

However, the atmosphere in the office was somewhat oppressive at the moment.

Ye Ning and Zhang Lin, two bigwigs who wield considerable influence in Wanda Pictures and cinemas, sat upright and didn't dare to even breathe loudly.

Because sitting right in front of them was Wang Jianlin, the true helmsman of Wanda.

On Wang Jianlin's desk was a copy of the latest news report that his secretary had just handed him.

The title of Dahei's post directly quoted the headline of a certain portal website:

[4.56 million! Interstellar sets a new record in its opening weekend! China's box office enters a new era!]

Do you know the estimated overseas box office for this movie?

Wang Jianlin asked the question seemingly casually.

To be honest, he was slightly surprised when he saw this number.

Although, compared to real estate projects that often cost tens or hundreds of billions, this amount of more than 400 million yuan seems insufficient to buy a decent small plot of land in Beijing.

However, times have changed.

He clearly remembered that just a few years ago, a film's total box office revenue of one-tenth of this figure was enough to warrant a celebratory banquet.

How many years has this been?

The box office revenue of movies has inflated to such an extent.

This made him increasingly convinced that his "cultural empire" strategy, which he was pushing forward with all his might, was absolutely the right one.

"Mr. Wang, the exact overseas box office figures for 'Interstellar' in its opening week are not yet available. However, based on box office trends in North America and around the world, major institutions generally believe that it should reach at least one billion US dollars!"

Ye Ning carefully considered her words and answered cautiously.

"One billion US dollars!"

After hearing this, even though Wang Jianlin was used to seeing all kinds of storms, he couldn't help but feel a little unsettled.

This number is quite different.

He raised his eyes and looked at the two capable assistants in front of him.

"So tell me, can Wanda produce a film like this?"

Ye Ning and Zhang Lin exchanged a glance, both seeing a bitter smile in each other's eyes.

Do it?
Of course they want to do it.

They started planning after the premiere of Interstellar.

However, after discussing it, they realized that this was extremely difficult.

On the one hand, Wanda Pictures' influence is currently mainly limited to the domestic market.

To put it bluntly, even if you're waving around money and want to invest in top-tier projects in Hollywood, they still have to see if you're qualified to sit at the table.

The problem is, will others include you in their games?

"Chairman Wang, the main point is that our current distribution channels are still primarily domestic."

"For a global blockbuster like *Interstellar*, without the support of established overseas distribution channels and top-tier content providers, we might face significant challenges."

Ye Ning put it very tactfully.

""Interstellar"."

Wang Jianlin muttered these words to himself, and then pulled a document out of the drawer.

"No rush. Take a look at this first. It's a survey I had a few days ago conducted by an investment banking advisor I hired."

Zhang Lin and Ye Ning curiously accepted it.

What kind of research? Even the two heads of the film and television division didn't know about it beforehand?
When their eyes fell on the document cover, both of them involuntarily took a deep breath.

[Feasibility Analysis and Preliminary Due Diligence Report on the Acquisition of AMC Entertainment Holdings]

AMC Theatres!

Those who have spent half their lives in the film and television industry know all too well what these four letters represent.

It's fair to say that at least a quarter of the phenomenal box office success of "Interstellar" in North America was contributed by this theater chain.

This is truly the second largest movie theater chain in the United States!
"Take this back and look at it. After you've looked at it, give me a plan." Wang Jianlin gave the order directly.

After saying that, he seemed to hesitate for a moment, then added:
"You can ask Wu Chen about some things overseas. You can also ask him if he's interested."

Wanda can work with him on this, but of course, Wanda must be the leader. This point is non-negotiable.

Wang Jianlin waved his hand, indicating that the two could leave first.

After the two left, Wang Jianlin slowly walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

Outside the window, the bustling city of Beijing stretches out, a vibrant tapestry of traffic and towering skyscrapers. From this vantage point, everything appears so small, as if it were all within my grasp.

Actually, when he first had this bold idea of ​​"a snake swallowing an elephant," he didn't intend to invite Wu Chen.

However, the commotion caused by "Interstellar" this time is just too big.

So much so that he had to re-evaluate the enormous power this young man wielded in the global film market.

He thought about the series of cultural strategic plans he would be developing later.

If there's an opportunity to get Wu Chen involved in the future of content production, Wanda Pictures might be able to navigate its journey more smoothly.

Wu Chen's influence and resource control overseas are indeed something that Wanda cannot match at present.

However, as long as this acquisition can be successfully completed, Wanda will be able to achieve the same level in the future.

There is even a chance to surpass
Just then, Ning Hao came out of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television building in high spirits.

The joy on his face was impossible to hide; Wu Chen could feel it even through the phone.

"Is it really almost done? Don't try to fool me."

"Why would I frame you! This time it's really a pass!"

Ning Hao's voice carried a sense of relief and ease, "Of course, I also gave a few suggestions for revision."

But these are minor issues; I've checked them, and they won't have a significant impact. I'll work on it quickly, and I'm sure I can fix them before the New Year!

Wu Chen could imagine that Ning Hao was probably looking for a place to have a big drinking session right now.

The film "No Man's Land" had been like a boulder pressing down on his heart.

Now, finally someone has helped him move that rock.

"Yes, that's a good thing."

"Hehe!" Ning Hao suddenly lowered his voice, with a hint of gossip in his tone, "I just found out that it's not just my department that needs to be rectified."

You know Wang Quan'an's "White Deer Plain", right?

The bureau gave him so many suggestions for revision! I heard he was completely overwhelmed and was begging and pleading everywhere. He had originally planned to submit his application to next year's Berlin competition, but now he didn't know if it would be in time.

"Oh? You don't want to?" Wu Chen asked with a smile.

Sometimes, having someone to share your pain can indeed alleviate a lot of suffering.

Of course, compared to the cripplingly difficult "White Deer Plain," Ning Hao's "No Man's Land" is obviously much more comfortable at this point.

"Berlin, is this film suitable for me?"

Ning Hao hesitated slightly, but Wu Chen could tell that the flame in his heart had already been ignited.

Given the chance, who wouldn't want to go out and explore?
“The genre is actually quite suitable.” Wu Chen pondered for a moment and gave his suggestion, “Your changes aren’t too big, and the core and structure of the story are relatively complete.”

I think we should give it a shot. Speeding up the revisions and sending it over to test it out can't hurt.

“Okay! I’ll do as you say!” Ning Hao agreed almost immediately.

Then, he couldn't help but make a joke:

"Why don't you go and be the head of the jury at one of the three major film festivals? Or even just be a judge! Then my film would be guaranteed a spot, wouldn't it?"

"Do you think I can just go and be the chair of the jury for the three major competitions whenever I want? Wouldn't I need someone to send me an invitation?"

Wu Chen laughed and retorted.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yifei, who was standing next to her, asked curiously:
"Will Director Ning's movie be unblocked?"

"Yeah, it's been going on for quite a while, but it's almost done."

Wu Chen smiled and nodded.

On a Monday morning in Los Angeles, as sunlight streamed through the Santa Monica Mountains, casting a pale golden hue over the villas in Beverly Hills.

The final box office figures for the first three days of the North American opening weekend have been officially released after precise statistics.

Sunday, 5020 million.

The total amount over three days reached a staggering $178.6 million.

This number, like a bomb, pushed the discussion in Hollywood to an unprecedented boiling point on Monday morning.

It not only easily surpassed Forbes' prediction of 1.7 million;
Furthermore, it definitively broke the North American box office record of $1.68 million set by "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" during this summer's season.

However, after the initial fervor, major media outlets and forecasting agencies have calmed down somewhat regarding the global box office predictions for "Interstellar" and have yet to offer a definitive conclusion.

Although there are all sorts of claims about billions or even fifteen billion dollars, none of them are legitimate estimates.

Because, given such a high opening weekend box office, the cumulative global box office in the first week, and the crucial fluctuations in the Thanksgiving holiday box office in the second week, are the only indicators that can truly reveal just how strong the film's overall staying power is.

The storm has only just begun.
(End of this chapter)