Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 712 A Break, No Rejection
While Interstellar was dominating North America, two other films in the Thanksgiving season, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 4 and The Muppets, also held their premieres.

As the only two films in the North American box office that could slightly curb the box office performance of "Interstellar," they both "tacitly" chose to open on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day.

This is already the result of avoiding the brunt of Interstellar's criticism to the greatest extent possible.

After all, it's a four-day public holiday, a time for family fun, and nobody wants to miss this prime time.

Even if there is a colossal creature perched here.

"A vampire romance movie, and... well, a bunch of stuffed animals, it won't affect anything!"

David Lyndon's tone on the phone was full of disdain.

He was too lazy to even remember the name "The Puppet Movie," and simply used "Puppet Doll" instead.

"No matter what, a movie aimed at fans will definitely squeeze out our screenings on its opening day." Wu Chen smiled upon hearing this.

He knew better than David that even if a movie didn't have good reviews and its box office would plummet the next day, it was undeniably a huge hit on its opening day.

"Oh right, I'm heading back now. The promotional tour here is almost done. Just send the follow-up data to my email." Wu Chen yawned.

During this period, I led the team to travel all over the country, almost circling half of the globe, and I was indeed exhausted.

"Alright! Just wait for the good news! The global box office figures for the first week will be out soon!"

David Lyndon has clearly tasted success and is already planning his next move.

"Oh, by the way, Wu! After Interstellar, you're now the irreplaceable number one in the science fiction film field! I think we can strike while the iron is hot."

"talk later."

Wu Chen interrupted him directly.

Damn it, you're calling others vampires? I think you're the one who's the vampire.

I'm exhausted, I don't have the energy to make any new sci-fi movies right now.

Moreover, making heavy industry science fiction films is an extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive process, from pre-production to post-production.

"Finally, we're going back."

Liu Yifei, who was standing nearby, stretched excitedly after hearing Wu Chen hang up the phone and then climbed onto Wu Chen's back.

In the afternoon, the two arrived at the airport.

Matthew McConaughey and Jessica Chastain came specifically to see the two off.

"Alright, see you at the celebration party." Wu Chen smiled, patted Matthew on the shoulder, and couldn't help but complain, "You should go back to Texas and get some rest. This damn trip is finally over."

"Haha, I don't think this schedule is bad at all. Every day is filled with the anticipation of box office success, and this feeling is fantastic!"

Matthew McConaughey is in high spirits right now, radiating the wild energy of a Texas cowboy.

Wu Chen could understand.

After this performance, Matthew McConaughey has firmly established himself as a top-tier Hollywood actor, and there's even a hint that he's on track to become a superstar.

Now, all that's missing is an opportunity.

In Wu Chen's view, the opportunity was the Oscars.

Of course, Matthew McConaughey himself was well aware of this.

These days, major Hollywood talent agencies are reassessing his commercial value.

In the latest actor salary rankings, he has skyrocketed in salary, now only surpassed by Leonardo DiCaprio.

However, Leonardo DiCaprio has been somewhat depressed lately.

He was drinking alone in a bar with his best buddy, Matt Damon.

Matt Damon was speechless.

"Why don't you go hang out with your Victoria's Secret models? Why are you dragging me around all the time? Don't you know I've been very busy promoting 'Interstellar' lately?"

"..." Leonardo couldn't help but roll his eyes, and mocked mercilessly, "You're just a supporting character, bro! A supporting character who's only been on screen for less than ten minutes!"

"But I believe my performance will be recorded in film history. Of course, this film will also be recorded in film history." Matt Damon said happily.

Compared to the regret of missing out on Avatar, he at least participated in Interstellar, and even played a fairly important supporting role.

“FUCK!” Leonardo cursed, then muttered, “If I had known this movie would be like this, I would have begged Wu to let me play it. I don’t think I couldn’t have portrayed that feeling.”

“Give up,” Matt Damon said ruthlessly, taking a sip of his drink.

“You don’t have that peasant quality at all. You look like a bloated nouveau riche.”

Oh, and he's a nouveau riche who's currently gaining weight.

"SHIT! Damn it! Why am I so unlucky! I can't even win an Oscar, not even for such a classic film!"

Wu Chen was naturally unaware of the whispered conversation between Xiao Li and Ma Da.

He and Liu Yifei were traveling together on a private jet owned by Universal Pictures, flying directly to Beijing.

Just as the plane entered the stratosphere, the domestic box office figures for Monday were officially released.

The box office for the day was 1.1 million.

After four days of release, the film has grossed 5.66 million yuan.

This achievement once again surprised everyone in and outside the industry.

"No way? Monday, a weekday! The box office hasn't even dropped below 100 million?"

"So stable? Is this the charm of 3D and IMAX?"

"Let me tell you, this movie is addictive! Several of my friends watched it in 2D and insisted on seeing it in 3D. After watching it in 3D, they were crying and begging to see it in IMAX a third time."

The industry is completely convinced.

Meanwhile, Feng Xiaogang, who had been cooped up on set for several days, watched as Adrien Brody and Tim Robbins prepared to head to Beijing to start filming "Back to 1942".

Huayi Brothers finally seized the opportunity and unleashed this long-awaited big move.

[Huayi Brothers officially announces: "Back to 1942" adds another powerful actor! Oscar winner Adrien Brody and Cannes Best Actor Tim Robbins join the cast!] ["Back to 1942" brings together two international film stars.]

As soon as this news came out, it naturally drew a lot of attention both inside and outside the industry.

After all, this news is certainly hot.

Compared to Zhang Yimou, who only invited one player, Feng Xiaogang invited two this time.

On set, facing the media who had rushed over upon hearing the news, Feng Xiaogang was no longer gloomy as he had been in the past few days, and was full of vigor.

"For our film 'Back to 1942,' we didn't hire stars, we hired actors," Feng Xiaogang said confidently to the camera.

"Mr. Brody and Mr. Robbins are both performing artists I greatly admire."

Their participation was to better portray the characters and to ensure that this history is seen by more people. We are different from some films that are purely for commercial purposes.

These words, whether overt or covert, were all about praising himself; as for who he was criticizing, that's left for the reporters to guess.

"Hehe, this is just a poor imitation, making a fool of oneself."

In the office of New Pictures, Zhang Weiping saw the news and immediately mocked it.

In his view, Zhang Yimou was able to do this because Zhang Yimou was the "national advisor".

What gives you the right, Feng Xiaogang?
"By the way, Yimou, what's the matter that you called me over?" Zhang Weiping complained before remembering that it was Zhang Yimou who had invited him.

"I'm also planning to continue promoting 'The Flowers of War.' What do you think of the new posters I had the design company prepare?"

Zhang Weiping proudly gestured to the poster sample in the corner.

Zhang Yi looked in the direction he pointed, and his expression changed slightly.

Because the character "Yichun," who wasn't in the original novel and had a pitifully small role in the movie, was placed in an unusually prominent position on the poster.

It even seems to be trying to rival the lead actress, Ni Ni.

Zhang Yi took a deep breath, her voice soft but firm.

"After The Flowers of War, I will leave New Picture."

To Zhang Weiping, these words were like a bolt from the blue.

"What?! Are you crazy?!" He jumped to his feet. "Have you forgotten how we've worked together for the past ten years or so?"

"My mind is made up." Zhang Yi stood up, preparing to leave.

Zhang Weiping completely lost his composure.

His face contorted in a ferocious grimace, like an enraged lion, and he began to roar.

"Don't forget! It was me who made you who you are! Without my investment, you wouldn't even have been able to make a movie! Could you have become the 'national director' that everyone praises today?!"

"Zhang Yi! Let me tell you! Think it over! You're not clean in private either!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi paused for a moment, but ultimately left without looking back.

"Damn!!"

Inside the office, a series of loud smashing and cracking sounds came from inside.

At that moment, a Gulfstream plane bearing the Universal Pictures logo landed smoothly at Beijing Capital International Airport.

On the tarmac, many media outlets that had already received word of the news were drawn to the scene.

"It must be Wu Chen and the others, right?"

"Quick, quick, quick! This is huge news! My god, Interstellar is incredibly popular all over the world right now! I heard it's going to be a huge hit in South Korea!"

A short while later, when Wu Chen and Liu Yifei appeared at the gangway, the surrounding reporters immediately swarmed around them.

"Director Wu! Director Wu! Interstellar has already grossed nearly 600 million yuan at the domestic box office, and its opening weekend box office in North America has also broken film history records! What are your thoughts and expectations for the final box office results?"

"Director Wu! Huayi Brothers has officially announced that Feng Xiaogang's film 'Back to 1942' has invited two Oscar-winning actors to join the cast. What are your thoughts on this?"

Wu Chen protected Liu Yifei as they walked slowly forward.

He stopped, smiled at the camera, and walked away.

"My thoughts? Not really. Of course, what I want to thank most is all the audience members who went to the theater. As for the global box office, it'll be at least a billion dollars. How much higher it gets depends on whether the audience likes it even more."

As for Feng Xiaogang's question, he naturally wouldn't fall for it. After a moment's thought, he said in a very relaxed tone:
"This is a good thing. The fact that more outstanding international actors are participating in our film productions shows that our market is becoming more and more attractive."

I'm really looking forward to Director Feng's work, and I wish him great success.

These words were perfectly worded, both praising the market and encouraging peers.

However, this "encouragement" did not sound so pleasant to Feng Xiaogang, who was far away on the film set.

He felt as if he had become a junior being mentored by his seniors.

This is very uncomfortable.

Wu Chen and Liu Yifei returned to China today. Wu Chen boldly predicted that "Interstellar" will gross no less than one billion US dollars worldwide!

Wu Chen first thanked the audience for their love of "Interstellar".

The news of Wu Chen's return to China quickly spread throughout the industry thanks to media coverage.

In no time, interview requests from major media outlets poured in for Starry Night Pictures.

Of course, Liu Yong, the CEO of Gewara, was also present.

This time, Liu Yong was very proactive and humble, seemingly wanting to explain Guevara's current situation to Wu Chen in person.
Wu Chen smiled.

It seems that the casual remark did have some effect.

He agreed to Liu Yong's request for a meeting.

Of course, he didn't refuse Meituan either.

After all, not everything has to be so clearly defined.
(End of this chapter)