It's reasonable for me to be a three-time Golden Horse Award-winning director and an all-around

Chapter 226 The project is gradually being completed, and the "money trees" have been planted (10,000-word update! Requesting monthly votes!)

Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles.

The leaves of the plane trees on both sides of the road cut through the sunlight, casting dappled light and shadow on the road.

Lu Rui stepped out of the black Cadillac Escalade and looked up at the headquarters building of Ruixing Film Industry in front of him.

The glass curtain wall gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and the huge "RUI XING PICTURES" logo hung on the rooftop, making it particularly eye-catching.

Seeing this, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

When they first arrived in Hollywood, Ruixing Films was crammed into a small office building, sharing an elevator with several independent production companies.

It's only been a little over two years, and they've already moved into a spacious detached building.

The sense of accomplishment is simply amazing!

"Lv, would you like me to show you around the new company?"

Peter parked his car in the designated parking space and quickly walked over.

I hadn't seen him for a while, and even though he was very busy with work, he was still chubby, and his belly hadn't shrunk at all.

The custom-made oversized suit was so tight that it made him look like a clumsy bear when he walked.

Lu Rui reached out and patted his big belly, teasing him with a smile: "Peter, you should lose some weight, drink less sugary coffee, and go to the gym more often."

“Okay, I’ll get a gym membership once I’m done with this busy period,” Peter agreed earnestly.

Lu Rui shook his head helplessly. He had heard this at least three times, but each time it ended with him saying "too busy".

The two chatted and laughed as they walked through the revolving door and into the company's first floor.

The first thing you see is a high-ceilinged, spacious reception hall with a light gray marble floor that is so shiny it reflects light.

Behind the counter stood two blonde, blue-eyed young women, dressed in well-tailored custom Chanel blazers, with exquisite makeup and elegant demeanor.

The reception area is the face of a company, so it has to be eye-catching.

These two girls were specially selected by Peter from the Southern California College of the Arts. They were not only outstanding in appearance, but also fluent in four languages: Chinese, English, German, and French, and were able to handle clients with ease.

Upon seeing Lu Rui and Peter enter, the two girls immediately stood up and greeted them with polite smiles: "Boss!"

"Ah."

Peter nodded slightly and led Lü Rui toward the private elevator in the corner.

This is specifically provided for the company's core management team, and it provides direct access to the top-floor offices.

“Lv, I have your office cleaned regularly and ventilated and tidied up every day to ensure it is spotless.”

As the elevator ascended, Peter spoke up, his tone carrying a hint of self-satisfaction.

The elevator doors opened, and he stepped out first, then proactively opened the office door for Lv Rui: "Lv, please come in."

Lu Rui walked in, his gaze sweeping across the room, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "Huh?"

The scene before him was completely different from the Hollywood office he had imagined.

There's no cold industrial style, nor luxurious European-style decorations; instead, it exudes Chinese charm everywhere.

The dark solid wood desk has a clear grain, and a small blue and white porcelain vase with two fresh green bamboos is placed on the corner of the desk.

A traditional Chinese ink painting of mountains and rivers hangs on the wall behind the desk, depicting distant mountains shrouded in mist and flowing water.

A set of mahogany armchairs was placed by the window, paired with a coffee table in the same color scheme, on which was even a set of purple clay teaware.

Even the lighting is a warm yellow, shining through the Chinese-style carved lampshade, creating a cozy and elegant atmosphere.

It's truly rare to see such a familiar style in a foreign land.

Just as Lü Rui was wondering what was going on, Peter came up to him and said, as if to take credit, "I specially found a decoration team from China to design it in the Chinese style. I also did a lot of research and they said that this style can make people relax."

I think you'd find this more relatable when you see it while working abroad.

"Haha, Peter, you're so thoughtful."

Lu Rui couldn't help but laugh and reached out to pat him on the shoulder.

Who says foreigners don't understand social etiquette and can't read between the lines?

They know so much!

Moreover, they not only know how to be polite, but also how to precisely cater to the boss's preferences.

As for those who think foreigners are inflexible, perhaps they simply haven't received enough respect.

Lu Rui walked to the mahogany armchair and sat down, touching the smooth armrests, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

Peter is indeed a sensible guy, and it's no wonder that he's been trained and nurtured by Peter's side from the very beginning.

The two sat in the office for a while and chatted about the recent operations of Ruixing Film Company.

From financial revenue and expenditure to the expansion of overseas distribution channels, nothing is too small.

Afterwards, Lü Rui stood up again, preparing to go downstairs to check out the various departments and get a firsthand understanding of the team's operations.

Peter immediately volunteered to be his guide and led him toward the elevator.

"Let's go to the 5th floor first, that's where the animation department's offices are newly set up..."

After spending money and recruiting talent over the past few months, the core team has been basically assembled. They are currently debugging the equipment and will be able to officially launch the project soon.

The elevator doors opened, revealing a bright and spacious office space.

Dozens of workstations are neatly arranged, each equipped with a high-end computer and a drawing tablet.

In the corner, there was a pile of unopened professional animation production equipment, and several technicians were discussing in hushed tones around one of the machines...

Peter waved to a spot not far away, and soon two people walked over one after the other.

Walking in front was a bald, middle-aged man, wearing a well-pressed shirt and thin-rimmed glasses, with a calm and capable demeanor.

“Lv, this is Mr. Christopher Meledandri, the head of our animation department.” Peter stepped aside to make way for the middle-aged man and led him to Lv Rui.

“Hello, Lv.” Christopher extended his hand first, with a gentle smile.

“Mr. Meledandri, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Lu Rui reached out to shake his hand and then gave him a friendly hug.

He was very familiar with this newly joined manager.

To poach him from 20th Century Fox, Luckin Films offered him a salary nearly 30% higher than his previous one, along with stock options for animation projects—a considerable price to pay.

However, all of this is worthwhile, because he is worth the price!
Christopher Meledandri, born in 1959, is 47 years old this year. Before joining Ruixing Films, he was the president of 20th Century Fox Animation Studios (Blue Sky Studios).

He previously worked as a producer on the Ice Age series.

This animated film later became a global box office hit and became one of Fox Animation's classic IPs!

Unfortunately, Christopher, who works behind the scenes, holds the position of president, but his salary is seriously disproportionate to his contributions, and is even less than that of some top animation directors.

He had previously considered quitting his job to start his own business, but he never expected Peter to come knocking on his door and offer such generous terms.

Water flows to lower place, man goes to higher position.

Faced with the temptation of a high salary, he had no reason to refuse, so he took the opportunity to switch jobs and came to Ruixing Film Industry.

Looking at the composed and steady Christopher in front of him, Lü Rui's emotions fluctuated slightly.

To outsiders, 47-year-old Christopher may seem like he's nearing the end of his career.

But Lü Rui knew very well that his true glory in his previous life would not come until he was over 50 years old.

After leaving Blue Sky Studios, he started his own business, Illumination Entertainment, and swept the global box office with the Despicable Me IP, making his new company a top player in the industry once again!

In this life, with Christopher joining Ruixing Films, the name "Illumination Entertainment" is destined to disappear from the annals of history.

As for those globally popular animation IPs in the future, they may also be born in this office area under the name of Ruixing Pictures!

Lu Rui snapped out of his thoughts and asked with concern, "Mr. Meledandri, is the equipment debugging going smoothly? Are there any issues that need to be addressed?"

Christopher responded with a smile, his tone filled with anticipation for his new job: "Everything is going very well. The equipment is the most advanced model in the industry, and the technical team is quickly getting to know each other."

Once the debugging is complete, we can start our first animation project…

As the two were talking, the middle-aged man who had been walking a little slower came up to the three of them.

The man was dressed in a casual denim shirt and a baseball cap, with a gentle smile on his face, and even exuded an artistic air at first glance.

Peter helped introduce them: "Lv, this is director Raman Hui, everyone calls him Raman. He is from Hong Kong and worked at DreamWorks for more than 20 years. He has a lot of directing experience."

"Director Xu, hello." Lü Rui switched to Mandarin.

He knew this man even better than Christopher did.

In his previous life, he directed the "Monster Hunt" series, which set a record for the highest-grossing single Chinese-language film, and was also the director of the classic animated short film "Kung Fu Panda: The Secret of the Furious Five"...

It took Ruixing Pictures a lot of effort to poach him from DreamWorks.

It's worth noting that at that time, Xu Chengyi had already established himself at DreamWorks and was about to co-direct Shrek 3 with Chris Miller.

That's a heavyweight sequel with an investment of up to $1.6 million!
However, faced with the conditions offered by Peter, he still chose to switch jobs without hesitation.

Because Ruixing Pictures promised that he could independently direct "Kung Fu Panda," an investment of up to $1.3 million.

From script polishing to character design and filming, he took full control of everything.

Christopher assisted as a producer.

For Xu Chengyi, this is not a choice at all.

While Shrek 3 is a big-budget production, it is ultimately a sequel and still requires collaboration with others.

Even if the box office is successful, it will only have a limited impact on his personal resume.

However, Kung Fu Panda is a completely new IP, which can be independently directed and is filled with "Chinese style" elements.

As a Chinese director, his understanding of ink painting, martial arts, and Wuxia culture is far deeper than that of Hollywood directors, which is exactly the creative opportunity he has been dreaming of.

"Lv, the Kung Fu Panda project is absolutely fantastic!"

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Xu Chengyi could not hide his excitement, still clutching several sheets of drawing paper tightly in his hand.

Although the company's equipment was still being tested, he had already started the preliminary preparations ahead of schedule.

The newly formed art team has been working around the clock for almost two weeks, and has already achieved initial results in character design and storyboards.

Lu Rui's gaze fell on the drawing paper in his hand, and he asked curiously, "Is the character design for A Bao finished?"

Xu Chengyi nodded: "Yes! Based on the ideas you gave me before, it has been finalized and is just waiting for you to review it."

"Let's go to the conference room and discuss this in detail."

Lü Rui decided to postpone his plans to visit other departments for the time being.

Kung Fu Panda is a key project for Ruixing Animation, so it's good to finalize the details as soon as possible.

The group then went into a small conference room next door.

Xu Chengyi spread the drawing paper on the conference table.

Lu Rui leaned closer to take a look, and his eyes lit up.

The drawing of Abao on the paper was almost exactly the same as the one in his memory.

Its round body is covered in black and white fur, its belly is as round as if it were carrying a ball, and its short, thick limbs support its body, yet it exudes a sense of agility.

His face was set with a pair of round, black eyes, a pink nose, and slightly upturned corners of his mouth, as if he might reveal a kind and honest smile at any moment.

A red ribbon was tied around his neck, the edges of which fluttered slightly, adding a touch of liveliness, making him look exactly like a "kung fu master who loves to eat steamed buns".

"It's so similar! This is exactly the A Bao I wanted." Lu Rui couldn't help but praise.

Its round, chubby body and lively eyes perfectly capture the adorable nature of a panda while also revealing the tenacity of a kung fu master.

Upon hearing this, Xu Chengyi breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "I was worried that you might not find it vivid enough, so I added some details."

For example, the small paw pads and the flowing curve of the ribbons are designed in the freehand style of traditional Chinese ink painting.

Christopher added, "We will create a 3D model of this character and invite a martial arts choreographer to design Po's movements to ensure they are both visually appealing and logically sound."

Lü Rui nodded: "Let's proceed in this direction. Now that the character designs are finalized, we can speed up the storyboard polishing and strive to start production once the equipment is debugged."

Of course, no matter how sophisticated the animation team's techniques are, the virtual Po can never match the vividness and cuteness of a real giant panda.

However, Xu Chengyi and the art team have clearly conducted in-depth observations of giant pandas.

From the panda's adorable way of munching on bamboo to its swaying gait, everything is meticulously incorporated into the design.

In addition to Lü Rui's previous requirement to "retain the cuteness of a panda while also conveying the strength of kung fu," the final Po not only possesses the endearing clumsiness of a real panda but also carries the unique personality of "wanting to be a knight-errant," making him instantly memorable.

After all, if animal cartoon characters are completely replicated from reality, they are more likely to be imitated and pirated.

Only characters like A Bao, with their round, chubby physique, red ribbon logo, and "love of steamed buns and laziness" persona, can become a killer feature for derivative businesses.

Animated films and live-action films are different.

The former cannot make a significant profit solely from box office revenue.

The real profits are hidden in derivative products such as toys, clothing, stationery, and game collaborations.

It is no exaggeration to say that the derivative value of a successful animated film often far exceeds its box office revenue.

Furthermore, cartoon characters can disregard racial and even species boundaries, making them easier to spread globally.

This is the real "cash cow" of the animation industry!
After reviewing the design drawings of characters such as Po, Master Shifu, Tigress, Monkey, and Master Oogway, Lü Rui immediately convened a short meeting with the core members of the animation department.

"I plan to make the 'Kung Fu Panda' project a Sino-foreign co-production..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Hollywood staff present all looked up, their faces full of surprise.

After all, in their eyes, this was clearly an animation project led by Ruixing Pictures, so why did they suddenly want to "co-produce" it?
Ignoring everyone's surprise, Lü Rui continued to explain: "Since the project is called 'Kung Fu Panda,' the core is naturally the word 'Kung Fu.'"

Without a doubt, everyone's understanding of Chinese Kung Fu is ultimately not as thorough as that of domestic teams.

From the power generation logic of a small move to the core of 'chivalry' in martial arts culture, everything needs the assistance and oversight of a domestic team to avoid the problem of 'similar in form but not in spirit.' Therefore, making it a Sino-foreign co-production is the safest approach."

These words elicited a unanimous nod from everyone present.

Undeniably, the design of kung fu is indeed their weakness.

With the assistance of a professional domestic team, one can indeed avoid many detours.

More importantly, the voice-over team had already made plans.

In the upcoming filming, Western symphonic music will be mainly paired with Chinese folk instruments.

For example, the melodious erhu, the lively flute, and the elegant guzheng, along with percussion instruments such as drums and gongs to enhance the fighting atmosphere, create a soundtrack that is both international and Chinese in style.

The performance of these instruments and the arrangement of folk music all require domestic teams to complete.

Xu Chengyi even had ideas about the filming locations.

Pandas are China's national treasure, and the "Peace Valley" in the story would be more fitting if it had the artistic conception of Chinese landscape painting.

He researched a lot of information and finally found that the clouds, bamboo forests, and ancient bridges of the Dujiangyan Scenic Area in Qingcheng Mountain, Sichuan Province, were exactly what he imagined Peace Valley to be. So he will definitely go to China to film the scenes later.

This also requires the cooperation of the local team.

In this way, the reasons for "Sino-foreign co-production" are sufficient.

The resentment in everyone's hearts gradually dissipated.

Besides, since we're all just getting paid to do things, it doesn't matter who we work with.

As for the few people who discriminate against domestic teams, Lü Rui had already made plans.

If any issues are subsequently discovered, the individual will be immediately removed from the program to prevent any potential problems from arising.

Regarding the upcoming coordination work, Lü Rui entrusted it entirely to Xu Chengyi and Tian Xiaopeng.

At the same time, he also plans to involve other domestic animation companies such as Blue Fox, Wingsound, Ruosen, and Vision.

This is a rare opportunity to take advantage of Hollywood's technology.

Allowing domestic teams to learn 3D modeling, storyboard design, and special effects rendering techniques from Xu Chengyi would be a huge boost to the entire domestic animation industry.

In fact, it was a deliberate move by Lü Rui to choose him to take the lead.

After all, other foreign directors might keep things to themselves or even look down on domestic teams.

However, Xu Chengyi is Chinese, so communication will be smoother, and he will be more willing to share his experience.

Although the situation of "compatriots cheating each other" happens from time to time, Lü Rui believes that Xu Chengyi can see things clearly.

Kung Fu Panda is set as a film series, not just one movie.

If he handles this matter well, he will definitely still be in charge of directing the subsequent sequels.

In contrast, during his twenty years at DreamWorks, he worked his way up to animation director, but only managed to get the opportunity to co-direct. He was also overshadowed by five producers and had no autonomy whatsoever.

On one hand, there is long-term creative freedom and control; on the other hand, there is limited collaborative directing.

Even without Lü Rui's reminder, he probably already knew which option to choose.

As for Christopher Meledandri, Lü Rui defined him as "control and advice".

Oversee the overall project schedule and budget, and offer suggestions on script logic and market positioning...

As for the details of filming and production, Xu Chengyi was given full authority, and he was not interfered with too much.

This division of labor not only leverages the strengths of both individuals but also makes the project progress more efficiently.

……

After leaving the animation department, Lü Rui followed Peter to the special effects department on the fourth floor.

As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted by the sounds of keyboards clicking and hushed conversations filling the room.

Unlike the animation department, which was still in preparation, this place was already in a busy mode.

At dozens of workstations, special effects artists are staring at the screens.

Some were adjusting the vampire and werewolf transformation sequences in the early stages of Twilight, while others were testing the battlefield particle effects in 300. Everyone was so focused that they didn't even notice someone coming in.

Peter explained from the side, "Currently, the focus of the special effects department is on the three projects that the company is working on: 'Life of Pi,' 'Twilight,' and '300.'"

However, since our special effects department is newly established and not yet large enough, we can only focus on the special effects production for "Twilight".

As for the other two projects, they are being developed in collaboration with the visual effects teams of Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox.

Lu Rui nodded slightly; this was also part of his plan to "learn from the master".

Through this collaboration, Ruixing's special effects artists were able to learn techniques from top Hollywood teams.

Learn as much as you can, from modeling logic to rendering processes.

When you're weak, take advantage of opportunities to "fleece" others, and once your team has grown, lead projects independently.

He learned this trick from Hong Kong filmmakers.

After leaving the special effects department, the two went to the general office area on the third floor.

This is the company's "logistics hub," encompassing functions such as finance, human resources, administration, and legal affairs.

Compared to the hustle and bustle upstairs, the pace here is noticeably slower.

After all, Ruixing Pictures doesn't have many projects in hand right now, so the workload of the general affairs department isn't too heavy.

Finally, the two arrived at the Brom House, located on the second floor.

This is the distribution department of Ruixing Pictures, headed by Jason Blum.

After looking around, Lü Rui couldn't find him: "Where's Jason? Isn't he at the company?"

Peter reported: "James Wan is currently in India holding auditions for the main roles in 'Life of Pi,' and Jason went with him to also expand the film distribution business in India."

More than half a month has passed since then, and they say several local publishing companies over there have expressed interest in collaborating.

Lu Rui frowned, his tone tinged with concern: "Have your assistant send them a message, reminding them to be careful about their diet and safety."

The thought of India automatically conjures up images of outrageous and bizarre culinary creations. Fresh milk eaten with one's hands, "saliva curry" mixed with unknown seasonings, flatbread warmed by armpits, desserts made by kneading with one's feet, and the horrifying "matcha intestines"...

Don't think about it, the more you think about it, the more disgusting it becomes.

He had tried to respect local customs, but every time he learned about the dietary and hygiene habits of the Indians, he found them incomprehensible.

Especially the Ganges.

The water quality upstream is very clean, but after flowing through the city, it is polluted by all kinds of garbage and wastewater, making it a veritable "periodic table river".

Even so, the locals still drink and bathe in it without any problem, which is really puzzling.

In his preconceived notion, the hygiene conditions in India were extremely poor, with many people carrying a large number of germs, much like in some parts of Africa.

Let these kinds of people wreak havoc on Americans and their lives; they should never come to China.

"It's best to keep them from eating out too much, try to eat at the hotel restaurant, and avoid contact with local water sources to prevent them from getting sick and missing work."

He didn't want his core team to run into trouble because of these unnecessary problems.

Peter nodded seriously: "I'll have my assistant contact them right away and convey your instructions."

Lu Rui then stopped and turned his gaze back to the office area: "As for the distribution department, in addition to India, we also need to catch up with cooperation in other regions."

Especially in the European and Southeast Asian markets, we aim to establish a solid distribution network across the major distribution channels before the release of "Twilight."

Peter quickly agreed, not daring to be negligent in the slightest: "Don't worry, Jason made arrangements before he left. There are colleagues in Europe handling the coordination, and cooperation intentions in Southeast Asia are also being discussed..."

……

Lü Rui successfully handled all the affairs of Ruixing Film Industry in one full day.

The next morning, he instructed his assistant to send the project proposal for "Pacific Rim" to 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., and Sony Columbia.

These three Hollywood studios were not only his past partners, but also the targets of his habitual "profiteering".

After all, they have a considerable fortune.

Without the resources and funding of these giants, it would be difficult for Ruixing Pictures alone to support a mega-project like "Pacific Rim".

During this trip to Hollywood, Lü Rui specifically brought a 30% investment share from "Pacific Rim".

He plans to leave 10% of it to Ruixing Film Studio.

In this way, Ruixing can legitimately get a share of the profits in subsequent film distribution, derivative licensing, and other aspects, further consolidating the company's distribution channels in Hollywood.

He plans to use an auction model for the remaining 20% ​​share, which is worth $4000 million.

The company that offers the highest bid and can provide better resources (such as special effects team support and preferential global distribution network) will be given priority in allocating the share.

At the same time, he also had his assistant send the overseas casting requirements for "Pacific Rim" to the four major Hollywood agencies: CAA, WME, UTA, and ICM.

After all, the film needs many foreign actors to play mecha pilots from various countries, and these four agencies happen to have access to top global talent resources.

Lü Rui plans to further screen candidates based on the terms of cooperation.

Whichever agency can offer the most favorable actor quotes and more flexible scheduling, we'll finalize an exclusive casting deal with them.

This way, we can ensure the quality of the actors while reducing costs.

After arranging all that, in the afternoon, he took Peter Griffin and drove to visit the set of "300".

The car was driving on a highway outside Hollywood.

Looking at the palm trees flashing past the window, Lü Rui suddenly asked, "Is the company currently flush with cash?"

To date, Ruixing Pictures has officially launched or is about to launch five projects.

With films like 300, Life of Pi, Twilight, Kung Fu Panda, and the recently announced Pacific Rim, the total investment has reached a staggering $200 million.

The larger the business expands, the higher the risk of a broken cash flow.

He must confirm his financial situation in advance to avoid being put in a passive position.

While maintaining a steady grip on the steering wheel, Peter calmly replied, "The funding for the three projects, '300,' 'Life of Pi,' and 'Twilight,' is all in place. Payments are being made in installments according to the filming schedule, so there will be no funding shortages."

Currently, only the funding for "Kung Fu Panda" is not fully secured because the share allocation has not been completed. Also, the funding for your new film, "Pacific Rim," will require additional funding later…

“There’s no rush with Pacific Rim,” Lu Rui interrupted him. “This movie is still in the early stages of preparation. The funding doesn’t need to be invested all at once. We can bring it in batches according to the progress of casting and special effects production. There’s not much pressure.”

“Then there’s no problem with the company’s finances.” Peter breathed a sigh of relief and explained further, “The $1.3 million needed for Kung Fu Panda can also be received in installments.”

Furthermore, the DVD rights revenue and television broadcasting licensing fees from our previous productions such as *I Am Legend*, *The Pursuit of Happyness*, and *Paranormal Activity* are still being recouped, and these funds are sufficient to cover the initial investment in *Kung Fu Panda*.

Lu Rui nodded slightly, feeling somewhat relieved.

As a previous box office dark horse, "I Am Legend" still generates considerable revenue even though it has long been out of theaters, and remains a pillar of the company's cash flow.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Regarding the share of 'Kung Fu Panda,' Ruixing Pictures will reserve $6000 million for now, and I will take the rest back to China."

The promotional budget for this animated film is $1.3 million.

But in reality, it would probably only cost $1 million to actually make it.

The remaining $4000 million, or more than 3 million RMB, can be shared among Ruiyue Animation and the animation companies he has invested in.

This way, they can have a more legitimate reason to send teams to participate in the production, and they can feel more at ease 'learning' Hollywood techniques.

As they were talking, the car arrived at the filming location for "300".

The Cadillac Cadillac stopped in front of Warner Bros. Studios.

The two got out of the car, went through security, and soon arrived at the filming location of "300".

From a distance, a huge green screen set occupied the center of the venue, and several actors dressed in ancient Greek warrior armor were standing in front of the set.

Zack Snyder, holding a walkie-talkie, is facing the camera and adjusting the actors' positions.

The rest of the staff on set performed their duties diligently and efficiently, creating a professional and orderly scene.

Lu Rui did not go up to disturb them, but instead found Denise Smith, the producer in charge of the project, in a corner of the set.

"Dennis, it's been a long time."

Lü Rui took the initiative to step forward and greet him.

"Lv, it's so great that you could come visit the set!" Dennis smiled and warmly invited him to sit down in the nearby rest area.

"How's filming going? Is it progressing smoothly?"

"Of course, everything went very smoothly. According to the plan, filming will wrap up in the middle of next month."

Lu Rui nodded in satisfaction and casually asked, "Did you encounter any technical difficulties?"

He knew that the visual style of "300" was extremely unique, with a large number of low-angle shots and high-contrast images, which required a very high level of shooting skills.

Dennis thought for a moment and replied, "In the early stages, we encountered a problem where the armor was too heavy, which restricted the actors' movements. Later, the props team specially adjusted the material and replaced it with a lighter carbon fiber material."

There was also the issue of green screen lighting. We specifically hired a lighting designer to adjust the lighting angles based on the daily changes in natural light to ensure a seamless finish during post-production compositing.

"How are the actors doing? Is Gerard Butler alright? Will the high-intensity fight scenes be too much for him?"

Lu Rui pressed on, since the protagonist's condition directly affected the film's quality.

"Butler is very dedicated. He arrives two hours early every day to train, and he does most of his own fight scenes, rarely using a stunt double."

However, we have also arranged for dedicated physical trainers and a medical team to ensure the actors' physical condition and prevent any unexpected injuries.

Listening to Dennis's report, Lü Rui nodded slowly, but he couldn't hide his feelings.

An investment of $150 million and a filming period of nearly four months.

This efficiency and planning are precisely the advantages of the Hollywood industrial system!
From pre-production to post-production filming, each stage has clear timelines and is controlled by a professional team, so delays or chaos are rare.

This is something that Lü Rui has always dreamed of.

He often thinks, "If only it could be like this when filming in mainland China, that would be amazing!"
Of course, not all Hollywood projects are this efficient.

For example, James Cameron's "Avatar" is said to have been in development since before 2000, but there has been no news of its release yet.

However, those are a few projects that pursue the ultimate special effects and are "slow and meticulous", so generalizations cannot be made.

"Filming will wrap up in the middle of next month. How's the communication going with Ruixing's visual effects department regarding the post-production special effects?"

Remembering that Ruixing's special effects department was also involved in some projects, Lü Rui asked another question.

"Communication went very smoothly. Ruixing's visual effects team has sent people to the set several times to coordinate. They are very familiar with our visual style, so there shouldn't be any issues with the transition," Dennis gave a positive answer.

As the two were talking, Zack Snyder, who was in the distance, seemed to have noticed the commotion.

He spoke a few words into the walkie-talkie, and after a scene was finished and the crew called "cut," he quickly ran towards Lü Rui.

As he approached, his face was beaming with smiles: "Lv! What brings you here? Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

"I didn't want to disturb your filming, so I didn't let you know in advance." Lü Rui smiled as he stood up and gave Zack a warm hug.

"How could it be a bother! Your visit to the set has given everyone more motivation to film!" Zack said excitedly, chattering on and on. "Filming is going smoothly so far, all shots are progressing according to plan, don't worry, it definitely won't delay the release date."

"I'm just here to check things out, that's all."

Looking at the bloodshot eyes, Lü Rui knew he must have been working very hard lately. "Don't push yourself too hard. Take care of yourself. Your health is the foundation for your success."

"Don't worry, I know. I'll definitely get a good rest after filming wraps up!"

Zack smiled and nodded in agreement. He then pulled Lü Rui aside to ask her some simple questions about the filming details before reluctantly turning to leave.

After all, there are still many scenes waiting for him to direct, and he really can't spare the time to spend with them.

He didn't know why, but every time he saw Lü Rui, he felt like he had been injected with adrenaline.

Lü Rui's encouragement and trust seemed to have a special magic.

It made him want to shout:
"godfather!"

……

After spending about an hour on the set of "300," Lü Rui decided not to disturb them any further and got up to say goodbye and leave.

As the car returned to Hollywood Boulevard, dusk had fallen, and the neon lights along the street began to illuminate the scene.

Instead of going straight back to his Beverly Hills residence, he had Peter drive him to an Italian restaurant tucked away on a street corner.

His work for the day wasn't over yet; tonight he had to attend a dinner with the Twilight team.

As soon as I opened the car door, a familiar figure rushed up to me: "Lv! You've finally arrived!"

It's Guy Ritchie.

He was wearing a well-tailored dark suit, his hair was neatly combed, and the dejection in his eyes was gone, replaced by an undisguised radiance.

Compared to his disheveled appearance a few months ago, when he was idle at home and supported by his wife Madonna, he now seems several years younger, and even his tone of voice exudes a certain energy.

Lu Rui sighed inwardly.

Men really can't stay at home doing nothing!

Being a kept man may seem easy, but in reality, one has to endure unimaginable pressure.

Especially in front of a strong partner like Madonna, it's easy to be looked down upon.

Back when Guy Ritchie was down on his luck, he had lost all his light.

But now, with the opportunity to co-direct "Twilight", he has rediscovered his career focus and his talent has been revitalized.

"There was a bit of traffic on the way, so I'm late." Lu Rui smiled and hugged him, patting him on the back. "Judging from your appearance, you've been doing well lately?"

“Thanks to you!” Guy Ritchie smiled very sincerely. “Being able to participate in Twilight has given me a lot of energy every day. Katherine has also been very supportive, and the two of us have a great working relationship.”

As he spoke, he stepped aside to make room for Lü Rui and enthusiastically introduced everyone present to him.

First, there was a petite figure. He pointed to her and introduced her: "This is our leading lady, Kristen Stewart. She just turned 16 this year and her performance during the audition was particularly outstanding."

Upon hearing this, Lü Rui looked at the girl in front of him.

She wore a light-colored dress, her face still had some baby fat, and her eyes were big and bright, like a delicate porcelain doll.

She is three years younger than Liu Yifei, and at that age, she is indeed the perfect fit to play Bella, a high school student in "Twilight".

However, looking at her youthful appearance, Lü Rui felt a sense of surprise.

Because he simply couldn't reconcile the girl in front of him with the future Christine who had undergone a drastic style change and publicly came out as gay.

As a normal person, he could never understand this choice.

Just like in his previous life, he couldn't understand why Musk's eldest son wanted to undergo gender reassignment surgery and even part ways with his father.

Is it that top-tier global wealth and status are not enough for him? Why does he have to seek that unique kind of "excitement"?
Despite his turbulent thoughts, Lü Rui remained polite and greeted her with a smile: "Christine, it's a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to your portrayal of Bella."

"Hello Director Lü, I will do my best!"

Christine's voice was clear and crisp, and her eyes were full of nervousness and anticipation.

Next, Guy Ritchie introduced Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.

Robert wore a casual denim jacket and had a melancholic air, which fit the character of Edward the vampire.

Taylor, with his youthful sunshine and already showing signs of physique, was the perfect choice to play the werewolf Jacob.

When shaking hands with the latter, Lü Rui couldn't help but take a few more glances at him.

This is the guy who later dated two top female stars, Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift.

Right now, he just looks like an ordinary, sunny young man, and it's hard to see what special charm he has that could make two female singers fall for him.

As Lü Rui mentally matched these actors to their roles, the young men and women in the restaurant were also secretly observing him.

In their eyes, Lü Rui is a remarkable person who has already produced many top-notch representative works at a young age, and is a "big shot" who can determine the direction of their acting careers!
More importantly, he is only in his early twenties this year.

In the eyes of the girls, he looked so handsome tonight that they couldn't take their eyes off him.

For his morning work, Lü Rui specially wore a fitted black suit.

The clean lines of the tailoring accentuate his tall and strong physique, coupled with the powerful aura he has cultivated over the years of leading projects. Every gesture he makes exudes the elite and noble air of someone who has dominated the film and television industry, making him look exactly like a "young big shot".

It is said that good fortune is good for one's health, but wealth and self-confidence are even more nourishing.

Especially when a man's career is going smoothly, he will naturally exude a spirited and vigorous energy.

That inner confidence and composure transforms into an indescribable yet exceptionally attractive charm.

Even if someone has an ordinary appearance, or even looks like an alien, this charm can make people overlook their appearance.

If someone is naturally good-looking, they are even more unforgettable!

At this moment, Lü Rui had become the absolute focus of attention in the restaurant.

Kristen Stewart, along with several other girls playing high school students, stared at him almost intently.

Perhaps it was a matter of admiration, but even with the equally handsome and melancholic Robert Pattinson sitting next to them, they still felt that Lü Rui was more charming.

He achieved fame at a young age, possessing wealth, resources, and talent...

Such a man is an irresistible temptation for precocious Western girls!
During the meal, Lü Rui quickly realized this.

Several girls, under the guise of toasting and discussing their roles, took the initiative to approach him, their tone being excessively enthusiastic.

Some pulled out chairs for him, some handed him tissues, and others used the pretext of discussing the plot of "Twilight" to quietly move closer to him.

In fact, women also have a desire to conquer.

They may not be as outgoing and assertive as men, but they are essentially no different.

Winning over an outstanding member of the opposite sex not only proves one's charm but also satisfies one's vanity and self-confidence.

Moreover, Lü Rui is a director, producer, and screenwriter, holding resources that can determine their acting careers, so they naturally want to get closer to him.

Some people may be genuinely attracted to him, others may be after his money, still others may be after his resources, and some may simply enjoy the thrill of "conquering the strong" or even achieve some perverse goal known as "stamp collecting".

Despite this enthusiasm, Lü Rui remained unmoved and even deliberately kept his distance.

Are you kidding me?
The youngest of these girls was only sixteen or seventeen, and the oldest was not yet twenty; they were all minors!
He didn't have any of those weird hobbies, and he was well aware of how strict European and American laws are in protecting minors.

Forget about having ulterior motives; even just being ambiguous in attitude could lead to problems if someone gets hold of something against you. You might end up working as a sewing machine in a Hollywood prison.

While he was talking with the Twilight team at the restaurant, several Hollywood moguls were having a heated discussion about the Pacific Rim project proposal.

Two completely different attitudes are constantly clashing.

In a conference room at 20th Century Fox, executives sat around a long table, with project proposals projected onto a screen.

The vice president in charge of production frowned: "A budget of $2 million, a Sino-foreign co-production, and Chinese actors as the main cast? I think the risk is too great."

We've never done a mega-project like this before. While the Chinese market is growing, can it support such a high investment? Will foreign audiences accept a mecha sci-fi film starring a Chinese actor? These are all unknowns.

The marketing director next to him chimed in, "Yes, most of the co-production projects in the past were low-budget art films or commercial films with foreign leads and Chinese actors making cameo appearances."

This time, casting Chinese actors in leading roles will definitely raise concerns among overseas distribution channels, making box office expectations difficult to assess.

The discussion at Warner Bros. was similar.

The CFO looked at the report and said cautiously, "We just invested in '300,' so our funds are already a bit tight."

A 20% share of Pacific Rim would require at least $4000 million, and if the subsequent box office performance falls short of expectations, the losses could be substantial.

Furthermore, whether the production quality of the Chinese team can match Hollywood's special effects standards is also an unknown.

Many people nodded in agreement after hearing this.

Sony Columbia, on the other hand, was relatively hesitant.

They wanted to capitalize on the potential of the "mecha science fiction" genre, but were also worried that the "dominantly Chinese and foreign elements" model would backfire.

Someone suggested, "Perhaps we could reduce the share? For example, only take 5%, and test the waters first?"

But as soon as he finished speaking, he was immediately refuted: "A 5% share means you have no say at all, and the subsequent revenue sharing is not much, so it's better not to invest."

"I think we should invest the full amount!"

Having just collaborated with Lu Rui on "The Pursuit of Happyness (US version)" and gained the support of successful producer Matt Tolmacher, I'm feeling quite excited.

"Such a good opportunity, what are you hesitating for? It's only 20%, $4000 million, are you all afraid to take the gamble? Are you only satisfied when other competitors surpass you again?"

These words caused many people present to frown.

The major production companies were caught in a dilemma: they were attracted by the size of the $2 million project, but hesitated because of the unknown risks.

In contrast to the cautious approach of production companies, the atmosphere in the meeting rooms of Hollywood's four major talent agencies—CAA, WME, UTA, and ICM—was much more enthusiastic.

CAA's agent team had their eyes lighting up as they discussed the casting requirements for "Pacific Rim".

"We don't need to spend a single penny. As long as we recommend actors to get roles, we can get commissions and connect with Lü Rui and Ruixing Pictures. This is definitely a sure-fire way to make money!"

"That's right!" Tom, the agency manager, slammed his fist on the table, his voice excited. "A $2 million project, even if it's just a supporting role, can really boost an actor's resume. Our clients will definitely be eager to snatch it up!"

WME quickly mobilized its resources:
“We happen to have a few actors who are good at action scenes, which are perfect for the role of a mecha pilot. Let’s contact them quickly and have them prepare audition clips…”

UTA and ICM are not to be outdone, simultaneously screening a list of qualified actors and figuring out how to offer more favorable cooperation terms.

For example, they lowered actors' salaries, promised to cooperate with promotional schedules, and were even willing to recommend other high-quality resources, all in order to secure the exclusive casting rights for "Pacific Rim".

“Production companies are afraid of risks, but we are not!” the head of ICM said with a smile. “They invest money and take risks, while we only need to provide actor resources and make money.”

Moreover, Lu Rui's previous films, "I Am Legend" (which he produced) and "Taken" (which he directed), were both box office hits. Collaborating with him is likely a good idea!

"Yes, that's it..."

Late at night, in the Hollywood office buildings, the lights of the production companies were still on, and the debate continued.

Meanwhile, the talent agencies have already sent emails all over the world, busy trying to secure audition opportunities for the actors.

A controversy and power struggle surrounding "Pacific Rim" has slowly begun.

Meanwhile, James Wan, along with the cast and crew of "Life of Pi" who had finished casting, embarked on their journey back to Hollywood.

This casting process, which lasted for a month, was truly exhausting for him both mentally and physically...

(End of this chapter)