Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 115 Making Money Again
The relationship has improved considerably, and filming will continue.

Jiang Wen will need to take care of the matter regarding "Let the Bullets Fly" after the filming of this movie is completed.

He's already looking for a replacement actor, so why doesn't he want to change the person?

Besides Zhang Mo's family connections, there was another very important reason.

Among all the second-generation actors, this one has decent acting skills and became famous at a young age.

Jiang Wen found Chen Shouzhe and drank with him, saying a lot and praising his acting skills. She also mentioned that Chen Kun, who acted opposite him, was just as good as him.

Fortunately, he didn't have many scenes; it would have been a shame that the most important scene had to be reshot.

Chen Shouzhe naturally knew that Liu Zi was a fan of rice noodles. He had written the script, and he understood Liu Zi's importance.

Since the changes have already been agreed upon, they must be carried out without any room for negotiation.

"Sometimes I really don't understand what the West is thinking. Releasing a disaster movie at this time, it's fortunate that the box office is very high." Chen Shouzhe was on the phone with Tao Le.

"The Impossible" has already been released in the United States, while "The Matrix" has finished filming and entered the post-production stage.

Roland's disaster films are still very successful. He made three disaster films in three consecutive years. Although the special effects have been reduced, the overall effect has not been diminished. He has shifted his focus to family and relationships, which is very popular in the West.

With the solid foundation laid previously, a group of viewers who enjoy watching disaster movies were cultivated, and this group of viewers provided a very considerable box office revenue after the film's release.

Columbia Pictures is incredibly excited, as they have already cultivated their audience.

"The market response there is very good, but we won't be bringing it over the Lunar New Year. We've already communicated with China Film Group, and like 'The Day After Tomorrow,' it should be released in April or May," Tao Le said.

"Okay, I'll talk to them about it later. Honestly, they actually sent the email to the company." Chen Shou said.

“I guess you don’t have the habit of checking emails,” Tao Le said.

"Too."

The two chatted for a few minutes and then hung up the phone.

Chen Shouzhe turned on his computer to check his emails. Roland had sent him quite a few, and there were also trending topics on Weibo in China.

Chen Shouzhe previously said he would avoid trending on social media, but he's trending again, and many media outlets are reporting on it.

Renowned Chinese director Chen Shouzhe and disaster director Roland have collaborated for the third time on the disaster film *The Impossible*, which was released simultaneously in Europe and America. The film tells the story of a family who miraculously survived a tsunami while traveling in India. It received critical acclaim in Europe and America, grossing $2396 million in the US on its opening day.

Chen Shouzhe's name is trending again. Many people are envious and jealous, but they can only watch helplessly as Chen Shouzhe makes money. They can only watch, and Chen Shouzhe doesn't even give them a single ticket.

In the vast overseas market, Chen Shou indulged in lavish lifestyles, while many listed companies worked hard for a year and earned less than the profits from a single film he made.

That's why many people are eager to kill Chen Shouzhe, genuinely believing that if he falls, this huge pie will fall into their hands.

Many people in the industry congratulated him, already knowing that Chen Shouzhe had invested in the film and also received copyright revenue, meaning a large sum of money would come in every year.

"Besides Zhang Yimou, you're the only one in the country who has made money in US dollars. You're not making products, but producing culture. By the way, when are you going to develop Journey to the West?" During filming, Jiang Wen, wearing a leather coat, sat next to Chen Shou and asked, breathing out warm air.

After internet companies like Alibaba entered the media industry, they have been constantly promoting big IPs. In this era of big IPs, the nationally recognized big IP is Chen Shouzhe's Journey to the West, which has already been broadcast for the third time, and the ratings are still high, with people watching it repeatedly every day.

Journey to the West is destined to be a national-level IP. With the popularity of the TV series and the animated series, which child doesn't like monkeys these days? With the influence of these people, Journey to the West will only become more and more famous.

Who doesn't like monkeys?

Upon hearing Jiang Wen's words, many people around looked at Chen Shouzhe, who was sitting in front of the monitor.

Tony Leung, who plays the bandit leader Zuo Shandiao, held up a cup and said, "My whole family loves Journey to the West. It's suitable for all ages and is indeed perfect for making into a movie. Doesn't Director Chan have any plans to bring it to the big screen?"

"I have a plan, but not now. Anyway, I'm not dead, and the copyright is still mine. I'll film Journey to the West again when I run out of ideas, hehe." Chen Shou was secretly delighted.

Foreign countries have all gotten involved in the Journey to the West adaptation from the previous generation. The current Journey to the West belongs to him, and he has a bunch of copyrights. The only one who can ride the wave of popularity is the original model of the monk Xuanzang. Everything involving Journey to the West content is inseparable from his copyright.

The game is already under development, and a game company has bought the rights.

That doesn't matter. As long as it's not film or television copyright, you can still make a lot of money selling it.

So Chen Shou wasn't in a hurry at all. After all, it was his treasure, and others could only watch him with envy.

Chen Shouzhe doesn't lack scripts right now. Once he's used up all the scripts he has, he can develop works like Journey to the West. Classic works get better with age.

Just like wine, it tastes better when it's aged.

Hearing Chen Shou's irritating words, Jiang Wen was very envious. If he had such a big IP, he would definitely turn it all into movies, complete with special effects, and make ten or eight series of movies. He would never have to worry about food and drink for the rest of his life.

"Damn it, if those internet companies heard you say that, they'd want to beat you to death," Jiang Wen cursed.

Liang Jiahui, Xia Yu, and the others were speechless. Chen Shouzhe had the confidence to say such things because the copyright belonged to him, and no one else could do anything about it. "Hahaha, Alibaba originally wanted to buy my film and television rights for 100 million, but now they've raised it to 400 million, hehe," Chen Shouzhe sneered.

"Damn, four hundred million?" Jiang Wen and the others stared wide-eyed. If Chen Shou nodded, four hundred million would be theirs.

"Did you sell it?" Jiang Wen asked.

"Dream on! I'll offer 10 billion," Chen Shou said irritably.

"Huh? You really dare to ask such a question." Jiang Wen was taken aback for a moment and said.

"I don't think it's too much at all. Companies like Alibaba Pictures have a market value of tens of billions. Do you believe that a single novel like Journey to the West can support a listed company? Forget it, you wouldn't understand anyway. In any case, the company can survive for a hundred years thanks to Journey to the West," Chen Shou said, spreading his hands.

"What a golden rooster! I'm so envious," Jiang Wen said sourly.

The others nodded in agreement; it really was a novel that could sustain you for life.

Tony Leung Ka-fai is also a writer of martial arts novels in Hong Kong, and his novels have been adapted into films and television series. However, in terms of copyright, they cannot compare to the impact of Journey to the West. That was a true cultural influence. The TV series was broadcast in dozens of Southeast Asian countries. Countries that were already influenced by Chinese culture were even more fascinated by the TV series, and many bought the copyrights.

Chen Shouzhe said that eating for a hundred years is not an exaggeration at all, and many people even wish he would die soon so that the copyright would be public property in another fifty years.

"I'm not in a hurry to develop it now. I'll keep it to keep producing eggs, and I can take it out for my own use when I need it someday," Chen Shou said, spreading his hands.

“What about Ghost Blows Out the Light? And your Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio too,” Jiang Wen said.

"Do you want to take a picture?" Chen Shou asked.

“I’m interested in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, but I’ll pass on Ghost Blows Out the Light.” Jiang Wen shook her head.

"The Ghost Blows Out the Light series is already under development. If Wuershan's Painted Skin is successful next year, he will take over the Ghost Blows Out the Light project," Chen Shouzhe said.

"Really? I follow the updates every day," Xia Yu said.

"Are there any suitable roles for him?" Jiang Wen asked.

"Come audition then, and if it's suitable, we'll get you one," Chen Shou said.

“No problem.” Xia Yu nodded.

The others looked at Xia Yu with envy, having secured a role with just a few words. However, Xia Yu was also talented; he was a Venice Film Festival Best Actor winner right from his debut, and in terms of acting skills, he would rank third here.

The first is not Jiang Wen, but Tony Leung Ka-fai, the versatile actor. Tony Leung Ka-fai can handle too many roles. In the entire Chinese entertainment industry, the only one who can surpass him in acting skills is probably Li Xuejian.

Both are known for their versatility and ability to portray a thousand different characters, and their acting skills have always been compared.

Such a person has only one face, yet can portray a thousand different characters, hence the saying "one person, a thousand faces".

There's another type called "a thousand faces, one person," who is the same person no matter what role they play. It's not that this person's acting is bad, but rather that their acting is so good that they have developed their own style.

A prime example is actor Chen Daoming. No matter what role he plays, people will only remember his imperial appearance.

They've already developed their own unique style, and it's very difficult to change it.

If he were to play an emperor, he would undoubtedly be a top-tier actor; other actors would be relatively less suitable.

Although Xia Yu debuted as a movie star, he is still somewhat inferior to these two seasoned veterans.

After filming for a while longer, they announced that the filming for today was over.

"That's all for today. I'll treat you to barbecue," Chen Shouzhe said, standing up.

"Director is awesome!" The actors and crew cheered. Of all the film crews they had worked for, Shouzhe Film Studio had the best food and treatment. Chen Shouzhe often treated them to meals and never mistreated them.

"Don't try to save him any money. He's making US dollars now. Yesterday, the movie grossed over 20 million US dollars on its opening day. He'll go broke!" Jiang Wen shouted.

"no problem."

A group of people quickly packed up their things, with the actors helping out, so they could get ready quickly and go eat barbecue.

It's great to have a lot of people; it's lively and fun, and it didn't save Chen any money either. Everyone ate and drank.

Many people breathed a sigh of relief that Chen Shouzhe didn't prepare any films for this year's Lunar New Year season. However, considering that Chen Shouzhe had completely dominated the summer season, those film companies all understood one thing: avoid Chen Shouzhe's films, as his box office appeal has now risen.

Other film companies should consider how to avoid working with Chen Shouzhe's movies.

The fact that Shouzhe Pictures has at least three films scheduled for release next year has made countless companies uneasy.

Painted Skin 2, A Chinese Ghost Story, The Taking of Tiger Mountain, and an animated feature film, whose release date is still unknown. Many people are now keeping an eye on the film studio and trying to avoid their movies.

(End of this chapter)