Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 119 Co-production?
The Spring Festival film season can only be described as a disaster, especially that big-budget film with an investment of 400 million yuan. After the first half was released, it was met with a barrage of criticism, and the second half, released during the Spring Festival, was also met with a barrage of criticism.

Netizens, in particular, were the most vocal in their criticism, with those who had seen the movie leading the charge.

"They made this kind of garbage for 400 million. After watching the first half, I was already heartbroken. I must have been crazy to watch the second half."

"Both films cost 400 million, but Chen Shou made a groundbreaking sci-fi film, The Martian, while Wu Baige made a film with a flock of white doves? Will your movies die if you don't use white doves?"

"What I'm seeing is: falling in love during a disaster? Will you die if you don't fall in love?"

"Look at Chen Shouzhe's Martian, there's not a single melodramatic element. That's when I realized that it's not that I don't like watching romance, but that I like watching genuine romance. There isn't even a fox who understands what love is."

"What a waste of all my money! China Film Group spent money to make this little thing. How much did they embezzle?"

"They probably lost all the money they made from The Martian. It's true that Hong Kong directors can only make crime films, they can't make any big scenes."

"Wu Baige proved one thing with his ability: not everyone can make a good movie."

The Taiping Ship, with an investment of 400 million yuan, flopped and was ridiculed by the entire internet. Wu Baige was the first to bear the brunt, followed by the producer Han Sanping, whose reputation was ruined in his later years.

The reputation that Martian had painstakingly built up during last summer's box office season vanished in an instant.

It has become a laughing stock on the internet and serves as a warning to those who impulsively enter the film and television industry.

It's true that movies can make money, and it's true that money comes quickly, but the problem is that movies can lose money, and lose everything.

This immediately made countless people who wanted to enter this industry calm down and start looking for more stable investment methods.

As expected, Chen Shouzhe was targeted again, and many people began to try to find him through various connections.

The result was that Chen Shouzhe was no longer in the country; he had gone abroad.

"You've gone abroad again?"

"Go and find out if he has any projects. His projects overseas are also excellent. If we can leverage his projects to go global, it will be more beneficial to our stock price."

Alibaba is extremely interested in Chen Shouzhe's projects. The most valuable company in the entire film and television industry is Chen Shouzhe's Shouzhe Pictures. Even though Huayi's market value has been soaring and has reached more than 50 yuan per share, aiming for a market value of 100 billion yuan, many people believe that this company is not as valuable as Shouzhe Pictures in the film and television industry.

Because Chen Shouzhe has the most enviable big IP right now, as well as the rights to those movies that have been released.

The copyright fee quotes kept increasing day by day, but Chen Shouzhe couldn't be bothered to pay them any attention, leaving Zhang Qiang, who was used to success, at a loss.

The failure of the Taiping Ship once again drew Ali's attention to Chen Shouzhe.

Upon hearing the news that Chen Shou was going abroad, Alibaba naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity. If there were any major projects, it would be good news to stimulate the stock market.

Look at Huayi, they announce projects when something goes wrong, and they still have projects even when nothing goes wrong.

They used various news items to stimulate stock prices, and eventually all of them went into real estate.

Chen Shouzhe's itinerary became known to many people, who then tried to contact him through various channels.

It seems that there is a period like this every year, when they can only watch helplessly as Chen Shou makes money from abroad.

After a flight of more than ten hours, he arrived in the United States, where Luxembourg and his men were already waiting to meet him at the airport.

"Hey buddy, what projects are coming up this year?" Lu Sen asked Chen Shou happily.

“You’ve made a lot of money from me,” Chen Shou said with a smile.

"That's right, the richer the boss is, the happier I am."

"Because you get a commission."

"So I want to thank you, my boss, you are a capable and insightful person."

What will Colombia say this time?

"They have their eye on a series of scripts."

"Series script, which series?"

Chen Shouzhe has prepared many scripts over the years, such as The Matrix series, as well as other series of scripts.

"fast and Furious."

"Wow! They really know how to pick."

Chen Shou was surprised for a moment, but didn't think to say anything. The group got into the car and left.

We went to the hotel to rest first. The next day, before the Columbia people even arrived, the Warner people came to our door first.

"Hey buddy, how did you know I was at the company?" Chen Shou asked, sitting in his office and looking at the person opposite him.

Sitting across from him was Grant, the producer of The Matrix. Grant took a sip of coffee and said, "This is instant coffee, Chen. Is this how you treat me? I don't like this kind of coffee; it has no coffee flavor at all. Your company made so much money last year; you wouldn't not even provide your employees with a coffee machine, would you?" "Lusen, go buy a coffee machine now," Chen Shou said to Lusen.

“No problem, boss.” Lucien walked out.

Chen Shouzhe and Grant sat facing each other. Grant continued, "You proved your ability. I watched The Martian. It was fantastic, man. It sold for over 600 million US dollars in your country. We were all stunned. We never expected that the mysterious East would have such a huge market. No wonder those damn politicians are all eyeing that place. It seems that Warner also needs to adjust its focus and strengthen cooperation with them."

“Investing is risky, buddy. If every movie could guarantee a profit, then everyone would be making movies,” Chen Shou said, shrugging.

“Yes, movies are risky, but Chen, I’ve investigated you, and I’m sorry, but you’re an amazing person. From your first film, you turned a three-million-dollar budget into a two-hundred-million-dollar production. It’s like you’ve been cheated; you’ve never failed,” Grant said.

"So what's your purpose in contacting me? According to our agreement, it won't start until the second half of the year, and Hollywood is producer-centric. I'm just a director, and you'll need to prepare for the initial stages," Chen Shou said.

“I understand, buddy, but I want to strengthen our partnership. I heard that Universal and Legendary have reached an agreement with companies in your country to make a $1.5 million movie. I think that’s great. Maybe Warner Bros. could also work with you, especially with you,” Grant said.

“I don’t have any plans right now. How about next year, after The Matrix is ​​released and after I finish filming Gravity, then we can talk again,” Chen Shou said.

“Dude, this is too slow. We should hurry up. You have so many great scripts; just pick one,” Grant said.

"That can't be done so casually. I'm sorry, I can't agree to that," Chen Shou said, shaking his head.

There's no such thing as a free lunch. He provides the script and wants to co-produce films; frankly, he just wants to enter the domestic market and make money.

Chen Shou can't even earn enough for this kind of thing on his own, so why should he bring you guys along?

He has no plans for co-productions. Just like Columbia Pictures, he can make money on his own, so why bother with co-productions and sharing the pie with others?

It's only right to share some of the pie when you're weak, but now that you have the strength to take it all for yourself, there's no need to share the pie.

Grant talked a lot more, but Chen remained completely silent until Luxem returned with coffee, at which point they stopped for a moment.

"Sorry, the coffee machine won't be here for a while, so I went downstairs and bought two cups of coffee. I hope you two don't mind." Lu Sen pushed open the door and came in. Seeing that the two men didn't look too happy, he quickly laughed it off.

"Luxen, it's so good to see you back. You're such a stingy boss. Quickly, give me a cup of coffee. I really don't like this instant coffee." Grant took the coffee, took a big gulp, and then took out a cigar to enjoy.

Chen Shou lit a cigarette and started smoking. Lu Sen watched the two of them, wondering what they talked about after he left.

Finally, Grant left Blue Star Corporation with a disappointed look on his face. No sooner had he left than people from Columbia arrived.

"Chen, I think I saw Grant from Warner?" Walker said as he entered and hugged Chen.

“It’s him,” Chen Shou said.

"What does he want from you?" Walker asked with a smile.

"It's nothing, just some collaborative projects. Walker, are you really interested in this series?" Chen Shou asked.

“Yes? I think it’s fantastic. I’m sure a lot of young people will love this series,” Walker said, clapping his hands.

“That’s true, they’re all disaster movies, and I’m tired of them. Let’s start with our previous collaboration, but the investment ratio for the series needs to be changed,” Chen Shou said.

"Why?" Walker asked.

"Because it's very profitable," Chen Shou said.

“Chen, you really don’t lose out at all. But that’s fine too. If it really makes money, I’d be happy to increase the percentage. How much do you want?” Walker asked.

“55,” Chen Shou said, raising his hand and spreading his fingers.

"My God? You're not kidding, are you? A 20% increase?" Walker said.

“You’ve already made enough from the miracle of the tsunami and the day after tomorrow, isn’t that enough? If not, Grant, who just left, is very interested,” Chen Shou said.

“Fuck, that’s exactly what he wanted. Chen, we’ve been working together very well, and I think we can continue. Fifty percent, right? You have to invest all of your cash,” Walker said.

“That’s to be expected, but copyright matters are also a factor,” Chen Shou said.

"I'm truly speechless. You're unwilling to compromise on any aspect of copyright..."

Columbia Pictures has already collaborated with Chen Shouzhe on three films, all of which have been very profitable, and they are unwilling to give up Chen Shouzhe as a cash cow.

Chen Shou's film last year grossed over 900 million US dollars worldwide, with an investment of only over 60 million US dollars. The revenue was more than ten times the investment. In addition, there was that film that sold for 400 million US dollars for tens of thousands of dollars. Hollywood knew about his existence, and there were countless people who wanted to take advantage of him.

According to the company's team assessment, this series was very valuable, so they decided to give it a try, and if it didn't work out, they would just give up.

Luxembourg was better at these things than Chen Shouzhe, and he signed a cooperation agreement with Colombia. The money from the tsunami miracle also arrived in his account.

They see the Chinese market as huge, but in Chen Shouzhe's eyes, their market is the biggest, and making money here is very comfortable.

Moreover, there is a film rating system here, which means that many movies that cannot be filmed in China can be filmed here, such as erotic and horror movies, and these kinds of movies are very profitable.

(End of this chapter)