Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 130 Everyone thought it was their own

[Suspected of submitting a new movie script while staying close to the film studio!!]

A rumor somehow appeared on Weibo's trending topics, with only a few comments; it was posted by a self-media account.

It quickly attracted a large crowd.

They're holding onto the film industry.

Painted Skin 2 is still showing in theaters, earning 40 to 50 million yuan a day, igniting the summer movie season.

Chen Shouzhe said he would give Wuershan a new arrangement, which is very likely to be a new script.

The film and television industry has its eyes on this market, wondering if it can get a piece of the pie.

Celebrities in the entertainment industry, on the other hand, are eyeing the roles they can get, hoping to profit from them.

After all, they only have Yang Mi's studio, which is related to their relationship, and no other artists. If they were to make a blockbuster like The Martian, wouldn't they be able to become like Zhang Hanyu and Huang Xiaoming and go international?
Ordinary netizens are curious about what the new script is and what movies it's in.

Is it Painted Skin 3?

"I think it's possible; the Painted Skin series was very successful."

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it should still be directed by Director Wuershan. It was already mentioned at the premiere that Director Wuershan has already made arrangements."

"Journey to the West? Or the Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio series?"

Are you really going to make a Journey to the West movie?

"I want to watch the movie version of Journey to the West."

"I really look forward to Journey to the West being shown on the big screen."

The three words "Journey to the West" seem to have a magical power. As a recognized major IP, since its release last year, Journey to the West is still being rebroadcast on CCTV. It has already been rebroadcast for the third time, and it is being rebroadcast tirelessly every day.

Blueberry TV, thanks to its relationship with Chen Shouzhe, managed to secure a third round of broadcasting alongside CCTV. Even though it was the third round and a simultaneous broadcast, it still brought Blueberry TV huge viewership, making other satellite TV stations grit their teeth and unable to compete.

Moreover, the overseas copyrights have sold very well, and the product has gone international, letting countless people know the charm of this monkey.

Now some people are speculating that Journey to the West is going to be made into a movie, and many companies are getting excited.

Especially Alibaba, although it has made a lot of noise and made a lot of big moves, as a company that put forward a big IP, it has been all talk and no action so far, but it has been making a lot of money by ripping off retail investors in the stock market.

Chen Shouzhe is now trying to avoid films made by listed companies, because these people don't make money from movies at all, but rather from the boost that movies bring to their stocks.

For them, how much money can they make from movies? What they want to do is the stock market, so they can keep ripping off retail investors.

Just look at Huayi's operations. They haven't made any movies, nor have they made much money from them, yet their stock prices are soaring. The two brothers are buying and buying all sorts of things, using the money they earned from movies.

That's all money from the韭菜 (a metaphor for exploited consumers).

It goes without saying what these listed companies are capable of doing for the sake of the stock market; stealing box office revenue is a minor matter, but their other despicable acts are truly disgusting.

Chen Shouzhe said that Journey to the West is worth billions, not only because of its copyright value, but also because of its ability to stimulate the stock market. Once a listed company owns it, the stock price can hit the daily limit the next day.

Internet companies that like to play the financial game are ecstatic about this kind of good news. They are all extremely envious of Shouzhe Pictures. Countless people have been privately hinting to Chen Shouzhe about how much money they want to spend to buy a certain number of shares, etc. They all hope that Shouzhe Pictures can go public so that they can make a fortune.

Since Chen wouldn't budge, they had no choice but to target the copyright issue, wanting the rights to several major IPs.

Now that they hear Chen Shou is going to develop the biggest copyright, how can they not be anxious? It feels like a group of thieves who have their eyes on someone else's things and think that things are theirs.

Chen Shouzhe's phone suddenly became very lively, and he couldn't help but laugh when he saw the display on his phone.

"You really think it's yours? You're in such a hurry." Chen Shou chuckled and answered the call anyway.

"Hello, Mr. Zhang," Chen Shou said with a smile.

"Director Chen, how are you? Do you have some free time?" Zhang Qiang said with a hearty laugh.

"I've been quite busy lately. Is there anything I can help you with?" Chen Shou asked.

"I heard that Director Chen's company has submitted a new script. Do they need Alibaba? As long as Mr. Chen says so, any amount is fine," Zhang Qiang said.

"No need, that's enough," Chen Shou said with a smile and a shake of his head.

"Enough?" Zhang Qiang's heart skipped a beat. After a while, he said, "President Chen, Alibaba can pay a premium to get on board, just like with Kungfu back then. Bona could do it, and so can Alibaba."

"This is a project of our own company, and we have enough funds, so there's no need for a premium. Thank you, Mr. Zhang," Chen Shou said with a smile, brushing it off.

"Could you tell me what kind of project it is?" Zhang Qiang asked, unwilling to give up.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhang, this is the company's plan and cannot be disclosed. The Film Bureau will make it public in a few days," Chen Shou said.

"Director Chen still maintains that if he's willing to sell the copyright to Journey to the West, Alibaba is willing to spend 800 million to buy it," Zhang Qiang said through gritted teeth.

Upon hearing "eight hundred million," Chen Shouzhe gasped, never expecting that Alibaba would actually dare to put up so much real money.

He really wants to erect a monument for his ancestors so that they can enjoy the blessings of the gods in this world.

However, Alibaba's revenue has increased from 100 million last year to 800 million now. Even if they spend 800 million, they can still earn 8 billion through other means. Chen Shouzhe still gave up and kept it for his own development. It would only be wasted if it fell into Alibaba's hands.

"Mr. Zhang, I still have no intention of selling the copyright to Journey to the West. Thank you for your kind offer."

After rejecting Zhang Qiang's offer, Tencent called to inquire about their investment needs and casually discussed the broadcasting rights for Painted Skin 2. They were just trying to elicit information from him.

The Yue family also chimed in, saying that Chen Shouzhe genuinely didn't want their shares, yet they were all trying to lure him with them, making him feel like Tao Le. Chen Shouzhe didn't know what to say.

However, it is true that internet companies are very powerful now. Chen Shouzhe has already seen short video platforms on the market. The two companies he invested in a few years ago that had the idea of ​​making short videos are doing very well now.

Chen Shouzhe has provided them with substantial financial support, keeping both companies thriving.

In time, they might become my helpers, but for now, they are not of much use to me.

Both Enlight Media and Wanda Media had received his definite news. The two companies had provided Chen Shouzhe with considerable assistance, so they brought them along. In addition, China Film Group also arrived late.

"To be honest, Chairman Wang, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have brought China Film Group along this time," Chen Shou said with a sigh.

The person on the other end of the phone laughed heartily and said, "What if I leave China Film Group?"

“Then there’s no way to cooperate with China Film Group,” Chen Shou said with a smile.

“Alright, I know you’re dissatisfied with what China Film has done over the years, but after all, you’re the head of a state-owned enterprise, controlling import and export rights. You still have films coming in from abroad, so you have to maintain things a bit,” Vice Chairman Wang said patiently.

Chen Shouzhe thought so too. He didn't like China Film's behavior, but after all, China Film was a state-owned enterprise, the boss, and held the power of life and death. They would still have to rely on them in the future, so it wouldn't be right to abandon them.

“There won’t be too many this time. Those old fogies on the review side might cause me trouble. China Film Group can’t just sit back and reap the benefits this time,” Chen Shou said.

“I’ve already seen the script and spoken to them. You were too harsh before, so they’re at least a bit more cautious now. But there’s still a high chance your script will be rejected. I’ve already spoken to Director La, Director Zhang, and Director Tong,” said Deputy Director Wang.

“Tao Le has left. Why don’t you become the producer?” Chen Shou said.

"No problem," Vice Chairman Wang said with a smile.

"I think you should just come work for my company," Chen Shouzhe said with a smile.

"Then you'll have to wait until I retire."

"No problem, you can still shine in my company."

Chen Shou is still very grateful to his mentor, as his first investment came from him.

Vice Chairman Wang never expected that back then, because he couldn't stand those old guys, he gave the budget to Chen Shouzhe. Unintentionally, Chen Shouzhe became a towering tree, and now he is leading China Film Group.

We've identified three companies, making four in total, including ourselves.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shou checked his text messages. While he was on the phone, a bunch of calls came in, from film and television bosses and celebrities, all of whom he had good relationships with.

Chen Shouzhe chose a reply.

"Director, I finally got through to you." Yan Danchen answered the phone quickly, smiling broadly.

"You want a role?" Chen Shou asked with a smile.

"Of course I want to! Is it Journey to the West? I'm Chang'e!"

"Unfortunately, it's not; it's Ghost Blows Out the Light."

"The characters in Ghost Blows Out the Light suit me better."

"You still have A Chinese Ghost Story to come."

"Should we approve the project?"

"Please make sure you have time on your schedule so we can film it when I get back from abroad."

"You said if it's not true, I...I..."

"What are you going to do?"

"Hmph!!"

"Someone's here, I'll hang up now."

"Ok."

After hanging up the phone, the door opened and the assistant walked in, saying, "Director Chen, Ms. Huo has arrived."

"Uh, they even came directly to our door. Is Emperor Entertainment addicted to this?" Chen Shou shook his head.

"Please let Ms. Huo in."

A moment later, Huo Wenxi walked in. This top producer, who, along with Zhong Lifan and two other women, was known as one of the four most talented women in the film and television industry, was wearing a long dress as she entered.

"Ms. Huo, you could have just given me a call," Chen Shou said, shaking his head.

"I happened to be in the capital, and the two companies aren't far apart, so I just strolled over," Huo Wenxi said with a smile. She couldn't very well say that she had been unable to get through to Chen Shouzhe on the phone, and since it was so close, she decided to come over anyway.

“There are no quotas for Emperor this time,” Chen Shou said, shaking his head.

"Director Chen, can't you just give in a little? Emperor Entertainment can charge the same premium as before." Huo Wenxi didn't expect Chen Shouzhe to be so direct.

"Emperor Entertainment shouldn't get involved. This is our own company's IP. We can cooperate again in the future if there's an opportunity," Chen Shou said.

Huo Wenxi immediately understood. Since it was an IP, there was no shortage of investment and it was guaranteed to make money, so why bring others along?

(End of this chapter)