Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 190 Stephen Chow's Impatient Waiting
Chen Shouzhe had already seen the movie. It was definitely different from the one in his previous life, but it was even better, especially in terms of special effects.

After all, it's their own special effects company, so the special effects are definitely top-notch, the budget is definitely sufficient, and the special effects company can make money.

After the movie ended, as the company grew larger, many people came to support it.

The role of host was handed over to Wu Jing's wife, and the director brought the actors onto the stage. This movie, which had started filming last year, was released this year.

"The cast this time consists of familiar faces. I'd like to ask director Wuershan how much confidence you have in the film?"

“I am definitely confident. It’s such a big IP, and everyone has already seen the movie. I think it’s passable and I’m worthy of Director Chen entrusting me with such a big IP,” Wuershan said with a smile.

"So, how did you choose the actors, Director Urshan? Everyone here is a familiar face."

"Chen Kun and Dilraba need no introduction. We already collaborated on Painted Skin. Huang Bo and Xia Yu are both award-winning actors, highly skilled professionals. Add to that our Chang'e Fairy Yan Danchen, and I think both the script and the actors are top-notch."

Indeed, this lineup truly lives up to the reputation of a major IP.

A major IP = a cultural work with a fan base + a big star + a big director.

If all three conditions are met—it has a good body of work, a good cast of stars, and a well-known director—this movie is guaranteed to do well at the box office as long as it passes muster.

I've already watched it all. The movie is perfectly fine, even passable or better. I predict it will gross over a billion at the box office. How much it actually reaches depends on whether there are any other competitive films released at the same time.

After answering a few questions, Wuershan naturally stepped down. The focus of the publicity was definitely not on the director, but on the actors.

Actors are the ones in the spotlight; just focus on promoting their key roles.

Yan Danchen didn't come; she's eight months pregnant and couldn't possibly attend.

She is expected to make her comeback next year when the third installment of "A Chinese Ghost Story" is released; she will not be making any public appearances in the near future.

Materials have been prepared long ago and are ready to be updated at any time.

She was alright before, not very famous, but now she is the fairy Chang'e, Nie Xiaoqian, and a top-tier female artist.

Many people say that Chen Shouzhe was captivated by the fairy Chang'e and gave her so many resources.

People in the industry had a premonition, but they couldn't be sure, so they kept quiet about it.

On stage, Huang Bo not only cheered for the film but also promoted his new movie.

The actors on and off stage looked at him with envy. Huang Bo, Wu Jing, Wu Ershan, and Guo Fan were all there. These were directors who had been supported by the film industry, some of whom were actors, and some of whom had studied management.

The actors were asked a lot of questions, and Dilraba was asked quite a few as well.

"Director Chen, would you like to say a few words? As the author of the original novel and the biggest producer of the film, what do you think of the movie?" Xie Nan asked Chen Shouzhe in the audience.

Chen Shouzhe stood up with the microphone in his hand, one hand in his pocket.

“I think it’s great. The film has been shot exactly as I discussed with director Wuershan. It’s very faithful to what I envisioned, and I think the audience will be satisfied,” Chen Shouzhe said.

"Do you have anything to say about the actors? What did you think of their performances?"

"They all have to be very good. Those who are selected are all talented. It was all decided by me and Director Wuershan. I recommended many of them, and Director Wuershan made the final decision."

"Oh? Those were your recommendations."

"To be precise, they were all recommended by me," Chen Shou said with a smile.

"That's true. Everyone here has worked with Director Chen before. So, there's another question: Director Chen, how much do you think the movie will gross?"

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Shouzhe picked up the microphone and said, "I congratulate Director Wu Ershan on entering the ranks of billion-dollar directors." Wu Ershan on stage beamed with joy. Nowadays, movies exceeding 100 million are nothing special. After all, the investment is already quite high, and the market has grown significantly. It's no longer the era where exceeding 100 million was something to be praised. Only movies exceeding one billion can be considered the work of a truly great director.

There are only a few people present at the moment, almost all of them, especially Chen Shou, the director with a box office of 10 billion.

To date, Chen Shouzhe's film earnings have already exceeded 20 billion yuan, making him the strongest commercial director in China and a well-known figure worldwide.

Upon receiving Chen Shouzhe's reply, everyone on the stage gained confidence.

The film is their representative work, which represents fame. With fame comes profit, and it can become their representative work for a lifetime.

Xie Nan then interviewed several other directors present, including Ning Hao, Jiang Wen, and Stephen Chow. Stephen Chow also brought some shocking and exciting news.

“I think the movie is great. Director Chen’s movie scripts are all excellent. I look forward to working with Director Chen again.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes turned to Zhou Xingxing. Chen Shouzhe, who was sitting next to Wang, the vice chairman of China Film Group, and Guangxian, also looked at Chen Shouzhe.

"You're going to cooperate again?" Wang Changtian couldn't help but ask directly.

"I only mentioned it briefly." Chen Shou nodded.

“That light…” Wang Changtian said excitedly.

“That’s enough,” Chen Shou said softly.

"Huh? That's enough?" Wang Changtian exclaimed.

"Yes, we don't lack investment in this area," Chen Shou said, shrugging.

“I think we should find a few more; it’s never good to have it all to yourself,” said Vice Chairman Wang.

“Then it will have to be priced like Kung Fu, I just said a couple of days ago that it wouldn’t be priced like that,” Chen Shou said.

The pie is only so big, and everyone wants a slice. If others refuse, that's one thing, but it's hard to refuse these allies. It was supposed to be four, but in the end, there will definitely be more.

Stephen Chow is probably just creating hype, but it doesn't matter. Once this project is released, many people will definitely want to get involved, and Stephen Chow probably wants to get a high price.

However, as a big-name director, he certainly doesn't lack investment; he just needs to be selective about his partners, at least to meet their needs.

Even if the script was provided by Chen Shouzhe, he still wanted to gain more benefits for himself.

Over the years, he has made concessions on many things, except for money. Looking at Zhou Xingxing with his full head of white hair, Chen Shouzhe knows that what is burning now is just the reputation he built up back then. Until one day it burns out, he doesn't know who will get it in the end.

Chen Shou is about to have her second child, but what about him? No matter how much money he earns, who can he give it to?

They're talking about a project here, and it's another collaboration between top directors like Chan Sau-cheung and Stephen Chow.

There weren't many production companies present; they were all companies with deep partnerships with the film industry.

Once the news gets out, there will likely be a lot of harassment, since it's a big project.

The success of Kungfu is still fresh in our minds, and it's only been a few years, yet we're already starting to collaborate again.

Most of the people present were actors, and their minds were already racing. They looked at Stephen Chow and Chan Sau-cheung, unsure if Stephen Chow would be in the show. If he was, then who would be the female lead?

Chen Shouzhe was the one who got Yang Mi in the previous film. Even though it was a movie directed by Stephen Chow, Chen Shouzhe could still decide the actors.

(End of this chapter)