Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 260 Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon

The person who came to Chen Shouzhe's door was Walker, a producer from Columbia Pictures, an old acquaintance of Chen Shouzhe's.

"Chen, I've missed you so much!" Walker came in and immediately hugged Chen.

"Buddy, you don't miss me, you miss the money," Chen Shou said, patting him on the back.

"That damn Franklin has created a barrier between us, and I need more Franklin to fill that gap now. Chen, you must have some good news coming to America this time," Walker joked, letting go of his hand.

"There is good news. I've decided to make a movie," Chen Shou said with a smile.

"Does Columbia have a chance?" Walker asked, opening his eyes.

"I'm sorry, it's an award-contending film," Chen Shouzhe said.

"OMG, an Oscar contender?" Walker exclaimed, opening his eyes.

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we'll see AUX next year," Chen Shou said with a smile.

“Okay, I’m really looking forward to it now. Just let me know if you need anything,” Walker said, shrugging.

“We really do need it. My company doesn’t have the equipment. As usual, we’ll leave the equipment, distribution, and public relations to Columbia,” Chen Shou said.

“That’s great, that bastard Patch will be very happy,” Walker laughed.

Equipment costs money, distribution costs money, and public relations costs money. These three expenses add up to tens of millions of US dollars, which is a considerable amount of revenue for Columbia Pictures.

Chen Shouzhe conservatively estimated that the film would cost at least 100 million US dollars, and Patch was the CEO of Columbia Pictures.

The actors' salaries are the real expense.

"Does Chen have any other plans? Lionsgate's horror films are making too much money; Columbia shouldn't miss out," Walker said.

“R-rated movies do make money. Do you really want to make that money?” Chen Shou asked.

"Nonsense, as long as it doesn't violate the constitution, you can make money from anything. If movie elements don't work, then make an R-rated movie. The world isn't short of viewers who will pay for good movies," Walker said.

“I do have a script here. If you’re interested, you can take it and make it.” Chen Shou took out a script from the safe. It was a script he wrote about five years ago and had already been registered, but he hadn’t taken it out until now.

Walker excitedly took the script and immediately started reading it. However, after finishing, he looked up at Chen Shouzhe with a strange expression.

“Chen, yours is truly remarkable. This kind of subject matter is definitely R-rated. I now strongly suspect that you have this kind of fetish,” Walker said.

"Nonsense, it's just a script. Take it and film it if you want, or forget it if you don't," Chen Shou said, reaching out his hand.

“No, Chen, I already have the script. How can we collaborate?” Walker grabbed the script, holding it to his chest like a precious treasure. Feeling uneasy, he even put the script inside his clothes.

"That's enough. Let's stick to the old cooperation, 50/50, and I'll keep the copyright," Chen Shouzhe said.

“No problem.” Walker didn’t mince words. Having collaborated so many times, a film with a relatively low budget was nothing to them.

Continuing their conversation, Walker and Walker talked about Roland. Roland had recently traveled to Europe and made so much money that he was starting to enjoy life. He had handed over the Fast & Furious franchise to other directors, having only filmed the first movie before leaving the industry.

Walker took the contract, treated everyone to lunch, and then ran away.

Lusen didn't return until the afternoon to discuss collaborations with the actors.

"How is it?" Chen Shou asked.

“It went very smoothly. At first, their agent was asking for an exorbitant price, but I contacted them directly. And since your name is very useful, they decided to meet with you tonight. They happen to be in California,” Luxen said.

“Okay, let’s meet them.” Chen Shou nodded. He had met them a few times before, but only at banquets, and they hadn’t had any in-depth conversations, just a few words at most.

Chen Shouzhe's reputation is still very useful. After all, he won the Oscars for Best Director and Best Screenplay earlier this year, and both of his films were nominated for Oscars last year, demonstrating his considerable talent. That evening, in a high-end restaurant in California—and as you know, restaurants abroad are all about the atmosphere—the more upscale the restaurant, the more unusual its location often is.

They were on the top floor of a building, which was decorated entirely with glass, offering a view of the starry sky. Hence, it was called the Starry Sky Restaurant, and it was also a three-star restaurant.

This restaurant wasn't chosen by Chen Shouzhe, but rather by an actor he might be working with this time.

Neither of them were young, yet they exuded charm at all times. When they entered the restaurant and were led to a table by the waiter, everyone in the restaurant was watching them.

"OMG, Leonardo."

“And Matt.”

"I'm not mistaken, it really is them. Can I go up and ask for their autographs?"

"Damn, two male gods."

"They all brought bodyguards, so let's just forget about it."

Are they waiting for someone?

"That bottle of wine isn't cheap; it's one of the most expensive in this shop. Opening it... damn, these actors are really rich."

"I heard that Leonardo DiCaprio's salary for one movie is already 30 million US dollars."

"Matt isn't cheap either."

"Who are they waiting for? They didn't bring any female companions."

"I wonder which model Leonardo has changed this time."

The people who come to this restaurant are not ordinary families; at least they are wealthy. Even though they are rich, they can't help but be attracted when they see two top American male actors, especially the women. These two damn charming middle-aged men exude their charm at all times.

Chen Shou arrived late; he had taken a car, but got stuck in traffic.

In some people's books, traffic jams are impossible in the United States, and the roads in the United States should be easy to drive on, but he still got stuck in traffic on his way here.

"Sorry, sorry, there was a traffic jam on the way." Chen Shou came over and shook hands with Leonardo and Matt respectively.

The other people in the restaurant watched silently. When they saw Leonardo and Matt get up to greet an Asian man, they were somewhat surprised and began to discuss who Chen Shouzhe was.

Chinese people see foreigners in one way, and foreigners see Chinese people in the same way. It's normal that they don't recognize Chen Shouzhe. Not everyone knows much about the entertainment industry, let alone a director from across the ocean.

Even though Chen Shouzhe won two Oscars last year, there are still many people who don't know him.

Someone filmed this scene and posted it online, hoping someone would recognize Chen Shouzhe.

“We were so excited that we arrived early,” Matt laughed.

No wonder he's an actor who's worked with the national director and filmed The Great Wall; he speaks so pleasantly.

Chen Shou laughed and said, "There was still a traffic jam. I'll treat you to dinner today as an apology for being late."

“No need, Leonardo has already paid,” Matt said with a smile.

"Director Chen, it's a pleasure to meet you."

“I’m also very happy to see you. Before I wrote this script, I was thinking of the best actors in America to play the role, and in the end I could only think of you. After all, it’s hard to find actors better than you in America.”

(End of this chapter)