Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 287 Sequel, You Don't Deserve
Before the awards ceremony, Chen Shou arrived in the United States and, with almost no stopover, handed over the already edited film to Lu Sen.

"It's done so quickly?"

"It's been several months, it must be ready by now, and it will be released in July."

"No problem, it'll be released at the same time as that Chinese-language film, right? Are you going to coordinate with Columbia Pictures?"

"Let's make plans with someone from Columbia before the Oscars tomorrow."

"Okay, anything else? Do you want to make movies?" Lu Sen hoped that Chen Shou could make more movies in the United States.

His own company's movies are really profitable, and he also makes a lot of money from copyrights. Moreover, the more money the company has, the more dividends he can receive.

Lu Sen also found out about Zhong Lifan's income. With the film company's annual revenue of eight or nine hundred million US dollars, Zhong Lifan reportedly received more than ten million in dividends.

Of course Luxen wanted these things; he also received a share of the profits. He knew the company's business well, and he knew that there was absolutely no better company in Hollywood than Blue Star Corporation.

There wasn't much work, but the pay was substantial, so no one wanted to leave the company.

Their biggest wish is for Chen Shou to make more movies, so that their income can be higher.

It's true that movies made in collaboration with other companies can be profitable, but they receive too little in return.

They wished Chen would stay in the US and make movies instead of returning to China.

"I have no plans at the moment. I just came to attend the awards ceremony. I need to go back and prepare for my new movie in a couple of days," Chen Shou said.

“Okay, this movie is from last year. Are there any movie plans for this year?” Luxen then asked.

"Let's talk about it in the second half of the year. I probably won't have time in the first half because I need to prepare for my new movie." Chen Shou shook his head.

Lu Sen could only hope that Chen Shou would come to promote the film while filming the new movie when it was released in July.

After a day of rest, the Colombian representatives arrived the next day and signed a contract for the film's distribution.

We also talked about other movies. Fifty Shades of Grey was released worldwide on Valentine's Day, February 14th, and grossed $4.96 million worldwide, shocking the world. An R-rated movie broke $2 million at the box office.

Since it hasn't been released in China, there's naturally no news about it. However, once the film is released, it will definitely attract attention in China, given that it grossed over $500 million.

Columbia is indeed the manufacturer, but Chen Shouzhe's Blue Star Company is also on it, and sooner or later another company will notice.

"Chen, you're absolutely amazing! The movie broke 500 million US dollars. It's true that R-rated movies are the most profitable," Walker exclaimed excitedly.

"My movie didn't disappoint you, did it?" Chen Shou said with a smile.

"No, no, The Wandering Earth was great too, it's a pity Columbia didn't participate in its production," Walker said, shaking his head.

“Issuing this will make you a lot of money, that’s enough,” Chen Shou said with a smile.

“Alright, how long do you plan to stay?” Walker asked.

"What's up?"

"Do you have any projects planned?"

"You know what, there is one."

"Really?" Walker's eyes lit up instantly.

"Take them, both copies," Chen Shou said.

Walker snatched it, his eyes lighting up immediately. It clearly stated that it contained the sequels to Fifty Shades of Darkness, Fifty Shades of Air, and Fifty Shades of Grey.

The first film grossed 500 million at the box office, and the second and third films won't be too bad either. In short, it's a guaranteed money-making movie.

Walker grabbed both scripts and hugged them tightly; they were all money-making opportunities. "These two need some changes," Chen Shou said.

"You're not going to eat more, are you?" Walker exclaimed.

"What do you think?" Chen Shou smiled.

“Chen, that’s not very kind of you,” Walker said.

"Then what can we do? I'll keep making money for you," Chen Shou said, spreading his hands.

"The problem is, you didn't like the projects I gave you either," Walker said, shrugging.

Chen Shouzhe has almost never participated in other people's projects. Even if he were given a share to invest in, he would be cautious because he was unsure if he could make money. Even if Columbia offered him a project, he felt it was unreliable, so he did not invest.

He was even glad he hadn't invested in several of them, because they all lost a fortune.

"I want 60%," Chen Shou said.

“I need to go back and discuss it with the company,” Walker said.

"Lionsgate..."

"Wait, I understand, 60%, right?" Walker interrupted Chen Shouzhe, afraid that Chen Shouzhe would give it to Lionsgate. After all, Lionsgate had its eyes on Chen Shouzhe, and if Chen Shouzhe went to cooperate with Lionsgate, who would they complain to?

Let's say 60% or 60%. Both parties will sign a contract, and the script will be handed over to them for filming.

That evening, Chen Shou walked the red carpet under the guidance of the Oscar committee. Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon were both there, and Leonardo DiCaprio was once again vying for an Oscar.

Chen Shouzhe presented the Best Director award and attended a banquet afterward. The next day, Chen Shouzhe went to Columbia to make detailed arrangements, met with Leonardo DiCaprio and his team, and told them about the film's release and the promotional arrangements with Columbia.

I hurriedly returned to China on the third day. The country was already in a mess because of the two movies. There were more movies to be released later, but they were also instantly sold out. Those movies became cannon fodder.

The news that Fifty Shades of Grey had surpassed $500 million in box office revenue reached China.

Major film companies watched with envy as yet another blockbuster movie was released. R-rated movies are not allowed to be made in China, while Hong Kong does have Category III movies, but they are not allowed to be shown in mainland China either. It's a pity that such a huge market is being wasted.

They all hope that there will be a rating system for domestic films. Led by Director Jia, those people have started to plan for a film rating system again.

"Fifty Shades of Grey is a movie by Chen Shouzhe?" Chairman La was stunned when he heard the news and asked his secretary in surprise.

"Yes, it was produced by Blue Star Company. I saw the screenwriter's name; it's credited as director Chen Shou." The secretary nodded.

"He's very good at R-rated movies now. The Matrix is ​​an R-rated movie, and Lionsgate's Saw is also R-rated. R-rated movies are really profitable. It's a pity that China Film Group can't get involved in these kinds of projects. He hasn't produced any co-productions since '2012'," said Director La.

"I heard it's because of 'The Day After Tomorrow'." The secretary hesitated before continuing.

“Yes, I was the one who handled the ‘2012’ project back then. I was disheartened afterward, and he never worked with me again. If it weren’t for Chairman Han’s compensation back then, China Film Group would probably have been completely kicked out of the game,” Chairman La said.

The secretary wanted to say something, but he didn't dare. Chen Shouzhe's relationship with China Film Group was now completely severed, and China Film Group was no longer involved in the Journey to the West project; it was unlikely to happen again.

Fifty Shades of Grey, a film written by Chen Shouzhe, quickly became popular in the domestic film and television industry.

Unexpectedly, Chen Shouzhe would produce this kind of film. After he got off the plane, many people started calling him.

"Director Chen, please call me if you make any movies like this in the future. I can act in them too, and I'll dedicate myself to art."

"You? Forget it, you're not worthy."

Huang Bo on the other end of the phone was furious.

(End of this chapter)