1979: The child's mother is a celestial being.

Chapter 184 Chen Fusheng: What bad intentions do I have? (Please subscribe!)

A high-level meeting is being held at Warner Bros. headquarters in Los Angeles.

"President Steve, the movie 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' that Universal Pictures released today has had excellent attendance and reviews. I predict that this movie may have high box office potential in the future. Therefore, I don't think we need to release a movie of the same genre next week under pressure from them. To be on the safe side, we should postpone the release date of 'Blade Runner'."

"Miller, listen to what you're saying! Blade Runner is a blockbuster we meticulously crafted with a $30 million investment, while their garbage alien movie only cost a third of our budget, and it was directed by a director I'd never even heard of before. And now you're advising the CEO to reschedule our movie? Did you forget to take your meds this morning? Or have you gone mad?"

Miller ignored the jeers from his colleagues in the meeting room, staring at Wells, who had been the first to mock him, and stuck to his point of view:

“Listen, Wells, I don’t need medication, and I’m not crazy. While the production cost of ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ wasn’t high, box office performance isn’t determined by production costs. Besides, I’m the company’s film investment analyst. Please don’t use your stupidity to question my professionalism, okay?”

At this point, Miller turned to the president sitting at the front and said, "President Steve, I believe that unless the executives at Universal Pictures are idiots like Wells, they will definitely increase the publicity and distribution resources for this film. A week from now will be when the other film is at its peak, so I really don't think our film should be released at that time."

Steve Ross thought for a moment, neither agreeing nor refusing immediately, but instead looked at the other silent people: "What are the opinions of the others regarding Mr. Miller's suggestion?"

“I disagree. If we back down because we’re worried that ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ might steal our film market, we’ll be laughed at by our peers.”

“I disagree as well. We have already invested millions in publicity for our film. If we change the release date now, not only will our initial investment be wasted, but we will also lose credibility.”

"I agree to change the schedule, but not postpone it, but move it forward."

As soon as this viewpoint was expressed, everyone turned their attention to the speaker.

The other party didn't keep us in suspense and stated their reasoning: "Since Mr. Miller predicts that a week from now will be the peak time for the movie 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,' and delaying the release date would put us at a disadvantage, why don't we release the movie earlier?"

"Kate, you mean, go straight into the ring and fight them?"

“That’s right, just as Wells said, our movie is a blockbuster with a budget of 30 million, while theirs only has a third of that. Are we not afraid to fight them head-on?”

This view was supported by more than half of the senior management at the meeting, and even President Steve Ross favored the decision, so it was naturally passed after a vote.

"Is there anything else?" Steve Ross asked after the vote.

Karina, who had also voted in favor, raised her hand.

"President Steve, what I want to say is that the Chinese director who previously signed a three-film distribution agreement with us has already flown to America with his first film."

"Where is the man?"

"Still on the plane, expected to arrive at Los Angeles Airport around 2 a.m.

"Okay, I understand. Karina, you just need to take care of the reception work."

"We don't need to worry about that; their itinerary in the United States is handled by their embassy."

“That would be even better.” Steve Ross nodded, and since the topic had come up, he also inquired about the revenue from the videotapes of “The Devotion of Suspect X.”

As for the film's box office performance, Steve Ross had already been keeping an eye on it since April, when it was taken off the screens.

It grossed $1238 million at the box office.

I can only say it's okay.

Just as Steve Ross thought Karina would say the film had made a million or two on video, and then nod perfunctorily to say it was "not bad," he heard instead: "As of May 31, 'The Devotion of Suspect X' had made $638 million on video." "How much?" Not only was Steve Ross surprised, but many people in the conference room also doubted their ears.

"President Steve, you heard right, it really is $638 million."

Steve Ross led the applause for the good news, and after the applause stopped, he looked at Karina and said, "When that Chinese director arrives, I want to meet him in person."

"Yes, President Steve."

……

Meanwhile, Chen Fusheng had just boarded the plane.

The people who accompanied him to the United States this time included Liu Guoquan, two editors, Director He of the Film Bureau, two officers from the Foreign Affairs Department, and four people from the security department.

In terms of official rank, Director He of the Film Bureau was the leader of their team, but in reality, the leadership of their team was in the hands of Deputy Director Chen Fusheng.

"Director Chen, here is the information about Warner Bros. that you requested. Due to time constraints, we could only collect this much, but we hope it will be helpful to you."

After their plane stopped climbing and stabilized, an officer from the Foreign Affairs Department handed Chen Fusheng a file folder.

"OK, thanks!"

Chen Fusheng's request for the Foreign Affairs Department to help him inquire about Warner Bros. was not out of any ill intent. After all, the company was currently at its peak, and even if he wanted to covet it, he wouldn't know where to start. He simply wanted to build trust by learning about the company.

"From 1978 to 1980, they produced many classic works such as 'Superman' and 'The Shining,' and also acquired the gaming giant Atari..."

"King Arthur was released in 1981... This year, we started betting on cable television and acquired five radio channels from a company called Electric Star One."

According to Warner Bros.' official first-quarter financial report, net profit reached $4.58 million, a year-on-year increase of 17%. Among them, the net profit of Atari alone reached $3.98 million, which is still Warner Bros.' most profitable project in the past three years.

"In June, Warner Bros. will release a science fiction film called Blade Runner with a production cost of $4 million. The synopsis is about Los Angeles in 2019, where Blade Runner Richard Deckard is ordered to hunt down four replicants and gradually questions the boundaries between humans and replicants."

After briefly glancing through the information about Warner Bros., Chen Fusheng's gaze finally settled on Atari's game, which was currently Warner Bros.' cash cow.

If he remembers correctly, the reason why Warner Bros. became Time Warner in the future seems to be because of this Atari scandal.

Moreover, it seems the collapse will occur next year.

"If Atari goes bankrupt, Warner Bros.' film and television business might face acquisition. I wonder if I could acquire the development rights to Batman?"

As one of the most profitable IPs in the global film industry, the Batman series was something Chen Fusheng knew about in his previous life. He knew that its copyright was held by Warner Bros. at this time, but it had not yet been developed in 1982, which meant that its value was still unknown.

Therefore, Chen Fusheng felt there was some hope.

Even in the worst-case scenario, he still had the confidence to secure a partnership between the rising Oriental Company and the plummeting Warner Bros.

Lost in thought, Chen Fusheng didn't even realize when he fell asleep...

(End of this chapter)