The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

Chapter 166 is unimportant

"Big brother, I don't think Gu Ning's words might be false!"

After Feng Xiaogang left, Wang Zhonglei said, "If it weren't for that scoundrel Gu Ning causing trouble, Lu Chuan's movie would have had a very high chance of breaking 100 million at the box office."

Although Lu Chuan's opinion was indeed a bit off, no one interpreted it as meaning the situation wouldn't escalate so quickly.

Based on the initial momentum, it can achieve good box office results even before it becomes a major phenomenon.

Afterwards, public opinion erupted, and there was a period of debate.

The fact that the movie initially received a lot of criticism, but its box office revenue actually increased instead of falling, is a good example of this.

If Lu Chuan had grossed over 100 million yuan at the domestic box office, things would definitely not be like this now.

The mere fact that he's the fourth director to have a single film gross over 100 million yuan is enough to cover up the negative comments with a little money in public relations.

After all, even if a movie grosses over 100 million yuan, the proportion of the population who have actually seen it is not that large.

There is no shortage of self-proclaimed truth-tellers online, who think they are the only ones who are sober while everyone else is drunk.

They might think that although there's a lot of criticism online, the box office figures are undeniable.

What does this tell us?

This indicates that someone is deliberately smearing him, and then, overwhelmed by a sense of justice, he engages in online arguments with those who are criticizing him.

These kinds of people are still the majority, and their reputation will be able to turn around eventually.

Even if they find out the truth later, what can they do?

The shame they felt prevented them from continuing to speak out online.

Even if a few people speak out, the matter is already over and it is difficult to attract attention again.

"Does it matter whether he is or not?" Wang Zhongjun asked rhetorically.

"Brother, how come you're saying the same thing as that bastard Gu Ning!"

Wang Zhonglei said bitterly, "We gave Lu Chuan shares and signed him. But he's using us as pawns. Are we just going to let it go like this?"

"Otherwise what?"

Wang Zhongjun countered, "Go and question him, suppress him, and retaliate against him?"

What good does venting our anger do us? Can the damage be undoed?

"Does this mean we're just going to let it go? We still need to use him?" Wang Zhonglei said unhappily.

"He has caused us harm, so naturally he must repay us with sufficient benefits!"

Wang Zhongjun said, "His family has some influence, and we may not be able to suppress him. What's done is done, and retaliation won't undo the damage."

We're all adults; don't just think about venting your anger all day long. Consider things from a perspective of self-interest.

Go back and have someone inform Lu Chuan to come to my office.

"I see!"

Although Wang Zhonglei was unhappy, he dared not object to his elder brother's decision and could only get up and leave.

About ten minutes after he left, there was a knock on the office door.

"Go in!" Wang Zhongjun said.

Lu Chuan pushed open the door and walked in, smiling slightly. "Mr. Wang, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, there are some things I want to talk to you about!"

Wang Zhongjun smiled and stood up, inviting Lu Chuan to sit down in the reception area and instructing his secretary to pour tea.

"Now that you've joined Huayi Brothers, do you have any ideas for your next film?" Wang Zhongjun asked.

"Mr. Wang, I do have some initial ideas."

Lu Chuan said, "I am preparing to shoot a historical film about the Chu-Han Contention period. There are countless famous people in history, but if we talk about the most memorable ones, Xiang Yu is definitely one of them."

Yu's valor is unparalleled throughout history. The name alone is enough to attract many people.

Moreover, Xiao Rizi's favorite TV dramas are those set in the Warring States, Qin and Han Dynasties, and the Three Kingdoms period.

It could be shown in Southeast Asian countries, including Japan and South Korea.

"It's a good subject matter."

Wang Zhongjun nodded slightly. As the head of Huayi, he admired Lu Chuan for a certain reason.

That means that while making movies, we also consider the overseas market.

Whether Lu Chuan's previous film was biased or not is not important. What's remarkable is that he considered catering to the Japanese market and was able to release it on a small date.

You should know, this didn't exist before. People are even changing their textbooks, how could they possibly import this kind of movie?

Lu Chuan is right; Xiao Rizi really enjoys TV dramas and movies about the Warring States, Qin and Han Dynasties, and the Three Kingdoms period.

To put it bluntly, ordinary people know more about that period of history than many other Chinese people do.

Despite being heavily criticized domestically, "Red Cliff" not only achieved decent box office returns in China but also received surprisingly positive reviews.

We've just finished filming a Three Kingdoms-themed movie, so filming the Chu-Han Contention period would be a good choice.

"Besides Xiang Yu, Yu Ji is also very popular."

Lu Chuan said, "I plan to hold a nationwide audition for the role of Yu Ji, making sure everyone knows about it before filming even begins!"

In fact, Lu Chuan's idea was a combination of Wu Yusen's and Zhang Yimou's ideas.

John Woo's film "Red Cliff" was a big investment, but it still lost money at the domestic box office.

However, it performed quite well in overseas markets, and overall it did not suffer a loss.

Zhang Yimou's favorite thing to do is hold open auditions for female leads, which always creates a huge sensation and makes the movie popular even before it's filmed.

After much thought, considering their combined operational methods, they're sure to be able to make a film that will be a huge box office success.

How much money they make isn't important; what matters is surpassing Gu Ning's total box office.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhongjun's eyes lit up. The popularity of Xiang Yu and Yu Ji in China was even higher than that of Qin Shi Huang and Tang Taizong, the greatest emperors of all time.

After all, many people don't read much and may not know which emperors existed in history.

However, there are many operas related to Xiang Yu and Yu Ji.

Therefore, even some illiterate people know about Xiang Yu and Yu Ji.

Making this kind of movie is a huge gimmick in itself, and holding open auditions across the country is another huge gimmick.

The two combined can save at least tens of millions of yuan in advertising costs.

How much does the preliminary selection cost?

Wang Zhongjun became increasingly pleased with his decision; Lu Chuan was truly a talent.

His filmmaking skills may not be as good as those of directors like Zhang Yimou, but he knows how to promote his films and how to attract audiences to watch them, which is something that Zhang Yimou and the others cannot match.

"You go out first!"

Wang Zhongjun waved his hand, dismissing his secretary, and looked at Lu Chuan, saying, "You should know about the controversy online, right?"

"Is Mr. Wang referring to the prize-buying matter?" Lu Chuan asked.

"That's right!"

Wang Zhongjun said expressionlessly, "The company contacted Gu Ning, and he said that you were the one who spread this behind his back, just to get revenge on him!"

"Mr. Wang, I didn't!"

Lu Chuan said anxiously, "I've already signed a contract with Huayi, what good will this do me? He has a grudge against me and is deliberately slandering me."

"Do you think it matters whether it's a defamation or not?"

Wang Zhongjun said, "Everyone knows you two are enemies, and he even stole your girlfriend—"

"Ex-girlfriend!"

Lu Chuan's face darkened. "I've already broken up with her. Who she dates is none of my business!"

"But outsiders don't see it that way!"

Wang Zhongjun ignored Lu Chuan's unpleasant expression and said calmly, "There is no benefit for him in doing this. Anyone with a brain can figure that out."

And you have a grudge, you have this motive. Whether it's you or not is not important, what's important is that the masses are willing to believe it.

Once he says that publicly, even if the media exaggerates the story, it becomes a fait accompli, and you'll have a hard time navigating the industry from now on.

99

Kou Luchuan's face was grim; he naturally knew that the masses were more willing to believe this possibility.

Many people in the industry also believe that no one wants to work with someone who stabs you in the back.

Even if he had a grudge against Gu Ning.

After all, no one knows if he might retaliate against them behind their backs because of some dissatisfaction with the cooperation.