Huayu: Starting with Hijacking from "The Story of a Noble Family"

"Hey, not bad, you know how to call me 'brother' now. Looks like you've really improved!"

Zhang Zichen couldn't help but mock Wang Hongyu, his "competitor".

Wang Hongyu didn't care at all, "You're older than me and you can call me Brother Xu, so what's wrong with me calling you Brother Heng!"

This put Sun Haidong in a difficult position.

He was the oldest in the dormitory and always considered himself the head of the dormitory.

"Just call me Lao Xu, it'll be more friendly."

Xu Heng smiled again.

He paused for a moment, then added, "I certainly won't forget you all when the opportunity arises!"

He had always gotten along well with his three roommates, and they were all decent people.

Hearing him say that, the three roommates, though not having high hopes, were still very grateful.

Moreover, all three of them knew that Xu Heng was not the kind of person who liked to make empty promises or talk big, which was completely different from Liu Yifei's evaluation of Xu Heng!

However, this might be because Xu Heng is usually quite "low-key" in front of them, but it's different in front of Liu Yifei; he'll be a tiny bit more high-profile...

The group then moved on to other topics, including Zhang Yimou's film "Hero".

"Director Zhang is amazing this time! 'Hero' is almost at 2.5 million at the box office!"

Sun Haidong put down his wine glass and said loudly.

It's still February, and the temperature in Beijing is still a bit low.

However, this small restaurant has air conditioning, so drinking some beer isn't a problem, it's just that the food is a bit pricey.

At the same time, Zhang Yimou, who is still quite ambitious, can definitely be considered the number one director in mainland China, and he has a lot of supporters.

Sun Haidong is a staunch supporter of Zhang Yimou, and he is naturally even more lavish in his praise.

However, "Hero" has been in theaters for more than 60 days, and its daily box office is already very low. It is expected that it will soon be taken off the air in mainland China, and the box office of 2.5 million yuan in mainland China is about the limit.

"That's nothing. The US and European rights to 'Hero' were sold more than six months before its release, and for at least 1500 million US dollars. That means they recouped at least half of the costs before the film even premiered!"

"With the film grossing 2.5 million yuan in mainland China, the production company will receive approximately 1 million yuan. Adding in the mainland China copyright fees, the film has essentially broken even!"

"The key is that 'Hero' will be released in more countries and regions, so regardless of the box office figures, it's pure profit. You could say Director Zhang has definitely made a fortune this time!"

Wang Hongyu couldn't help but praise it too, and in his excitement, he took a big gulp of beer.

"The box office success of 'Hero' this time is indeed impressive, but besides the director, the actors also deserve a lot of credit, especially Jet Li. In my opinion, the reason why the US and European rights were sold for such a high price and so quickly is entirely due to the international fame and box office appeal of 'Kung Fu Emperor' Jet Li!"

Zhang Zichen couldn't help but chime in, saying that he was a fan of Jet Li and had watched every single one of Jet Li's movies, and more than once each.

My biggest dream in life is to become a kung fu superstar like Jet Li!

He was clearly unaware of Jet Li's true fame and influence overseas.

The fact that the overseas rights to "Hero" sold for such a high price is largely thanks to Li An's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

The ways to obtain information today are far less numerous and convenient than they will be in the future.

However, Xu Heng, who knew this, did not discourage him. Besides, when talking about movies, many of Li Lianjie's movies are indeed very good, and the title of "Kung Fu Emperor" is absolutely well-deserved.

"I wonder if 'Hero' will be able to win an Oscar this time..."

After having a drink with Wang Hongyu, Sun Haidong put down his glass and sighed.

就在11天前，米国东部时间2月11号上午8点半，也就是国内时间2月11号晚上9点半，第75届奥斯卡正式对外公布了今年的提名名单，其中《英雄》获得了最佳外语片奖提名。

This is the third time Zhang Yimou's film has received this nomination. The previous two films nominated were "Ju Dou" and "Raise the Red Lantern," but neither of them won.

"These foreign awards have always discriminated against mainland Chinese films, especially the Oscars!"

Wang Hongyu immediately felt indignant.

The three major European film festivals are doing well; mainland Chinese films have won the top prizes at all of them.

But to date, no mainland Chinese film has even won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, let alone any other awards.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which won four Academy Awards two years ago—Best Foreign Language Film, Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, and Best Original Score—was submitted to Taiwan Province, not mainland China.

"Brother Xu, do you think 'Hero' will win an Oscar this time?"

Zhang Zichen suddenly asked Xu Heng.

"Unlikely."

Xu Heng thought for a moment and then spoke directly.

As far as I remember, Harvey, who bought the US and European rights to "Hero," played a very important role in the film's nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

Xu Heng, as a reborn individual, was all too aware of Harvey's influence on Oscar.

Harvey did this clearly to increase the visibility of "Hero" in the US and Europe, hoping for higher box office returns in the future.

But winning an award would be unnecessary and come at a high price; as a businessman, Harvey would certainly not do such a thing.

However, there's no need to say these things.

Why?

Zhang Zichen asked again, and Sun Haidong and Wang Hongyu also looked at Xu Heng.

"The Oscars value commercial appeal, not commercial films. Commercial films pursue box office success, and they are inherently less competitive than art films when it comes to winning awards. Zhang Yimou's first time directing a commercial blockbuster inevitably has its shortcomings, and being nominated is already quite an achievement."

Xu Heng explained.

Wang Hongyu and Zhang Zichen nodded immediately, but whether they meant it or not was unknown.

Sun Haidong was somewhat bewildered, because he felt that "Hero" was very well made and there was nothing wrong with it!

"Sigh, I wish we could have the chance to make a movie directed by Zhang Yimou someday..."

Zhang Zichen changed the subject.

"Let's forget about it, but Heng-ge might be a possibility!"

Wang Hongyu flattered him again.

Zhang Zichen nodded as well.

Xu Heng smiled but didn't say anything...

More than an hour later, the dinner ended, and the four of them walked towards the school in a row.

All four of them had drunk alcohol before, but not much; each person had at most two bottles of beer.

A gust of cold wind blew, and I felt a chill.

However, Sun Haidong, Wang Hongyu, and Zhang Zichen were all in high spirits and full of hope for the future.

As for Xu Heng...

He was already excited when he was reborn, so there's nothing to be excited about now.

With his rebirth and the system, his future life will only consist of medium, large, and super-large wins; even small wins will be nonexistent!