Huayu: Everyone's been reborn, who's still going to be an actor?

The movie "Crazy Stone" became a huge hit, and Ning Hao became incredibly popular.

This film is highly characteristic of the director's personal style.

Ning Hao naturally became a target for numerous film and television companies.

However, they all returned empty-handed.

The first company to run into a wall was Huayi.

The Wang brothers were clearly aware that their company was too dependent on Feng Xiaogang.

Without other directors, it's easy for the guest to take the lead.

If they sign a director like Ning Hao, who excels at commercial comedies, it will be easier to manage Feng Xiaogang.

Unfortunately, Ning Hao didn't sign with a company when he was "at his wits' end," let alone now that he's famous.

Besides, everyone in the industry knows about the conflict between Cheng Yuan and Hua Yi.

Ning Hao was just promoted by Cheng Yuan, and then he immediately signed with Huayi Brothers. How will people view him?

If they really wanted to sign with a company, they would have signed with Chengyuan Film & Television long ago.

"They're leaving already?" Zhang Borong asked Cheng Yuan. "Weren't they supposed to be going abroad on the 8th or 9th?"

"We need to get back to the capital first; there's still work to do at the company," Cheng Yuan said. "Don't forget about the house repairs, okay?"

"We can't guarantee we can convince your grandfather," Cheng Juemin said. "He'll definitely think it's a waste of money."

Cheng Yuan's parents live in the town. Although Cheng Yuan has started earning money, their teahouse is still open, and they often work in the fields, just like before.

Cheng Yuan gave them money to buy a car so they could easily go back to the countryside to visit their maternal grandparents.

They just bought a regular car for commuting.

"Then you should tell him that I'll bring my girlfriend back home and she can stay at his place for a few days," Cheng Yuan said with a smile. "They'll definitely agree. Besides, I'm making money now, and my grandparents are still living in a run-down house. What will people think of me?"

"You have a girlfriend?" Zhang Borong asked. "When are you bringing her home?"

"I'm talking about the future, the future," Cheng Yuan said. "We haven't even started dating yet. Don't worry, with your son being so handsome, surely he'll find a girlfriend!"

Be careful on the road.

Cheng Juemin began to speak.

He also knew that once the children grew up, they couldn't stay at home any longer.

Those who stay at home are good-for-nothings.

Cheng Yuan returned to the capital, bringing with him a lot of local specialties, just like before.

Teachers, leaders, and Han Sanping and others naturally all received a copy.

Relationships need to be maintained.

When are you going to Berlin?

Han Sanping looked at Cheng Yuan and asked.

"I'll visit Brother Wen on set tomorrow, and then head over there," Cheng Yuan said. "Is Chairman Han going to Berlin this time?"

"If I have time, I'll probably go," Han Sanping said. "That kid Jiang Wen is still causing trouble as always."

He couldn't help but shake his head as he spoke.

As always, this film went over budget.

Filming has been going on for almost five months, and it still hasn't wrapped up.

"He said filming wraps up tomorrow," Cheng Yuan said with a smile. "He invited me to the wrap party. Didn't he invite Chairman Han?"

"I called, but he was busy," Han Sanping said. "I heard from Ning Hao that you and he are planning to film a story about the Spring Festival travel rush?"

Cheng Yuan wasn't surprised that Han Sanping had definitely contacted Ning Hao.

With such a young director emerging, and one who excels at commercial films, how could Han Sanping, given his personality, possibly refuse to meet him?

So he wasn't surprised to hear about "Lost in Thailand" from Ning Hao.

Even without Ning Hao saying anything, Han Sanping would know as soon as the script was submitted for review.

"It's just a low-budget film worth a few million," Cheng Yuan said, looking at Han Sanping. "Isn't Chairman Han a big fan of blockbusters?"

"There are few directors in China who can handle big-budget films," Han Sanping said. "China Film Group can't get involved with Zhang Yimou's project, and this time Old Chen..."

Han Sanping gets a headache whenever he thinks of "The Promise".

It grossed over 100 million at the box office, but received terrible reviews, mainly because its overseas rights were disrupted.

Big loss.

If Cheng Yuan's "The Hunt" hadn't won awards and had good box office and copyright results, and now "The Distinguished Citizen" has been shortlisted for the Berlin International Film Festival, he would probably have been affected.

He's only in his fifties, and he still wants to improve.

"After returning from Berlin, I expect to go to Hollywood," Cheng Yuan said. "If all goes well, I might close a project."

"Huh?" Han Sanping was taken aback, then came to his senses and said, "Your novel is being adapted into a movie?"

"Many film and television companies wanted to buy the rights," Cheng Yuan said. "However, I didn't. I have a script that DreamWorks is interested in. And an animated film—would China Film Group be interested?"

"Animated film?"

Han Sanping was somewhat surprised.

This kid can write screenplays for art films, commercial films, and even animated films.

"An animated film with strong Chinese characteristics," Cheng Yuan said, "Kung Fu Panda! The estimated investment for this film is over $100 million. If China Film Group is interested, I can discuss a larger share. If not, you know about Remote Films."

"Kung Fu? Panda?" Han Sanping said. "Give me the script. We need to have a meeting to discuss this."

An investment of over 100 million US dollars, even if you only get 20%, that's still over 100 million RMB.

The current situation of remote video conferencing is naturally outdated.

I estimate they won't even be able to secure 10% of the market share.

There's no other reason, it's simply because I don't have money.

"OK!"

Cheng Yuan nodded.

Why involve China Film Group?

Even Wall Street can get ripped off and leave Hollywood feeling clean.

Cheng Yuan didn't believe he wouldn't be scammed.

But if they don't participate in the investment, they're unwilling to give up.

The Kung Fu Panda series is not just about making money; the key is the symbolism of "kung fu" and "panda".

Kung Fu is Chinese, as is pandas, but Kung Fu Panda is Hollywood.

Even if it's not a Chinese-language film, a co-production would be fine.

Chinese-language films?

This estimate will take many years to come; given the situation in China, it's simply impossible to do it well.

Moreover, even if it's done well, the impact is hard to say.

But Cheng Yuan was afraid of being scammed.

They can make a huge global box office success even if it results in a loss.

But if they involve China Film Group, would they still dare to do it?

China Film Group holds the rights to import films, unless they no longer want the Chinese market.

"Can they really come up with a deal?"

Han Sanping looked at Cheng Yuan and said, "What if they've already secured the investment, but you haven't managed to get it done?"

"The initiative is in my hands," Cheng Yuan said. "It's either a deal that goes through, or it won't be filmed. Kung Fu Panda can't be a purely Hollywood movie."

Han Sanping nodded upon hearing this.

This kid really gave me a pleasant surprise.

Animated films are still a wasteland in the country.

When animation is mentioned, many people subconsciously label it as "for toddlers".

But it's not like that abroad. These kinds of movies have a good market internationally, and many of them have high box office returns in North America.

This film might even stimulate the development of domestic animated films.

This is a major political achievement.

After chatting for a while, Cheng Yuan said goodbye and left, but in his heart he was wondering whether he should bring in other companies and make a profit from the price difference.

Few domestic film companies would be willing to pay a premium for a share of a Hollywood project.

However, there's no rush.