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

Hollywood has no shortage of film production companies.

However, Cheng Yuan wasn't someone who was foolish and had too much money, so he naturally did his research first.

After learning more about it, Cheng Yuan spent several hundred thousand US dollars to buy a film production company that was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Faraway Films.

Translated, it seems there's a certain connection between him and Cheng Yuan.

It's an obscure company, but it has everything it needs, making it excellent value for money.

At least by comparison, this company is the most cost-effective.

This time, Cheng Yuan did not give away any more shares.

When I sent it to Hou Hongliang before, he didn't understand anything about it.

In his previous life, he was just a nobody at the bottom of the industry and never did any business.

However, once you understand, you won't regret it.

He is indeed not good at company operations and management, and Hou Hongliang does have great potential.

This might be partly an attempt to cover up one's own shortcomings, but that's not important.

This time, Cheng Yuan hired a professional manager to oversee the operations.

And there are far too many people like that in Hollywood.

Cheng Yuan selected a man named "John Smith" to serve as the general manager of Yuanfang Films.

They didn't give us any shares, not even a single share.

However, Cheng Yuan gave out profit sharing.

Then, he made an appointment with Wen Zhiren.

The first film produced by Yuanfang Films, Cheng Yuan is preparing to shoot a thriller called "Lurking".

"Mr. Cheng, aren't you going to direct it yourself?" Wen Zhiren asked Cheng Yuan. "You're a director, and an excellent one at that."

Wen Zhiren could naturally tell what the script was like.

He watched two films directed by Cheng Yuan, especially "Buried Alive," and was amazed, finding it to be a classic example of low-budget films.

He thought his first Saw movie, which he wrote and directed, was already streamlined in terms of scenes and actors, but he didn't expect there to be something even more impressive.

"I won't be staying here for long," Cheng Yuan said. "My focus is back in China right now. Besides, you're more suited to directing this film. Director Wen, you need a film like this too."

Wen Zhiren fell silent; he did indeed need such a film.

What has he been doing in the two years since he made "Saw"?

He served as the screenwriter for the animated film "Saw Reborn," the producer of "Saw II," and now he has been invited to serve as the screenwriter for "Saw III."

"You can have the film cut rights."

Cheng Yuan immediately increased his bet.

Unlike in China, Hollywood directors don't have much control over editing.

At that time, Wen Zhiren was just a junior director.

Cheng Yuan's offer was undoubtedly an affirmation and a sign of respect for him.

"It's a pleasure working with you!"

Wen Zhiren's eyes lit up when he heard this.

Giving them the right to cut is a huge show of sincerity.

Cheng Yuan didn't feel anything about it; this kind of thing is too common in the country.

In addition, Wen Zhiren himself edited "Lurking".

As for whether Wen Zhiren, who has not yet directed "Dead Silence" and "Death Penalty" and has only directed one film, "Saw," is as capable as he was when he directed "Lurking" in his previous life, Cheng Yuan is not sure.

Even if it's not as good, it won't be too far off.

Some people are talented, they just need an opportunity to prove themselves.

Cheng Yuan believes that Wen Zhiren is such a person.

Cheng Yuan didn't discuss Wen Zhiren's salary and benefits; he let John Smith, who knew the industry, talk to him.

As for money?

Cheng Yuan still has a considerable amount of royalties left, which should be enough.

If this movie loses money, his company won't go bankrupt, but it won't be able to withstand the losses either.

He invested all his other money.

They're either buying houses or stocks of Tencent or Moutai.

He didn't understand other investments, so he didn't get involved in them.

However, he doesn't think that a low-budget film like "Lurking" will lose money.

In his view, it was just a matter of how much he could earn.

Cheng Yuan was busy with Yuanfang Films, which left the DreamWorks team hanging.

When they sat down to talk again, the other party clearly relented.

They agreed to co-produce, but couldn't agree on the share of profits.

"How did the talks go?"

Han Sanping couldn't help but get impatient when he saw that Cheng Yuan had been in Hollywood for several days without any news coming back.

"The other party has agreed to co-produce, but we're deadlocked on the share," Cheng Yuan said. "How much of the share can China Film Group take?"

"How much of the share can they offer?" Han Sanping asked. "The higher-ups are taking this project quite seriously."

"Chairman Han, I'm still hoping to find one or two companies to offer a premium," Cheng Yuan said. "We can't take all of China Film Group."

Cheng Yuan knew Han Sanping's personality perfectly well.

He wanted it all.

"Then try to negotiate a larger share," Han Sanping said. "I was going to invest all the money I had planned to use in John Woo's 'Red Cliff' in this movie."

"China Film Group is no longer investing in 'Red Cliff'?"

Cheng Yuan was somewhat shocked; this was still Han Sanping, who was enthusiastic about blockbuster movies.

There aren't many directors in China who can make blockbusters these days, and people like Wu Yusen who have made blockbusters in Hollywood are extremely rare.

Will he miss it?

Could it be that the eye drops I used earlier were working?

Surely not?

"You guessed right," Han Sanping said. "This movie has investors from Little Red Dot, and those investors have obtained the rights to sell the film in the Little Red Dot area. The deal hasn't been finalized."

Little Red Dot is now the second largest film market.

"If China Film Group doesn't participate in such a blockbuster, and it succeeds, it will have a significant impact on you, right?" Cheng Yuan said. "I didn't have high hopes for 'Red Cliff,' but its current momentum is truly astonishing."

Cheng Yuan naturally harbored resentment towards Wu Yusen, and why not make things difficult for him? But he knew very well that his directing skills were still far inferior to Wu Yusen's.

Just like with blockbusters like "Red Cliff," Cheng Yuan felt he was still a bit out of his depth.

Even if he thinks "Red Cliff" is bad.

It takes skill to handle a bad movie with such a big budget.

"So, we need a big project," Han Sanping said. "I've read the script for 'Red Cliff,' and it's... well, let's just say it's not good. And it's not even the final draft. They say they're considering the international market, but the biggest box office should be Little Red Dot, but what does that have to do with the other investors?"

"How about you send someone skilled in negotiation over here?" Cheng Yuan said. "I want 10%, and another 10% for premium takeout. You can negotiate the rest, and that's what we'll go with."

"How much did you talk about before?"

Han Sanping was silent for a moment, then asked.

Cheng Yuan has already taken 20% of the deal, so how much more can they negotiate down the drain?

DreamWorks will definitely take the lion's share.

"Fifty percent," Cheng Yuan said. "They initially only offered twenty percent, but after I mentioned that China Film Group was involved, they relented and agreed to thirty percent. However, I estimate their bottom line is forty percent."

Cheng Yuan wasn't good at negotiating, but he knew a little about using someone else's name to intimidate others.

China Film Group has the rights to import films, so DreamWorks will naturally pay more attention to them.

With the rapid development of the Chinese market, how could Hollywood, with its keen insight into the film market, not have noticed it?

"good!"

Han Sanping nodded.

What Cheng Yuan didn't expect was that Han Sanping came in person with his men.