Chapter 394 Cai Yinong’s request
[I have a cold, so I will update two today, and will resume three updates tomorrow]
At noon that day.
Xu Kun set up a table specifically to welcome Zhao Wenzhuo and Wu Jing, accompanied by Zhang Jin, Yang Junyi, and the villain Sun Honglei.
These seven people together can be regarded as the gathering of good and evil in the film.
Because when communicating on the phone, Wu Jing was vaguely repulsed by playing the villain, Xu Kun originally thought that after meeting in person, he would have to wade through it before he could confirm it.
So before hosting a banquet, Xu Kun called Wu Jing aside alone and wanted to have a good conversation with him first.
Unexpectedly, at this meeting, Wu Jing's attitude turned around 180 degrees, saying that everything was at the discretion of Director Xu. He had no other ideas. He just wanted to follow Director Xu to learn more and see the new big names in the mainland. Director, what is the difference between the shooting methods of Hong Kong people?
Probably because he knew that Xu Kun was prejudiced against Hong Kong Islanders, he also took the initiative to talk about his experience of being discriminated against and excluded on Hong Kong Island.
Only then did Xu Kun realize that although his blockbuster "Black Fist" was not completely realistic, it did reflect some of his experiences in reality.
Even the girl who cheated on him in the film can have a prototype in reality.
Faced with Wu Jing's active show of kindness, Xu Kun also chose to reciprocate.
Although he has never watched Wolf Warriors played by Wu Jing, he has watched both parts of The Wandering Earth and knows that this man will also be a number one figure in the future, so his attitude is naturally very approachable.
This was very useful to Wu Whale, who had had enough of the glares on Hong Kong Island.
As for patriotic-themed movies, the two also have a lot in common.
Regarding Xu Kun's assertion that after the 2008 Olympic Games, the people's patriotic enthusiasm will be stimulated, Wu Jing even felt like he was standing tall.
In fact, he was vague and felt that he should make some films to cheer up the Chinese people, especially the mainlanders. If Xu Kun hadn't interfered, he would have gritted his teeth and raised money to make "Spike" in the second half of the year.
But Wu Jing only had an idea subconsciously and had not yet formed his own theoretical system. However, Xu Kun embodied this idea in the entire movie after systematic predictive analysis.
This gave Wu Jing a great sense of enlightenment.
But Xu Kun is not the originator.
There were many similar movies in the early days of Hong Kong Island, such as Cheng Lung's Police Story, which had many plots in which the Hong Kong Island police became famous overseas.
If I really want to be clever, I can only say that Xu Kun's choice of this time point is very clever. If the Olympic Games can really condense the patriotic enthusiasm of the people, then this movie will basically be half successful.
As for the other half, it depends on the quality of the film after it is shot.
Only when others arrived one after another did Xu Kun and Wu Jing end the conversation.
When they got to the banquet, Sun Honglei first joked: "You are the great director who has the appeal. Others may beg their grandparents to sue their grandma, but they may not be able to raise the funds for filming. It would be better for you to set a total investment of 80 million. What a surprise." It was raised to 100 million!”
This is one of the 'outcomes' of the meeting a few days ago.
Xu Kun said with a helpless smile: "How can I have such great appeal? The main reason is that this incident alarmed the higher-ups by chance. Many people mistakenly thought that this film would be favored by the policy, so they tried every means to get a share. I want to stop them all." Can't stop it.
Actually, I have to say that too much money is not necessarily a good thing. A total investment of 100 million would require a box office of nearly 300 million to make a profit. Now I am under greater pressure. ”
"You just got a bargain and acted like a good boy. It's better to have money than no money - besides, it's not much. The cost of the "Investment Certificate" is a full 300 million."
Speaking of the "Certificate of Investment", Xu Kun thought it was strange. The market is so big these days, and the box office would be 400 to 500 million if the mainland alone is to support it - it has to be the right time, place and people.
Therefore, it is 100% impossible for "The Investment Certificate" to recover the cost. I really don't know what the investors who just arrived there are after. Do they want to imitate "Hero" and revitalize the Hong Kong film market?
Or are they hoping to make money back in overseas markets?
But in the current environment where costume films are in disfavor, isn't this simply a waste of effort in the opposite direction?
Zhang Jin, who was also very familiar with Xu Kun at this time and had arrived a few days earlier, couldn't help but curiously asked: "Brother Kun, I have read the script in the past few days, and other parts are very good, including the subprime mortgage crisis." I don’t quite understand this paragraph. Will Americans really be in big trouble next year? ”
"There are already some signs of this."
Xu Kun explained: “After reading relevant forecasts, I have been paying attention to this news. In April this year, the second largest subprime mortgage provider in the United States declared bankruptcy. In early June, a Fortune 500 company in the United States declared bankruptcy. Financial companies have stopped their hedge funds related to subprime mortgages - these are signs that the United States may indeed trigger an economic crisis due to subprime mortgages. ”
Xu Kun is actually throwing darts first and then drawing a target. The financial market in the United States is so big. As long as you search with preconceived ideas, you will definitely find corresponding evidence.
If he hadn't accurately known that there would be a financial crisis in the United States in 2008, this matter might have turned into a misfortune.
After a pause, Xu Kun continued: "When the time comes, I will make two preparations. I will shoot a version in which the crisis has already occurred, and another one in which it is predicted to happen. I will decide which one to use based on the situation in the United States before it is released."
Because the schedule was determined in advance, the movie's timeline was set at the end of September 2008.
The first is to synchronize the time with the screening time as much as possible to improve the audience's immersion; secondly, you can also add a gimmick of rescuing Mr. Fu in time and letting the old hero go to the capital to participate in the National Day military parade.
The scene of the rescued 'Old Fu' tearfully saluting the red flag with a medal on his chest at the National Day military parade will be filmed by Xu Kun in advance of this year's National Day as the final easter egg of the movie.
In fact, Zhang Jin still didn't understand, but after hearing Xu Kun's serious words, he didn't dwell on it anymore.
Except for Sun Honglei, everyone here is a martial arts practitioner, and the topic of conversation naturally turned to kung fu and action movies.
Xu Kun even made an appointment with Wu Jing, Zhao Wenzhuo, and Yang Junyi to find an opportunity to compare notes - Zhang Jin was not needed. The two of them had already separated themselves during the filming of "The World".
While they were chatting enthusiastically, Xu Kun suddenly received a call from Cai Yinong.
So he apologized to everyone, left the table and went outside the private room.
"Mr. Cai, what are your instructions?"
"How dare I order you, Director Xu."
Cai Yinong smiled and said: "I heard that Liu Xiaoli has been messing around for a while and finally wants to sign a contract with you Huayi, so I have an unkind request and I want Director Xu to help fulfill it."
"What's the rude invitation? Let's talk and listen first."
"I want to participate in this signing ceremony."
Cai Yinong said: "Looking at Liu Xiaoli's performance these days, it is obvious that Zhu Yawen and I made the right bet. This can be considered a big favor to Huayi. I want to take the opportunity to regain some face. Isn't it too much?"
"Is it as simple as just attending?"
This request was not too much, but Xu Kun didn't think Cai Yinong would make such a request just to get angry.
"Haha, I really can't hide anything from Director Xu."
Cai Yinong confessed: "Afterwards, I will ask someone to send out some press releases to publicize this signing. We, the Tang people, also played a role in this, so as to avoid outside nonsense."
Understand, this is because I am worried that if Liu Yifei signs a contract with Huayi, some people will praise her for rejecting Tang Ren.
"Let me ask."
Xu Kun said: "Although everyone is working together this time, whether Huayi treats you Tang people as opponents depends on the attitudes of the two Mr. Wang."
"Alas~"
Cai Yinong sighed after hearing this: "If you tell me, Director Xu, I don't know whether I should expect Mr. Wang to regard us Tang people as opponents, or whether he should not take us Tang people seriously at all."
After hanging up the phone, Xu Kun quickly dialed Wang Zhonglei's number.
After Cai Yinong's request was explained, Xu Kun took the initiative to add another one: "Second brother, you can decide whether Cai Yinong can go, but I will ask Zhu Yawen to take a look. There should be no problem, right?"
"Of course it's no problem. I have to thank Xiao Zhu in person for this. Otherwise, if that woman succeeds, our Hua Yike will become a joke. As for Cai Yinong, you wait until I discuss it with my eldest brother, and finally I’ll give you an answer later in the evening.”
(End of chapter)