The unexpected box office performance of "Baby" not only surprised Golden Harvest, but also put pressure on other film companies in Hong Kong, including New Art City. I wanted to make another profit before, but I didn't expect that the box office after the release was not satisfactory, so I had to postpone the schedule of subsequent movies again and again, staggering the head-on battle with "Baby Smart Stars".
Other film companies are also following suit. "Baby" beat the crowd and once again reached the 15 million box office mark at the fastest speed.
The Xiangjiang Film Market will become dominant at the end of the year, which many people did not expect.
Shaw Brothers used this to sweep away the haze of many years, stop the decline, and regain its glory. Many viewers who are deeply influenced by emotional marketing can't help but dream back to the 1960s and 1970s, when Shaw Brothers Pictures was It was really unparalleled. For a moment, Hong Kong City had an illusion of being in another world.
With such a huge success, Run Run Shaw and Fong Yihua took a "rare" act of generosity and held a grand celebration banquet at the Peninsula Hotel.
In addition to the main creative team, all employees and artists of Shaw Brothers and TVB were invited to the banquet, which was as lively as TVB's Taiwan celebration.
Countless reporters swarmed in and grabbed the best position in front of the hotel. The cameras kept focusing on the celebrities and entertainers walking on the red carpet, but the focus was always on Wang Jing, Zhou Xingchi, Wu Mengda, Nicholas Tse and others, including Fang Yan and Gong Qie.
“The film has achieved such results thanks to everyone’s support.”
Faced with the indiscriminate media bombardment, the two of them were married and married, and dealt with their one after another with a tacit understanding. problem.
After a while, I finally got rid of the reporters and finally walked into the lobby.
"On occasions like this before, you would always go through the side door or the small door. Why do you suddenly go through the front door these few times?"
Gong Chou was wearing a bright red woolen coat and a pure white scarf around his neck. From top to bottom, it was a Christmas gift given to her by Fangyan.
"Isn't that all for you? This is the first film you have participated in as an assistant director, so I must contribute."
Fang Yan raised his lips, "By the way, as a family member of the director, I can also get some credit from our Director Gong."
"You are a family member of the director, but I am also a family member of the screenwriter!"
Gong Yue felt warm in his heart, but he said jokingly: "You think I don't know, you are doing this for the sake of your uncle and your aunt, right?"
"You are letting me down by saying that. "They worked so hard."
Fang Yan blinked his left eye playfully, "They." No matter how big your face is, how could it be as big as that of your celebrity Gong!”
“Fuck you, you’re making fun of me again!”
Gong Zhen rolled his eyes with a smile. I told him to drink less at the banquet later and never get drunk like he did in Changbai Mountain last time.
"Okay."
As soon as Fang Yan finished speaking, there was a noise in his ears, and he looked over.
I saw Di Bola leading Nicholas Tse and finally fighting their way out of the crowded crowd, but they were soon entangled by reporters again.
“Mrs.
Di Bola covered half of Xie Tingfeng's face with her hands and only said that her son was getting a friendship price this time.
The reporter asked: "Will you and your fourth brother continue to let your son make movies?"
Di Boola responded calmly: "We haven't considered this issue yet. After all, the child's She is still too young, the key is to see if she can get a suitable role in the future." However, the smile that could not be concealed on her lips betrayed her in the end.
"So, what if there is a sequel to "Baby, Smart Stars"?"
"Of course it depends on the wishes of Uncle Liu, Aunt Fang, Fang Sheng, and the director."< br>
Di Bola said: "If they say they want to shoot, of course we will give our full support..."
While she was still being interviewed, Nicholas Tse, who was already fed up, saw the right moment and ran into the hotel lobby. inside.
When he saw Fang Yan and Gong Xie standing not far away with smiles on their faces, their eyes suddenly lit up with "bulingbuling" and they immediately trotted over.
"Sister Gongqie!"
Xie Tingfeng first shouted happily, and then under Fang Yan's gaze, he called out "Mr. Fang" with awe and fear.
Deborah hurriedly caught up, changed her previous arrogance when facing the media, and greeted her respectfully.
Fang Yan stared at Xie Tingfeng: "Why don't you see your father?"
Di Bora hurriedly explained that Xie Xian was unable to leave because of something unexpected, so he regretfully could not attend. .
Unexpectedly, Nicholas Tse honestly said: "Mommy, didn't you say that dad went to Haojiang to gamble?"
"Ah... don't talk nonsense, your daddy Going to Haojiang is not about going to a casino, but there are big things to do! ”
Deborah smiled awkwardly but politely.
Fang Yan saw through it but didn't reveal it, so he got into the elevator with them, and then came to the festively decorated banquet hall.
"Fang Sheng."
"Mr. Fang."
Everywhere you go, no matter how smart you are, like Zhou Runfa, Zheng Shaoqiu, etc., you must behave yourself Say hello to them politely.
Fang Yan glanced out of the corner of his eye and noticed that Liu Dehua, who had been hidden by TVB, was sitting at the same table with the child. Fang Yihua was moved away, and they exchanged warm greetings with each other.
Wang Zuxian stood aside and watched quietly. Like all the celebrities and entertainers present, how could they sit down if the big shots didn't come to the table?
Seeing Fang Yihua happily holding Gong Qie's hand, she said to Fang Yan with a smile on her face, "As soon as the box office results of "Baby Wisdom Stars" came out, Run Run Shaw was so happy that he drank a few more drinks that day. Cup, and I want to get drunk with him at tonight's celebration banquet.
"Then I will accompany you to the end."
Fang Yan smiled and said: "I will drink with uncle Liu until I have the best time today."
Run Run Shaw laughed heartily. What made him so happy was not only the success of "Baby" in Hong Kong, but also the fact that it was released one after another in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and other places. The success stories were frequent and almost dominated the market. No. 1 in the box office in each region.
It can be said that it was an invincible attack on the city. This movie alone completely rescued Shaw Brothers Pictures from the ICU.
"Sit down, Yanzi."
Seeing him pulling Fang Yan to sit down, Fang Yihua pressed her hands and motioned for everyone to take their seats according to the designated seats.
“I’m old and it’s hard to refuse to accept it anymore. My vision is really not as good as yours now.”
Run Run Shaw couldn't help but sigh: "Yanzi, you are right. The box office of this movie is very likely to exceed 30 million." "To be honest with you two, I originally predicted 40 million, but it seems I'm still a little too arrogant."
Fang Yan said half-jokingly.
“30 million is coming soon, can 40 million be far behind?”
Shao Run Run poured him wine with his own hands. This scene fell in the eyes of Zhou Runfa, Andy Lau, Wang Zuxian and others. Here, I was simply shocked.
How dignified does this person have to be to be worthy of Mr. Shao Liu, who dominates the business world in Hong Kong, pouring wine himself?
Seeing that Fang Yan was "flattered" and excused himself, Fang Yihua answered tacitly: "Yes, the first part is 30 million, and the second part may be 40 million. Yanzi, you have Never thought about "Baby Smart Stars 2" When will the filming start?"
"This is of course a pursuit, the sooner the better, it is best to be released in time for the summer season."
Fang Yan shook the wine glass and drank the wine. I took a spin inside to sober up.
Fang Yihua and Run Run Shaw looked at each other, unable to conceal the joy in their hearts.
"But this second part may cost much more than the first part."
Fang Yan puts the ugly words to the forefront. Starting from the second part of "Baby Zhi Duo Xing", we can no longer be petty, and the exterior scenes The filming location cannot be limited to Hong Kong, but must go abroad, such as Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom and other places. Shaw Brothers Pictures must be prepared to bleed for this.
“Of course there is no problem with this.”
Shao Run Run, who has always been shrewd and stingy, agreed for the first time.
After all, although "Baby Stars 1" rescued Shaw Brothers Pictures, it was only a breath of relief. Only by continuing to make sequels like "Five Lucky Stars Series" and "The Best Partner" can we A big blow to Shaw Brothers Pictures, which has been suffering from losses for a long time.
However, if you want to completely turn around the situation of Shaw Brothers Pictures, it will not be enough to rely on the IP movie "Baby".
Fang Yihua, like Run Run Shaw, is still thinking about the "new type of feature film" pie that Fang Yan has drawn for them.
"Well, I haven't thought about this yet, so don't worry, let me write the script for the second part of "Baby Smart Stars" first."
Fang Yan showed a meaningful smile.
“You really haven’t thought about it yet?”
Run Run Shao looked at him and smiled knowingly, then picked up the wine glass and touched it gently.
Then, along with the impassioned speech, the celebration banquet of "Baby Smart Stars" was officially held.
As expected, starting from the next day, all the major entertainment and gossip magazines and newspapers were reporting the relevant news at length.
Dialect flipped through it casually, some of the content was true or false. For example, I just saw in a newspaper the news that Zhou Xingchi and Wu Mengda will star in a new movie. With the momentum of popularity, Wang Jing is preparing to create a romantic comedy film, "Modern Cinderella", in which a gangster falls in love at first sight with an actor who is living in poverty. The heroine has not yet been decided, and she has to choose from Shaw Brothers artists such as Wang Zuxian and Maggie Cheung.
There is news in another newspaper that Nicholas Tse's current net worth has risen to 300,000 Hong Kong dollars, but just the day before yesterday, Di Boola and Xie Xian both expressed their opinions that their son would take the role less than 500,000 Hong Kong dollars. However, Xie Xianren is in Haojiang, and he is probably gambling in high spirits at the moment.
"How come children are paid so much?"
Gong Qian glanced at it unintentionally and said in shock: "How come actors in Xiangjiang often cost hundreds of thousands or even millions, while I was filming in mainland China?" A movie only costs a few hundred yuan. In the end, including bonuses, "Once Upon a Time" cost just a few hundred yuan. It’s as much as one thousand yuan.”
“It’s different. If I were your agent, based on your current popularity, if you want to take on a movie in Hong Kong, there are no Chung Chuhong or Lin Qingxia. No need to discuss the remuneration." Fang Yan smiled and said, "Don't think it's too expensive for them. Discount.”
“Cai Fan! Fortunately, Nan Sheng is my temporary manager, not you!” Xian and the others have talked about it. If we just talk about income, what about their income here? They are much higher than ours, but they have no social status at all here. Even famous actors like Qingxia and Zu Xian joke that they are 'actors' and 'low-class', but we will never have this kind of status. This feeling, we are..."
"Literary and artistic workers who meet the spiritual needs of the people."
Fang Yan added.
“That’s right!”
Gong Zhen said quietly: “I hope that after the commercialization and marketization of movies in the future, we will still be literary and artistic workers and never change our taste.”
Fang Yan did not answer, but changed the topic: "As for this literary and art worker, can we write the script for the second part of "Baby Zhi Duo Xing" together?"
"Sure, just like when we wrote the first script."
As soon as Gong Qie took out the pen and paper, the phone rang suddenly.
As soon as Fang Yan answered the call, he was not surprised that the caller was Wang Jing, but was surprised that he had brought bad news in a panic.
Xie Tingfeng’s father, Xie Xian, played hard at Haojiang Casino for three days and three nights. Not only did he lose all the 6 million he brought with him, but he also borrowed 15 million, hoping to play a big game. , directly win back everything mentioned before, and then earn back the capital with profit.
“You must have guessed the result, all 15 million was lost.”
There was a hint of irritation in Wang Jing's tone.
“How did you know this news?”
Fang Yan’s heart skipped a beat. At the moment, the box office of “Baby Smart Stars” is rising steadily. The father of the young actor owes gambling debts. It is different from pouring cold water on the rising trend that is burning like a raging fire, not to mention that this father is "Xie Xian" who is now a big star in Hong Kong.
“It was my fourth sister-in-law who called me.”
Wang Jing explained that Xie Xian had not come back from Haojiang for a long time. Di Boola thought that he was having an affair, but it was absolutely impossible. Unexpectedly, the debt collector couldn't find Xie Xian, so he simply found their home. Only then did Di Boola realize how big a hole her husband had dug.
"Besides you, how many people know about this?"
Fang Yan asked hurriedly.
“Not many people know about it yet.”
Wang Jing said that when he allocated the money to him, he first reported it to Fang Yihua and Run Run Shaw. They also realized the seriousness of the situation. He intervened directly and even called the gambling king Stanley Ho, asking him to temporarily stabilize the junket operators who were collecting debts while strictly blocking the news.
“The blockade is good for a while, but it cannot be blocked forever. Sooner or later, the news will leak out.”
Fang Yan said: "If some unscrupulous media add insult to injury and pour dirty water on "Baby Zhiduo Xing"..."
"Yes, yes, we are also worried about this situation."< br>
Wang Jing asked if he could come to Clear Water Bay TV City quickly and discuss with Run Run Shaw and Fang Yihua what to do next.
Fang Yan sighed lightly and turned to look at Gong Qi, who frowned slightly, "Put the script aside for now, something happened!" (End of Chapter)