Chapter 437: "Night Banquet"
In the fourth week of "Silent Land", the box office reached 180 million, and it is just around the corner.
At the same time, this is also the third week of "Night Banquet", with box office successfully exceeding 100 million yuan, and Huayi is preparing to hold a celebration banquet.
Coincidentally, Xingchen Entertainment is also preparing to hold a celebration banquet.
Wang Zhongjun was talking to Li Binbin's sisters in the office, and the door of the office was pushed open angrily. Then Wang Zhonglei's roar came: "He is it, Xingchen Entertainment is definitely intentional~~"
"What's wrong?" Wang Zhongjun frowned. "We are scheduled to hold a celebration banquet on Thursday, and they are scheduled to hold a celebration banquet on Thursday. What isn't this special?" Wang Zhonglei became more and more angry the more he spoke.
The celebration banquet of "Silent Land" and the arrangement of "Night Banquet" were on the same day. In fact, Zhang Chen did it on purpose.
You celebrated over 100 million, I celebrated over 200 million, I just want to be so embarrassed~
This is what you say is that you are doing the first day of the junior high school, and I am doing the fifteenth day of the year~
Since you want to make trouble, you must be prepared to be messed up. "Now is not the time to be angry. Those are all false. The most important thing now is to think about what to do with overseas copyright. That bastard Harvey is playing with us and is only willing to pay 500,000 US dollars..." Wang Zhongjun was a little embarrassed about his younger brother. What is the company now? The other party is still staring at the trivial matters in front of him.
When Wang Zhonglei was scolded by his brother, he remained silent.
"There are not a good thing for these foreigners~
By the way, what do you say about Zhang Ziyi?"
Harvey Wienstein was introduced to the Wang brothers by Zhang Ziyi. Now Harvey suddenly changed his mind, and the 5 million that had been negotiated turned into 500,000, and she, the introducer, also has the responsibility.
Who knew that Wang Zhongjun was even more angry: "That stinky girl is disclaiming the account now, saying that she is only responsible for the introduction, and she did not participate in the subsequent negotiations, and it has nothing to do with her..."
Every time I think of Zhang Ziyi's face, it makes people feel anxious.
"What should we do then? We can only wait for Locarno in August and Venice in September..."
Who knew that Wang Zhongjun shook his head again: "I'm afraid it's too late. That bastard Harvey must have us. He said he would give us a week to consider it. If we disagree, he will announce the news of the return. At that time, "Night Banquet" will be the second "Wuji"..."
As he was talking, Feng Xiaogang suddenly pushed the door and followed him with a helpless secretary. "Mr. Wang, Director Feng insists on coming in, I can't stop him~"
"I heard that "Night Banquet" was returned?" Feng Xiaogang asked regardless of the matter as soon as he entered the door.
Wang Zhongjun said: "Xiaogang, don't be anxious first, it's not a return, but there are indeed some minor problems..."
How could Feng Xiaogang not be in a hurry? He stared at Wang Zhongjun waiting for his next sentence.
Wang Zhonglei waved his hand to the secretary: "Okay, it's okay for you, you can go out."
The secretary left in a hurry.
Wang Zhongjun then said: "Harvey changed his mind temporarily, and the promised 5 million became 500,000, and threatened us. If we don't agree, he will announce the return to the public. At that time, "Night Banquet" will be even more difficult to sell..."
Harvey's approach is indeed stuck in everyone's weakness.
The box office of "Night Banquet" is not good in China, and it only exceeded 100 million in the third week. It is estimated that by the time of its downline, it will be difficult to break through 150 million.
Huayi Brothers borrowed 100 million yuan for "Night Banquet".
Weinstein Pictures previously stated that it was willing to bid $5 million to win the North American copyright of "Night Banquet".
With this $5 million, Huayi Brothers didn't feel anything.
But now, the $5 million suddenly shrank ten times and turned into $500,000, which instantly increased the pressure on Huayi.
The loan needs to be paid~
"This old guy, isn't this a hooligan?"
Harvey Wienstein was indeed a hooligan, but everyone had no choice but to deal with him.
"Night Banquet" is not "The Promise". After being returned, Warner can be found to take over.
Huayi has no overseas distribution channels, and there is no China Film Group to help provide guarantees.
If "Night Banquet" is returned, it will be easy to promote it with Harvey's energy, and "Night Banquet" will be in danger. "What to do?" No one knows what to do. "Or we also look for China Film Academy to see if they can help?" Feng Xiaogang rushed to seek medical treatment.
Wang Zhongjun shook his head: "Impossible. We didn't ask China Film Investment in "Night Banquet" and "Double J Plan". How could Han Sanping help us..."
"What should I do?"
"Let's take a look at it, and you all inquire about who knows North American publishers, as long as they are higher than Wienstein, we will sell..."
"Brother, then aren't we losing a lot?"
"I'm confused, this is stop loss. If you don't sell it, you don't have a penny. If you sell it to Harvey, you only have 500,000 US dollars. If you exceed this, you can be regarded as making money..."
That night, Zhang Chen received a call from Dong Jianqiang.
"Huayi's "Night Banquet" was captured, and Harvey was only willing to pay 500,000 US dollars. If Huayi does not agree, he will announce the news of the return..."
"Is the news reliable?"
"Reliable, confirmed by people within Huayi in person."
Zhang Chen thought it was the news sent back by Infernal Affairs.
Large film commercial entities will bury nails into competitors. The marketing plan developed by Suning just held a meeting will appear on the desk of Gome’s boss the next day.
Business is to fight~
There are positional wars, price wars, and intelligence wars~
"Okay, I understand."
Hang off Dong Jianqiang's side, and Zhang Chen turned to Diane.
"Dian, if you get the copyright of a Chinese costume blockbuster, how can you maximize your benefits without being released?"
"I will sell his DVD copyright~"
"How much can it be sold?"
"If it is a blockbuster, $5 million should be OK. Chinese costume blockbusters are very popular in the DVD field. If I remember correctly, the income of "HERO" to Pepsika brought to Pepsika more than $40 million..."
The "HERO" that Diane mentioned is "Hero", the one of Lao Too!
"Okay, now there is such a chance..."
Zhang Chen told the story of "Night Banquet", and Diane laughed there: "Oh my God, is there anyone who dares to cooperate with Harvey? Everyone in the circle knows that this guy is just a hooligan..."
Even in the Hollywood circle, Harvey's reputation is very bad.
However, they do have two tricks in the Olympics and have their own loyal fans. The most famous one is the "Boston" sect formed by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
"Leave it to me, I promise to negotiate a good price for the company..."
"OK, but there is one thing to be careful about, don't disclose my relationship with the company."
"I understand."
The next day, just as everyone in Huayi was in a state of confusion, Wang Zhonglei suddenly received a news that a Hollywood company called Cube was interested in "Night Banquet".
People in the conference room discussed countermeasures
Wang Zhongjun: "Who do you know this cube company?"
Everyone shook their heads: "I haven't heard of it, I only know it is an independent production company that has been established recently. They have only produced one movie called "Shouting the Breath"..."
Wang Zhonglei frowned: "Why does this name sound so familiar?"
Feng Xiaogang said: "It's the foreign cult film written by Zhang Chen. Before, the media rumored that the setting of "Silent Land" plagiarized the movie, but it was later dug out by netizens. It turned out that "Shouting the Breath" was also written by Zhang Chen..."
"This company has something to do with Zhang Chen?"
Feng Xiaogang shook his head: "It may not be related, they may have worked together once. I prefer Cube Company because of the success of "Shouting the Breath", and began to pay attention to Chinese screenwriters or Chinese movies, and then I noticed our "Night Banquet"..."
Feng Xiaogang doesn't think that Zhang Chen has energy in Hollywood. They need to cooperate with the new line when making movies by themselves~
"I asked her to call her for a phone call tomorrow, and you'd better be there~"
The next day, the conference call in the same conference room was officially connected.
"Hello Miss Diane~"
"Hello, King Mister~"
Relying on the translator, the two of them communicated in English.
"Suppose I'm taking the liberty, I'm very curious, where did you hear about "Night Banquet" from~" Wang Zhongjun wanted to relieve his doubts first.
Dian replied: "This is not surprising. It's all spread in our circle. Harvey returns a Chinese movie, which is said to be a blockbuster..."
Dian's answer immediately made the people on the other side uneasy, and they cursed all the way: "Harvey, this bastard, is too unauthorized. Didn't he agree to consider the time for a week?"
"Yes, isn't it said that foreigners are very contractual? "
"The contract is nothing. If he really abides by the contract, will we be as passive as we are now?"
The chattering here is still chattering, but Diane on the other side seems to have lost her patience: "Listen, everyone, the reason why I am willing to take over before I have watched the film is because we Cube and Wienstein Pictures are competitors.
He wants to win this movie, I don't mind causing him some trouble, that's all.
No mistakes, one song, one content, one book, one bar, one bar, one bar!
So, please make a quote quickly. If it is appropriate, let’s continue to talk. If it is not appropriate, forget it.
But I want to remind you that in Hollywood, no one will risk offending Harvey like me to buy your movies~"
Dian said this, and the people on the other side were collectively silent.
She was right. She was willing to buy "Night Banquet" because she had a grudge with Harvey, but except for her, no one in Hollywood may risk offending Harvey to buy their movies.
For a moment, they were also forced into a corner.
The Wang brothers looked at each other and then looked at Feng Xiaogang, who nodded.
The situation is stronger than that of people~
After passing this village, there will be no such store.
Although they were unwilling to accept it, they did not dare to ask for a high price~
"How about two million US dollars? Harvey's previous offer was 5 million US dollars, which is already a 40% discount..."
A sneer suddenly came from the opposite side: "Mr. Wang, do you think I don't know what the offer Harvey offered you?
5 million US dollars?
Haha, that's the price in the past.
Now, I think the offer he gave you should be 500,000, this number is correct..."
Dian said this, and everyone's hearts were chilling.
"Since Harvey has paid 500,000 US dollars, I'll pay 600,000 US dollars. I'll disgust him..."
Dian's words made Feng Xiaogang feel like there was a fire in his heart, but he couldn't say anything~
Don't say that he doesn't understand English, even if he understands English, he now has the initiative.
Wang Zhongjun didn't want to sit there and wait for death: "No, ma'am, this price is too low, far lower than the actual value of the movie. I sell all the copyrights in North America..."
Dian opposite was obviously impatient: "Okay, $800,000, no more, I have wasted too much time on you..."
"Madam, 800,000 is really not enough. I think you can add some more..."
"Okay, let's get here, just pretend we have never contacted me, I have to hang up..."
Dian seemed to have lost all his patience and wanted to hang up the phone right now.
"No, no, Ms. Diane, I heard that I should not hang up the phone..."
"Damn Chinese, do you think I am playing house with you?"
After saying that, Diane hung up the phone directly.
Wang Zhongjun and others opposite were stunned.
The only life-saving straw, ran away~
The Wang brothers remembered what Diane mentioned just now. Harvey had released the news of "Night Banquet" being returned in the circle, which means that except for the Cube, there will be no second company willing to buy their videos.
What should I do?
The Wang brothers looked at each other.
Feng Xiaogang said irritably, "Promise her~"
"But~"
"Promise her~, otherwise who else can we sell it?"
His second sentence almost came out.
He also invested money in "Night Banquet".
Los Angeles, Diane stared at the phone in front of her, waiting for it to ring again.
Negotiation is a game in the heart.
Whoever has a stronger heart can take the initiative.
Dingling~
The moment the phone rings ring again, a victory smile appeared on Diane's face.
"Ms. Diane, we agreed to your conditions. 800,000 US dollars is 800,000 US dollars~"
"I want all copyrights in North America. If there is no problem, I will send someone to our company to sign a contract tomorrow. Also, don't think about using the transaction between us to force Harvey to raise prices. If I know, our transaction will be invalidated immediately..."
"Okay, then we will see you tomorrow."
Hang the phone, Wang Zhongjun looked gloomy as if he had signed an unequal treaty that was deprived of power and humiliated the country.
The other two people's faces were not much better either. "Zhonglei, you fly to Los Angeles tomorrow. No, go tonight and make sure things are settled quickly..."
He was afraid of any further setbacks. If Diane and Harvey reach another agreement, "Night Banquet" may be in his hands.
…
A day later
Diane and Wang Zhonglei signed a contract at Cube Company. Diane smiled and looked at the contract in her hand as if she saw Franklin.
With the copy handover, Wang Zhonglei took the check.
The matter finally settled.
Before leaving, Wang Zhonglei remembered the experience of "Hero" and asked more: "Ms. Diane, can you reveal what time will "Night Banquet" be released in North America?"
He knew that even if "Night Banquet" was released, it had nothing to do with them, and the copyright was sold.
He just wanted to know.
Although whether the movies are sold well or not has nothing to do with Huayi, the influence is different.
If "Night Banquet" is sold well in North America, Huayi will be tougher in speaking in China.
Dian replied coldly: "This has nothing to do with your company."
...
...
Li Binbin's family
Li Xue and Li Binbin sat opposite each other, Li Binbin said, "Xiaoxue, is it really good for us to do this?"
Li Xue glanced at her sister after hearing this: "You saw it when we went to talk yesterday. How did Wang Zhongjun treat us perfunctorily and still draw big cakes for you~
It is obvious that the heroine of "Double J Plan" can be given to you, but they just want to give it to outsiders. Since the company doesn't care about us, why do we still care about the company?"
"So you notified Xingchen Entertainment that the news of the return of "Night Banquet"?"
"Yes, I've thought about it. Sister, let's go out independently and build a studio by yourself.
You are in Huayi, and they call you the No. 1 sister, but the treatment I give is not the No. 1 sister. I heard that the Wang brothers want to sign Liu Yifei..."
Li Binbin was silent, and she understood what Li Xue said.
"When it's time to stop, I'll be in trouble. Listen to me, Zhang Chen now has two companies, and he will run at least six dramas a year. We just need to win one of the heroines..."
"But... our relationship with Zhang Chen is not particularly close..."
"Don't worry, leave this to me. I am your agent, and it's my job to help you find a show..."
(The end of this chapter)