Chapter 351 Returning to China
"Transformers" is a movie released in 2007.
Although "Terror Cruise" made a box office of US$31.2 million in one month, it was not much different from the US$2785 million that "Transformers" made in one day.
In fact, this box office performance has already ranked among the top three box office results of Chinese-language films in North American theaters.
In the original timeline, "The Grandmaster" ranked 10th, with a box office of US$1,200,000. This was a movie released in 2013 and has not yet been released.
No. 9, "Once Upon a Time: Iron Horse", US$1,400,000.
This movie stars Yan Zhanzhuan. It was this series of movies that sent him to Hollywood to make a living in special kung fu movies.
No. 8, "New Police Story 4: Simple Mission", US$15.3 million.
No. 7: "New Police Story 3: Super Cop", US$16 million.
No. 6: "Kung Fu", US$17 million.
No. 5: "Flying Dragon Reborn", US$22 million.
No. 4: "Fearless", US$24.6 million.
No. 3: "Red Zone", US$32 million.
No. 2: "Hero", US$53 million.
No. 1: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", $130 million.
The box office revenue of "Horror Cruise" has actually surpassed "Red Zone", becoming the third-ranked film on the TOP list.
Of course, "Terror Cruise" can achieve this result mainly because it takes advantage of the number of publicity and screen numbers.
If the movies on the TOP list had the same level of publicity and scheduling as "Terror Cruise", their box office would most likely exceed "Terror Cruise".
This is because movies that can achieve good box office results in the US market are often kung fu movies.
Other types of Chinese-language films are either on the block or on their way to blockade.
It’s not that other types of Chinese-language films are not good or of poor quality, but Americans have little interest in other Chinese-language films except kung fu films.
If these people don’t go into the cinema, no matter how good the movie is, it will not have high box office.
For example, "The Wandering Earth" is a very good Chinese science fiction film. It only made four to five million US dollars at the box office when it was released in American theaters.
Even the second part achieved lower box office than the first part.
This shows that it is not that the reputation of "The Wandering Earth" in North America has not fermented, but that more people have lost interest, which is why the second part has a lower box office than the first.
If a series is a high box office hit and the second part is lower than the first, then there may be something wrong with the movie.
However, the box office of "The Wandering Earth" in North America was only a few million, so this is not a problem at all.
In short, despite the fact that "Terror Cruise" only grossed more than 30 million US dollars at the box office after it landed in North American theaters, in fact, it is an achievement that can be boasted in China.
Similarly, it was precisely because of this box office performance that Gong Li asked Wang Shu to wait in Hollywood to see if there was another chance in the future.
This achievement is certainly not worth mentioning in Hollywood movies, but it is already ranked third among Chinese films, which is equivalent to proving Wang Shu's strength.
"Forget it." Wang Shu understood what Gong Li meant and said with a smile, "Director Han is still looking forward to me going back to work on the project. It doesn't make sense for me to wait here and not go back."
Gong Li heard Wang Shu mention Han Sanping and also knew that Wang Shu had a close relationship with Han Sanping.
And now, when Han Sanping is in power and flexing his muscles, Wang Shu is waiting in Hollywood with nothing to do and not returning to China, which is indeed unreasonable.
She didn’t take the opportunity to ask if there would be a project to invite her to participate in after returning to China. Last year she starred in "The City of Gold", and this year she participated in "Terror Cruise". Now she is working in Hollywood again, plus Age waits for no one. Gong Li does not want to spend too much time and energy on China, but wants to wait for opportunities in Hollywood.
Gong Li nodded, and then asked: "Will you come to Hollywood again in the future?"
Wang Shu replied: "If I have the chance, I will come."
After all, Hollywood is the center of the world's film and television industry, and the ceiling of domestic entertainment is right here.
If you want to go higher, no one will come to Hollywood to develop.
Furthermore, Wang Shu is not from an academic background in the Mainland. Only by being gilded in Hollywood can he step down the arrogant heads of these people.
When Gong Li heard this, she thought that the opportunity Wang Shu was referring to was what happened after the American version of "The Tuner" was released.
There are many examples of Chinese film directors entering Hollywood, and this film will determine Wang Shu's future direction in Hollywood.
Successful, olive branches will follow, and there will be no shortage of opportunities.
I was thrown out of business, no one cared about me, so I had no choice but to say goodbye to Hollywood.
Then he said with relief: "Don't worry, "The Tuner" will definitely be successful."
When Wang Shu heard this, he knew that Gong Li had misunderstood, so he smiled and did not explain. .
It would be a good thing if the American version of "The Tuner" can be successful.
But if it fails, Wang Shu will still come to Hollywood at the right time to develop.
The difference is that the former has smooth sailing, while the latter has to endure some hardships.
The two of them chatted while eating dinner until the meal was over.
Then, Wang Shu dealt with some matters in the United States, and then returned to China.
December 20th.
Wang Shu returned to the capital.
“It’s time to buy a house!”
Back home, Wang Shu took a look at the rented house and muttered to himself.
Before, because I was too busy at work, I never had enough time to look at properties, so I just spent 700W to buy a 450-square-meter villa in the Third Ring Road.
Now that the work at hand is basically over, it’s time to make time to buy a house.
In the next few days, Wang Shu visited various houses.
In the end, I spent 800W to buy two 500 square meter decorated villas in the suburbs of Beijing.
In 2007, the price of villas in the 3rd and 4th rings of Beijing was generally in the range of 1-2W, with many ranging from 2-4W.
The average price of Yintai Center in Ring 2-3 is 48,000/square meter.
The average price of Xinghewan in the East Fourth Ring Road is 26,000/square meter.
This place will be crowded with celebrities in the future, and many celebrities will choose to buy houses here.
Therefore, Wang Shu has never considered buying a house here and being neighbors with many celebrities.
He also had no intention of moving into the villa on the Third Ring Road.
Now he has bought two villas in the suburbs, one of which he will live in by himself.
As for the villa on the third ring road and another villa in the suburbs, Wang Shu bought it for his parents to live in.
If the two elders adapt to the environment of the third ring villa, they will live in the third ring villa.
On the contrary, if you are not suitable, there is also the option of suburban villas.
In Beijing, the city center is within the second ring road, the suburbs are within the third and fourth ring roads, and the outer suburbs are outside the fifth ring road.
The suburbs usually refer to areas outside the Fifth Ring Road.
Villas outside the Fifth Ring Road are relatively cheaper because they are in the suburbs.
In the third ring road, 700W only bought a 450 square meter villa.
In the suburbs, I bought two 500 square meter villas with 800W.
House prices in Beijing had begun to rise significantly in 2007, and by mid-to-late December, house prices began to plummet again. When Wang Shu buys a house now, he is in a period of steep decline.
If you miss this wave, the market will only go up and up in the future.
Of course, even if it plunges, it is still relative to the substantial increase in housing prices this year.
After buying the villa, Wang Shu then started moving.
In 2007, Beijing had not yet implemented a purchase restriction policy, and anyone could buy a house in Beijing.
As long as you can afford it, buy whatever you want.
By the time Wang Shu settled the house matter, it was already approaching New Year's Day.
In some places, a housewarming party will be held as part of the housewarming celebration.
Wang Shu had no such intention at all.
Because, if he had a housewarming party, he would have to call everyone he knew including Sun Li, Mei Ting, Zhou Xun, Fan Binbin, Yan Danchen, Chen Hao, etc.
If you only call some people and don’t call others, things won’t be done well.
If Zhou Xun and Fan Binbin don't deal with each other, they have no choice but to skip the housewarming party.
It's not because bringing Sun Li, Mei Ting, Zhou Xun, Fan Binbin, Chen Hao and others together may cause big problems. , I don’t want to have a housewarming party.
But Wang Shu was worried that Zhou Xun and Fan Binbin, two irresponsible people, would get tired of each other when they got together, which would make the atmosphere of a good housewarming party dull, so he simply didn't have a housewarming party.
Wang Shu just finished these trivial matters and received a call from Han Sanping.
"Returned to China?" Han Sanping no longer took the lead in polite words and asked directly.
The shooting cycle of Hollywood movies is generally tentatively set at 3 months. Although some great directors may shoot slowly for a year or two, most of them are set at 3 months.
For example, "Twilight", which will start filming soon, will be completed within 3 months.
Wang Shu went to the United States at the end of September, and it was now approaching New Year's Day. Han Sanping estimated that Wang Shu had almost finished filming the perfect version of "The Tuner", and then found out that he had indeed returned to China.
"I'm back." Wang Shu responded. He was about to talk about buying a house, but then he swallowed it back instantly.
Theoretically, after buying a house, you need to hold a housewarming party.
If he said it, he would inevitably invite Han Sanping to attend the housewarming party.
It doesn’t make sense to call Han Sanping instead of Sun Li, Zhou Xun, Mei Ting and others.
Zhou Xun and Fan Binbin hate each other, but they can't shout.
So, the matter of buying a house cannot be discussed outside.
"Do you have time tonight? I'll ask your sister-in-law to prepare some dishes and have a drink together?" Han Sanping said with a smile.
Han Sanping is the boss of China Film Group, so there is no need to specially bring people home to organize dinners. Not only can you eat and drink at restaurants outside, but you can also be reimbursed.
This kind of calling home is usually a treatment only due to different relationships.
"Okay." Wang Shu responded.
He knew in his heart that this meal was not free, and Han Sanping would definitely talk about the movie project.
After all, Han Sanping has always wanted to show off his talents ever since he took the top spot at China Film Academy.
Now "Terror Cruise" has exceeded 300 million in the mainland box office, becoming the first Chinese-language film to exceed 300 million in mainland theaters.
Han Sanping seemed to have been beaten to death, and wanted to pursue the victory and continue to make big moves.
In the evening, Wang Shu bought some fruit gifts and went to Han Sanping's home, where he was warmly received.
"How do you feel after staying in Hollywood for two or three months?"
Han Sanping took Wang Shu for a drink.
"There is still a big difference. I go to and from get off work every day and I am always on time." Wang Shu didn't say much. He knew that Han Sanping knew all these things and there was no need to talk about it.
"It is indeed different from our country." Han Sanping responded with a smile, "Our domestic model is a legacy of history."
"But no matter what, I believe that our mainland movies circle, one day he will be as famous as Hollywood."
Wang Shu knew in his heart that Han Sanping was hinting that he was not bad in the mainland film and television industry, and there was no need to think about going to Hollywood to make a career. He saw through it and said without saying anything. I also believe that the mainland film industry can catch up with Hollywood.”
He said this sincerely, not in agreement.
In a few years, the mainland's film and television industry will flourish and its market size will exceed that of the United States.
It’s just that mainland capital is pursuing a short-cycle, high-efficiency, high-return strategy, causing the quality of both TV series and movies to decline.
Except for a few film and television works that talk about the past, the rest are just money-making stuff.
Obviously, we have the largest television and movie market in the world, but we are still in trouble.
After hearing this, Han Sanping's eyes lit up and he said with a smile: "Since I believe that the mainland film industry can catch up with Hollywood, why do I want to go there? Isn't it the same as staying in China?"
Wang Shu smiled when he heard this and said: "Director Han, I have told you before that I need to go to Hollywood to be gilded."
These words directly silenced Han Sanpingqian.
He clearly understands the reason.
Seeing Han Sanping's silence, Wang Shu continued: "It will be a matter of the future for the mainland film industry to catch up with Hollywood."
"Right now, I need to go to Hollywood to get gold."
"It's not whether I want to go, but I have to go."
Han Sanping sighed, picked up his cup and said, "Let's go."
Wang Shu raised his cup and clinked it with her. After a while, he asked again: "When do you plan to go to Hollywood again?"
He thought that Wang Shu was just returning to China, and then he would go to Hollywood to wait for the opportunity.
After all, he is the best director at the Venice Film Festival, and the Chinese film "Terror Cruise" he directed also achieved a box office of more than 30 million US dollars in the United States.
In theory, if you stay in Hollywood, you can receive an olive branch.
There are so many filmmakers in Hollywood, and such talented directors who write, direct and have achieved good results are right in front of us. They cannot all be blind.
There is always someone who will offer an olive branch to touch it and try it out.
"Depending on the situation, we should wait until "The Tuner" is released." Wang Shu said directly without hiding his inner thoughts.
"Huh?" After hearing this, Han Sanping suddenly looked up at Wang Shu and asked in surprise, "Aren't you going to Hollywood now?"
"The Tuner" has just been completed, and including post-production, review, finalization and other things, it will take more than half a year at least.
At this time, Wang Shu is enough to make another movie in the country.
And he also knew why Wang Shu said that after the release of "The Tuner".
This is a very simple truth.
If "The Tuner" gets a good response after its release, there will definitely be many people in Hollywood rushing to give it an olive branch.
On the contrary, at this stage, if Wang Shu wants to get opportunities in Hollywood, he needs to take the initiative to contact them.
There is an essential difference between the two.
However, having said that, Han Sanping personally feels that if Wang Shu really wants to get involved in Hollywood, it is best to take the initiative to seek opportunities at this stage, rather than waiting until "The Tuner" is released.
There will be people in the so-called Hollywood rushing to send out olive branches. The premise of everything is that "The Tuner" can be successful.
And if we fail, it will only be harder to get opportunities than it is now.
(End of this chapter)