Chapter 803: Back from the Dead

"Senior Brother, would you accompany me to this screening and exchange meeting?"

Lu Yan He called Shang Yongzhou, inviting him to go to the United States with him.

Upon hearing this, Shang Yongzhou did not hesitate and nodded in agreement immediately.

"Will you still be participating in the roadshows for *Burning Fire 2* later on?" Shang Yongzhou asked.

"According to my contract with Long Yan, I will attend two more," Lu Yan He said. "Long Yan hasn't confirmed which two yet."

Shang Yongzhou: "The current box office trend is very good. Are they waiting for the box office to hit a turning point before having you join the roadshows to stimulate it?"

"I don't know what they're thinking, let them be," Lu Yan He said. "Actually, whether I participate in the roadshows or not doesn't make much of a difference. Those who should know about the film and those who will watch it have already gone. As for the sinking markets that general film promotion can't cover, no matter how many roadshows I attend, the promotional content won't reach them anyway."

Shang Yongzhou nodded.

"Yes, participating in roadshows now, I also feel that the effect of running ten or twenty roadshows is about the same as running a few," Shang Yongzhou said. "Especially for *Burning Fire 2*, many of the topics that ferment and spread at the roadshow venues are actually scripted, and the audience members asking questions are all arranged in advance by the producers and distributors. It's very frustrating."

"Roadshows are also for social media dissemination."

"That's true."

"But that's just how current film promotion works," Lu Yan He said. "We can only accept and cooperate."

Shang Yongzhou nodded.

"It's nothing, as long as the film's final results are good, running a few more roadshows doesn't matter."

"Yes."

Indeed, even for an actor like Shang Yongzhou who is already considered relatively laid-back, he still cares about the film's performance.

A film shot with hard work and sincerity always hopes for a good outcome.

The result of a film ignores any process.

Good or bad, only this result stays with you.

Lu Yan He took a deep breath.

"Senior Brother, I want to give *Burning Fire 2* a push," Lu Yan He said. "Even if Long Yan has no confidence in the global box office of this film, I want to push it. This is a film that can represent the level of the Chinese film industry, and I hope it becomes our representative work."

Shang Yongzhou: "Good, just tell me what you need me to do, and I will cooperate fully."

"It's fortunate that it was you who acted in *Burning Fire* with me," Lu Yan He said with a smile.

Lu Yan He specifically sent a message to Huang Zhongjing, telling him that he would hold a screening and exchange meeting for *Burning Fire 2* in the United States to promote the film.

Huang Zhongjing called immediately to express his gratitude to Lu Yan He.

At this point in time, holding a screening and exchange meeting in the United States would also radiate back to the domestic market.

This was not a promotional activity arranged by Long Yan; it was equivalent to Lu Yan He using his own resources to do it.

Huang Zhongjing naturally had to express his gratitude.

Huang Zhongjing added: "Yan He, this time the overseas distribution of our *Burning Fire 2* was negotiated one by one, but Green Valley is still keeping the distribution terms for *Burning Fire 2* in North America very low—"

"This is because *Home Alone 3* is being released at the same time. I had a phone call with him before, and he told me," Lu Yan He said. "It was only because we were rushing for the global simultaneous release of *Burning Fire 2* that this situation occurred."

Huang Zhongjing: "Yes."

"I still want to make an effort," Lu Yan He said. "Including releases in other overseas regions, if there are relevant arrangements that need me, have the person in charge coordinate with my team. If the time is okay, I will participate."

Huang Zhongjing said okay.

He added: "I thought you didn't want to participate in the promotion of *Burning Fire 2*."

"I just don't want to act out a script at your roadshow venues," Lu Yan He said with some helplessness. "Of course, I admit, it's also because I'm lazy; running from one place to another is very tiring."

Huang Zhongjing laughed.

Lu Yan He: "Furthermore, it's also because *Burning Fire 2* is doing very well at the domestic box office, so whether I participate in the roadshows or not doesn't seem to make much difference."

"How could it not make a difference? Your existence itself is the meaning."

"Oh my, Mr. Huang, that line gave me goosebumps," Lu Yan He retorted.

Huang Zhongjing laughed even louder.

On the second weekend of *Burning Fire 2*'s release in North America, Lu Yan He and Shang Yongzhou held a screening and exchange event in New York.

On-site, Lu Yan He invited Mooken Zorge and Anna White to the stage for a conversation.

Lily Williams and the male lead of *Godless*, Ivan Patterson, also attended this special screening event.

After this screening and exchange event, Lu Yan He also grabbed the male lead of *Get Out*, Will Holland, who was busy with public relations activities, to do an online exchange activity about the filming of fantasy movies—this activity was hosted by film critic Tom Wyne, with whom Lu Yan He has a good relationship.

The two promotional activities at least helped the film *Burning Fire 2* gain some exposure and attention.

Subsequently, Lu Yan He and Shang Yongzhou arrived in France to participate in a live broadcast of a French television program to promote the film.

As a trade-off, Lu Yan He would also answer three questions about *Get Out* on this program.

It was through this method that the film *Burning Fire 2* was attracting more and more viewers to watch it bit by bit.

The effort was made, and while the results were not negligible, they weren't exactly great either.

Lu Yan He is indeed a big star now, but even a big star cannot go against the tide in this vast film distribution system and easily change the situation.

However, just as Chen Ziyan said, for the sake of this film, at least he had tried and done his best.

Two weeks after its release, *Home Alone 3* had broken $400 million at the global box office, and it looked like the gap to the second installment's $700 million box office wasn't large, with hope of reaching the $700 million mark again.

But *Burning Fire 2* was not doing well. Two weeks after its release, although its box office in China had exceeded $300 million, its overseas box office was only a meager $20 million-plus, and in North America, it had just barely crossed $10 million.

This box office performance was actually considered satisfactory to all distributors and channel merchants.

Even for Long Yan, being able to get over $20 million in box office revenue from six overseas markets was considered quite good.

The overseas markets of South Korea and Japan, where the first installment had earned millions of dollars, had not yet been released.

Lu Yan He, however, was not satisfied.

And only he himself was dissatisfied.

This even made him feel a bit discouraged.

When everyone around him felt that this result was already quite good, why should he be dissatisfied at this time?

Why couldn't he be someone who celebrates good results with everyone else?

Lu Yan He sighed.

And just at this time, this year's Academy Awards ceremony was about to begin.

*Get Out* was a hot favorite.

Lu Yan He was even more of a trend in the Best Original Screenplay category.

Over the past two weeks, all the winners of this award had been *Get Out*.

It could basically be said that Lu Yan He winning this award was a certainty.

D19 had already started warming up for Lu Yan He in advance.

Counting it up, this was the second Oscar nomination D19 had secured for Lu Yan He.

If he won, it would be the first Oscar trophy D19 had secured for Lu Yan He.

"You will definitely win the award," Mooken Zorge told Lu Yan He. "Everyone I meet is praising your script."

They had already walked the red carpet and were chatting backstage.

The backstage was crowded, which was completely different from the orderly front-stage scene seen on television.

Almost everyone who passed by them would say, "Good luck to you."

Today, both of them had individual nominations. One for Best Original Screenplay, one for Best Director. Judging from the situation of *Get Out* this year, it was really hard to say what the final result would be. The social discussion sparked by this film was too great and too hot; under such a craze, any result was possible.

Lu Yan He smiled and said to Mooken Zorge: "I also hope to win the award, to see if winning tonight can help *Burning Fire 2*'s box office push forward a bit more."

Mooken Zorge said: "Actually, *Burning Fire 2* could have been submitted for the Oscar for Best Visual Effects."

"No one even thought about this," Lu Yan He shook his head. "Forget it, it's useless to say anything now."

"However, Yan He, for my next film, I really want to find your friend to act in it."

"Friend? Which friend?"

"Li Zhibai," Mooken Zorge said. "He is very similar to a character I wrote, the temperament is very similar."

"Of course that's good. Do you have his contact information?"

"I want to go to China later, you help me introduce him."

"No problem. Actually, Sister Zhen also knows him," Lu Yan He said. "He acts very well."

"Yes, I watched the two episodes he guest-starred in *Friends*. In the script I wrote, I need a very handsome, enthusiastic male actor who has that rich kid temperament, someone with the quality that makes girls fall for him the moment he smiles. I looked at the profiles of many male actors through talent agencies before, but I wasn't satisfied. The moment he appeared in *Friends*, I felt I had found him," Mooken Zorge said. "Although my next film still has some thriller elements, it's no longer a horror movie. I want to make a monster movie with a bit of Cthulhu temperament."

Lu Yan He suddenly realized.

"Then why didn't you look for me?"

"Because this film is unfolded from the perspective of a twelve-year-old girl, and the other characters are supporting roles, with screen time basically not exceeding twenty minutes," Mooken Zorge said. "And, I've already collaborated with you on so many films, I also want to find some fresh faces."

"Tsk, you're fickle so soon," Lu Yan He joked. Actually, Mooken also said that the main reason was that the character's screen time wasn't enough; it wasn't a "big male lead" film. With Lu Yan He's current situation, it was impossible for him to appear as a supporting role in such non-blockbuster genre films again.

Although Lu Yan He himself would be very willing.

Lu Yan He still said: "If you look for me, I will definitely act."

"Forget it," Mooken Zorge said. "Even if you were willing to act, your agent would open their mouth like a lion, and the salary would be unaffordable."

Lu Yan He shrugged his shoulders. "Then it's up to you. But, if you don't look for me, looking for Li Zhibai is absolutely no problem. He is no worse than me; in fact, according to your description, he is more suitable than me."

Mooken Zorge nodded.

And this year's Academy Awards ceremony was a "small year."

A "small year" means that at least at this time, the nominated films were only popular among Academy members, but at the public level, except for the box office hit *Get Out*, the box office performance of other films was just so-so.

For the public, most of the nominated films had not been seen, so naturally, they wouldn't pay much attention to the awards ceremony.

Therefore, this year's Oscar ceremony put a lot of effort into the award presenters.

They invited a bunch of big stars.

Among them were Jiang Jun and Jiang Yuqian.

The two of them would present the award for Best Sound Editing at the Oscar ceremony together.

Lu Yan He was also invited to present the award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

It was quite interesting; he himself was a nominee for Best Original Screenplay, and he had to go and present the award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Of course, no one would say that Lu Yan He was unqualified to be the presenter for this award.

When the words "Get Out, Lu Yan He" were read out for the Best Original Screenplay award without any surprise, applause erupted in the venue.

Lu Yan He happily hugged Mooken Zorge and Will Holland who were sitting beside him, and after reaching the aisle, he hugged Lily Williams who was arranged in the row behind.

"Congratulations on winning the award! I knew it would be you who won this award."

Lu Yan He smiled and said thank you to Lily Williams, and added: "You will definitely be able to win an Oscar in the future."

Lu Yan He walked toward the stage.

This result, indeed, could be said to be no surprise.

Whether it was because this film won the same award in the original timeline, or in this timeline, *Get Out* could be said to be the only film among the nominees this year that had a box office explosion and sparked huge social discussion, which destined this result; there was basically no possibility of an upset.

Unless these people in the Academy felt they shouldn't vote for Lu Yan He anymore.

He went on stage to receive the award, proudly showing the trophy in his hand to the audience, and said: "Won the award, hmm, another little golden man. It's only been a year, I've come back a bit too fast."

Laughter immediately broke out in the audience.

"But, fortunately, it's not the same award," Lu Yan He continued to joke. "To be honest, when I was writing this script, I thought that it was possible that I would rely on this film to stand on this stage and receive this award. Hmm, the scenery here is still very good, and I have made my dream come true once again."

Mooken Zorge cheered for him from the audience.

"These past two days, I have been promoting another film I starred in, *Burning Fire 2*. I didn't write the script for this film; I just starred in it," Lu Yan He mentioned this film with a smile. "Mooken said I'm biased. Actually, it's not that I'm biased, but I... how should I put it? Saying this seems a bit... arrogant. If I say I am very confident in winning this trophy, would you think I am too arrogant? Okay, I admit, I am indeed arrogant."

"Writing a good-looking, exciting script is not difficult; writing a script with thought and criticism is also not difficult. But to have both qualities in one script has become difficult upon difficult. So after I wrote it, I was proud and arrogant, and the trophy you gave me also shows that I wasn't wrong to be proud and arrogant," Lu Yan He smiled and lifted his chin. "A script is one person's creation; it is my own wild imagination. I won't say too many extra thanks, but finally, I want to thank Mooken. The team you led turned a good script into a good film, making good even better, becoming outstanding. I know how difficult it is. You did even better than I imagined. Although you won't look for me to act in your next film and looked for my friend instead, I don't blame you, because I firmly believe we will definitely have other collaborations."

"Thank you!"

Lu Yan He held the trophy high and finished his acceptance speech.

Just as he was about to leave the stage, he suddenly remembered something and returned to the microphone.

"Forgot to advertise. This is the Oscars, the awards ceremony with the most global viewers. *Burning Fire 2*, which I starred in, is a very good-looking film. You must go watch it!"

Lu Yan He smiled brightly, finished the advertisement in a hurry, and trotted off the stage.

After this, *Get Out* replicated the experience of that night at the Golden Globes and never won another award.

Compared to the social topics it sparked, Academy members seemed to think that giving it so many nominations was already a form of recognition.

Indeed, although they didn't win in the end, Mooken, Will Holland, and others were all very happy.

Relying on this film, Mooken finally entered the Oscar's vision from being a horror movie director.

Will Holland also became an overnight sensation relying on this film.

Although Lily Williams didn't get a nomination, the nearly $400 million global box office was a solid achievement, and being nominated for so many Oscars was undoubtedly a very beautiful entry on her resume.

With *Get Out* winning the award, there might still be some room for the film's subsequent box office.

But what surprised everyone the most was the box office of *Burning Fire 2* the next day, which actually saw a reverse growth in North America. It wasn't even just a reverse growth; the single-day box office soared from over $100,000 to $840,000—

This was still under the condition that the number of theaters showing it was reduced to only 300.

In fact, Lu Yan He's acceptance speech had now become a major "attraction" on major social platforms.

As long as there was an update, it would definitely attract a lot of attention.

Last night, Lu Yan He's acceptance speech was played more than 5 million times on Twitter alone.

Schmidt Lauli even sent a message to Lu Yan He, saying: I didn't expect you to promote *Burning Fire 2* on the Oscar stage.

Lu Yan He replied: I don't want to let down any good film.

Schmidt Lauli said: Lu, I am preparing to negotiate with theaters to re-expand the release of *Burning Fire 2*. Not only *Burning Fire 2*, I am also preparing to have *Burning Fire 1* re-released together.

Lu Yan He: Really?

Schmidt Lauli said: The theater protection period for *Home Alone 3* has passed, it's been two weeks. We can take out some distribution resources to support *Burning Fire*. However, I need your entire crew to come over and cooperate with the promotion. You trust *Burning Fire* so much, I am willing to take a gamble, but without your cooperation, I might throw millions in and lose miserably.

Lu Yan He: Forget it. The film *Burning Fire* alone has already earned you tens of millions of dollars in streaming, DVD, television, and other copyright cooperation or transfers. But since you are willing to support *Burning Fire*, believe me, I will cooperate.

Schmidt Lauli: Good.

After Green Valley was willing to exert effort, things were immediately different.

Lu Yan He and Shang Yongzhou were once again arranged to appear on one of the most-watched live television programs in the United States to promote the *Burning Fire* series.

In addition, the director of *Godless*, Ignaz Bell, also watched *Burning Fire 2* under Green Valley's communication and invitation, and recorded a video praising the visual effects and story of *Burning Fire*, which was used by Green Valley to promote these two films on social media.

Green Valley even managed to secure a stage performance opportunity when an anime convention was only two days away from opening.

Lu Yan He and Shang Yongzhou appeared on stage in the costumes of the film characters, singing the English version of the theme song of *Burning Fire*.

After the third week of *Burning Fire 2*'s release, *Burning Fire 2* expanded its release, expanding from the reduced 300 theaters back to 850. The North American distribution rights for *Burning Fire 1* were also in Green Valley's hands, and this time Green Valley also arranged for *Burning Fire 1* to be re-released in 500 theaters.

After several heavy promotional resources were thrown in, the first day of *Burning Fire 2*'s re-expanded release saw its daily box office soar directly to $2.1 million, and the first day of *Burning Fire 1*'s re-release also had a daily box office of $1.34 million.

The performance was extremely outstanding.

Once Green Valley saw this, they realized that the box office of the *Burning Fire* film series really had potential, and immediately started the second round of promotional resources.

They edited a trailer for *Burning Fire* 1 and 2, and spent $2 million to buy a heavy-hitting halftime commercial spot for a major sporting event.

There was only a total of 25 seconds of playback time.

Specially edited.

However, there is a reason for being expensive.

The next day, the box office of *Burning Fire* soared again; 1 took $1.1 million, and 2 took $1.34 million.

This was a very rare operation.

When Schmidt Lauli was interviewed by the media, he said bluntly: "For other films, it is basically impossible for us to replicate such a practice. Our expansion and re-release of *Burning Fire* 1 and 2 were entirely due to the persistence of the film's lead actor, Lu Yan He, in this film series. He believed that this film would achieve box office results beyond our expectations under appropriate promotion, and facts have proven that he was right again."

The popularity of this Chinese-language film *Burning Fire* slowly expanded.

The North American box office of *Burning Fire 2* exceeded $30 million, and the box office of *Burning Fire 1*'s re-release also exceeded $17 million. Adding the box office of *Burning Fire 1*'s first release in North America, this series had already exceeded $50 million at the North American box office, which can be called a miraculous box office recovery for a Chinese-language film.

Long Yan was stunned, completely not expecting that these two films would achieve a "counterattack" at the box office at this time.

This was not the end.

The trend of the two films was very steady. Although they didn't soar particularly high, they could still collect hundreds of thousands of dollars in box office every day. Whether it was media reviews or feedback from the audience on social platforms, they were continuously bringing in new box office in the form of word-of-mouth.

Lu Yan He's persistence and support for *Burning Fire* made actors who had collaborated with him, such as Caina and Arne Bogut, post promotions related to *Burning Fire* on their social media more than once.

Yan Liang and Li Zhibai were even posting information about "third viewing" and "fourth viewing" on their social media.

Bit by bit, the box office numbers slowly went up.

Lu Yan He let out a long sigh of relief.

When March arrived, the box office of *Burning Fire* 1 and 2 finally ushered in a turning point, and the total box office of the two films in North America also exceeded $60 million. Adding the successive releases of *Burning Fire 2* in markets such as Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, the overseas box office of the two *Burning Fire* films exceeded the $100 million mark.

At this moment, Huang Zhongjing couldn't say a word.

This was entirely relying on Lu Yan He "bringing it back from the dead."

On the day Lu Yan He returned to China, Huang Zhongjing specifically arranged a banquet, saying he wanted to welcome him back.

This time, Lady Huang was rarely "quiet" and "silent" at the table, and the look she gave Lu Yan He was also "honest."

"I really regret it now," Huang Zhongjing said. "I really should have listened to you back then and not let Green Valley buy out *Burning Fire 1*."

Fortunately, he listened to Lu Yan He, so Huang Zhongjing did not sell *Burning Fire 2* to Green Valley in the form of a buyout.

Therefore, Long Yan could still benefit from the box office recovery of *Burning Fire 2*.

Lu Yan He said: "Mr. Huang, *Burning Fire* has such good box office results in China, and before, there was hope to open a new situation in the international market in Asia. We should consider it more comprehensively. This time, a lot of effort was spent; it can be considered as chasing while refueling, making up for a bit. Later, we still have *Burning Fire 3*. Let's work together to make *Burning Fire 3* achieve better results in the international market."

Huang Zhongjing nodded and said: "Definitely."

After finishing this meal, Lu Yan He returned to Huiziyuanqiao.

Chen Siqi was waiting for him at home.

"Returning in triumph!" Chen Siqi came directly to the entryway and hugged him.

Lu Yan He put down the handle of his suitcase, hugged Chen Siqi, rested his head on Chen Siqi's shoulder and neck, and said in a muffled voice: "So tired."

"Rest well these few days."

"Hmm."

Lu Yan He nodded.

Chen Siqi patted his shoulder and smiled soothingly, "Why are you like a big dog?"

Lu Yan He: "I am a big dog now."

"Okay, then hurry up and wash, and then, sleep." Chen Siqi touched his back.

As a result, Lu Yan He grabbed her hand backhanded.

"Wash together."

"Why?" Chen Siqi was a bit surprised, then immediately smiled.

Lu Yan He was still resting in Chen Siqi's neck.

He also laughed muffledly.

A deep sleep that seemed to sink into the bottom of the sea.

Dreamless.

Waking up, there was a familiar, faint fragrance in his ears.

Through the door, there seemed to be some rustling sounds, like tenderness in the distance.

Turning over, rolling on the warm bed.

Stretching, it seemed, he could already open his eyes.

So, another long yawn.

Floating up from the bottom of the sea.

Okay, out of the water.

Lu Yan He opened his eyes, sat up, turned his head, and scratched his head.

Scratching his head, getting out of bed, walking out slowly.

Chen Siqi was frying dumplings.

It turned out that the rustling sound was the sound of oil splashing.

She heard his footsteps and turned to look.

There was a smile on the corner of her mouth.

Her voice carried the sweetness of spring.

"Why are you awake so early?"

Lu Yan He grinned and said with a smile: "Slept very well."

He walked behind Chen Siqi and leaned on her again.

"Hurry up and brush your teeth and wash your face, we'll have breakfast in a while."

Lu Yan He: "I'll go in a while, first—hug." (End of chapter)