Chapter 887: New Hollywood moves

At the end of March, *Doomsday 2* also started filming.

Jiang Yuqian and Jiang Jun both returned to star.

However, Parameter didn't seem to have much confidence in this sequel, and the production budget didn't increase much compared to the first one.

Fortunately, the salaries of Jiang Jun and Jiang Yuqian both increased. Especially Jiang Yuqian, after the successive box office successes of *Red Eye Flight* and *Love is Not Blind*, her salary was no longer the standard when filming *Doomsday*.

Parameter, because *Doomsday* achieved a box office of about 170 million US dollars in China, even placed some important scenes of the second part, *Doomsday 2*, in China.

They hoped that this sequel could replicate the box office success of the first one.

Even being able to get 2/3 of the success would be enough.

Regarding Parameter's approach of pushing forward the production of *Doomsday 2* without full preparation, Lu Yan He was very helpless, but could only watch. His relationship with this project ended after the first one.

And the reason they were so anxious to push this project was that the male lead, Derien Dillon, only had a schedule for the next few months. After that, he would join another movie, which would take about half a year to film.

If they continued to polish the script to a state where everyone was satisfied, they didn't know when it would be. Then when *Doomsday 2* was filmed, the audience accumulated by the first one might have lost interest in this IP.

After all, it is not a classic big IP and cannot withstand the consumption of time. The longer the interval, the thinner the impression of the first one.

And for big companies like Parameter, every schedule is planned and arranged. They had already made a release plan for *Doomsday 2*. If it couldn't be filmed on time, they would have to find other movies of the same level for this gap, which is also a difficult thing—for film projects of the level of *Doomsday 2*, Parameter company can be counted on one hand in a year.

Zebby Doyle had been trying to persuade Lu Yan He to play a role in *Doomsday 2* that didn't have many scenes but was very critical, just like *Hurricane 2*, where the scenes could be filmed in a few days, but the function undertaken could run through the whole movie.

Darren and Lu Yan He had not loosened their mouths.

They were not optimistic about the *Doomsday 2* project.

Sometimes, knowing that a project's prospects are unclear, it still has to be pushed forward—this is the case with *Doomsday 2*.

Of course, according to Parameter's global distribution capability and the audience word-of-mouth accumulated by the first one, *Doomsday 2* would likely not have a box office loss, at most it would just not make as much money as the first *Doomsday* and become a hit. And with the money-making ability of Hollywood movies in derivative copyrights, and the drive of the second movie's release to the first one, there is even money to be made.

But this consumes the value and word-of-mouth of this IP very much.

If it really makes everyone feel that the quality decline of 2 is as serious as Waterloo, then this series can be sent directly to the grave.

In this case, how could Lu Yan He agree to cameo.

Lu Yan He cared about the distribution of *Source Code*.

A low-cost sci-fi movie directed by the director of the *Doomsday* series, Lu Nei Reese, with a script provided by Lu Yan He, was also distributed globally by Parameter.

This movie is not a traditional sci-fi movie with many gorgeous special effects scenes. It leans towards soft sci-fi, and is actually a crime story, using sci-fi concepts to repeat over and over again to catch the criminal.

For Parameter, this is not a big production—its production cost itself is not high. In Hollywood, a production cost of about 30 million US dollars belongs to low-to-medium cost.

Therefore, in Parameter's heart, the size of this movie is actually very similar to *Flypaper* and *Buried*, all belonging to "idea movies."

They believe that the word-of-mouth and box office performance of this movie will not be bad, but the size and theme also determine that it is difficult to achieve the box office results of *Doomsday* and *Home Alone*. Therefore, they did not intend to arrange for this movie to be released in a big schedule.

Parameter's judgment is actually not wrong.

*Source Code* is indeed not a movie that achieved huge success at the box office. The original version received about 60 million US dollars at the box office in the United States, and the global box office was about 150 million US dollars—however, compared to its cost of 30 million US dollars, this obviously belongs to a big profit.

Not to mention, this movie has become more and more classic over time, becoming a favorite of movie fans, and the copyright fee is long-lasting.

Now Parameter especially hopes that Lu Yan He can create such a big production like he created *Men in Black* for Soren.

Lu Yan He said bluntly: "Don't you worry that the box office of *Men in Black* will not meet your expectations?"

Zebby Doyle said: "Now no company will think that the box office of *Men in Black* will fail, none, Yan He, you don't know how much Hollywood trusts you now, especially after some materials of *Men in Black* were seen by the industry."

"Materials? You saw?" Lu Yan He asked in surprise, "Have you already seen some filming materials?"

"Come on, in Hollywood, there are no secrets in any movie filming." Zebby Doyle said bluntly, "Even Sick honestly follows the rules and doesn't play big in your crew, filming seriously. It is enough to see that even an old antique like him can see that this movie has promising prospects, so he didn't slack off."

"Play big? Old antique?" Lu Yan He showed a look of surprise.

He had never heard anyone say that Sick was such an actor.

Zebby said: "Why do you think everyone doesn't want to find him to film movies? If he feels unhappy during filming and feels that the movie won't be a good movie, his temper will become very big, and he will even curse collaborators directly and put on a face."

Lu Yan He was unbelievable.

"Don't you know?" Zebby asked, "Then why did you choose Sick as an actor?"

"Actually, it wasn't my choice, it was recommended by Sandra Vich, and Soren also nodded." Lu Yan He said, "Sandra couldn't recommend a bad actor to me."

"Perhaps Sandra warned him." Zebby said, "Sandra's status among actors is still very high, especially Sick, who was once helped by Sandra. Of course, Sick is indeed a good actor. If it is a good play, his cooperation will be very high, and those bad habits will not emerge."

Lu Yan He was thoughtful.

"So, Sick's performance on set often becomes a weather vane for everyone to predict a movie." Zebby said, "I have read the script of *Men in Black*, and I like it very much. You can always tell a simple story in a way that makes people moved and convinced."

"That's because I have already worn a halo in your hearts. No matter what kind of script I write, you will firmly believe that this is a particularly good script." Lu Yan He said bluntly, "Sometimes, a genius is killed by your praise like this. An occasional failure is regarded by you as losing the so-called favor of God. How much you flocked to it back then, you now discard it like shoes."

Doyle Zebby smiled without a word.

Of course he couldn't deny that Hollywood is such a place.

Lu Yan He said: "You should do the distribution of *Source Code* first. If this movie doesn't sell more than 200 million US dollars at the global box office, I dare not believe that you will have the ability to distribute the big production I write for you next." Doyle Zebby's eyes lit up.

"You mean, if *Source Code* breaks 200 million US dollars at the global box office, you will write a big production for Parameter?"

"No, it's considering writing a big production and continuing to hand it over to your Parameter for distribution." Lu Yan He shook his head, "The movie will be produced by our Linghe."

Doyle Zebby heard this and said: "Then it's a deal!"

Lu Yan He: "You should operate *Source Code* well first. 200 million US dollars box office is not a very high requirement. In fact, in my heart, although it is not a big production, it has the basis to be widely liked by global audiences, provided that your publicity can be done enough."

Doyle Zebby said: "You are so confident, I will definitely not slack off on it."

Lu Yan He: "I hope so. Didn't *Buried* back then get slacked off by you a bit? Otherwise, the box office would definitely have been higher."

Doyle Zebby said: "*Buried 2*, we will expand the distribution scale on the basis of the previous work."

Lu Yan He: "*Buried 2* is not a script I wrote. Who knows what kind of story you filmed? When there is a good story and a good movie, you dare not distribute it well. The previous work was successful, and the sequel doesn't know what the situation is, but you dare to expand the distribution scale."

His complaint left Doyle Zebby speechless and could only shake his head helplessly.

However, Doyle Zebby reminded Lu Yan He.

"What is the quality of *Buried 2*?" Lu Yan He asked, "I haven't seen any materials."

Doyle Zebby said: "It's not as amazing as the creativity of the first one, but it is a very good-looking story. At that time, for the script of *Buried 2*, Li Zhibai had several quarrels with the director and screenwriter at the creative discussion meeting, and almost couldn't cooperate. But Li Zhibai was also quite persistent, sending emails one after another to the two of them, putting forward his own questions, explaining the reasons, and then tossed back and forth for a long time, and finally reached a consensus with us."

Lu Yan He only knew that *Buried 2* was an original script, which had nothing to do with the first one. It was a brand new character and story, but the protagonist was still played by Li Zhibai.

Lu Yan He asked: "Then *Buried 2*, when do you plan to release it?"

"September this year." Doyle Zebby said, "This is a schedule suitable for low-cost thriller movies."

Lu Yan He was stunned.

"September?"

Isn't that when Muken Zorge's *Gudao Horror* starts filming?

Suddenly, a publicity plan emerged in Lu Yan He's mind.

Lu Yan He said: "Doyle, do you think it is possible for *Buried 2* to jointly promote with the movie produced by D19?"

Doyle asked: "What do you mean?"

"I have a publicity idea." Lu Yan He laughed.

Doyle heard this, and his eyes lit up again.

Lu Yan He's publicity and marketing ideas are also notoriously awesome.

Several cases have already entered industry textbooks.

"What idea?"

"A new film by a highly anticipated thriller master director starts filming on a small island, and it was even broadcast live globally. As a result, a mysterious coffin was dug up at the scene." Lu Yan He's eyes flashed, saying, "When the coffin was opened, it was actually Li Zhibai from the movie *Buried*, who was successfully rescued. Everyone at the scene was shocked and shouted the name of the male lead in *Buried*. Li Zhibai shook his head and said the name of the character he played in *Buried 2*. It is best to combine the plot of *Buried 2* at this time and end this live broadcast with a suspense."

Doyle: "Okay! This idea is great!"

Lu Yan He said: "It's just that in this way, D19 must agree to do such a joint publicity with Muken's *Gudao Horror*. You definitely have to exchange some things with them."

Doyle: "I will communicate and contact this matter."

Lu Yan He nodded.

Big companies must have communication channels.

Lu Yan He doesn't need to worry about it.

Doyle suddenly remembered something: "For such a publicity plan, how much planning fee should we pay you?"

Lu Yan He shrugged his shoulders and said: "Just give me credit, Planning: Lu Yan He. Consider it a gift I gave you for free. After all, the *Buried 2* IP comes from the script I created, although the sequel has nothing to do with my first one."

Doyle said: "Actually, we have always wanted to invite you to continue creating this series."

"We'll see." Lu Yan He said, "You ask me to write big productions one moment, and ask me to continue creating the *Buried* series the next. I am not an octopus, with eight claws to type on the keyboard at the same time. Even if I have eight claws, I only have one brain."

Doyle: "Your one brain is worth ten of our brains."

Lu Yan He: "No matter how much you praise me, it's useless. I have been too exhausted these years. After I finish these projects on hand, I must take a good rest for a period of time."

"Where do you want to rest? Actually, I have a private small island. If you need it, I can help you arrange a vacation there. It is completely closed and will not be disturbed by the outside world. As long as you need it, I will arrange a full set of butler services to move into the island. Everything you want for entertainment and leisure facilities is available on it, including if you want to invite friends over, helicopters and speedboats are on call 24 hours, and can pick you up at any time." Doyle winked at Lu Yan He, "Just tell me what you need."

Lu Yan He respectfully declined.

"What I need is my Lu Yan He-style rest. You should enjoy your private island yourself." ===== CHAPTER 888 =====