Chapter 383: Snowed In, Blocked Out

After a night of labor, Wei Jin only felt that the quality of his sleep was quite good.

When he woke up in the early morning, Wei Jin only felt refreshed and his whole body was comfortable, but the woman beside him had already left.

Stars in the entertainment industry are exceptionally busy whenever the end of the year approaches; as one of the Four Dan Double Bing, Fan Bingbing already had her schedule filled until after the New Year.

After washing up, Wei Jin went straight to the company.

To Wei Jin's surprise, Guo Fan did not delay for even a moment, running to the company after resting for only one day.

"President Wei, from now on, I plan to eat and live at Shanhe Ink, striving to finish the post-production before the New Year."

Guo Fan had already made his future plans; once he finished the post-production for this film, he would begin preparing for his graduation defense, after which he could officially start his directing career.

"There is no need to be so anxious; you can take it slow."

Looking at Guo Fan's earnest face, which did not look like he was joking, Wei Jin shook his head and smiled.

"President Wei, this is my first film, and I want to do it as well as possible. Also, regarding the release slot, what do you think?"

Seeing that Guo Fan insisted, Wei Jin stopped trying to dissuade him. Ex Machina was not a big project, and the post-production and special effects would not take much time; a young man should be able to handle it.

"Fine, I will pick a good release slot for you."

"Thank you, President Wei. Then I will head to Shanhe Ink first."

Wei Jin nodded; he still needed to give Guo Fan some confidence for his first film. Once the post-production was finished, he would take the time to go to China Film Group himself to make a selection.

After seeing Guo Fan off, Wei Jin paid attention to the situation of Flying Swords of Dragon Gate.

The effect of this premiere was very good, and the online buzz had already picked up.

Some of the audience members who participated in the premiere also gave their evaluations on Yinxiang Net, but because the number of participants was small, a rating had not yet formed.

However, because the general feedback was good, it attracted quite a few viewers to book tickets, and the pre-sale situation on Yinxiang Net was already quite hot.

Wei Jin believed that with the influence of the seven major production companies and this pre-sale situation, the screen allocation for Flying Swords of Dragon Gate would definitely not be bad.

On the last day of 2011, the last blockbuster of the New Year Slot—Flying Swords of Dragon Gate—was released.

Regarding the first domestic 3D martial arts blockbuster, the media was also quite attentive.

"The 3D martial arts blockbuster Flying Swords of Dragon Gate is released today!"

"According to data from Wanda Cinema Line and Shanhe Cinema Line, tickets for IMAX 3D giant screens are hard to come by, Ordinary 3D Halls are bursting with popularity, and long queues have formed for 2D halls."

"The cinema chains state that they will adjust screen allocations in real-time to ensure that all viewers can enjoy this martial arts masterpiece!"

"The distributor states that they will rush to produce more prints."

The power of the seven major production companies was truly no joke, with overwhelming reports online and offline.

A large number of stars and artists in the industry were showing off their movie tickets, spontaneously promoting the film, and constantly tagging the production companies and the various main creators.

"The movie is really great, wishing it a huge box office success!"

It was not just the major cinema chains that were paying attention to the attendance of this film; the film and television industry was also concerned about it.

Zhang Weiping's mood at this moment was very bad; the release of a blockbuster was bound to squeeze the screen allocation of films in the same period.

By comparison, the attendance rate and single-day box office of Mojin: The Lost Legend were both better than The Flowers of War, so it was obvious whose screen allocation the cinema chains would cut.

As far as he knew, the average screen allocation for The Flowers of War had already dropped below 10%, while Mojin: The Lost Legend was still maintaining over 30%, and Flying Swords of Dragon Gate was as high as 45%, with the remaining New Year Slot films sharing the remaining 15%.

For the already difficult situation of The Flowers of War, this could be described as adding frost to snow.

By contrast, the six major production companies that had latched onto Shanhe Media this time were in a state of pure joy, especially Shanghai Film Group.

Compared to other production companies that had more or less collaborated with Shanhe Media, this was completely the first time for Shanghai Film Group. Plus, with the few films controlled by the group this year not performing well, Ren Zhonglun felt that whether he could have a good New Year depended on this wave.

"Increase the intensity of publicity; the first day's box office is very important. The press releases must keep up."

"Don't worry, Chairman Ren, everything has been arranged."

Just as excited as the production companies were the film's main creative team.

"Kun, it's a huge hit, hahaha."

During a break in the promotional roadshow, Zhou Xun looked at the news online and couldn't stop laughing, not looking like a Golden Horse Best Actress at all.

It was no wonder Zhou Xun was happy; although the film had just been released, judging from the photos taken by the media, the major cinema chains were packed with people at this time. These all indicated that the box office of Flying Swords of Dragon Gate was going to explode, and at the very least, the first-day data would definitely be explosive.

"Hehe."

Chen Kun, who had always maintained a cold and aloof persona, was also full of smiles at this moment, constantly refreshing the news about Flying Swords of Dragon Gate on his phone.

Xu Laoguai and Li Lianjie were in much the same state; although the former was a great director, he really hadn't had any presentable works in recent years.

Although the latter was an international superstar, his box office in Mainland China was really not eye-catching, and his highest box office to date was still The Warlords from a few years ago.

This time, they all wanted to prove themselves! Along with them, Wan Qian, who had just joined and was following the roadshow, also felt excited. Her role in this film was much larger than in Mojin: The Lost Legend, and perhaps with this film, her status could also rise to another level.

Wei Jin was not worried about the box office of Flying Swords of Dragon Gate.

The overseas rights for this film had sold for 12 million USD, and with product placement ads and the like, the pressure to break even was not great.

If one also counted the premiums from the other production companies, Shanhe Media had actually already achieved profitability; this was the reputation he had built up over these years.

Ending his day's work, Wei Jin returned to Yanjiao Villa to spend the New Year with Yuan Yuanjie and Li Jie.

As Dudu grew a little older, Gao Yuanyuan spent less and less time living here; Da Meiyuan still couldn't explain to the little girl what "Mommy Yuanyuan" meant.

Having a rare opportunity to enjoy the blessings of having two wives, Wei Jin naturally performed very valiantly, fighting two against one and defeating both ladies until they were disarmed.

Just as Wei Jin was embracing his two wives to sleep, time quietly stepped into 2012.

Unsurprisingly, not long after midnight passed, major portal websites and film information sites were filled with the data of several blockbusters.

"Flying Swords of Dragon Gate's first-day box office is astonishing, reporting 47 million!"

"Mojin: The Lost Legend remains strong, reporting 26 million for the day, with the box office breaking 700 million!"

"The Flowers of War has exhausted its potential, with the single-day box office plummeting to 6 million."

"Shanhe Media may become the biggest winner of the New Year Slot, with Mojin: The Lost Legend and Flying Swords of Dragon Gate occupying 80% of the box office!"

The industry was buzzing with discussion; if this data could be maintained all the way through, Flying Swords of Dragon Gate might also have a chance to break 1 billion.

Calculating it this way, both films produced by Shanhe Media had a chance to get a 46% share of the box office. Now, the pressure was all on New Picture.

Sandwiched between these two films, *The Flowers of War* was almost beyond recovery.

Previously, Zhang Weiping was still being stubborn, saying that once the New Year holiday arrived, the box office for *The Flowers of War* would surely surge, with 1 billion in sight.

But based on the current daily figure of 6 million, as long as the cinema chains weren't stupid, they would absolutely not give it another chance.

The bold boast of a 1 billion domestic box office had completely vanished into thin air.

Not only that, as the saying goes, it never rains but it pours; a piece of film news from Hollywood completely struck New Picture and Zhang Weiping down into the dust.

"Hollywood Daily: *The Flowers of War*, directed by Huaxia director Zhang Yimou, has been in North American theaters for 22 days, with the box office stalled at 330,000 USD, and daily earnings of less than 1,000 USD; the cinema chains have announced it is entering a normalized disposal process."

Once the news broke, the industry knew that Zhang Weiping likely wouldn't be able to turn things around this time.

Unless Zhang Weiping had truly burned high incense, *The Flowers of War* would have to win an Oscar, and it had to be a major award at that.

Only then could he wait to recoup costs and even achieve profitability through copyright trading.

In global film history, there had been such precedents.

But how high could that probability be?

Some bored industry peers did the math for Zhang Weiping.

According to the current box office results, New Picture could probably get a bit over 200 million in box office share; counting product placement ads and other miscellaneous income, this figure would not exceed 300 million.

It was still half short of the 600 million production cost.

If he wanted to recoup costs through copyright trading, the copyright price for *The Flowers of War* would have to reach at least 45 million USD or more.

Was this possible? Perhaps only Zhang Weiping felt there was still a sliver of possibility. Entering the New Year holiday, the box office potential of the New Year Slot seemed to have fully erupted.

The total daily box office produced by major cinema chains across the country was approaching the 100 million mark; the film market was truly red-hot.

But what the industry found very regrettable was that nearly 80% of it was carved up by *Mojin: The Lost Legend* and *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate*.

With the three-day holiday over, the box office of *Mojin: The Lost Legend* surged to 828 million; with ten or so days left before the film was pulled from theaters, according to the current situation, breaking 1 billion had become a foregone conclusion.

Because *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate* was a 3D blockbuster, the ticket price was higher; although limited by the number of screens, its performance in regular screening halls was also very explosive, so the box office was even more eye-catching.

During the three days of the New Year holiday, the daily box office for *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate* was over 60 million.

As of now, after four days of release, the box office reached 232 million, successfully taking the championship banner of the second half of the New Year Slot from the hands of *Mojin: The Lost Legend*.

At this moment, the several major producers were almost grinning from ear to ear; they had already foreseen the 46% revenue-sharing ratio beckoning.

Especially Huayi, Fiber, and Bona; as listed companies, although their investment share in *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate* was small, their stock prices were soaring upward.

By comparison, *The Flowers of War* had completely stalled, with its daily box office entering the holiday at just over 10 million.

As of now, after 26 days of release, the box office reached 589 million.

It was just that everyone in the circle found it strange: why was Zhang Weiping, who usually jumped around so happily, not making a sound now? Was he licking his wounds in a corner?

Beijing, New Picture.

After more than a month, Zhang Weiping and Zhang Yimou met again, but the atmosphere at the scene was very heavy, and both sides brought lawyers.

"According to the contract, New Picture needs to pay the box office shares for *A Simple Noodle Story*, *Hawthorn Tree Forever*, and *The Flowers of War*; the first two have been fully paid back, and we hope Mr. Zhang will pay in full at once according to the contract."

Ignoring Zhang Weiping's increasingly ugly expression, Zhang Yimou's lawyer continued.

"In addition, the remuneration for Director Zhang's cooperation with New Picture is far lower than his industry status and market price, but we will not haggle over this; we just hope Mr. Zhang will not delay payment any longer. After all, it has been too long, don't you agree?"

"Regarding the shares, I will execute them according to the contract, but I want to take back the artist management rights for Ni Ni and the others. After all, the contract was signed with the company. You can tell them: either obediently return to the company, or pay the breach of contract penalty to terminate it; otherwise, just wait to be shelved."

A negotiation ended in failure once again. After consulting his lawyer's opinion, Zhang Yimou knew this matter could not be resolved amicably.

But thinking that all the artists stood by his side during this breakup, and wouldn't even answer calls from New Picture, if he just walked away like this and ignored their fate, wouldn't that be too heartless? After hesitating for a while, Zhang Yimou gathered several artists to meet and ask for their opinions.

"... That is how things are. Regarding the contract issue, either terminate it or resort to legal proceedings. What are your thoughts?"

After hearing Zhang Yimou's words, the few looked at each other in silence. It was Zhou Dongyu who broke the silence first.

"Teacher, you don't need to worry about me; I'll just wait for the contract to expire naturally."

Zhou Dongyu had thought it through clearly. She was only a freshman now, and her main priority was her studies; after all, she had encountered a lot of criticism when she first enrolled.

Plus, there was only a little over a year left on her contract with New Picture; compared to the sky-high eight-figure breach of contract penalty, she could afford to wait.

"However, Teacher, after the contract expires, I will still have to come and rely on you."

After becoming a Mou Girl, Zhou Dongyu realized just how powerful the connections brought by this identity were.

Previously, Zhang Ziyi had helped introduce her for the third female lead in *Dangerous Liaisons*. Although it didn't happen due to the producer's connections snatching the role, it was undeniable that Zhang Yimou was absolutely a golden thigh, and she couldn't bear to let go.

Dou Xiao, who was on the side, also realized this and hurriedly expressed.

"Teacher, you don't need to worry about me either. I happen to be busy with graduation matters, so it's a good time to settle down. If you need me in the future, you can summon me at any time."

Zhou Dongyu secretly exclaimed that her senior brother was impressive, and she nodded hurriedly as well.

"Yes, yes, Teacher, you can summon us at any time."

Seeing that the "senior brother and sister" who were younger than her had both expressed their stance, Ni Ni was a bit at a loss.

Compared to the plain-looking Zhou Dongyu, her appearance was undoubtedly much more outstanding, but this greatly increased her value in Zhang Weiping's eyes, so the contract signed back then was for an eight-year term.

She originally thought this was a good thing, but now it looked like a huge pit.

You have to know, she wasn't young anymore; born in '88, she was about to turn 24. By the time the contract expired, she would be in her early thirties; what kind of entertainment industry would she be in then?

Ni Ni didn't believe that New Picture, having left Zhang Yimou, would have any resources to give her later on.

Without a doubt, staying at New Picture was a dead end.

Thinking of this, Ni Ni gathered her courage.

"Teacher, I... I want to follow you."

"Alright, I will find a way for this matter."

(End of chapter)