Chapter 45: New Project

Seeing that the release slot for *Crazy Stone* was already set, Wei Jin took the script out of his bag and handed it to Han Sanping.

"Director Han, take a look at this."

"Is this a new project? A story from *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*? Will there be any issues with censorship?"

Han Sanping looked at the two characters "Painted Skin" on the cover and asked.

According to the requirements from the higher-ups, as a medium for cultural dissemination, films were not allowed to feature ghosts or spirits that might mislead the audience or spread feudal superstition, which was why Han Sanping asked this question.

"Don't worry, surely you trust my ideological awareness? I've made some adjustments to the background."

Wei Jin replied casually, then while Han Sanping was reading the script, he chatted with Ning Hao about some preparations for the film's early promotion and some precautions for the later roadshows, leaving Ning Hao stunned.

"The script is not bad, but looking at you, are you planning to win with special effects?"

After finishing the script, Han Sanping was somewhat surprised.

"As expected of Director Han. To be honest, there isn't much novelty in the script itself; it's a story from *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*, and no matter how you adapt it, you can't make it feel new. The only way to break through is through special effects."

Wei Jin then elaborated on his concept for the entire film's project initiation and its post-production style.

"In that case, the investment won't be small. What is your budget?"

Generally speaking, the cost of a period film is higher than that of a modern film, and with the addition of large-scale scenes and special effects, Han Sanping understood that the investment would certainly be significant.

"After calculation, the total investment is 80 million."

Wei Jin held up a finger.

"How much? 80 million? Can you recoup the cost with such a large production?"

Han Sanping looked shocked, thinking to himself, has this kid gotten ahead of himself? Ning Hao, standing to the side, was also astonished. I'm still spinning my wheels with small-budget films of a few million, and my junior brother is already playing with such a massive project? One must know that with a production cost of 80 million, the box office would need to reach nearly 250 million to break even. Currently, domestic films are still struggling to break 100 million, and there are very few that have done so. The only one to reach over 200 million is *Hero*, but the box office of *Hero* was a result of the right time, the right place, and the right people, which is very difficult to replicate.

"Director Han, believe me, I am aiming to reclaim the box office record with this film."

Wei Jin did not wait for Han Sanping to digest this and continued to set his sights high.

In 1998, *Titanic* was released, and this broken ship from across the ocean swept up 360 million at the domestic box office, dominating the charts for seven years to this day.

It is shameful to say, but for a great nation with a population of 1.3 billion, the holder of the box office record is actually a foreign film. This is the pain of many film industry practitioners and leaders of relevant units.

This is also one of the reasons why Han Sanping has always advocated for large projects and big-budget films; small-budget films can make money, but only large productions can break box office records.

So, as soon as Wei Jin said this, Han Sanping only asked one question.

"Are you confident?"

"Yes. Even if I can't break 360 million, I will definitely break the record set by *Hero*."

Wei Jin answered firmly and powerfully.

In fact, Wei Jin had considered the film's box office. In 2004, the total domestic box office was less than 1.7 billion, and this year it would definitely exceed 2 billion. According to the 10% share for top blockbusters, exceeding 200 million at the box office would be no problem. To break the 360 million record, some measures would still need to be taken.

"Then China Film Group is in."

For China Film Group and Han Sanping, being able to truly reclaim the domestic box office record is more important than making money, and it is a great achievement.

"However, since we are going to do something big, let's find more helpers to reduce the risk."

No one can say for sure about a film until it is released, and Han Sanping's move was also intended to share the risk.

"Fine, I'll go to Enlight Media and Bona Film Group later. Their promotion and distribution strength is good, and they can help."

Wei Jin had long had the idea of bringing in Enlight Media and Bona Film Group; business is, of course, better with more friends.

"But in this way, the investment share can only give China Film Group 20 million, and reserve 20 million for those two companies." Since several parties are cooperating, to ensure absolute control over the project, Wei Jin's investment share must be over 50%. If Enlight Media and Bona Film Group do not invest, Wei Jin plans to cover it himself.

"Fine, when do you plan to start the project?"

Having secured a 20 million investment share, Han Sanping also felt it was appropriate; he would be a main producer without having to bear too much risk.

"The sooner the better. The post-production time for this project will be particularly long. I plan to send the special effects production to Hollywood, which is estimated to take three to four months. I'll strive for a year-end release."

Wei Jin calculated the time; the filming would take about 2 months, and the post-production time was reserved for 4 months, so it could be completed before the end of November.

"In that case, it will be released during the New Year Slot again? Won't that be competing with *The Promise*?"

Han Sanping felt a bit helpless. China Film Group was the main investor in *The Promise*; wouldn't this be his left hand fighting his right hand?

"It's unavoidable. Big directors are eyeing the good slots. At that time, we can just stagger the times a bit more. Or does Director Han think highly of *The Promise*?"

Wei Jin was well-prepared; he was aiming specifically for Chen Dashi.

Last year's New Year Slot had no single film dominating; this year, Wei Jin intended to become a legend in one fell swoop.

"Alright then, you must hurry up. What are your thoughts on the cast?"

Having seen the finished film, Han Sanping couldn't help but worry about *The Promise*, hoping it wouldn't lose a fortune, and immediately changed the subject.

"Since it's a large investment, I still need to find actors with appeal, and their acting skills cannot be lacking. Does Director Han have any suggestions?"

Wei Jin actually had some ideas about the cast in his heart, but out of respect, he still had to ask for Han Sanping's opinion first.

"How about finding two Hong Kong stars? What about Liu Tianwang for the male lead?"

Han Sanping was still very superstitious about the appeal of Hong Kong and Taiwan stars at this time and recommended him.

"Won't that drive up the production cost? And isn't he a bit old now?"

Wei Jin actually had a good impression of Liu Tianwang, but Liu Tianwang's salary was slightly expensive, which would be a huge burden on the project. One must know that last year for *A World Without Thieves*, Liu Tianwang received 7 million.

"What does Director Han think of Chen Kun?"

In 2005, Chen Kun was at the peak of his popularity. The hit broadcast of *The Noble Family* made him popular across the country, and the album *Half Moon Bend* released this year also had good sales. His acting skills were also considered qualified, and Wei Jin was quite satisfied with him.

"Well, as for Mainland China actors, he seems to be more popular this year. Actually, Liu Ye is also good; his acting is very good."

Han Sanping proposed a candidate Wei Jin had not considered.

"Then let's contact both and see how well they fit the characters during the audition."

Wei Jin was too lazy to dwell on it, and there weren't many candidates anyway.

"I think Zhou Xun is quite suitable for the role of one of the female leads, the fox spirit. As for the others, let's try out some more auditions."

Wei Jin didn't have the heart to say that the other female lead was prepared for Ceng Li, intending to handle it quietly.

"Fine, Zhou Xun's acting is good and her popularity is also high, but keep it confidential for now."

Seeing that the choices for the lead actor and actress were basically settled, Wei Jin chatted with Han Sanping for a while longer about the specific details of the project, and after entrusting him to submit the script for review, he took his leave.

Watching Wei Jin leave, Han Sanping had a premonition that this young man was likely to rise to prominence completely this year.

Three days later, the script passed the review, and China Film Group immediately released the news to the public: the large-scale fantasy romance blockbuster "Painted Skin," with a total investment of as high as 100 million yuan, was officially greenlit, with Wei Jin Fengliu Film and Television Company as the lead producer, China Film Group, Western Film Group, Bona, and Enlight Media participating jointly, and Silver Bear Director Wei Jin writing and directing it himself.

For a time, the female stars in the entire entertainment industry went crazy. The new author is writing a book for the first time, kneeling and begging for collections, follows, reading, and recommendations. Thank you all. The new author is writing a book for the first time, kneeling and begging for collections, follows, reading, and recommendations. Thank you all.

(End of this chapter)