Chapter 57: Promotion and Release

"Wei, our great hero, it is truly a pleasure to see you again."

As soon as Wei Jin walked into the conference room, Friedman walked over and gave him a big hug; it seemed the success of *Lurking* had led all of Summit Entertainment to fully accept Wei Jin.

"Hey, buddy, next time you want to do something like a hug, you can let a beauty do the honors."

Wei Jin was somewhat resistant to hugging men and teased him.

"But the company doesn't have any ladies who fit your aesthetic, boss."

It was Wei Jin's lackey, Hunter, who spoke up.

"Could it be that the prestigious Summit Entertainment can't attract Hollywood ladies to come and join us?"

Wei Jin laughed and joked with several senior executives, then immediately began discussing business.

"How is the promotion arranged for this time?"

Hearing this, Friedman explained the promotional process; Summit had arranged two television interviews and a premiere, as this type of horror film was not really suitable for large-scale promotion.

"Wei, the preparations for the *The Conjuring* crew are almost done. What are your thoughts on the sequels for *Dead Silence* and *Lurking*? When do you plan to release them?"

*Lurking* had achieved huge success, so a sequel was definitely going to be made, and this kind of mature IP was exactly what Hollywood film companies favored most—for no other reason than the risk was low and the profits were considerable.

"I don't plan to helm the sequels myself. After filming *The Conjuring*, I have to consider big productions."

Regarding the shooting plan for the sequels, Wei Jin had long had a draft in mind; coming here this time, Wei Jin intended to direct his last horror film. In his past life, he liked watching horror films and had a lot of horror movies in his head; it was impossible for Wei Jin to handle them all himself.

"As for the timing, let's release one sequel a year; that way, the audience will also have a sense of freshness."

"Oh? Then do you have a suitable candidate for the director of the sequels?"

Different directors have different styles, and Friedman was afraid that a new director would mess up the series.

"What do you think of James from Lionsgate?"

"That Chinese-American horror film director? He is quite suitable, but if that happens, I'm afraid Lionsgate will also demand to participate."

Friedman did not really want to share a project that was clearly profitable.

"James should be able to take on projects independently, right? Let's make contact first; if Lionsgate wants to participate, then we'll bring out a project to trade."

Wei Jin was not in a hurry; he wasn't the only one who was good at horror films—James Wan was too. With the storyboards done, the director's independent authority wouldn't be that great.

"By the way, the company plans to start *Taken* at the end of the year. Are you coming to direct it?"

"Forget it, many directors in Hollywood are good at this kind of drama film; you guys make the decision yourselves. By the way, just save a role for me."

The next day, Wei Jin went to Los Angeles Television for an interview. The host was a black guy who was all laughs as soon as he got on set. Wei Jin considered himself to have a sense of humor, but he couldn't get the host's punchlines at all, and the program set was awkward for a time.

Seeing that the way of stirring up the atmosphere had no effect, the black guy started to get into the topic.

"Wei, why did you think of making horror films?"

"You know, I am an Easterner. To break through the gates of Hollywood, I must achieve results, and horror films are the easiest way."

Wei Jin did not shy away from this; Hollywood is very exclusionary unless you can bring them benefits.

"But your last few films have all been horror films. Are you only good at doing this?"

The host's question was a bit tricky, and Wei Jin did not want to be limited by film genre.

"No, no, no. In fact, the ideas in my head are beyond your imagination. By the year after next at the latest, you will see other types of films from me."

"Then how do you evaluate the upcoming *Dead Silence*? Can it achieve results exceeding *Lurking*?"

"In fact, in terms of the level of horror alone, I think *Dead Silence* is even better. I sincerely suggest that those who are timid should not watch it. As for the box office, that can only be left to the audience, but I believe in my work."

Wei Jin highlighted the horror level of the film; one must know that curiosity is a normal psychology for many people—the more you say it is terrifying, the more they want to see it.

Afterwards, the black guy chatted with Wei Jin about many creative concepts and finally asked if he knew Cheng. This host was a fan of Cheng!

If you don't come to North America, you really don't know how popular Cheng is in North America. Wei Jin had already prepared that he must find an opportunity to get to know Cheng when he went back.

"*Dead Silence* is about to be released; Eastern director bluntly says those who are timid should not enter."

Just as Wei Jin expected, the media soon used his words as a headline, which really aroused the anticipation of many viewers for a time.

On September 15, Wei Jin and a group of senior executives from Summit Entertainment attended the premiere of *Dead Silence*.

The scale was not as grand as Wei Jin had imagined, but there were quite a few people who came. Although Wei Jin was the director, in fact, not many people knew him, and he was happy to be at leisure, but today someone had come specifically for him.

"Hello, Wei, I am James. Your creativity is truly amazing."

The person who came was the Australian-Chinese director, James Wan.

"Hello, James. In fact, *Saw* was a great inspiration to me. You should be able to see that the style of my films is somewhat similar to yours."

Wei Jin said something redundant; the films in his brain were originally directed by James Wan, so of course the style was similar.

"Yes, I have that feeling too, but your creativity is truly amazing, especially *Buried*. It is simply unimaginable that you could fill the thriller atmosphere just by being in a coffin."

James Wan spoke highly of *Buried* and also praised Wei Jin's ingenious ideas endlessly.

Wei Jin then revealed that he had been in a car accident, indicating that his inspiration came from life.

"By the way, James, I wonder what you think about the cooperation with Summit?"

"For such a project destined to be profitable, do you really intend to hand it over to me to do? Aren't you afraid of messing it up?"

James Wan was very puzzled about Summit and Wei Jin inviting him to do the sequels.

"In fact, I have already written the script for the sequel, but due to time constraints, I cannot film it myself. You know that my career focus is always in Huaxia, and since your style and mine are similar, I believe you will be the best successor for these three series."

Wei Jin looked sincere; if he could let James Wan take over, that would be the best.

"Thank you for your recognition. Wait, you said three?"

James Wan looked confused; there were clearly only two, where did the third one come from?

"Yes, in a few days, I will start my new project, which is also my last horror film in the short term, *The Conjuring*."

After the box office for the first three days of *Dead Silence* came out, Wei Jin would join the crew to film, and then he gave a brief introduction to *The Conjuring*.

"My God, the creativity in your head is too amazing. Can I go to the set to visit when the time comes?"

Once James Wan said this, he had basically agreed to the cooperation.

"Of course, I am still counting on you, the master of horror, to help me offer some suggestions."

People lift up a flowery sedan chair together; Wei Jin had no intention of claiming the title of horror master for himself, so he would rather leave it to James Wan.

Afterwards, the two had another conversation, and soon, a staff member came to notify them that the movie was about to be screened. Dead Silence tells the story of a tragedy that occurred in a small village named Ravens Fair in North America in the 1940s.

A child was killed, and the villagers believed the murderer was a local woman named Marie Shaw, who made a living performing ventriloquism with puppets.

The angry villagers captured Marie, cut out her tongue, and burned her alive along with her puppets.

From then on, the missing puppets would appear in the village from time to time; every time one appeared, someone would die, and the people who died would all have their tongues cut out.

Thus, a legend remained in the village: when you see Marie's puppet Billy, you must never scream.

As the plot unfolded, all the guests at the scene held their breath, the terrifying atmosphere seemingly ready to spill out from the big screen.

It was not until the movie ended that everyone let out a heavy sigh of relief; it was evident that Wei Jin's previous warning of "not for the faint of heart" was truly not just empty talk, and many media members on site had already thought of their news headlines.

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