Chapter 26: Shocked! This Movie Actually! (Third Update! Request Monthly Tickets)

July 18, 1987.

Across the ocean, a little-known film company named [DT] premiered a movie titled *Superman* at the SD Cinema in New York.

In an era dominated by U.S.-Soviet rivalry, financial depression, and widespread fear of war, *Superman* instantly swept across America, becoming a national sensation and a super hero for everyone.

Soon after, cinemas worldwide rushed to import it; overnight, countless film fans globally were stunned by its breathtaking visual effects and stunts, crying out that a brand-new era had arrived!

Indeed, the *Superman* film series, which went on to earn astonishing box office returns worldwide, opened a new chapter for Hollywood’s special effects films and paved the way for countless future superhero movies—all Hollywood films released since then bear the shadow of *Superman*.

Sixteen years have passed!

When *Superman 2* made its return…

The Chinese film industry erupted!

…………………………

“*Superman 2* officially set for July 18!”

“Good!”

“According to the latest data from [Tianxing], [Fengyu], [Huaying International], and other theater chains, advance ticket sales as of around July 21 have sold out—movie tickets are impossible to get on the market!”

“Good, good!”

“…”

July 9.

[Tianyu Group].

Deng Hairong, head of the overseas division, stared at the release data for *Superman 2*, his eyes brimming with excitement.

For a Hollywood film to be screened in China, it must pass review by China’s film authorities and partner with a local Chinese film company for localized distribution.

This was a global mega-IP; [Tianyu Group] treated this film with utmost seriousness. When the film was announced two years ago, Deng Hairong began constant communication with [DT] overseas, even personally traveling to Hollywood and staying with the crew for three full months, seizing every opportunity to negotiate, offering maximum sincerity and paying a heavy price to secure this film…

The process was filled with bitterness, sweetness, hardship, and joy.

But the effort finally bore fruit!

Last year, during [DT]’s China visit, Deng Hairong and his team won the distribution rights for *Superman 2* in a vote, defeating rival [Huasheng Brothers].

In 2003, as Hong Kong cinema gradually faded, Hollywood films surged in strength and shattered box office records worldwide; competition among Chinese film companies for Hollywood films had reached a fever pitch!

Whoever secured the distribution rights to a Hollywood blockbuster meant they would dominate the Chinese film industry for the next half-year—and stand before a glittering pile of golden coins!

Yes!

Superhero films weren’t just movies—they included animation, TV series, merchandise, and more…

The noon sun streamed through the window, lighting up the office.

Deng Hairong stared at the distribution agreement for *Superman 2* in his drawer…

A surge of excitement welled up inside him.

Nearby, data analyst Zhong Xiaoyi continued reviewing her research figures, then looked up at Deng Hairong.

“Director Deng, our professional team has forecasted that the mainland box office for this film will not be lower than 270 million RMB!”

She handed the data to Deng Hairong.

Deng took the data, glanced at it, and nodded with a smile: “I recall last year’s top-grossing Chinese film was Li Zhengtao’s wuxia movie *Qin*, right?”

“Yes, 180 million in box office!”

“Good! Good! Good!”

“By the way, Director Deng, I just heard that [DT] has another film coming out this year called *King of the Monsters*, and they haven’t decided on a partner yet—they seem to have some requirements for us…”

“Oh? What are their requirements?”

“They’re simple. President Cliff said our mainland piracy is still too rampant; piracy not only infringes rights but also distorts box office data. We won *Superman 2* because over the years we’ve consistently cracked down on piracy—they believe we have a future.”

“…”

Hearing this, Deng Hairong nodded, gazing out the window: “For *Superman 2*’s premiere, you must communicate with every theater chain manager—absolutely no film source leaks, no DVDs made, understood?”

“Understood!”

“Also, on the internet, we must firmly resist piracy. If any film source leaks, notify the Fawu Force immediately to gather evidence!”

“Understood…” Zhong Xiaoyi nodded, then glanced again at the data before looking up at Deng Hairong: “Director Deng!”

“Go on…”

“If *Superman 2* has no piracy, we’re confident our mainland box office can break 300 million—setting a new historical record!”

“Mm.”

“Then I’ll get back to work, Director Deng.”

“Go ahead.”

Deng Hairong nodded.

After everyone left, he silently studied the schedule for the second half of the year.

Besides *Superman 2*, the major project was a modern wuxia film adapted from the Four Great Classical Novels, *Water Margin*, titled *Heroic Legend*.

A Hong Kong film starring Liang Jiaqiang and Xu Shi’an, adapted from the story of Lin Chong’s ascent to Liangshan…

The company placed great importance on this film…

Beyond that, his personal goal for the second half of the year was to secure the distribution rights for the Hollywood blockbuster *King of the Monsters* and continue building a strategic partnership with [DT].

After reviewing the plan once, Deng Hairong nodded in satisfaction.

He was just about to rest when…

Suddenly, a frantic knocking came at the door.

“Come in!”

“Bad news! The *Superman 2* film source appears to have leaked!”

“???”

Hearing this, Deng Hairong’s eyes widened in shock.

*Superman 2* film source leaked?

What’s going on?

This film hasn’t even premiered in mainland China, let alone in Hollywood itself—how could it leak?

Then,

he saw his assistant, panting, hand him a piece of paper with *Superman 2* box office figures written on it.

“In our Beijing, someone’s been handing out flyers for 5-yuan movie tickets at the gates of every school…”

“The tickets say *Superman 2* on them…”

“…”

Deng Hairong took the ticket and glanced at it.

He instantly jumped out of his chair, staring at the release date of July 11 as if he’d seen a ghost.

Impossible!

*Superman 2* hasn’t even premiered in Hollywood—we haven’t even received the film source yet!

How could it leak?!

He glared at the name of the theater: [Feihe Cinema]…

He’d never even heard of this theater before!

………………………………

“Yes, yes!”

“We got a film source!”

“Yes, a sci-fi blockbuster, coming with earth-shaking force!”

“Yes, the Hollywood blockbuster film source has leaked! We’ll get to see the long-awaited movie early!”

“Is it definitely *Superman 2*?”

“Yes, definitely!”

“Damn! What theater chain is this?!”

“Shh, we got it through special means, so don’t say anything—on July 11, bring this handwritten ticket and we’ll give you a discount!”

“Discount?”

“Yes! 5 yuan per ticket!”

“Damn!”

“…”

Evening.

[Beijing No. 18 High School].

The sneaky street singer Shen Hu watched a group of students walk by, followed them stealthily, then carefully pulled out a handwritten movie ticket and pointed toward the distance…

The students instinctively looked toward the direction of [Feihe Cinema]…

They stared in disbelief at the handwritten ticket bearing the words *Superman 2*.

“Is it really *Superman 2*?”

“It is!”

(Third update delivered!)