Chapter 106

In early March, the president of Columbia Pictures, Aimei-Pasikaer, came to Beijing, and accompanied by the China regional president of Columbia Pictures, Zhou Lixian, visited Outstanding Rising Film Company to see Jiang Heng.

Pasikaer's main purpose for this trip was to discuss the profit distribution issue of Pacific Rim, while also following up on the preparations for Pacific Rim 2.

In terms of box office, Pacific Rim's global total box office reached $9.39 billion, falling short of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone's $9.74 billion, ranking second in the 2001 global box office list.

However, in the North American market alone, Pacific Rim, with $3.49 billion, far surpassed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone's $3.17 billion, becoming the annual box office champion in North America.

In Japan, Pacific Rim's final gross was 28.3 billion yen (about $2.32 billion), exceeding Titanic, but falling short of Spirited Away's 31.6 billion yen.

In mainland China, the film's box office broke the 600 million mark, settling at 625 million yuan, which converts to about $75 million.

In Hong Kong, it outperformed Shaolin Soccer, earning 67 million HK dollars ($8.58 million); in Taiwan, it grossed 186 million New Taiwan dollars ($5.38 million).

Pacific Rim accumulated $6.69 billion in box office from the three major global film markets in 2001.

In the remaining several profit-sharing box office markets, Pacific Rim also performed well, basically achieving a top-ten annual box office result, accumulating $1.43 billion.

Adding up all the profit-sharing box office, it reached an astonishing $8.12 billion.

However, the profit-sharing revenue accruing to the production and distribution side is difficult to tally due to varying profit-sharing ratios across countries.

For example, in North America, Pacific Rim basically received the treatment of a Hollywood blockbuster, with a profit-sharing ratio of 50%, amounting to $1.745 billion.

However, in mainland China, the production side's profit-sharing income is approximately 33% of the total box office, about $25 million.

In Japan, South Korea, and Western Europe, the profit-sharing ratio roughly follows the Hollywood blockbuster standard, about 40%.

Thus, the final tallied profit-sharing box office amounted to $3.61 billion; after deducting distribution expenses and adding $17 million from rights buyout income, the final distributable income totaled $3.49 billion.

Jiang Heng's investment accounted for half, earning him $1.745 billion.

The director's fee was $5 million, plus $50 million saved by using the Super Microcomputer for special effects.

The film Pacific Rim alone brought him income of $2.295 billion.

At the current exchange rate, that equals 18.9 billion yuan—enough to retire on right away!

As for Columbia Pictures and China Film, they also made out handsomely.

After lengthy financial statistics, accounting, and transfers, only by late March did the three production companies of Pacific Rim finally secure their respective earnings.

For this occasion, China Film specially held a grand "celebration banquet" to congratulate the three companies on their pleasant cooperation.

At the banquet, Pasikaer raised a glass to toast Jiang Heng.

"Director Jiang, I never expected you to create such a successful film; in Hollywood there's a tradition of milking a profitable property until it's no longer lucrative—aren't you in a hurry to shoot a sequel?"

Jiang Heng chuckled, "I'd also like to release a sequel sooner, but you know my filming schedule is fully booked; I probably won't be able to prepare a second part for the next two years!"

Pasikaer regretted, "That's really a shame; we've worked together so well, why not deepen our cooperation? Even if The Matrix 2 would definitely make money without us, it's fine, but those untested mythological themes could totally bring us along!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Mythological themes basically feature Chinese faces, are filmed in mainland China, and their markets mainly consist of China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia; it's hard to say about Europe and America."

Pasikaer said, "But your earlier film Evil Land (Lion Camel Ridge) was really popular with American audiences!"

Jiang Heng wryly smiled, "The original source of that film was already splendid; the adapted plot and effects were top-notch, but subsequent mythological stories are hard to say!"

Upon hearing this, Pasikaer's expression became somewhat awkward.

Han Sanping smoothed things over, "Ms. Pasikaer, actually, besides Director Jiang Heng, China also has other renowned directors whose big films are also quite good."

Oh, who else?

Director Thus output: Chen Kaige!

Chen, oh, I've heard of him; his film Farewell My Concubine won big awards!

He is currently shooting a fantasy epic; although already in production, if Columbia Pictures wishes to participate, it could fund the special effects and promotion!

Oh, I'm still really looking forward to Director Chen's effects-heavy film!" Pasikaer said with a smile.

The China regional president of Columbia Pictures, Zhou Lixian, hesitated, wanting to speak but afraid of offending someone, and if she stayed silent, afraid the boss would agree to something.

She then whispered, "Let's go to the restroom!"

Although Pasikaer had drunk quite a bit, she wasn't yet dazed.

Smiling, she rose to greet him and went to the restroom together with Zhou Lixian.

What's up, Zhou? Do you have something you want to tell me?

Yes, definitely do not collaborate with Chen; that guy is unreliable!

No, reliable?

Yes, in 1998 he filmed Jing Ke's Assassination Attempt on the King of Qin, investing over seventy million yuan but only grossing over ten million, causing the production company to suffer heavy losses!

That bad?" Pasikaer also jumped in surprise; is this the level of mainland China's finest director?

In Hollywood, judging solely by commercial success, he wouldn't even rank!

Yes, but people here believe he's a renowned director; many at China Film also trust him; it's hard-earned money, and if invested in him, we might lose again!

Zhou Lixian places greater emphasis on box office performance; she doesn't care for directors like Thus output: Chen Kaige, but she greatly appreciates directors like Jiang Heng and Zhou Xingxing.

Historically, she represented Columbia Pictures in the production of Kung Fu, ultimately concluding that Zhou Xingxing is truly a "hard-to-work-with" person.

Pasikaer naturally also favors commercial directors, but Jiang Heng no longer really needs Columbia Pictures, showing a tendency to reduce cooperation.

This time her visit primarily aimed to strengthen cooperation with Jiang Heng, while also wanting to scout other Chinese directors.

Besides Chen, there's also Jiang Heng; who do you think could collaborate?

As things stand now, it's just Zhang Yimou and Zhou Xingxing. Zhang's Hero is in post-production, seeking overseas distributors. Zhou Xingxing, having received Jiang Heng's investment, is also filming a big picture.

Pasikaer laughed, "So saying, China is entering the era of blockbusters!"

Yes, under Director Jiang Heng's leadership, the Chinese-language film market has warmed up these past years, with audiences and box office growing year by year, and consequently investors have increased as well!

(End of chapter)