Chapter 129: Box‑Office

Thus output: Chen Kaige, who was standing aside, saw the scene and felt a sour tingle in his teeth.

Although he was very confident about Wuji and thought it could achieve a decent box‑office result, the figure of 700 million was something he could never dare imagine.

But he thought Jiang Heng's film was mediocre, propped up only by its special‑effects set pieces and star‑studded cast.

The special effects for his Wuji also required a huge budget, and the cast featured stars from China, Japan and South Korea, so he expected its box‑office not to be far behind Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother.

Even if it doesn't reach 700 million, it should at least hit 500 million!

It will definitely happen, Old Chen firmly believed.

Looking again at Jiang Heng, who was surrounded by the stars as if they were cradling a moon, he got a feeling like Guan Yunchang standing before the White Horse formation, gazing at Yan Liang, thinking this was a "label‑and‑sell" commodity.

Unfortunately, Wuji still fell short in some ways, and it couldn't cut Jiang Heng down from his horse.

How about I also make a traditional myth film?

The thought, once it surfaced, grew wildly like weeds and couldn't be suppressed.

He also felt, "If Jiang Heng can make it, why can't I?"

Whether it's Fengshen, Journey to the West, or any traditional myth, they are all in the public domain.

For a familiar title like Havoc in the Sky, he believed the box‑office would certainly not be poor.

But the dignity of being a "film master" made him feel a bit embarrassed to shoot something obviously lacking artistic merit.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but frown.

A senior executive at China Film, puzzled, said, "Director Chen, what are you thinking? Smiling one moment, frowning the next!"

Thus output: Chen Kaige, a man who cares about face, said openly, "The Neidi film market has truly revived; even the obscure myth 'Yang Jian Saves Mother' can pull such box‑office numbers. If we make Havoc in Heaven, shouldn't it surpass a billion?"

The China Film executive laughed, "How could that be? The total box‑office this year is only so much. But if Director Jiang waits a few years, it should be able to pass a billion!"

Thus output: Chen Kaige hummed, "Then he'll never wait, because I intend to shoot it!"

The people nearby were all taken aback; Old Chen's words were clearly a different signal!

But come to think of it, Thus output: Chen Kaige and Jiang Heng—one the most accomplished in Chinese art‑house cinema, the other the most accomplished in commercial blockbusters—naturally have a gap between them.

If it weren't for their close ties to China Film, Thus output: Chen Kaige wouldn't be here at all.

Having figured that out, most people around chose to remain silent.

But there were also some wealthy backers who came because of connections, grinning with surprise: "Director Chen wants to shoot Havoc in Heaven; the box‑office will definitely soar! Need investment? I've got it, I've got it!"

Thus output: Chen Kaige, noticing the awkward atmosphere, felt he had misspoken, but not because he thought everyone was wary that his words implied a conflict with Jiang Heng.

Rather, he thought, how could I say I'm going to shoot Havoc in Heaven, something that seems to have no artistic value at first glance?

If he were to shoot, it would have to be of a rebellious type like "Hou Yi Shoots the Sun" or "Nüwa Repairs the Sky", or something desperate and accusatory like "Gong Gong Angrily Strikes the Bu Zhou Mountain".

Yes, it's a denunciation! A denunciation of the whole world.

Someone oppressed him, so he wants to denounce, to destroy….

Director Chen was immersed in his brainstorming and completely ignored that.

The wealthy backer, seeing this, stepped forward and repeated his pitch.

Thus output: Chen Kaige initially wanted to say, what's the point of making a film that has no artistic merit to uncover.

But thinking that Jiang Heng might make one later, he restrained his disdain and said, "Hmm, fine, later you come find me and we'll discuss it!"

The backer, hearing that, was delighted: "Great, great, we'll study it later and aim for a box‑office over 800 million—888, make money, ha ha ha!"

The banquet hall was full of guests and noisy, so his words shouldn't have traveled far.

But this man had a loud, duck‑like voice, and his laugh was distinctive, so it reached Han Sanping, Jiang Heng, and the leaders.

"It seems someone wants to copy your box‑office success and keep pushing forward!" a leader said cheerfully.

For the leaders, a film market dominated by a single entity is not a good thing.

Especially in the past two years, cinemas across the country have experienced days of extreme highs and lows.

When Jiang Heng's new film premiered, audiences flocked like fish crossing a river; for several days after release, every screening was packed.

Other films, however, were relatively quiet, sometimes even with no one at the doors.

This situation is certainly detrimental to the development of the film market; the leaders have conducted multiple investigations and discussed ways to revitalize it.

One widely approved measure is to encourage capable directors and production companies to make blockbusters, fostering healthy competition and a chorus of many voices in the market.

This year, the leaders were very satisfied: the summer blockbuster was Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother, the National Day holiday featured Zhou Xingxing's Kung Fu, the New Year slot had The Matrix 2, and next spring's festival will have Zhang Yimou's Hero.

In just half a year, four blockbusters were released, already the best record in history.

But the leaders, of course, hope the results keep improving year after year.

Han Sanping, seeing this, said, "China Film will continue to support Director Jiang Heng and other directors eager to make commercial blockbusters, working together to strive for an early realization of a new renaissance for Chinese‑language cinema!"

Jiang Heng also said, "Leaders, rest assured, I will keep making great commercial blockbusters, adding bricks and tiles to the vigorous development of our nation's film industry. For colleagues in need, I will do everything I can to help, achieving mutual progress…!"

The leaders, hearing this, were very satisfied.

They approached Thus output: Chen Kaige and asked him what concrete ideas he had.

Thus output: Chen Kaige first glanced at Jiang Heng, hesitated a moment between "Gong Gong Angrily Strikes the Bu Zhou Mountain" and Havoc in Heaven, then said, "I want to shoot Havoc in Heaven and create a different Sun Wukong."

The leader didn't notice anything wrong with the remark, but Jiang Heng keenly observed, "He's going to do a radical remake, and who knows what he'll produce! But after Wuji flops at the box‑office, can he really attract investment?"

As the saying goes, appearance comes from the heart; Jiang Heng said nothing, yet Thus output: Chen Kaige felt Jiang Heng's expression was very disdainful.

"Little Director Jiang, you don't think I'm stealing your project, do you?"

"Not at all. Journey to the West, Fengshen, and those traditional myth stories belong to the cultural treasures of the Chinese nation; every Chinese has the right to film them. Director Zhang, are you interested in making one?"

Zhang Yimou was stunned, thinking to himself, why does this involve me?

He waved his hands hurriedly and said, "No, no, I'm too rigid, my imagination is poor; I can't film myth stories."

That was a modest excuse, yet Thus output: Chen Kaige actually nodded, "Old Zhang really isn't suited for myth films; otherwise there would be another competitor for Director Jiang."

Jiang Heng said, "How could that be? I actually hope more and more people make blockbusters, make good films, because the audience base needs cultivation. The more good films released at the same time, the more willing audiences are to spend, just like diners flocking together; when the audience arrives, they have choices."

I'm really looking forward to next summer, because not only will my blockbuster be released, but Director Chen's Wuji will be there too!

Thus output: Chen Kaige heard the words, solemnly said: "That's how it's said, but when the time comes, if we say we snatched the box office of little Director Jiang, please don't mind it!"

Jiang Heng heard the words, burst out laughing.

Actually, in his dealings with people, he has received training.

In formal occasions, he generally wouldn't laugh indiscriminately, unless he couldn't help it.

(End of chapter)