Chapter 18

Inside the screening room, the Wachowski brothers felt uneasy.

Actually, the moment they heard that the story they had created had already been filmed and released, both of them were dazed.

The first thought was, absolutely impossible!

The script was jointly written by the two brothers; after completing the first draft, they revised it repeatedly until early 1997, then sold it to the Hua Na Brothers Company for one million US dollars.

The company attached great importance to this script, with a very high confidentiality level; ordinary people could absolutely not access it, let alone a Chinese person far across the ocean.

Even if he wanted to steal it, he would need an opportunity!

According to feedback from Hua Na Company's China office, the content of that film overlaps highly with their script, making it highly likely that it was filmed ahead of them, yet they really can't figure out where the problem lies; perhaps they should first take a look and then talk.

The lights went out, the dragon logo lit up; looking at the six words "Outstanding Rising Film Company" on the screen, several Americans felt extremely glaring, then immediately fell into anger and fear.

The anger-inducing part is that the film currently being shown, titled The Matrix, whose content cannot be said to be not at all the same as the script purchased by the Hua Na Brothers; it's practically identical!

The frightening part is that many plot points and settings in the script that they hadn't figured out or handled well were perfectly handled.

Many plot points that the Wachowski brothers hadn't yet figured out how to shoot were also presented perfectly, far beyond their imagination.

Yes, the preparation team for The Matrix at Hua Na Brothers Company has only progressed to actor training, while the director's side has just begun drawing storyboard sketches, and hasn't drawn many yet.

If following the original historical timeline, filming would not start until March 1998, and global release would not occur until 1999.

Who would have thought that in the far East, a young person would produce this film at extreme speed; does he have magic?

After leaving the theater, Silf and the Wachowski brothers felt chills down their spines, not knowing where to start speaking.

In the hotel where they were staying, Silf hid in his room making overseas calls, while the Wachowski brothers began to recall the past, wondering who could have accessed their manuscript, whom they had discussed the concept and outline with, and then fell into an argument.

And the conclusion of their argument was that the script's content definitely was not leaked from their hands.

They truly couldn't bear it!

In the hotel's small meeting room, Silf held a meeting with the Wachowski brothers and several staff members of the office.

"I have already reported to headquarters; they will immediately send a lawyer team over, and upon arrival they will first send a legal notice to the other party, demanding that they cease their infringing behavior and hand over the film's copyright and all profits."

""What if the other party pays no attention?" someone asked."

Anyone who thinks about it knows that nobody would pay attention to such a legal notice.

If they have to hand over the copyright and all profits, what's the point of going through all this trouble?

""Well, then we'll keep suing, drag the lawsuit on until he goes bankrupt, and blacklist him!""

Silf, with an angry face, listed several methods; Zhao Yan and the office staff all gave wry smiles.

Litigation?

This lawsuit isn't easy to win; he hasn't been idle these days, he checked Jiang Heng's exit records; before the film's shooting wrapped up, Jiang Heng had only gone to Shenzhen a few times and otherwise never left Xianggang.

If you say he stole the script, you must provide evidence to the court of how he stole it!

He had never been to the United States before, nor had he ever contacted the Hua Na Company.

As the scene in *Home Sweet Home* says, one must have a conscience; how could one frame a blind man for peeking at state secrets?

As for the idea of blacklisting, how could a Hollywood company blacklist a director from Xianggang?

Please, they don't mix in your circle, okay!

But Silf is the vice president of Hua Na Brothers Company; everyone can only listen to what he says.

Soon, it was January 15, the day before *The Matrix* was to be released in Hong Kong.

Outstanding Rising Film Company, Jinsheng, and Xinbao theater chains all received a legal notice from Hua Na Brothers Company, demanding that the former cease infringement, hand over the film's copyright and all profits, and compensate Hua Na Company for losses of one hundred million US dollars.

Demand that Jinsheng and Xinbao theater chains stop screening *The Matrix*, otherwise they will bear legal liability.

At the same time, Broad Sodium Film Industry domestically also received a legal notice from Hua Na Brothers Company.

Yu Dong had never seen such a scene; he hurriedly called Jiang Heng.

""I say, Jiang Zong, could what's written above possibly be true?""

Jiang Heng laughed heartily, "You think, is that possible?"

""It's definitely impossible, but such a big company as Hua Na Brothers wouldn't cause trouble for no reason, would it?""

""Nothing much, just a clash of themes; everyone's ideas are pretty similar! You also know the situation over there, they just like to stir up this kind of thing. Like Marvel and DC, they often steal each other's ideas, and many superheroes are created by borrowing from each other!""

""Uh!""

Yu Dong truly doesn't know much about these Hollywood matters.

""So what should we do now?""

""Just ignore them; if they have objections, they can resort to legal action!""

""Well, okay then!""

Yu Dong silently exclaimed 'fuck' in his heart, and grew even more admiring of this young person.

Leaving other things aside, just this mental fortitude is stronger than his.

Upon seeing the legal notice sent by the renowned Hua Na Brothers Company, he was panicking inside, yet Jiang Heng seemed completely unfazed.

And on the Xianggang side, the bosses of the Jinsheng and Xinbao theater chains also scoffed at Hua Na's legal notice.

Even if *The Matrix* had problems, that would be the responsibility of Jiang Heng and his Outstanding Rising Film Company; what does it have to do with our theater chains?

""Release!""

Based on the film's box office performance in the mainland, the two theater chains would also increase its screenings!

Moreover, they called Jiang Heng to express their support.

""Thanks, thanks, this little matter doesn't scare me! Moreover, I think the legal notice from Hua Na Company is actually a good thing for us!""

""How so?""

""The Matrix is selling big in the mainland; Hong Kongers might not pay much attention, but now that Hollywood has sued, if it's publicized by the media, wouldn't everyone become interested?""

Upon hearing this, the manager of Jinsheng theater chain slapped his thigh, "Director Jiang, your idea is brilliant; the audience will surely be curious—I'll call a few newspapers right now, they'll definitely be interested!"

Jiahe Company, upon learning that Outstanding Rising Film Company, Jinsheng, and Xinbao had received legal notices from Hua Na Company, Zou Wenhuai and others all felt regretful.

"It's too weird—he couldn't have really stolen Hua Na's script, could he?"

"Although we've always thought it unlikely, judging from Hua Na's reaction, it must be definite! Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent a legal team and even issued a lawyer's letter!"

"But how did he manage it?"

"The office fell into a brief silence, as the three of them couldn't figure out how Jiang Heng had done it."

"Zou Wenhuai waved his hand and said, 'Never mind that—anyway he's in trouble, we're invincible!'"

"Please collect and recommend!"

"(End of chapter)"