Chapter 260: Rise of Domestic Animation

Yang Mi, having figured these out, lost her former vigor.

She no longer thinks about taking on so many roles; when free, she returns to the capital and the company.

She also once visited the set of Havoc in Heaven, but found she had little to talk about with Jiang Heng, and grew increasingly depressed.

Thinking that Kung Fu Panda is at least a product of Outstanding Rising Film Company, she came over to take a look, which could also give her something to talk about.

Soon after, as everyone entered together and took their seats, she heard the surrounding people chattering, guessing the film's plot.

Kung Fu Panda held a premiere, but only showed clips, not the full film.

Thus, no one knew what the plot was, nor the final effect of the film.

Many even held their previous views on animated films, thinking it was just to accompany children for some lively fun.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the film started, it left the audience dumbfounded.

The beautiful pastoral scenery, hardcore action design, and many elements such as architecture and design in the film come from Chinese culture.

Especially the film's protagonist, using the most representative national treasure panda as the lead, can be called a stroke of genius.

Children watched it, entranced; adults were also attracted by the exciting action scenes.

As for Yang Mi, she felt completely stunned.

When she learned the company was producing an animated film, she had secretly complained to Jiang Heng, "You're biting off more than you can chew," involving every genre; what's good about making an animated film?

Even if it's good, could it be better than Havoc in Heaven (animated version) or Nezha Brain Sea?

She truly hadn't expected it; the film gave her such a big surprise.

After watching and leaving the theater, she still had a dazed feeling.

But she hurried to the parking lot, drove her car to the China Film Digital Base, and went to the Havoc in Heaven set to share the good news.

"Director Jiang, you're amazing! I went to see Kung Fu Panda, and it's so good! How did you manage to make an animated film this good!"

By the monitor, Jiang Heng had just finished shooting a set of shots, picked up his cup to drink water, when Yang Mi suddenly appeared from somewhere.

She chattered on with a few sentences, summing up: awesome!

Jiang Heng set down his cup, glanced at Yang Mi, and said with a smile: "Not bad; how come you have time to come over? Haven't you been busy these days?"

"Hmm, my last wrap just finished; the next one starts in ten days, then I'll be back. Thinking there's nothing else, I came to support the company's animated film; my goodness, I never expected an animated film could be done this well, Director Jiang, how did you manage it?"

Jiang Heng waved his hand: "Don't say that; it's the Shanghai Art Factory that did well."

Yang Mi pursed her lips slightly: "Eh, I've heard as much; the script is yours, the visual style and details in the film are all set by you, the art factory merely followed your instructions!"

Jiang Heng said: "Just know that; don't go around spouting nonsense!"

Yang Mi hurriedly whispered: "I understand!"

After thinking, she added: "Director Jiang, you're truly magnanimous; if it were someone else, they'd have already taken the credit for themselves."

Jiang Heng chuckled: "Just some empty fame; why would I care?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Mi was startled, feeling that this statement was even more pretentious than him taking credit.

But it must be said, Jiang Heng's fame is now so great that he truly doesn't care about these things.

When will she ever reach such a level?

Hmm, probably there's no such possibility!

Yang Mi drifted off for a moment, then brought the topic back to Havoc in Heaven, asking when it could wrap.

Jiang Heng said October; Yang Mi lamented how long the time is, wondering when it could be released.

Jiang Heng didn't answer, because the final schedule still depends on circumstances; it's expected to be chosen from among the 2008 summer slot, the 2008 year-end slot, and the 2009 summer slot.

So, the current situation is that he will miss the 2006 year-end slot and the 2007 summer slot.

After finishing Havoc in Heaven, if they rush, they could produce a film to release in the 2007 year-end slot; which specific slot is still under consideration.

But they certainly won't be like Stephen Chow, hastily throwing together a New King of Comedy just to make money for the slot.

The next day, Yu Dong rushed over to the set in a panic, and only when Jiang Heng was free did he say: "Great news, great news! The box office for Kung Fu Panda's opening day has come out—it's over thirteen million!"

"What?"

"How much?"

"No way?"

Jiang Heng didn't speak; the people around him spoke first.

Normally this wouldn't happen; the news is simply too shocking.

If the opening day exceeds ten million, as long as the reputation isn't terrible, it can basically reach a hundred million.

The problem is that Kung Fu Panda is an animated film; in many people's minds it's just a cartoon to entertain kids, yet it could gross over a hundred million—is the mainland market's money too easy to make?

Especially among Jiang Heng's team, many are film industry professionals from Hong Kong, and they truly can't understand this.

In the Hong Kong market, even a decent Hong Kong film only makes twenty to thirty million HK dollars; in the mainland, even big special-effects blockbusters selling well is understandable, but animated films grossing over a hundred million is too much to bear!

"Really that much?" Yuan De asked.

Yu Dong nodded, instantly filled with heroic zeal: "Mainly because Director Jiang planned and directed well, and the mainland market has truly revived these years, giving such results; an animated film grossing over a hundred million—CCTV News will probably report it!"

The people around nodded in agreement; it should be reported.

An animated film grossing over a hundred million in the mainland market is of great significance.

But Jiang Heng said: "This little achievement in the mainland means nothing; I'll only be happy if we get results overseas."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions froze; overseas box office—do they also want animated films to go global?

However, they didn't know that in the previous life, Kung Fu Panda's global box office reached $632 million, ranking third among the top ten grossing films of 2008 worldwide.

Films such as Hancock, Quantum of Solace, and Iron Man, among other popular movies, all came after Kung Fu Panda.

However, because this film is now a Chinese production, its global box office will inevitably be greatly affected.

Fortunately, during overseas distribution, Jiang Heng's producer credit was repeatedly mentioned in promotion, so the exact box office performance is unknown; anyway, it's a hit domestically.

After all, kids love to compare; if all the classmates have seen it but your child hasn't, they could cry their eyes out.

This is also one of the important reasons why some animated films can release one each year and grab a share in the fiercely competitive Spring Festival slot.

So the box‑office curve of Kung Fu Panda unexpectedly showed a slow decline with a slight rise, and it reached its peak during the second weekend of release.

It took in 15.6 million in a single day, shocking the domestic film market.

Almost all film people, when discussing this situation, say the word "unreasonable" the most.

It's hard for live‑action films to break the hundred‑million mark, yet an animated film easily broke it.

The worst part is, judging by this trend, it might even break two hundred million.

Is Jiang Heng's reputation really that good? Just slap a "producer" label on an animated film and it rakes in that much money?

However, besides the shock, many film critics seriously analyzed the film's merits and found several reasons for Kung Fu Panda's box‑office success.

In the end, the conclusion was that the Chinese‑language film market will see more and more excellent animated films; domestic animation has risen!

(End of chapter)