Chapter 291

Afterwards came the interview session, the main cast of the film Three Body took the stage, accepting interviews from media reporters.

Liu Cixin, as the original novel's author and (nominal) screenwriter of the film, also went up.

"Hello, Teacher Liu, may I ask how you came up with this story?"

"To be honest, these reporters are somewhat used to Jiang Heng's special-effects blockbusters."

"Even if a film ten times more shocking were to be released someday, they wouldn't be too surprised; instead they'd think Director Jiang naturally makes blockbusters!"

"On the contrary, I feel that this middle-aged uncle who looks somewhat ordinary being able to write such a super-original, grand story like Three Body makes for a better publicity selling point."

"Um, the idea for the novel Three Body comes from a book on celestial mechanics, which introduces the 'three-body problem,' reducing the universe to three mass points; under mass and gravity, these three points move in completely irregular motion—what would such a real world be like?"

"I initially thought about this problem, combined with some of my life experiences, developed the concept of a star system with three irregularly moving stars, and slowly wrote the first part. Its original title was 'Earth's Past,' later changed to 'Three Body.'"

"Old Liu spoke at length, and wasn't nervous at all."

"Mainly because I've participated in some interview activities over the past two years, I've seen a bit of the world."

When reporters asked Liu Cixin whether the film Three Body matched his conception, he, slightly excited, said: "I think I am the luckiest among science fiction writers; not only can I see my work adapted to the big screen in my lifetime, seen by audiences worldwide, but also because the film is shot so well, many contents and logic I hadn't imagined in the book, Director Jiang can perfectly present. I believe this is the best film in the world regarding Three Body."

"If there is anything better, it must be the sequel directed by Director Jiang!"

"At the end, Liu Cixin excitedly waved his hand, making some reporters' hearts surge; their cameras clicked nonstop as they pondered what headline would attract more attention."

"Some who didn't like Liu Cixin's remarks felt they were somewhat fawning, lacking the integrity of a scholar."

"How much did Jiang Heng pay you to praise him so much?"

"\"Not only beautiful women deceive people; even a man who looks honest cannot be trusted—this guy's praise, I bet he himself believes it! \" A reporter pursed his lips, expression full of contempt."

"Meanwhile, most of the main creators on stage thought, 'Holy shit, this guy has a future!'"

"If he can say things to this extent, Director Jiang will surely not shortchange him!"

"Thus these people answering media questions, each saying something more pleasing than the last; even Jiang Wen couldn't stay unaffected, directly stating Jiang Heng is the 'King of Chinese-language commercial films,' and following this speed and quality, he will absolutely become the 'Number One in Global Commercial Cinema,' the 'Absolute Sovereign'."

"Reporters and audiences grew ever more excited, while Jiang Heng's mindset remained relatively calm; he continued with various thanks, then promptly ended the event."

"The next day, domestic entertainment media reported on the premiere of Three Body; naturally, the film channel gave the movie high praise."

"They said the appearance of the film Three Body marks the third peak of Chinese-language sci-fi cinema, the other two naturally being the Matrix series and Inception."

"They thought that while 'The Matrix' and 'Inception' are certainly impressive, in scope they are still smaller compared to Three Body, which depicts the war between human civilization and the Three Body civilization."

"They believed that in world sci-fi film history, this movie is also a unique standout, and Jiang Heng truly deserves the title of 'Master of Sci-Fi Film.'"

"Xinlang Entertainment, taking Liu Cixin as the entry point, elaborated on the novel's origin and the film's impression, a comprehensive shock experience from visual to spiritual."

"The reporter from Souhu Entertainment is Da Peng, who is currently hosting a talk show named 'Da Peng's Chatter.'"

"But he is not satisfied with merely being a host; he more strongly desires to become an actor."

"The interview opportunity at the Three Body premiere was something he struggled to obtain."

"Unfortunately, at the event site he did not get the chance to converse with Jiang Heng."

"The reason is simple: there were simply too many reporters on site—actually five or six hundred."

"Da Peng was somewhat disappointed, and the article he wrote was all fulsome praise."

"In the next episode of the talk show 'Da Peng's Chatter,' he shared his viewing experience and amusing anecdotes from the event with the audience, which was actually quite popular with viewers."

"Under the coordinated promotion of domestic media, Three Body's heat was unprecedented, crushing other big films in the same release window."

"This includes the jointly produced film by China Film and Huanyu, directed by Chen Kexin, starring Li Lianjie, Liu Dehua, Jin Chengwu, etc. —the action film The Warlords."

"The film is set for December 12, nine days earlier than Three Body's release, and now it has reached the crucial publicity stage."

"Whether Han Sanping attended this time's Three Body premiere or not, he is aware of the film's impact."

"He is somewhat worried about the box-office prospects of The Warlords."

"But there's no alternative; currently, the only two prime slots in China are summer and the New Year holiday."

"The Warlords is also a big film; it certainly can't be released during May Day or National Day!"

"I just hope to snag some more box office in the few days before Three Body's release."

"How's things on Jiang Heng's side?"

"A vice president in charge of The Warlords' publicity said, 'It's booming; the crew is doing test screenings in several cities domestically, and as for Director Jiang, he should be promoting in the US now!'"

"Han Sanping said, 'I hear that Europeans and Americans still quite recognize Three Body?'"

Well, I do like it quite a bit—mainly because a lot of business and political figures have publicly voiced their support; I suppose they find it easier to identify with.

Han Sanping sneered, "When European ships reached the Americas, it's strikingly similar to the Three Body civilization invading Earth—how alike they are! And they don't even try to hide it!"

The vice president chuckled, "They've always upheld the law of the jungle, so of course they endorse the Three Body story!"

……

As for Jiang Heng and his team's promotional activities in the United States, they did indeed receive fervent pursuit from some book and movie fans.

At every press event, numerous enthusiastic fans showed up, wearing headbands with slogans of support; to the uninformed, they looked like they were about to stage a demonstration.

The Columbia Pictures staff handling the film's promotion also felt that, on the eve of its release, Three Body was receiving the best market feedback, and they expected the box office to be solid.

"Honey, this movie is being welcomed in both the East and the West—I'd say it could easily gross over a billion dollars."

In the presidential suite of a luxury New York hotel, Megan Fox exclaimed delightedly, "When will they shoot the sequel?"

"Well, the sequel—looks like we'll have to wait a few years."

(End of chapter)