Chapter 308: Worldwide sensation

Inside a Los Angeles theater, James Cameron wore a solemn expression as he gazed at the big screen, while the audience's exclamations occasionally rang in his ears.

Oh my god, his iron rod scared me!

A blond girl tilted her head back slightly and spoke in a trembling voice.

Her best friend said, "I also feel like I'll get hit if I don't dodge; it's pretty exciting!"

It's truly shocking!

It's simply a miracle—no, it's magic!

How did that Chinese director Jiang pull it off?

The US doesn't have such technology, does it?

It seems like Director Cameron is filming a similar movie!

Then we can go check it out later!

Upon hearing this, Cameron's mood improved a bit.

After all, a lavishly produced 3D film is meant to really shock the audience.

Not wanting to be beaten to the punch by Havoc in Heaven, if audiences saw this film first and then Avatar, that ultimate sense of shock would inevitably be weakened.

In terms of box office, we're likely to fall short by hundreds of millions of dollars!

After the screening, Cameron sat there dejected, unwilling to get up for a long time.

Come on, it's time to head back!

Producer Jon Landau said, he and Cameron are old friends, having previously collaborated on Titanic.

I had thought we could create another miracle this time, but I didn't expect Havoc in Heaven to burst onto the scene midway.

In his view, Havoc in Heaven's early release isn't entirely bad.

After all, before this, global audiences had little awareness of 3D film's visual effects, let alone recognition or enthusiasm.

Once the 3D version of Havoc in Heaven is released, it will surely spark a 3D movie craze.

Although Avatar releases later, its shock value for audiences will somewhat decline.

Yet it also fortuitously rode the wave of 3D fever sparked by the 3D Havoc in Heaven, making it hard to say whether Avatar's box office will fall short of or exceed original estimates.

In fact, as he had imagined, in the original history Avatar's release instantly triggered a 3D movie craze.

The problem is, there aren't that many 3D films on the market, yet audiences are eager to watch them.

Thus came the studios' shady tactics—"post-production 3D conversion"—even though the viewing experience is lacking, the studios still rake in huge profits.

Jon Landau briefly outlined his speculation, and Cameron gave a slight nod.

He could have thought of these himself, but Havoc in Heaven beat him to it, leaving him unwilling to accept it!

You're right; our film is so well-made that we might not lose to him!

Jon Landau said, "In my view, we're sure to win, because the world's major film markets are dominated by Hollywood blockbusters, and Avatar is the best—there's no problem!"

Exactly, we'll definitely defeat him!

But upon further reflection, Avatar consumed over a decade of his blood, sweat, and tears, while Director Jiang churns out films quickly and prolifically; if he ever snags the global box office crown, what work of mine could surpass his?

James Cameron harbored a hidden worry, but he didn't voice it.

He merely silently cheered himself on, determined to make Avatar even better, needing to astonish the world.

In terms of market performance, Havoc in Heaven grossed $78 million in its opening weekend in North America, far below Three Body's $115 million.

The reason is naturally the subject matter; mythological themes hold considerably less appeal for Europe and America audiences than sci-fi does.

Furthermore, before the film's release and before word-of-mouth spread, audiences weren't very convinced by the media's hype about so-called "shocking special effects."

So, although the opening weekend box office was high, it wasn't as high as imagined.

But amid widespread audience acclaim and media buzz, Havoc in Heaven became all the rage in North America for a time, and its box office surged rapidly.

And in Europe, Australia, and elsewhere, it also secured decent opening-weekend takings: for example, Russia $21 million, France $19 million, the United Kingdom $14 million, Germany $13 million, etc.

But if we're talking about the hottest overseas markets, it's still Japan and Korea.

Japan's fondness for Journey to the West needs no elaboration.

Jiang Heng's earlier Journey to the West series films had already done well here, so there was an existing audience base.

Upon hearing about the most advanced technology, they flocked to see it.

Moreover, there's an interesting phenomenon: those who saw the 3D version go on to watch the 2D version, and those who saw the 2D version definitely go on to watch the 3D version.

With so many people doing second and third viewings, the film's box office shot up quickly, making it the weekly champion for several weeks running.

In Korea, moreover, thanks to the early collaboration between CJ Company boss Li Meijing and Jiang Heng, the per-capita number of IMAX and standard 3D screens is exceptionally high, which also drives exceptionally high box office output here.

Audiences who saw the IMAX version with the best visual effects all gave it high praise.

Domestically, Jiang Heng remained busy rehearsing at the Olympic venue.

Yet those wishing to visit him came in an endless stream.

The reason is simple: after the initial extreme shock, domestic investors and directors suddenly realized that 3D film is a very lucrative gimmick, and they all announced plans to shoot 3D movies.

The problem is, these people don't know how to make 3D films at all, so they naturally turn to Jiang Heng for instruction.

Upon seeing this, the organizing committee issued a strict order forbidding unrelated personnel from coming to disturb Jiang Heng.

But with such strict orders, who would actually enforce them? Ordinary staff earning a few thousand a month dare not stop those of high status and deep background!

Director Jiang, the chairman of Ningxia Film Industry, Yang Hongtao, and director Chen Jiashang have arrived!

Jiang Heng pressed his temples lightly and said, "Bring them in!"

Jiang Heng didn't want to go out to greet them, mainly because too many people had been coming to visit him lately.

Whoever flashes their nameplate outshines Yang Hongtao's renown.

"Ah, Director Jiang, I've long heard your great name, it's like thunder in my ears!" Yang Hongtao exclaimed with an exaggerated expression, quickly stepping forward to shake hands.

Jiang Heng chuckled, flashing his Jaeger-LeCoultre watch, "Sorry, Director Yang, Director Chen, I'm busy here, I can at most give you five minutes!"

Yang Hongtao heard this, his face fell awkwardly.

Usually he's the one giving others five minutes; suddenly hearing someone say this, he's really not used to it!

Fortunately Chen Jiashang spoke up, "Hello Director Jiang, we've come to seek advice; although the film Painted Skin has finished shooting, Director Yang and the others also want to release a 3D version—do you have any other ways?"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Well, there actually is—just the post-production 3D conversion technique!"

"Oh, and this technique?"

Yang Hongtao was overjoyed, "Is this difficult? Is the fee expensive?"

Jiang Heng smiled, "You'll have to find that out yourselves!"

He said these aren't secrets; a little effort and you can find out.

Yang Hongtao asked again, "Director Jiang, can your special effects company do this?"

Jiang Heng said, "Sure we can, but the orders are already fully booked!"

Yang Hongtao was shocked, "Fully booked?"

Jiang Heng smiled without speaking, because the special effects company was busy with the 3D conversion work for films like Lion Camel Ridge and Flat Top Mountain, and could also re-release them to earn a big sum.

(End of chapter)