Chapter 344

Yang Zhi's family is wealthy and influential; even if the film loses money, he can bear it.

He simply resents Jiang Heng for not giving him face; when he initially came to discuss the schedule, he was outright refused.

Because of this, during the filming of The Legend of the White Snake, they were constantly rushing.

In his view, if there were more time, the film could be made more meticulously, and the box office would certainly be higher.

Therefore, the present situation is entirely Jiang Heng's fault.

"I thought he feared nothing, heaven or earth, but it turns out he's also afraid of Hollywood's 3D blockbuster; why didn't he release his film at the same time as Avatar to really go head‑to‑head?"

Avatar was released on December 18 in North America and many overseas markets, the same day as The Legend of the White Snake, so Yang Zhi hadn't paid any attention to this news until recently.

After New Year's, upon learning that Avatar would be released in mainland China on January 11, he checked related reports and then understood why Jiang Heng had scheduled White Snake Origin for the Spring Festival: he simply didn't dare to compete with Avatar on the same day.

"Aren't you pretty awesome? How could you be scared like this?" Beside, Huang Shengyi is even angrier: "I finally managed to film a big production, but now both box office and reputation have collapsed, making me a laughingstock in the industry; I really hate it to the point of my teeth itching."

"It must be that his White Snake film, which isn't that good, so he obviously doesn't dare to release it on the same day as Avatar; he's just bullying domestic competitors."

Yang Zhi doesn't agree with that comment, because Jiang Heng's previous films have also done well overseas.

But one shouldn't say that; he snorted and said, "In my view, he's running out of talent!"

Huang Shengyi said, "I hope his next two films both flop!"

Naturally, this refers to the upcoming White Snake Origin and the ongoing Little Soldier Legend.

The two complained at home, still feeling unsatisfied.

Yang Zi then logged onto Weibo, first blasting the film industry's dark side, claiming The Legend of the White Snake had been smeared.

He said it's abnormal for a film to have no controversy, but smearing and criticism should be distinguished.

Making a film without criticism brings no progress, but malicious smearing must be punished and eradicated to clean up the film environment; if such smearing behavior isn't stopped, it will truly be a peril for Chinese cinema.

An hour later he posted another Weibo saying some big directors have inflated reputations; they actually get scared too, it seems they only know how to bully domestic peers and wilt when faced with a tough challenge; this Weibo also attached a news picture showing Avatar's global opening weekend gross of $2.3 billion.

The target of those remarks is already obvious.

Because Yang Zhi himself is a celebrity, and the topic involves the upcoming hot release of Avatar, rumors quickly spread.

"Are you stupid? Haven't you heard of 'King Sees No King'?"

"Knowing the opponent is strong, yet choosing the same release date—how much fake liquor have you drunk?"

"The Legend of the White Snake actually released on the same day as Avatar, yet both were unaffected—one couldn't sell its overseas rights, the other hadn't yet entered the domestic market; what a pity!"

"The Legend of the White Snake is still quite brave, but its strength doesn't give it a chance to battle Avatar in Europe and America!"

Similar comments were endless, making Yang Zhi extremely angry.

In Jiang Heng's spacious luxury apartment, Jing Tian was lounging on the sofa scrolling Weibo on her phone when she suddenly saw Yang Zhi's post.

The young lady looked puzzled, after reading the comments she said, "Brother, is he implying you?"

Jiang Heng beside her took the phone, glanced, and said, "Remove the doubtful tone, and it's clearly implying me!"

"Hey, his film is so terrible, yet he still has the nerve to claim there's a dark side—can't we criticize a bad film?"

Sure we can!

"Let me go online and scold him!" Jiang Heng hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Isn't there already someone doing heaven's work? You're not needed!"

Jing Tian flushed with anger: "No, I just can't stand anyone scolding you; today I must retaliate!"

Jiang Heng asked in surprise: "Someone says your acting is bad, but you've always ignored it?"

Jing Tian gave a simple smile: "That's not it—The Warring States wasn't filmed well, so criticism is fine, and they weren't wrong. But scolding you is unacceptable; I definitely can't tolerate it!"

After speaking, Jing Tian also posted a Weibo roughly meaning: Some people lack talent but have big tempers; when their film is bad, they claim the market has a dark side—do audiences really not know? Your film is so terrible, how can audiences support it?

She then attached a picture of a 'white snake', a real white snake in the real world.

As soon as this Weibo went out, it quickly attracted countless reads and replies.

A netizen commented, saying Jing Tian's Warring States was filmed so poorly, how could she have the nerve to say these things?

Jing Tian wanted to reply, of course it's Brother Jiang Heng!

But after thinking, she felt that reply wasn't good, so she deleted the typed words.

In the end she replied: "I admit The Warring States wasn't filmed well; here I once again apologize to my fans who have always supported me, and I will work twice as hard!"

Upon saying that, fans expressed support and joined her in condemning Yang Zhi.

In the end, due to too many negative comments, Yang Zhi angrily closed the comments.

The next day, both his and Jing Tian's Weibo accounts were banned for a month for violating regulations.

Fortunately, White Snake Origin's release date is February 14, Spring Festival day, so it didn't delay the film's promotion.

Afterwards, Jiang Heng continued leading the Little Soldier Legend crew in shooting at China Film Digital Base, while Yu Dong, Du Huan, etc. were busy with the promotion and distribution of White Snake Origin.

Especially the former, during this period he was radiant, walking with vigor.

Although Avatar's release in the mainland market showed box-office dominance comparable to Havoc in Heaven, continuously setting new attendance records.

However, Person in Liang's Trail preceded it by ten days, and thanks to strong promotion and word‑of‑mouth recommendation, its box office had already exceeded 100 million.

Moreover, because its occupancy rate remained high, even though Avatar was very hot, Person in Liang's Trail still had a certain share of screenings, and its box office kept rising.

Two hundred million is impossible; 140‑150 million is a sure thing—its cost is only seven million, it's made a killing, what more does it need, a bicycle? 'Director Jiang, per your requirements, everything is almost arranged; at the Olympic venue, the IMAX big screen has been set up, red carpet, huge posters, etc., are all ready!'

Jiang Heng chuckled, 'You handle things, I'm still at ease; any problems with the guests?'

'No problem, there are about forty or fifty people; the scene will definitely hold up!'

Jiang Heng slightly nodded, 'Then that's good!'

Speaking of these years, watching Jiang Heng's new film premieres has become a trend in the Chinese‑language entertainment circle.

Moreover, besides the industry's stars, many business magnates and their children also like to join the fun.

After all, such a good film is always worth seeing.

Being able to watch a film at the Olympic venue, such a grand place, is definitely better than a cramped, crowded ordinary theater!

(End of chapter)