Chapter 375: 30 Billion USD

"Congratulations, Director Jiang, 'Little Soldier Legend' has broken 16 billion at the mainland box office; when the film finishes its run, it should reach 17–18 billion, right?"

Among the girls, the slightly older Gao Yuanyuan raised her glass and said.

Her development is better than in her previous life, but still hasn't reached top‑tier status.

However, her career ambition isn't that strong, and she isn't that proactive in fighting for the company's resources.

This time she only came over after the manager persuaded her.

There wasn't much else to talk about, so naturally she congratulated Jiang Heng on the box office of his film that's currently hot; there's nothing wrong saying that.

The other girls also raised their glasses in turn, and when talking about the box office of 'Little Soldier Legend', their eyes lit up.

"Seventeen to eighteen billion, suddenly surpassing the second place by so much—truly amazing!"

"The global box office is already impressive; it could break 30 billion USD, right?"

"It should be possible, right?"

Jiang Heng chuckled, "It's really hard to say; I can only say the odds are high!"

Indeed it's a high‑probability event; compared with the global box‑office record holder 'Avatar', 'Little Soldier Legend' also has its own advantages.

The biggest advantage, of course, is Jiang Heng's directorial work.

Thinking carefully, it really is that way.

James Cameron certainly has a great reputation and a certain box‑office pull, but his output is relatively limited.

In the eyes of global movie fans, his reputation naturally can't compare with Jiang Heng's.

The second factor is the film's genre—science fiction plus military—which happens to be easily understood by audiences worldwide.

Its visual effects, special‑effect quality, and even story content all fully surpass 'Avatar'; if one insists on pointing out a flaw in 'Little Soldier Legend', Western viewers would say the male lead's face isn't white.

But actually, this so‑called "flaw" isn't as big as Hollywood media claim.

During this period, 'Little Soldier Legend' has been conquering major film markets worldwide, continuously breaking box‑office records.

Some have just premiered, others have entered a delayed‑release key stage; based on the current box‑office trend, it's highly likely to break 30 billion USD!

If that day comes, Jiang Heng will achieve a miracle in film history: using the highest (500 million USD) production budget to make the highest‑grossing film worldwide, which would certainly go down in the annals.

Even though it hasn't been reached yet, some online media have already gone hype, publishing all sorts of flattering articles about Jiang Heng.

The few girls inside could see some of it, and when it came to compliments, there was certainly no shortage of angles or vocabulary.

Jiang Heng, however, felt a bit sick of it, after all he'd heard such similar words too many times.

After thinking, he changed the subject and asked everyone about their recent work.

The girls were all excited and gave brief summaries of their own situations.

Jiang Heng saw that Ke Lala seemed a bit down and deliberately asked her a question.

She was greatly surprised and moved, after all she is a foreign artist, different from the other girls.

Jiang Heng said, "Do your work well; I've been busy lately. In a few months I'll start a film for you!"

Everyone at the table was stunned; Liu Yifei and Jing Tian wore particularly skeptical looks.

Ke Lala was immensely grateful, hurried to stand and toast, "Thank you, Director Jiang, thank you, Director Jiang. I will work hard and repay your support and care!"

Ke Lala's Chinese is fairly fluent, but her intonation sounds a bit odd.

Jiang Heng can't help but laugh every time he hears it.

He waved his hand and said, "No need to be so excited; it's just a medium‑low‑budget film!"

The girls at the table remained very envious.

Of course, from Jiang Heng's wording one can infer it's not a special‑effects blockbuster. Yet the film Jiang personally ordered is certainly something special!

Perhaps he has a story in mind, polished over months, and is just arranging for others to film it.

Da Tian Tian, straightforward and trusting, leaned forward slightly and asked, "What story?"

"A story about a middle‑aged man's affair—do you want to film it?"

"Ah, never mind then!"

Upon hearing that Jiang Heng wouldn't star, Jing Tian instantly lost interest.

The other girls felt similarly; acting opposite a middle‑aged greasy man held little appeal for them.

Little did they know that the actor Jiang Heng envisions for the middle‑aged greasy man is only thirty years old now.

Indeed, what he's planning to shoot is "The Love Saint", and the middle‑aged greasy man in the film is Xiao Yang.

In the 80s, Xiao Yang teamed up with Wang Taili to form the "Chopsticks Brothers" duo, self‑writing and directing the youth film "Old Boy", which premiered in June, a bit earlier than in his previous life.

At this point, Xiao Yang is considered a top figure in the Chinese‑language film and TV circle; it wouldn't be particularly strange if someone suddenly approached him to make a movie.

Of course, all this has to wait until "War of the Lich" is finished; right now there's definitely no time to deal with that.

As the meal drew to a close, the conversation inevitably turned to casting for the new film, and Jiang Heng left a few final remarks.

In short, the new film has many characters, several female roles, and includes action scenes, making the shoot quite challenging; the specifics will have to wait until the project is officially approved.

The girls, hearing this, finally had a sense of the situation and realized the competition wasn't that fierce.

Because of Jiang Heng's implication, the film won't feature an absolute female lead like Xiao Bai, Nie Xiaoqian, or Feng Baobao; if it's a group of supporting female roles with roughly equal screen time, then it's a matter of "fortunate if you get it, fate if you lose."

Later, Jiang Heng announced at the meeting that the new film "War of the Lich" serves as a prequel to "Mountaintop Rescue Mother", telling the story of the Lich War and the transfer of power in the Heavenly Court.

Those who supported the topic cheered ecstatically, while the other group looked somewhat disappointed.

Jiang Heng said, "The company has many films to launch; they'll all be made sooner or later. For now, everyone should focus on preparing 'War of the Lich', because it involves numerous characters, magical artifacts, and battle scenes, and the plot is very complex."

"Therefore, the upcoming adaptation tasks are heavy; the script department must be mentally prepared."

"We understand, Director Jiang!"

"The props team, in a couple of days come to me for the sketches, and make the props according to the drawings I made!"

"Having your hand‑drawn sketches, Director Jiang, our props department is truly blessed!"

"Even though the script hasn't been finalized yet, the casting for the main roles can be done in advance; the casting department will issue a notice within the industry and call a batch of actors for auditions."

"No problem, Director Jiang!"

"The publicity department will have the manuscript ready and release some news in a timely manner!"

"Don't worry, Director Jiang, we've got this handled; just wait for us to hit the hot search again!"

Jiang Heng gave an embarrassed smile, "Constantly hitting the hot search is also quite worrisome!"

Everyone laughed at his words, and various flattering remarks spilled out.

The next day, Jiang Heng's name indeed rose to the hot search, with the associated keyword being "The new film *War of the Liches* is in full swing preparation!"

As soon as the news came out, it indeed caused a major shock in the entertainment and web novel circles.

Since *The Buddha is the Dao* was already very popular, the plot of *War of the Liches* had also been widely known.

Without even thinking, one knows this is a grand and tumultuous bloody war between the two lich clans.

According to the setting of *The Buddha is the Dao*, the primordial wilderness has been smashed to pieces.

Thinking this way, the scenes in *Little Soldier's Legend* seem not so big after all!

(End of chapter)