Chapter 380: World Film History No. 1

In the Mainland market, "Little Soldier Legend" after a secret-key postponement finally recorded a box office of 1.819 billion yuan.

At the current exchange rate of 1 USD = 6.77 yuan, the Mainland box office equals 268 million dollars.

Adding the North American market's 739 million dollars, just the two major markets of Mainland China and North America push the total box office past one billion dollars, reaching 1.007 billion dollars.

Including Japan, South Korea, European countries, Southeast Asian nations, Australia, South America and other regions, "Little Soldier Legend" has a globally tabulated box office of 3.081 billion dollars.

Yes, this is merely a tabulated box‑office figure.

Supposedly, after its release in India, "Little Soldier Legend" received a very good response and attracted large audiences.

Yet the box‑office numbers reported there are low, even lower than those of the small Southeast Asian country Vietnam.

Fortunately, Outstanding Rising Film Company sold the rights outright in the Indian market; if it were a box‑office revenue‑share model, their handling would really be infuriating.

Therefore, even though the 3.081 billion‑dollar figure isn't very precise, it still shocks the global film market.

Especially Hollywood, because Jiang Heng has already claimed the global box‑office champion twice.

The first time was with the $2.398 billion "The Great Havoc in Heaven", which broke the record held by "Titanic".

But it was soon surpassed by "Avatar"'s $2.579 billion, relegating it to second place in global box‑office history.

This time, "Little Soldier Legend", with a massive $500 million investment, secured a global box office of $3.081 billion, leaving countless Hollywood directors feeling helpless, even desperate.

Three billion dollars, even James Cameron wouldn't dare claim he could surpass it! Moreover, a $500 million investment isn't something just anyone can handle.

Just the huge break‑even pressure alone can make many directors depressed and anxious.

The success of "Little Soldier Legend" proves Jiang Heng's absolute strength in the commercial film arena.

If in the past there was any director who dared claim to be better than Jiang Heng…

Then now, at most they can only brag that they can be mentioned alongside Jiang Heng! Domestically, major media are full of celebratory and praising reports, and many official outlets are rapidly reposting and reporting.

On television, several programs on the CCTV News Channel broadcast related news all day long.

"News Broadcast" also reported again, solemnly expounding the great significance and far‑reaching impact of "Little Soldier Legend" winning the global box‑office crown.

What does that mean? It means the Chinese‑language film industry has reached world‑class level; otherwise it wouldn't have clinched the crown twice within a few years…! While external reports blaze on, Jiang Heng merely stays at the China Film Digital Base, focused on shooting his special‑effects blockbuster.

Every day he grabs a thermos, sits behind the monitor as steady as an old dog—hardly looks like a man in his thirties! "What are you laughing at?"

During a break, Jiang Heng saw a group of actresses gathering, occasionally glancing at him and bursting into giggles, partly out of curiosity.

Zhao Liying said, "Um, Director Jiang, they say your psychological age is at least fifty!"

Jiang Heng coughed and asked, "Who said that?"

Tang Yan's timid expression, she raised her hand lightly.

Jiang Heng chuckled, "You really read people well!"

This prompted several of the girls to become bold and curious.

Yang Mi asked, "Director Jiang, a film with over three billion dollars in box office—how does it feel?"

Jiang Heng, with an indifferent look, replied, "It doesn't feel like anything; we just estimated before that it would be roughly this much, right?"

"It's different, Director Jiang; an estimate is an estimate, now it's a concrete result!"

"Yeah, it's the global box‑office champion!"

Jiang Heng gave a wry smile, thought seriously and said, "How to describe it? It's like an event whose trajectory and outcome were basically within your expectations, so the sense of surprise isn't that strong. If such events happen frequently, the moment you hear the result isn't that surprising, because you've already been happy before!"

The several girls, hearing this, all showed admiring looks, clearly impressed by Jiang Heng. "Alright, stop pondering that, focus on filming! If someone performs well, maybe they'll be the female lead next time!"

"Really?"

The actresses' eyes were full of surprise, and even Liu Yifei and Jing Tian were no exception; after all, given their relationship, they don't always get the female‑lead roles in Jiang Heng's new films.

Everyone also gave a "casual" glance at Yan Danchen, genuinely envious.

Jiang Heng said, "Of course, why would I fool you!"

He then pointed at Ke Lala, "Your scenes finish tomorrow; go back to the company and find General Du, he'll arrange things for you!"

Ke Lala plays a priestess in "War of the Lich", just a minor role with little screen time.

She naturally remembers Jiang Heng's earlier promise to give her a film, which was said to take several months, and she didn't expect the day to arrive so soon.

"Alright, Director Jiang, thank you, Director Jiang!"

Jiang Heng gave a slight nod and turned away.

Yang Mi looked at Ke Lala with envy, grabbed her hand and said, "Minmin, you're definitely going to be famous now!"

Ke Lala gave a flattering smile, "I won't think about that; I'll just do my best to make a good movie!"

Tang Yan said, "Since Director Jiang arranged it personally, the script and investment won't be bad; it should succeed!"

To be honest, both Tang Yan and Yang Mi's envy at this moment is genuine.

Although they are signed with Outstanding Rising Film Company, producing one big‑budget TV drama after another, they aren't that prominent in film resources.

The reason is simple: acting ability.

In Jiang Heng's special‑effects blockbusters, audiences mainly watch the spectacular large‑scale scenes, and honestly the female lead's acting isn't demanded to be that high.

It's only in romance‑special‑effects blockbusters like "The Origin of the White Snake" that the female lead's acting is required to be higher.

Jing Tian's acting may not be that strong, but under Jiang Heng's repeated direction, Xiao Bai performed quite well, earning widespread praise and is expected to win several film awards.

In movies not directed by Jiang Heng, the performances of the "Golden Flowers" are less outstanding, and Jing Tian almost had her career ruined by a film titled "Warring States".

Frightened, she said that from now on, whenever she shoots a film, she'll first ask Jiang Heng's opinion.

If Jiang Heng says she can't shoot, she won't take the role, sticking to a "listen‑to‑advice" persona.

Meanwhile, Yang Mi, Tang Yan and others carry an idol burden; their film careers stall, so they rush to shoot lucrative, easy idol dramas.

Jiang Heng, however, does not interfere.

After all, idol dramas are mainly produced by his own company, and whatever they shoot contributes to Outstanding Rising Film Company.

Yet, after filming wrapped, Ke Lala hurried back to Jingcheng overnight.

The next day she went to the company to see General Du Huan, who took out a script and looked at Ke Lala with a somewhat flattering gaze.

"I really didn't expect Director Jiang to think so highly of you; preparing the War of the Lich must be so busy, yet you still find time to write a script for you!"

Ke Lala heard that, her face showing surprise, and hurriedly said in not very standard We need to output lines: English, "Really? That's unbelievable, Director Jiang, you're so good to me, it's so moving!"

Ke Lala truly lives up to being a professional actress, actually shedding a few tears, with a look of hot, moving tears welling up in her eyes.

(End of chapter)