Chapter 487

Xu Lao guai's professional level is still strong; it's just that his imagination runs wild, often overlooking the film's overall coherence, frequently falling into the vicious circle of doing special effects for the sake of special effects, and imagination for the sake of imagination.

To invest in his films and make money, you need a strong producer and a supervisor who can "restrain" him.

And Outstanding Rising Film Company happens to meet these conditions, so Jiang Heng dares to discuss cooperation with him confidently.

"You know the story of Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy, right?" Jiang Heng said with a chuckle.

After moving north, Xu Lao guai hasn't made many films that were both critically acclaimed and box-office hits; Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy is one of them.

Originally, this film was a joint production of Bona, Huaxia, Bayi and other film companies, with a Douban rating of 7.7 and a box office of 8.79 billion, making it a relatively successful work.

Although compared to the 200 million investment, the profit isn't that high, there's still no reason to let this work disappear.

If Xu Ke's idea were taken to cooperate with another company, it would be a loss.

However, judging by his reaction, he probably never even considered filming this subject.

"Taking Tiger Mountain, by Strategy?"

Xu Ke gave an embarrassed smile and said, "I've heard of it—Yang Zirong going up the mountain to fight tigers, fighting tigers?"

Xu Lao guai's eyes lit up; he was obviously pondering how to make the tiger-fighting scene more exciting and thrilling.

Seeing this, Jiang Heng felt both amused and exasperated—this Xu Lao guai, his attention always lands on places where he can show off his imagination.

"Vast forest seas, endless snow plains, Yang Zirong alone ventures into the tiger's den, encounters a fierce tiger, engages in a life-and-death battle, and the pursued flees up a tree.

Unexpectedly, the tiger climbs the tree as easily as walking on flat ground; only the withered tree cannot bear its several-hundred-pound weight, so it falls again.

Yang Zirong raises his gun to shoot the tiger, but at the crucial moment his rifle freezes, and he relies on his sidearm to hit the tiger's eye!"

After Jiang Heng briefly described it, Xu Ke felt his blood surge and said, "Good, good—if this were filmed, it would be spectacular! There probably hasn't been such a splendid tiger-fighting scene in film or TV yet, right?"

Jiang Heng said: "Of course, in the old Water Margin, with primitive filming conditions, managing to shoot a tiger-fighting scene at all is already difficult, let alone with all these twists!"

Xu Ke nodded slightly, "Using special effects here really couldn't be better!" He then asked for the story's concrete outline.

Jiang Heng gave a brief summary, and Xu Ke, after a little thought, agreed.

After all, the current market is poor; if he didn't agree, it might be impossible to secure investment for a year or two.

Once the cooperation was settled, the two chatted freely about some matters in the Xianggang entertainment circle.

For example, some artists are now living so poorly that even getting a meal is a problem.

Some have fallen seriously ill, their wealth stolen, leaving them in dire straits.

Hearing this, Jiang Heng felt somewhat uneasy.

Recalling the golden age of Xianggang cinema, those on-screen figures were full of vigor; compared to now, it's indeed much worse.

Jiang Heng took out a cigarette, lit it, and said in a low voice: "Come to think of it, I haven't gone back for a while either.

I plan to make a trip before the year ends, meet old friends, and together raise some money to set up a fund to help them out a bit!"

Xu Ke said: "If you're willing to step forward, things will surely work out—they're blessed!"

Jiang Heng laughed: "Nothing much, just doing what I can."

Xu Ke said: "To you it's a trivial effort, but to them it's a guarantee of survival!"

Jiang Heng said: "Money—once earned, it's meant to be spent; you can't keep hoarding it forever!"

Xu Ke laughed, "That's coming from you—among the whole Chinese-speaking world, uh, I mean the global entertainment industry, there probably isn't anyone richer than you!" Jiang Heng waved his hand, "This bit of money of mine is nothing; I'm afraid I can't even contend for the top richest, let alone compare with those true capital tycoons!"

Xu Ke said: "Only someone who doesn't understand the industry would believe that—thinking you're just a famous director; in fact, your assets alone, the annual profit from just League of Legends, can match many listed companies!"

Jiang Heng gave an embarrassed smile: "Yeah, I spend all day thinking about filming; if you didn't mention it, I'd almost have forgotten those things!"

Xu Lao guai was utterly speechless, thinking to himself: "You just want to hear me flatter you indirectly, don't you?"

After drinking until past nine at night, the two went their separate ways.

The next day, Jiang Heng came to the Outstanding Rising Film Company building and had his assistant notify Yu Dong to come over.

He soon arrived at Jiang Heng's office, still thinking it was about the promotion of the Legion of Heroes sequel.

But unexpectedly, as soon as Jiang Heng opened his mouth, he spoke of Xu Lao guai.

"Yesterday I ran into him at the premiere of Custom Made, we chatted, felt we could collaborate, and are preparing to adapt Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy into a 3D blockbuster!"

Yu Dong also froze, "Taking Tiger Mountain, by Strategy?"

He understood the idea of making a blockbuster, but the subject of Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy left him a bit dazed.

Nowadays, the main force of moviegoers are young people, perhaps averaging no more than twenty-five years old—how could they possibly be interested in this kind of subject! "Director Jiang, is this, Xu Lao guai's idea?"

"Of course not—I came up with it myself!"

"Well, that's really quite unexpected!"

Yu Dong's expression turned awkward, then he said: "This subject has a limited audience; not that many people would love to watch it, right?"

Jiang Heng laughed: "It just depends on how it's made—as long as the movie is good, young people will like it just as much!"

Yu Dong muttered to himself, "I still don't know that the film needs to be good; the problem is how to make it good!"

Jiang Heng continued: "Yesterday I discussed the plot outline with Xu Lao guai; he'll go back to write the script, you take charge of this project, and if he lacks a writing team, you can pull people from here!"

"Then, is the investment also to be made under Bona's name?"

Jiang Heng said: "How so, you're not willing?"

Yu Dong gave an embarrassed smile: "I and Xu Ke are also old friends; I know his ability, but his hit-or-miss performance is too unstable—that 'Capital Dragon King' at the beginning of the year nearly bankrupted Huayi!"

Jiang Heng laughed: "Xu Lao guai is a capable director, but he's also too individualistic for most companies to handle; however, I think we can manage.

If you're unwilling, I'll have this side provide the funds and manpower!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Dong hurriedly said: "No, no, I'm just hesitating a bit—this isn't still agreed upon, is it?"

Jiang Heng laughed: "Well, that settles it—this drama, I'll be the nominal producer, you'll be the supervisor; if needed, we can arrange a few more cameos from the company's artists!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Dong's eyes lit up, and he smiled: "Director Jiang, actually we don't need that many cameos—just you alone is enough!"

"Me?"

Jiang Heng thought for a moment, then laughed: "Let's discuss this later; how about we talk about the promotion of the Legion of Heroes sequel instead?"

Yu Dong laughed, "Then you don't need to worry about that, everything is in order! The overseas market release proceeds as usual, domestically we still hold the premiere in Beijing, at the Olympic Sports Center, all with our longtime partners!"

Jiang Heng nodded slightly, "You handle it, I'm at ease!" (End of chapter)