Chapter 555: Impact

This version of The Great Wall directed by Zhang Yimou earned a staggering 2.78 billion RMB on its opening day, not only shocking Jiang Heng, Du Huan and other senior executives who love Outstanding Rising Film Company, but also shaking the entire Chinese-language entertainment circle.

Because according to the film's current reputation and opening-day box office estimate, the final result will definitely exceed three billion.

This also means that Zhang Yimou will be the third director in the Chinese-language entertainment circle, after Jiang Heng and Zhou Xingxing, to have a single film gross over three billion.

At the same time, it proves that monster blockbusters are feasible, as long as the adaptation is proper and reasonable, they can not only make money but make big money.

It instantly stimulated many investors and directors, who pondered how to jump on the bandwagon and make a similar film.

China Film, Han Sanping went to the set of Nine-Story Demon Tower with a chuckle to visit the crew.

Actually, he had long felt that monster blockbusters had great potential.

However, Jiang Heng has never been fond of this genre, so over the years he only made one film, One Hundred Thousand Years Ago.

Moreover, in recent years Jiang Heng's films no longer accept investment from China Film, so Han Sanping has been scouting for a director capable of directing monster-effect blockbusters.

In his view, Director Lu Qiao is a suitable candidate.

First, he is relatively young; although compared to Jiang Heng he is almost ten years older.

But compared to fifth-generation directors like Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige and Feng Xiaogang, Lu Qiao is very young.

And the most crucial point is that Lu Qiao knows the preferences of young audiences and is also very full of ideas.

Thus the two parties hit it off immediately, with China Film taking the lead in providing most of the investment, producing this monster-effect blockbuster written and directed by Lu Qiao, Ghost Blows Out the Light: The Nine-Story Demon Tower.

The crew started work in August this year, and is still filming in a desert town in the western part of the motherland.

Because the distance is really too far, Chairman Han usually can't be bothered to visit the set.

But because of The Great Wall's outstanding box office performance, Han Sanping feels it necessary to go and see how the filming of Nine-Story Demon Tower is going.

The crew, led by Lu Qiao bringing together the main creators, warmly welcomed Chairman Han Sanping's visit and guidance.

After a simple tour of the filming base, they came to Lu Qiao's temporary reception room.

"The box office of The Great Wall, you must have heard about it, right?" Han Sanping said after sitting down, lighting a cigarette, taking a puff and chuckling.

Lu Qiao became even more energized hearing this, sitting on the sofa with his body leaning slightly forward.

"Of course I've heard, 2.78 billion in a day, the total box office should exceed three billion!"

Han Sanping sighed, "Yeah, three billion, Jiang Heng made a profit again this time. Of course, Zhang Yimou's share won't be small either!"

Lu Qiao then said, "Zhou Xingxing's The Mermaid grossed over three billion. The Great Wall can also exceed three billion. So this monster-effect blockbuster still has a huge market, and since this is a genre Jiang Heng is not good at, it's perfect for us to cultivate."

Han Sanping smiled upon hearing this, deeply agreeing.

Lu Qiao continued, "Our film not only has outstanding special effects, but also the backing of the original novel, so the box office will definitely not be bad!"

Actually, even before The Great Wall was released, Lu Qiao, when talking about this film, always said that Nine-Story Demon Tower would have better market performance.

But nowadays, even if he had the thickest skin, he wouldn't dare say that Nine-Story Demon Tower would surpass The Great Wall and gross over three billion. After all, the investment gap is huge: The Great Wall's total investment is over a hundred million US dollars, while Nine-Story Demon Tower only has ninety million, though it claims an investment of over a hundred million externally.

In his original plan, if Nine-Story Demon Tower could gross over one billion, that would be considered very successful.

But The Great Wall gave him confidence, making him feel that grossing ten to twenty billion is also not impossible.

Of course, more money is needed.

"Chairman Han, I think the film's investment could consider adding some more, to make the special effects more exquisite and shocking!"

Unexpectedly, Han Sanping slightly shook his head and chuckled, "Adding budget midway is a big taboo; what you've done so far is already very good, just follow the original shooting plan!"

I made this long journey to tell you: film well, the box office prospects for this genre are very good, the company also supports you in continuing to cultivate this type, and the budget for the next installment will be even larger!

"One hundred million US dollars?" Lu Qiao said with his eyes lighting up.

Han Sanping was taken aback upon hearing this, "This young man is still too impatient!"

"At least three hundred million to start!"

"Three hundred million is fine!"

In the edition that looks flawless at a glance!

Lu Qiao gave an embarrassed smile; although this investment amount was a bit lower than he expected, he could still accept it.

Jingcheng, Splendid Arts Company.

Seeing the opening-day box office of The Great Wall, the Wang brothers felt extremely envious and regretted not acting sooner; when Zhang Yimou and Zhang Weiping were at odds, they should have poached the great director Zhang! Now looking at it, Zhang Yimou really does have some ability, capable of making a commercial effects blockbuster this good.

It's too late for regret, but fortunately they have a backup candidate, Xu Ke.

Speaking of Xu Ke, these years he has been hopping back and forth between Splendid Arts Company and Bona, making a film for Splendid Arts, and the next likely would be a collaboration with Bona. After working with Bona, of course he would then collaborate with Splendid Arts again; that's why Little Wang Zong called Xu Ke, inviting him to come over to Splendid Arts for a sit-down.

Xu Ke is not busy now; Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy is set to premiere on December 24, Christmas Eve, and the premiere ceremony hasn't been held yet, nor has any advance publicity started. After receiving the call, he didn't hesitate much and agreed, rushing over before the end of the workday.

After sitting down at the tea table, Little Wang Zong first asked about the new film's situation; Xu Ke was full of confidence, saying the special effects were super shocking and grossing over ten billion was no problem.

Wang Zhonglei nodded, "With your ability, grossing ten billion is certainly no sweat! But I have to say, making whatever mainstream film would be a waste of your talent, limiting your imagination!"

Xu Lao Guai gave a hehe laugh, "What can be done? Director Jiang's essay prompt, he suggested I film this! But having said that, this movie is indeed a blast, especially the tiger-fighting scenes; I suggest Boss Wang go to the cinema to check it out!"

Wang Zhonglei laughed, "I will definitely support your film, and definitely go see it!"

He lifted his tea cup and took another sip, "You've also seen the market situation; to get ultra-high box office, you still need an effects blockbuster, but sci-fi, mecha, mythology—these genres Director Jiang has done too much, ordinary people find it hard to compete with him in those fields, after all is said and done, monster-themed is still the best!"

Xu Ke nodded, "I didn't expect The Great Wall to have such a good result either; monster-themed is indeed viable!"

Wang Zhonglei smiled upon hearing this, refilled Xu Ke's tea, and said, "How about we team up again and make a monster blockbuster?"

Xu Ke also felt the same, "No problem, as long as the investment is in place, I'm fine on my end!" (End of chapter)

Wang Zhonglei's expression froze upon hearing that; whenever investment was mentioned, his flesh ached, because he truly dared not give that much! (End of chapter)