Chapter 91: Breaking the Record

Jingcheng, inside the office of the head of China Film Group, Han Sanping felt lingering fear, "Fortunately the cinema manager reacted in time, otherwise if a violent trampling incident occurred, it would be troublesome!"

Jiang Heng nodded slightly, deeply agreeing.

The saying goes, small fame relies on promotion, big fame relies on luck; people in the film and TV industry are somewhat superstitious, otherwise they wouldn't pray to gods before shooting, believing this and that.

If a violent conflict had truly occurred that night at the theater, it would undoubtedly pour cold water on the red-hot Pacific Rim, and even Jiang Heng, who had been unstoppable, would be entangled in rumors; fortunately it was resolved smoothly.

"Actually, after all, it's still that IMAX's projection system isn't mature enough; with this lesson, IMAX's technical support will definitely be strengthened, and theaters must also train their staff."

Jiang Heng raised a suggestion, then immediately said, "That manager should get a reward, right!"

Han Sanping laughed, "Of course, the theater chain will give him a bonus; after the summer season, they'll arrange for his whole family to travel abroad, and if a suitable position opens up, they'll prioritize him."

Jiang Heng found it satisfactory enough and then stopped paying attention to it.

Han Sanping then picked up a report on the table, which contained various detailed data analyses of Pacific Rim since its release.

It includes opening-day box office, opening weekend three-day box office, daily box office, various theater-chain box office, various city box office, and various theater box office rankings, among other data, written in great detail.

However, in Jiang Heng's view, this is purely for filling time in meetings.

What use is it to the producer knowing which theater's box office is high or low!

He only cared about daily performance and cumulative box office; he glanced at it, first looking at yesterday's box office data: 37.9 million, higher than the opening day's 36.2 million, naturally breaking the box‑office record previously held by Lion Camel Ridge, and reaching the one‑million mark even faster.

Recalling Lion Camel Ridge's domestic data at release, Jiang Heng smiled, "Looking at this performance, five hundred million is a sure thing!"

"Five hundred million? Someone already has their sights set on six hundred million!" Han Sanping said.

"Who, has more confidence than us?"

"Of course it's the media; look, this newspaper writes all kinds of data projections, written in great detail!"

Jiang Heng took a look and saw it was the China Film News; the front-page headline wrote expectations for Pacific Rim's box office, starting from the film's opening day and next day's box office results, plus assessments of regional enthusiasm, then comparing with Lion Camel Ridge's data at release, and analyzing from genre and release window, concluding that Chinese-language films could cross the five-hundred-million threshold, directly leaping from four hundred million to the six-hundred-million era.

The entire report's content was detailed; even Jiang Heng, as a director, found it quite reasonable, let alone ordinary viewers unaware of the truth.

"Honestly, it's well-written; after reading it, even I feel confident!"

Han Sanping laughed heartily, "If I may say, this report is well-written; if the chance arises, I definitely want to meet this author!"

Jiang Heng nodded slightly; the film industry is also a world of intrigue, and naturally one must understand human relations and worldly ways.

How well a film is made is one aspect; censorship, distribution, theaters, media, critics, and even actors' public appeal all affect a film's box office performance.

Jiang Heng wants to take root in the mainland; he certainly must be kind to others and make many friends.

"When the box office truly exceeds six hundred million, we'll hold a grand celebration and invite him over!"

Han Sanping laughed heartily, "If that day really comes, I'll send a car to bring the newspaper's staff over to thank him for his auspicious words!"

Jiang Heng also laughed, "Director Han, you're magnanimous!"

Han Sanping waved his hand, "No, no, speaking of which, there's something that makes me angry: as soon as this film hit theaters, the market flooded with toys modeled after the mechs from the film, especially in East Expanse; I heard from theaters there that they set up right at the theater doors to sell, and you can't drive them away, seriously affecting our genuine product sales!"

Pacific Rim dominated the mainland summer season, with no other film released at the same time; two weeks later, Kill Break Wolf went online, also produced by Jiang Heng's Xianggang Excellent Soar Film and Television Company, with Jiang Heng making a cameo appearance.

One could say the entire mainland summer season has been cornered by Jiang Heng.

Even the habitually arrogant pirated disc gang couldn't get a share.

After all, everyone knows Pacific Rim is a visual-effects blockbuster that doesn't rely on its plot; with the current quality of domestic televisions, even if you play pirated discs on the best color TV, you won't get a good viewing experience—it's better to spend a little more and go to the cinema.

Therefore, the impact of pirated discs on Pacific Rim's box office is also negligible.

However, in the peripheral toys area, the genuine products licensed by China Film and Love Excellent Soar are no match for them.

Indeed, counterfeit toys were everywhere, even sold right at the theater doors.

Some viewers, bored while queuing, seeing the items weren't expensive, would impulsively buy one to play with.

Some, still excited after leaving the auditorium, made purely impulsive purchases.

The genuine articles are different—exquisite packaging, high price, mainly placed in mall counters, where they can't compete with cheap imitations.

Jiang Heng disagreed, laughing, "I'm just saying casually—do you think this makes sense? You know the domestic situation: first, there's little copyright awareness, pirated goods flying everywhere is the norm. However, regarding toys, I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. Toys are usually bought for children; genuine ones are too expensive, and if a child cries for one, it can impose a financial burden on many families. With cheap alternatives, parents spending a little pocket money can satisfy the child's wish, which is also a good thing!"

"Anyway, our genuine products, they couldn't afford them anyway; better leave them for those well-off families to buy!"

Han Sanping was taken aback, then gave a wry smile, "I never imagined you'd be so wealthy yet still think of the less fortunate; why not donate a batch of genuine toys to children in mountainous areas?"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Donate then donate; I'm not short of this amount of money?"

Speaking of this, he suddenly recalled something and said, "Then also donate a batch to Hope Primary School!"

Seeing Jiang Heng suddenly become dejected, Han Sanping joked, "What, you're reluctant?"

"Hah, do I care about that? I'm afraid that if the money is donated, it won't be spent where it counts, the buildings will be shoddy, and I won't agree to that!" By the end, his expression had turned very serious.

Han Sanping said, "No problem, I'll help you find a contractor; China Construction has many bureaus, just point to whichever you want, and I'll handle the negotiations!"

"Really?"

"Certainly! As long as the funds are in place, I'll run this errand for you—for the kids!"

"Alright, we'll leave it at that for today; I'll put up the money!"

Seeing Jiang Heng speak earnestly, Han Sanping knew it wasn't a joke and probed, "You, how much are you planning to contribute?"

"I'll contribute one hundred million!"

"One—!"

Han Sanping hearing this almost fell over, really wanting to say, "Brother, the hype for Pacific Rim is about to self-ignite; hype isn't played like this."

"Once your donation news gets out, the media will surely explode!"

(End of chapter)