Chapter 158: Shanghai Film Studio comes knocking

25 million in 3 days.

Hearing this number, Wu Yuchen couldn't help but feel refreshed. This was even higher than last year's "My Brothers and Sisters." It seems that the reputation and appeal of his big director Wu have already surpassed Wang Xianxian!

However, Wu Yuchen quickly calmed down. After all, in America, he had already taken a box office of 50 million USD in the first weekend. Just in terms of amount, it was not enough to make him overly excited.

And Wu Yuchen calculated that the 25 million box office for "Classic Again" in these 3 days is still far behind the later "Hero." In his past life, when "Hero" was released in 2002, it made 51 million in 3 days. Now "Classic Again" hasn't even reached half of "Hero"!

Actually, it's not surprising. After all, the cast of "Hero" was a big-name cast, with an all-star lineup including Li Lianjie, Liang Chaowei, and Zhang Manyu, while "Classic Again" is a blank slate lineup by comparison. And it's only 1998 now; internet information dissemination is far inferior to 2002, and the promotion is not as big as "Hero."

Wu Yuchen smiled: "Factory Manager Han, it's only 25 million now, and there is still a long way to go before breaking 100 million. We can't relax in promotion!"

"Hahaha, Wu Dao, don't worry about this. We have prepared enough copies for distribution this time, and as for promotion, it still depends on you, Wu Dao!"

Han Sanping is in a very good mood now. A box office of 25 million in three days looks very promising to break 100 million. Moreover, "Classic Again" and "Titanic" are both romance films. Judging from the word-of-mouth after the audience watched it, many said that the love between the male and female leads in it is completely not inferior to Jack and Rose.

At such a time, for such an opponent that can tie with "Titanic" in word-of-mouth to jump out, it is truly very rare! At the very least, it has helped domestic films regain a city in terms of momentum!

After Wu Yuchen hung up the phone, he also had a smile on his face. Jiang Qinqin, who was on the side, heard his conversation with Han Sanping just now and couldn't help but ask excitedly: "Is it really 25 million?"

Wu Yuchen nodded: "Not so accurate, but it won't be too bad."

Now the statistics in Huaxia are relatively rough, and the data cannot be as real-time and accurate as in America.

Jiang Qinqin immediately said happily: "I heard that the box office for the first three days of 'Titanic' was only over 20 million. Do you think we will..."

Wu Yuchen reached out and gently scraped her nose: "Will we exceed the box office of 'Titanic'? What are you thinking?!"

Jiang Qinqin pouted and said: "Why can't I think about it? It's all 20 million plus, what if..."

Wu Yuchen looked at her appearance and really wanted to compare endurance with "Titanic"? Which film can compare to that!

"You're not like you haven't gone to watch 'Titanic' with me. Do you really think their high production cost was spent in vain? Do we have that kind of big scene and fine production in our film?"

Wu Yuchen rubbed Jiang Qinqin's head and continued:

"The box office of 'Titanic' isn't just piled up by romance. Let me just say one thing: after the pirated version comes out, there won't be much difference between watching our 'Classic Again' at home and in the cinema, but 'Titanic' is different. Otherwise, why do you think so many people repeatedly go into the cinema to watch it?"

Jiang Qinqin understood immediately after hearing this. She had just been brain-heated by the 25 million box office result and was still fantasizing that the film she starred in as the female lead could exceed "Titanic" and reach the pinnacle of China. But now, before the beautiful dream could be realized, it was ruthlessly punctured by Wu Yuchen.

"Oh, you are really annoying, can't you let me have a daydream for a few days~" Jiang Qinqin patted Wu Yuchen.

Wu Yuchen patted her butt lightly: "Little fool, with this 100 million female lead in front of you, what daydream are you still thinking about!"

Jiang Qinqin also reacted instantly after hearing this. Even if she couldn't exceed "Titanic," she was very likely to become a big female lead whose film broke 100 million at the box office. This is something no one has been able to do for many years!

Jiang Qinqin was happy again, pulling Wu Yuchen and wanting to go out.

"What are you doing?" Wu Yuchen asked strangely.

"Go promote!"

Jiang Qinqin is now full of motivation and wants to fight for her 100 million female lead.

"Woo woo woo, it's so good, it's so touching!"

"Well, the plot is especially touching, the male and female leads are also good-looking, and the music is so good! I don't know if there are tapes for sale, I want to buy them back and listen to them a hundred times!"

At the entrance of the cinema, listening to the conversation of several girls walking out, Li Jian was so happy that his teeth were about to be exposed. This was not the first audience he heard say this. He stayed here for half a day, and at least one out of three audiences walking out would talk about the theme song he sang.

Hearing so much praise and feedback, Li Jian also made up his mind.

The next day, Li Jian knocked on the office of the department director. The director saw that it was a new employee who had just come in, raised his eyelids and asked: "Little Li, is there anything?"

Li Jian walked up and handed over a letter.

The director was a bit confused, took the letter and opened it: Resignation letter!

This made him stunned for a moment, and then looked at Li Jian up and down: "Little Li, I remember you have been an intern for a year and just finished your internship period and became a regular, resigning?"

Their Radio and Television Administration is a real-power unit with a formal establishment.

Li Jian nodded: "Director, I don't think I'm very suitable for this job."

The director thought of Li Jian's identity as a graduate of Tsinghua University, thinking that these famous university students are indeed arrogant, and didn't feel strange in his heart, nodded and said: "Okay, if you have really considered it, we won't stop you. Do you want to go abroad next?"

According to his understanding of Tsinghua University students, basically half of them ran to study abroad, but the answer he heard was unexpected.

"No, Director, I plan to do music."

"What? Do music? Aren't you studying electronic engineering?" The director was really surprised after hearing this.

"Yes, but singing and music have always been my interests. I still want to do something I like."

Now the director was not calm: "Li Jian, you have to think clearly. Doing music is not so easy to do. Besides, you are an amateur. Don't be impulsive with a hot head!"

Hearing the director's concern for himself, Li Jian smiled and said: "Director, don't worry, this is a decision I have carefully considered."

Seeing his appearance of not listening to persuasion, the director shook his head: "Sigh, young people, you Tsinghua students are too arrogant. You will know the gap between dreams and reality after you break in yourself! But you are from Tsinghua, even if you fail, it won't be difficult to come back and find a job..."

Listening to the director continuing to nag, Li Jian also said: "Director, don't worry, I have already released a song and can support myself."

"Released a song?" The director was slightly surprised.

"Yes, 'Classic Again'."

"'Classic Again' isn't that the film Wu Yuchen just released?" the director asked strangely.

"Director, the theme song in it is what I sang." Li Jian said with a faint smile.

A moment later, looking at Li Jian's back, the director sighed again: "Hey, these Tsinghua students are different!"

After resting for two days, Wu Yuchen took Jiang Qinqin and Wu Yanzu south, first went to Jin Sect nearby for two days, and then flew directly to Modu.

On the weekend, on the eve of the promotion in Modu, Wu Yuchen and several others were invited to a private room in a large hotel.

At this time, a middle-aged man about 50 years old saw Wu Yuchen come in and smiled and got up to greet him:

"Welcome, welcome! I have long heard that our Huaxia film scene has produced an amazing young talent, but I have never had the chance to meet him. Today, I can finally meet Wu Dao!"

Seeing the person coming, even Wu Yuchen had to respectfully greet him: "Director Zhu, you are too kind to me. It should be me taking the initiative to pay you a visit. 'The Herdsman' and 'Wreaths at the Foot of the Mountain' are all handed-down masterpieces!"

The person in front of him is named Zhu Yongde, once known as the number one photographer in Huaxia, and is a master photographer at the level of Taishan Beidou in the field of Huaxia film and television. However, at this time, he also has another identity: the former factory manager of Shanghai Film Studio and the current general manager of Shanghai Film Group.

In the decades after the founding of the country, the Shanghai Film Studio actually had a not-short period of time suppressing the Beijing Film Studio. After all, Shanghai is located in the Magic City, and the film industry inherited from the Republican era, so its foundation was much stronger than Beijing's. Moreover, the Shanghai Film Studio has always dared to innovate, with "Lushan Love," which has the first kiss in Chinese film history, the first war film "Wreaths at the Foot of the Mountain," and masterpieces such as "At the Middle School," "Hibiscus Town," etc., all produced by the Shanghai Film Studio. And Xie Jin, who had always held the title of China's number one director, was also from their Shanghai Film Studio.

Nowadays, Shanghai Film Group is also the earliest in the country to carry out reform, merging Shanghai Film Studio, Shanghai Art Film Studio, and many others into Shanghai Film Group in 1996.

To be honest, the current Shanghai Film Group's strength absolutely exceeds Beiying Factory by a lot, but Han Sanping is not a vegetarian either. A few months later, he directly merged Beiying Factory and several others into the new Zhongying, and holds the power of imported films, always pressing Shanghai Film Group.

The Zhu Yongde in front of him is in a suit and leather shoes, with a very exquisite and particular style of old-fashioned Modu people, completely two styles from Han Sanping, who is always in cloth shoes and simple dress.

Zhu Yongde smiled and waved his hand: "Outdated, outdated, I can't compare to you young people now. Everything will depend on you, Wu Dao, in the future!"

Then he gave a thumbs up and said: "Wu Dao, you can break 100 million in America with two blockbusters in a row. When we were young, you would have to be called our national hero!"

The two praised each other and sat down in the private room. Wu Yuchen also had some guesses about why this General Zhu Zong specially invited him over.

At the dinner table, Zhu Yongde chatted with Wu Yuchen about many interesting stories of Huaxia film in the past few decades, which naturally included promoting the glorious history of their Shanghai Film Studio.

After the meal, Zhu Yongde smiled and said to Wu Yuchen: "Wu Dao, I have watched your 'Classic Again.' It's filmed well! Not only is it filmed well, but it is also very popular with the audience. Now the reaction of our citizens in the Magic City to it is quite good."

Wu Yuchen was not surprised by this. People in the Magic City have always pursued petty bourgeois sentiment and romance, and a film like "Classic Again" really suits their taste too well.

However, Zhu Yongde changed the subject: "But Wu Dao, if it were changed to our Shanghai Film to do distribution for you, I dare not guarantee other places, but the box office in Modu can be 30% higher than now, and the Yangtze River Delta region can be 15% higher!"

No matter how much Old Zhu was the number one photographer and artist before, after sitting in the position of general manager, he naturally has to consider the development of the company.

And in the past two years, Wu Yuchen has been the most profitable director in China. Last year, "My Brothers and Sisters" was number one at the Chinese box office, and this year's "Classic Again" is also a box office hit.

Old Zhu knows that Wu Yuchen has his own company, and it is impossible to pull him into the partnership, but they can't let Beiying Factory take advantage every time, and they get nothing, right!

Shanghai Film, which has eaten Xie Jin's dividends, knows deeply the benefits that a great director's name brings to the company.

In any case, Shanghai Film should be friendly to directors like Wu Yuchen. It is best to participate in the investment of his next movie. Even if they can't lead Beiying Factory, they can't fall behind!

Wu Yuchen heard this, thinking to himself, sure enough, the main show is coming!

Modu has always been a big box office warehouse for Huaxia films, and can even be called the number one box office warehouse. And the Yangtze River Delta region is the most developed area in Huaxia's economy. The box office in this area is really not low, and Shanghai Film Group, which occupies the geographical advantage, can be said to be a local snake in this area.

To be honest, if it were just Beiying Factory, it would really not be able to beat Shanghai Film, but Wu Yuchen knew clearly that the new Zhongying would be born soon. Didn't he build a good relationship with Han Sanping before for this? He can't be indecisive now.

"General Zhu Zong, I have long admired Shanghai Film. But you also know that I am from Jingying, and my previous films also relied on the help provided by Jingying and Beiying Factory to be filmed smoothly..."

Old Zhu directly interrupted Wu Yuchen and guaranteed by patting his chest:

"Wu Dao, no matter what difficulties you encounter in filming in the future, whatever conditions you put forward, what Beiying Factory can do, our Shanghai Film can also do. What Old Han can promise you, I, Zhu Yongde, can also give, and it will definitely be better than them!"

Wu Yuchen smiled bitterly and shook his head gently at Old Zhu: "General Zhu Zong, can you let me consider this matter?"

Old Zhu sighed in his heart, regretting that Wu Yuchen was not from the Shanghai Theatre Academy. In the past ten years, the Shanghai Theatre Academy has really fallen behind the two in Jingcheng by a lot!

Subsequently, Zhu Yongde's tone slowed down and he persuaded:

"Wu Dao, you are not a small director now. You can be said to be one of the signboards of our Huaxia film scene. There is no need to be trapped in the portal view. You should stand in a higher position, how is it beneficial to your film, and how is it beneficial to our Huaxia film. No matter how you choose, will our Shanghai Film or Beiying make things difficult for you?"

Although he knew that Old Zhu's words were still to fight for their Shanghai Film, it really made Wu Yuchen feel awakened. He is indeed no longer a small person. He can be brothers with Han Sanping, become a guest of the Shanghai Film general manager, and Feng Xiaogang and others see him and are respectful to him, not calling him Xiaogang, he is not happy...

It's just that his pace of progress in the past two years has been too fast, making him not see his position clearly.

In fact, he doesn't really value the box office revenue of domestic films very much. In terms of making money, it is too far from earning US dollars in Hollywood.

He repeatedly divided the shares to Beiying Factory, actually mainly to be friendly with Han Sanping. At present, the effect is very good. Shanghai Film has always been one of the best in the country. Even if it is not as good as Zhongying in the future, it is also an important force, worthy of his friendship.

In the country, what is talked about is human feelings and sophistication. It is best to develop more friends. He naturally understands this truth.

Wu Yuchen picked up a cup of tea and touched it with Old Zhu: "General Zhu Zong, thank you for your teaching! I will seriously consider your suggestion when I go back."

"Haha, what kind of teaching is that? I am at most older and have more experience!" Old Zhu didn't put on the airs of a senior in front of Wu Yuchen throughout the whole process, which made Wu Yuchen feel very comfortable.

Returning to the room in the evening, Wu Yuchen was about to make a phone call, but felt his neck hugged by Jiang Qinqin. He lowered his head and saw Jiang Qinqin's eyes full of spring water and admiration.

"Husband, you are amazing!"

Wu Yuchen raised his eyebrows, also hugged her small waist, pinched it lightly and teased:

"Whether I am amazing or not, it's not like you haven't experienced it~"

Jiang Qinqin spat at him and continued: "This is the general manager of Shanghai Film! He is talking nicely to you~"

Although Jiang Qinqin knew Wu Yuchen was amazing before, either they were all classmates, or they were small roles like Fan Bingbing who flattered him. Today, seeing a figure at the level of Zhu Yongde talking and laughing with Wu Yuchen, and trying his best to show favor and win him over, that was the first time. At this point, she also understood that the circle Wu Yuchen is in now is far higher than hers!

Wu Yuchen also understood what Jiang Qinqin meant, thinking to himself that that's because you haven't seen the scene where I am brothers with Han Sanping!

Looking at Jiang Qinqin's peach-blossom face, tender and dripping, Wu Yuchen naturally threw away the thought of making a phone call, picked up the soft and tender body, and rolled onto the bed.

The morning sun sprinkled on the bed through the cracks in the curtains.

By the bed, Wu Yuchen stretched, looked back at Jiang Qinqin covered with a thin quilt on the bed, outlining her bumpy and good figure, the exposed round jade legs were crystal clear, flawless, and her upturned corners of the mouth showed that she was having a beautiful dream, as if she was still savoring the experience of last night.

Wu Yuchen was still full of energy, but thinking of Jiang Qinqin's begging for mercy last night, he let her go this time. It is estimated that she won't wake up until the sun is high.

Wu Yuchen didn't want to disturb Jiang Qinqin, so he took his mobile phone and walked outside, and dialed the phone. ===== CHAPTER 159 =====