Chapter 193: Walking on the Path of a Great Director

In addition to these analyses and reviews of *The Sixth Sense*, the newspapers also raised a new question that piqued the appetite of quite a few people, which was:

"Can *The Sixth Sense* break *Jaws* and create a new myth for horror films?"

Mentioning *Jaws*, people are no strangers to it. This was the rise of the great director Spielberg, who, with a mere 9 million USD cost, created a box office myth of 270 million in North America and 477 million globally. You have to know that was back in 1975; the gold content of 477 million in that market was definitely much higher than in the 90s.

And the box office record of *Jaws* has been held for over 20 years, and no horror film has broken it yet.

Actually, some people have arguments about whether *Jaws* is a horror film. If *Jaws* counts as a horror film, then logically *Jurassic Park* should also be counted, after all, it's scary too!

However, everyone is more willing to classify *Jurassic Park* as sci-fi adventure or monster thriller, rather than the horror genre. Because the breakthrough of *Jurassic Park* lies in the visual impact of the big dinosaurs, not the fear it brings.

But *Jaws* has been classified as a horror film because the film has always used the shark to create a sense of fear, which is well-documented. After *Jaws* was released, the business of all beaches plummeted. Many tourists didn't go to beaches for vacations because of the fear of shark attacks, which caused protests from beach tourist areas against Spielberg, showing the horror effect of *Jaws*.

And now, the box office for *The Sixth Sense* has reached 220 million in less than 4 weeks. This is clearly not far from the 270 million North American box office record of *Jaws*. Can it be broken?

Regarding this question, there were even television stations that specifically sent reporters to the cinema entrances to conduct on-site interviews:

"Hey, ma'am, do you think *The Sixth Sense* can break the box office record of *Jaws*?"

"Uh, I don't know the record for *Jaws*. Is the gap big now?"

"*Jaws* is 270 million, the gap is 50 million now. What do you think?"

"Then I think *The Sixth Sense* should be able to. Although 50 million isn't a small number, it's not considered difficult for the results it has achieved."

"Then what do you think of *The Sixth Sense* compared to *Jaws*?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I haven't watched *Jaws*. But I think *The Sixth Sense* is truly a very excellent film. It's really too special, not just that chilling ending, but the emotions inside also completely infected me, breaking my impression of horror films. I think it should be better than *Jaws*!"

"Hello, sir, do you think *The Sixth Sense* can break the box office record of *Jaws*?"

"Hey, I think comparing them like this is unfair. They are two completely different films. *Jaws* stimulates the audience through the elusive shark and audiovisual senses, while *The Sixth Sense* is a power of the soul, telling the inner emotions of people. This is completely different!"

"Sir, I just want to ask, whose box office do you think will be higher?"

"This is completely unfair. They aren't even in the same era. The purchasing power of money is different. You have to consider inflation. Comparing box office so simply is a very stupid act!"

"Uh, okay, sir, then who do you think is more excellent?"

"Fuck, can't you understand what I'm saying? Comparing them like this is very unfair! They are both great, they shouldn't be compared like this!"

In front of the television, watching this street interview, David Geffen, one of the three giants of DreamWorks, smiled at the middle-aged man next to him who looked like a refined professor:

"Steven, look, many people are saying *The Sixth Sense* is going to surpass your *Jaws*~"

Spielberg shrugged: "Just a boring record. Being brought out for comparison now is just a gimmick!"

As a giant within Hollywood, Spielberg saw through this trick at a glance. It was definitely the promoters deliberately trying to ride his coattails, using the name of *Jaws* and his own name, Spielberg, to keep the heat on *The Sixth Sense*.

David Geffen nodded upon hearing this, but then sighed:

"But the box office momentum of this *The Sixth Sense* is really fierce! Look, Cinemascore has raised the box office forecast again."

David Geffen said, handing the newspaper in his hand to Spielberg. It read the latest forecast: "*The Sixth Sense* North American box office: 310 million, global box office: 630 million."

Seeing this number, Spielberg also had a solemn look. There aren't many films that can force Cinemascore to raise its forecast time and again, and this box office result was already very scary, completely surpassing last year's box office champion.

Afterward, Spielberg felt a sigh of emotion. This film, this box office result—if only it were their DreamWorks film, how good that would be!

DreamWorks was united by the three of them, with high ambitions to carve out a new mountain in Hollywood and challenge the old order. However, in the five years since its establishment, they had faced all kinds of suppression and constraints. If a film with a global box office of over 600 million could be born at this time, it would definitely greatly boost the momentum of their DreamWorks.

And it wasn't just about fame, but also finances. The cost of *The Sixth Sense* was only 60 million. A 600 million return on a 60 million cost—this was truly a huge profit! Since DreamWorks was established, they had never had a film with a global box office break 600 million!

David Geffen asked: "Steven, can we invite this Wu Yuchen into our DreamWorks?"

For a director like Wu Yuchen, who had created high box office results with all three films since entering Hollywood, DreamWorks was undoubtedly very eager. The key was that he not only had high box office results but also low costs!

Think about the production costs of his three films: *Frequency* 35 million, 370 million box office; *Phone Booth* heard to cost less than 20 million, final 380 million box office—all were over ten times the return. And this *The Sixth Sense* right now, it looked like it was going to rush toward ten times again!

If such talent could join their DreamWorks, it would greatly alleviate their current predicament, and their confidence in confronting the seven majors would be much stronger.

Spielberg shook his head: "Very difficult. I tried to invite him once before, but he didn't agree. Now, with his successive successes, it will be even harder to invite him. And looking at him establishing his own independent production company, he is clearly very confident in himself and wants to earn the lion's share."

David Geffen shook his head and smiled: "The lion's share isn't so easy to earn, otherwise why would we establish DreamWorks? I will visit him personally and talk to him again."

Spielberg also nodded. For talent like Wu Yuchen, three visits to the thatched cottage wouldn't be too many: "Have a better attitude, cater to his interests!"

David Geffen smiled: "Of course, he is the hot commodity right now. It's just a pity he likes beauties. If he liked men, I think I would be more confident in winning him over~"

Regarding the orientation of his partner, Spielberg didn't comment. Their group was currently sensitive and clannish, and was also a force within Hollywood.

"Wu, you are my king!" At this moment, Jennifer Connelly was oblivious to others, excitedly hugging Wu Yuchen's face and kissing him.

In the room, Bruce Willis, who had remained composed two or three weeks ago, couldn't stay calm at this moment. He didn't care about Jennifer Connelly's actions at all; let alone Jennifer, even he wanted to kiss Wu Yuchen on the side of the face right now.

He paced back and forth in the room excitedly, repeating in an agitated tone: "Wu, are you a prophet? Are you a seer? You are truly too great!"

At first, when Wu Yuchen said there would be a surprise in the box office, he didn't quite believe it. But as the weeks passed, looking at the new weekly box office released, he was completely stimulated by these numbers. The latest weekly North American box office for *The Sixth Sense* was 31.52 million, with a total box office of 255 million USD!

His *Armageddon*, which took the global box office championship last year, only just broke 200 million in North American box office. This had already reached his North American box office record!

Wu Yuchen, while hugging Jennifer Connelly, joked to Bruce Willis: "Hey, Bruce, you can stop and rest for a while, my eyes are getting dizzy from you walking~"

"Hey, Wu, how can you be so calm?! We are going to hit 300 million in box office, we will reach 600 million USD globally. What a crazy number this is!"

Bruce Willis waved his hand and said, then sat down, poured a glass of wine, gulped it down, and confirmed to Wu Yuchen: "Wu, can we really hit 600 million?!"

Although the 2 billion box office of *Titanic* last year shocked the whole world, that was just an existence everyone looked up to. For the current world film scene, 600 million USD was still a number hard to reach, a number that 99.99% of actors wouldn't dare to hope for in their lifetime, even for big stars like Bruce Willis, he hadn't thought about it many times before.

Wu Yuchen pointed to the newspaper in his hand and smiled: "Doesn't it have a forecast from a professional organization on it?"

"Oh no, I don't believe in the forecasts of any damn organizations now, I only believe in your words, Wu!" Bruce Willis shouted.

Wu Yuchen laughed upon hearing this. Under the burning gazes of Bruce Willis and Jennifer Connelly, he added an ice cube to his wine glass and said confidently with a smile: "It will only be higher!"

Bruce Willis laughed heartily upon hearing this and toasted Wu Yuchen happily.

Actually, regarding how high the global box office will be, there is another very important influencing factor, which is his current partner, Disney. Although on the surface Disney invested 25% and logically should benefit more from higher overseas box office, the accounts aren't calculated that way, because Wu Yuchen's side ultimately holds the lion's share.

As the box office in North America rises, Disney should also be in pain and happy. Happy, of course, because the film's box office is exploding, and pain because the lion's share of this money is going to be taken by Wu Yuchen, so this overseas part is crucial to them.

Both sides have been dragging it out until now without conducting overseas distribution. On one hand, the North American box office can still improve, and on the other hand, they are considering how to talk about this issue. Wu Yuchen is also waiting for Disney to come to him to negotiate. Dragging it out is impossible for too long, otherwise, it won't be good for the overseas box office.

However, Wu Yuchen didn't expect that before the Disney he was waiting for came over, someone he hadn't anticipated found him first.

"Wu, congratulations! Do you know? You are now the object of pursuit by all of Hollywood. I was really afraid I wouldn't be able to make an appointment with you, so I rashly came to disturb you. It's a bit impolite~"

Looking at the middle-aged man in front of him who was already somewhat bald and appeared gentlemanly and polite, Wu Yuchen smiled and said: "Of course not, very welcome to your arrival, Mr. Geffen!"

The person in front of him was a big shot with a lot of energy in Hollywood and one of the three giants of DreamWorks. No matter what the other party's purpose was, Wu Yuchen couldn't refuse him.

David Geffen had just sat down when he smiled and said to Wu Yuchen:

"Wu, seeing you, I feel like I'm seeing Steven back then—equally dazzling, equally successful in succession. You are already walking on the path to becoming a great director!"

"Oh, Mr. Geffen, thank you for your praise, but I still have a considerable distance from Mr. Spielberg. Every one of his films causes a sensation worldwide."

Wu Yuchen wasn't flattering him. Spielberg back then was truly awesome—*Jaws*, *Raiders of the Lost Ark*, *E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial*—three films in succession, all of which were recorded in film history. Three films, three different themes, each one the boss in its own genre. The sensation caused was definitely no less than Wu Yuchen's today.

"No, no, compared to Steven, I am more optimistic about you. A person's creative life is limited. Most people's creative peak is in their prime. As time passes, creative passion and talent will fade, even for Steven, it is no exception."

"And you, you are younger! Steven only entered his peak at 39, you are only 22 now. You have already started to enter your creative peak. Your creative life will be far longer than Steven's. Who knows what kind of shocking works you will create in the future!"

David Geffen had a sincere look on his face, his tone gradually rising, and his language was very inflammatory:

"Wu, you are a director who is going to become a master. You shouldn't be bound by the existing Hollywood system. Trust me, you should join DreamWorks and create a new era in Hollywood together with Spielberg! The future of Hollywood must be yours!"

Wu Yuchen listened to the passionate words of the bald man in front of him, thinking to himself, good heavens, this guy is pumping him up and painting a big picture right from the start. This is an elite among capitalists! If he were really a 22-year-old kid just out of school, wouldn't he be fooled into a limp right away?

Wu Yuchen smiled, revealing his white teeth: "Oh, Mr. Geffen, thank you very much for your praise and appreciation. Actually, I am quite satisfied with the current situation. Do you know? I feel that since I entered Hollywood, everyone around me has been a good person. Whether it was the previous cooperation with Fox or the current one with Disney, it has been very pleasant!"

Wu Yuchen's meaning was also very clear: he brought out these two partners to mean, don't keep painting big pictures for me, can your DreamWorks conditions compare to the seven majors? Doesn't your own distribution channel still have to rely on Paramount? And I'm earning money just fine filming my own movies, why bother joining your DreamWorks to work for you?

David Geffen clearly understood the meaning contained in Wu Yuchen's words. He smiled and then said:

"Wu, do you know why Steven wanted to establish DreamWorks? It's because he didn't want to be exploited by these big studios anymore. *The Sixth Sense* is very successful and far exceeds your previous two films. But I want to tell you the truth: your situation will become even worse than before."

Wu Yuchen frowned upon hearing this, but didn't speak, waiting for the other party to continue.

"For the film *Frequency*, you were purely working for Sony Columbia, and I heard that you also endured all kinds of constraints during the filming, which is why you chose to produce the second film independently, right?"

Seeing Wu Yuchen nod, David Geffen smiled and said:

"And your second film, *Phone Booth*, was filmed brilliantly. You freely exerted your talent, and finally won a rich return. We all know you earned a lot. But to be honest, that was only that one time, because at that time, the seven major Hollywood studios didn't expect this small production to earn to this extent."

Then David Geffen tapped the table again:

"And this time with *The Sixth Sense*, you are very smart, giving Disney a 25% share. But as you achieve huge success, the seven major studios will also thoroughly pay attention to you. From now on, wanting to give up only 25% will be impossible."

"If I'm not mistaken, starting from your next film, the seven majors will unite to target you. If you don't release the majority of the share, no one will provide you with distribution channels again. Big studios won't tolerate an individual earning super-high profits again and again, while they are reduced to being laborers following along to drink the soup." ===== CHAPTER 194 =====