Chapter 278

In fact, the promotional work for "Brotherhood of Blades" in North America had already been underway for a long time. Once Wu Yuchen arrived, the goal was for him to lead the cast on television programs; television has consistently been the most important channel for North American promotion over these years.

Actually, Jiang Qinqin was overthinking it. Even when they did appear on shows, the hosts were basically just chatting with Wu Yuchen. If Wu Yuchen hadn't steered the conversation toward the others, the hosts might not have even wanted to talk to them. Who do you think you are in America?

Of course, they did end up performing on the show. One segment involved Jiang Qinqin dancing while wearing the traditional costume she had specifically brought along, which was quite a pleasant sight. However, what drew the loudest cheers from the audience was the sparring performance by Wu Jing and Zhao Wenzhuo.

That's right, it was a performance. Everything was choreographed in advance, and it looked quite impressive in action; that was the whole point of bringing the two of them along.

"Wu Yuchen's Chinese Kung Fu masterpiece 'Brotherhood of Blades' hits North America!"

"Wu Yuchen's most anticipated Chinese period Kung Fu film — 'Brotherhood of Blades'!"

Without exception, the promotion focused on Wu Yuchen's name. Of course, the popular element of Chinese Kung Fu had to be mentioned as well.

Over the past six months, he had also finished writing the script for the "Batman" trilogy, and he had already sent it over to Warner Bros. the moment he arrived in America this time.

He was using Spielberg to secure a portion of the Jewish voice, especially since Spielberg himself had directed "Schindler's List," and his influence in this regard was quite significant.

After hearing Spielberg's words, Wu Yuchen turned them over in his mind and understood his perspective. With his past-life experience, he naturally knew that the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy would achieve massive success, but from Spielberg's point of view, this was a prudent move for a businessman.

Wu Yuchen did have preparations in other areas, but there was no need to bring everything out at once; one had to take things one step at a time. Let's wait until after the nominations are in.

Wu Yuchen chuckled: "It doesn't matter. If you at Warner Bros. are unwilling to choose this plan, then let's just act as if this never happened."

"Of course! This is my own work, and I am using concrete actions to show my determination and confidence in it!"

Wu Yuchen looked at Spielberg with sincere eyes: "Then let me bear all the risks! I won't take a single cent of director's salary for the third film; exchange it all for a share of the box office!"

Spielberg also revealed a smile: "Uh-huh, I am very much looking forward to your new film~"

"Because Batman is already set in the hearts of many viewers; he is a superhero who can do anything when facing all kinds of criminals. We aren't sure if viewers will like it if we take him off his pedestal like this and reshape Batman's life story."

Therefore, in Spielberg's mind, agreeing to let Wu Yuchen shoot two films back-to-back was already an act of significant trust and a rather risky move, but for the third film, they should minimize cash expenditure as much as possible to reduce risk.

"Alright, alright! Steven, I understand your concerns. Since that's the case..."

One can only say that North American audiences in recent years have indeed been very fond of the Chinese Kung Fu element, and Wu Yuchen himself carries a certain box office appeal.

"Controversy?" Wu Yuchen asked in return.

Spielberg led Wu Yuchen to sit down. The two were already quite familiar with each other, so he didn't beat around the bush: "I want to talk to you about 'Pirates of the Caribbean'."

Spielberg nodded and said: "Alright, I understand what you mean. We will start negotiations with Depp's side. Also, regarding your personal director's salary, you can have your agent join in as well."

"I know. That's why I wanted to ask for your opinion. Regarding the salary for these two films for Depp, what are your thoughts?"

For a film like "Pirates of the Caribbean" where the first installment is very successful, a sequel is generally released because the producers know very well that even if the sequel isn't filmed well, the audience will still walk into the cinema to pay for it based on the reputation and impression of the first one. Therefore, although many sequels are bad films, their profitability is usually quite good.

Wu Yuchen said with a smile: "The push for the Oscars starts this month. It's definitely going to be tiring, but your husband already has experience, so don't worry!"

"Wu Yuchen's Chinese Kung Fu film 'Brotherhood of Blades' wins the weekly box office championship!"

But by the third film, it's hard to say. Now that Wu Yuchen wants to shoot the second and third films back-to-back, without knowing the situation of the second film, it is completely impossible to predict what the market's attitude toward the third film will be.

This result might be quite a bit worse compared to Wu Yuchen's previous "Pirates of the Caribbean," but in reality, opening in 2,600 theaters and being a foreign-language film, achieving a box office of 33.51 million is already very good. Even Wu Yuchen himself was quite satisfied; one must know that the opening weekend box office for "Rush Hour" was only around 33 million.

So his initial expectation for "Brotherhood of Blades" was just for the box office to exceed 100 million; it didn't necessarily have to be higher than "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Looking at it now, that goal should be achievable.

In any case, the producers just want to express an attitude: we value you, Johnny Depp, but you cannot make exorbitant demands; it must be within a reasonable range.

Jiang Qinqin pinched her fair, jade-like hand: "Then I wish my husband success in the Oscar push!"

"Steven, I've said it before, I have confidence in the sequel to 'Pirates of the Caribbean.' Don't you believe in me?"

However, Spielberg alone might not be enough; after all, there are still strong rivals this year!

Spielberg asked Wu Yuchen again: "Wu, are you sure? To be honest, this is not a normal salary strategy in Hollywood."

In Hollywood, in order to reduce project risk, producers generally prefer to give actors a certain percentage of the box office to offset cash expenditure.

After Wu Yuchen and Spielberg chatted for a while about "Pirates of the Caribbean," he turned and said with a smile: "Steven, I'm starting my Oscar push this month."

The smile on Spielberg's face also vanished, becoming solemn: "Wu, Fascism and Nazism are our common enemies. Wu, don't worry, I will definitely go with my friends to support you at the premiere!"

During this time, besides promotional work, Wu Yuchen also took Jiang Qinqin to play and sightsee around America. Jiang Wen also ran off to visit various friends; today he visited old Martin, tomorrow he went to find Tarantino to drink and brag. It was a very carefree time. And it was amidst this hustle and bustle that October passed by.

Wu Yuchen received the Warner Bros. duo with composure: "How is it, Meg?"

Wu Yuchen nodded and said: "We can start negotiations with them, but this time the negotiation isn't for one film, but for two together."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen's heart stirred, and he asked: "Our Captain Jack contacted you on his own initiative?"

Wu Yuchen thought to himself that it was indeed waiting for him here. If Nolan, who wasn't very famous in his past life, could persuade Warner Bros., it meant that Warner Bros. was definitely interested in this "Batman" dark trilogy. It was impossible that it wouldn't work now that he, a director with more influence and appeal, had replaced him.

Half a year ago, before Wu Yuchen left Hollywood, he had specifically talked to Spielberg about "Pirates of the Caribbean." Facing Johnny Depp's lion-sized demands, he just left him out in the cold for a while. Both sides were just testing each other's patience to see who would give in first.

To be honest, Spielberg was almost infected by Wu Yuchen's attitude and thought about whether to take a risk. But after thinking about it, DreamWorks still had to take the prudent path. Even the "Jurassic Park" series he created had worse word-of-mouth and worse results with each installment.

Spielberg nodded with a smile: "Depp's agent contacted me recently, wanting to restart negotiations regarding the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' sequel."

Wu Yuchen didn't hesitate: "There is only one principle: give him as much cash as possible, not a share of the box office."

At the airport, Jiang Qinqin hugged Wu Yuchen and stood on tiptoe to kiss his face again: "I'm going back. Take care of yourself, and don't get too tired over here~"

"20+10."

Wu Yuchen said with a smile: "Thank you, Steven. But I think you didn't come to see me today just to congratulate me, right?"

Right now, what Wu Yuchen and Spielberg are discussing are just the general directions. In fact, whether it's Wu Yuchen's director contract or Depp's actor contract, there will be many rights and obligations, estimated to exceed dozens of pages. These all need to be confirmed bit by bit by the agents and lawyers of several parties.

After Wu Yuchen returned from the airport, he also came to DreamWorks. After seeing him, Spielberg took the initiative to say with a smile: "Wu, congratulations on bringing another wonderful and successful Chinese Kung Fu film!"

Wu Yuchen himself was quite calm. To be honest, the North American box office of "Brotherhood of Blades" had basically no impact on him; after all, he had already achieved quite a few dazzling box office results in Hollywood before. "Brotherhood of Blades," a foreign-language film, obviously couldn't be more profitable than the local films he had directed. Even if the box office of "Brotherhood of Blades" was poor, it wouldn't affect his personal status in Hollywood in the slightest.

"What are his conditions?"

"Wu Dao, to be honest, we at Warner Bros. have quite a few controversies regarding your plan to reshape Batman."

Friday 9.35 million, Saturday 13.62 million, Sunday 10.54 million; "Brotherhood of Blades" had 33.51 million in its first three days, and at the same time, it successfully took the weekly box office championship.

Actually, "Brotherhood of Blades" should be considered a Wu Xia film, but if you talk to these North American audiences about Wu Xia, they won't understand. They only know Chinese Kung Fu; talking about Chinese Wu Xia would be unfamiliar to them instead. Therefore, when promoting it, they uniformly used the slogan of Chinese Kung Fu.

Spielberg opened his mouth, not expecting Wu Yuchen to make this decision. But seeing that Wu Yuchen didn't look like he was joking, he asked him again: "Wu, are you sure?"

Regarding this "Batman" dark trilogy created by Wu Yuchen, Warner Bros. had also held intense discussions, with many large and small meetings, and only today did they come knocking again.

"'Brotherhood of Blades' is a martial arts film representing this century."

"No, no, Wu Dao, this doesn't mean we at Warner Bros. aren't tempted. We still really want to cooperate with you, it's just that the risk is a bit high, and the salary you proposed before is really a bit high! Can you..."

After the opening weekend box office was released, media naturally followed up with promotion. And this also attracted many viewers interested in mysterious Eastern culture and Chinese Kung Fu. "Brotherhood of Blades" had a box office of 41.23 million in its second 7 days, and a total box office of 74.74 million after 10 days of release.

Spielberg shook his head: "Wu, it's not that I don't believe in you. I definitely believe 'Pirates of the Caribbean 2' can achieve success, but the third film, that's a bit far off. I think we need to consider its risks."

And at the same time, there were many people happy in China, such as Jiang Zhiqiang, the investor of "Hero." Seeing "Brotherhood of Blades" create better results than "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," and seeing how popular Chinese martial arts films were in North America, he was naturally overjoyed. This meant that "Hero" could also rise with the tide!

Regarding Wu Yuchen wanting to film a movie set during World War II, Spielberg had long expected it; after all, the two had talked about this topic half a year ago. To be honest, he was also quite curious about what kind of film Wu Yuchen would make. There were too few Chinese anti-war films internationally.

"Clearly, this is a powerful strike from China and Wu Yuchen. Chinese Kung Fu lives up to its reputation!"

After the results of "Brotherhood of Blades" came out, the happiest were naturally the cast and crew of "Brotherhood of Blades." Having taken the weekly box office championship for two consecutive weeks, Jiang Qinqin could also be considered to have enjoyed a taste of Hollywood glory, feeling that this trip to Hollywood hadn't been in vain.

This time, the number of opening theaters was given as around 2,600, which was already giving Wu Yuchen a lot of face. When "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" won an Oscar, the number of opening theaters was only a little over 2,000. This was naturally because the theater chains saw the box office results achieved by "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" last year, and were willing to give Chinese Kung Fu films more opportunities this time.

Not long after Wu Yuchen left DreamWorks and returned, people from Warner Bros. came knocking again. Half a year ago, Warner Bros. had specifically discussed restarting the superhero project with Wu Yuchen, but Wu Yuchen talked to them about the possibility of a "Batman" trilogy.

"'Brotherhood of Blades' has created the best results for an Asian film in North America; this is the power of 'Kung Fu'!"

Isn't Warner Bros. just trying to bargain with him? But he knew the other party's bottom line and knew that they were actually very eager to film it, so he didn't intend to be fooled just like that.

Wu Yuchen's expression turned solemn:

Wu Yuchen then revealed a smile: "Thank you, Steven!"

The promotional work for "Brotherhood of Blades" was already mostly done, so the promotional trip for Jiang Qinqin and the other leads came to an end. Everyone still had work and arrangements back in China; for instance, Jiang Qinqin still had TV dramas waiting for her. Being able to stay here for so long was already quite good.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen revealed a smile. He could never have agreed to the 20+20 they shouted before. Now, 20 million salary plus 10% of the North American box office? Finally, they were willing to talk properly.

"I think you also know that during World War II, our Chinese people, just like you Jews, suffered persecution from the Axis Fascists. This time I brought a Chinese anti-war film set during World War II, and I hope you can attend when the time comes!"

"No, no, no, Meg, there's nothing to talk about! This project was created by me, and I know its value. It will bring rebirth to Batman! Think about how much profit Batman will bring to you at Warner Bros.; what I'm asking for is not much at all!"

Wu Yuchen didn't give an inch. He couldn't get the full copyright share, but he didn't intend to let go of the 20% global box office share just like that; he couldn't let the Hollywood capitalists get off easy!