Chapter 324: Settled

Looking back twenty or thirty years, the Chinese film industry, whether in the Mainland or Taiwan, revered art films. Mainland cinema produced fifth-generation filmmakers represented by Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, while Taiwan cinema also produced Taiwan New Wave directors represented by Edward Yang and Hou Hsiao-hsien.

In fact, the Hong Kong New Wave also had New Wave figures like Tsui Hark and Ann Hui, but Hong Kong was primarily focused on commercial films! Even Tsui Hark had to submit to the market to pursue box office. But it was precisely the rise of the New Wave combined with a market focused on commerce that created the glorious generation of Hong Kong cinema; otherwise, where would the classic *Once Upon a Time in China* series come from?

It could be said that in the twenty years of the eighties and nineties, Hong Kong cinema ruled the Chinese film market; whether it was Taiwan or Mainland art films, they actually couldn't beat Hong Kong cinema.

However, the right to speak on film evaluation was held by filmmakers who focused on art films, especially in the Mainland and Taiwan, where the filmmakers born were all of the school pursuing art films.

And Ang Lee grew up in this environment; he studied in the Department of Film and Drama at the National Taiwan University of Arts and also worked as a stage actor, later going to the University of Illinois in the United States to pursue a major in theater directing. Therefore, his creative philosophy was branded with the mark of art films in his growing environment.

Therefore, it wasn't until he actually shot *Hulk* that he had a deep understanding of the difficulties of shooting commercial films; this thing really wasn't something you could shoot just because you wanted to. Don't look at how many art directors say commercial films are trash and denounce them for having no artistic content; but if you let them come and shoot, truly ninety-nine percent would have to eat humble pie.

Through this failure of *Hulk*, Ang Lee could be considered to have recognized himself; call him pretentious if you will, call him high-minded if you will, he was indeed not suited to shoot commercial films and had to walk his own path of art films. So the new project he started this time was also an art film.

Ang Lee said to Wu Yuchen: "Director Wu, you must have been able to perceive the trend in Hollywood in recent years; the voices for LGBT have become increasingly loud."

Wu Yuchen nodded: "Actually, it's not just Hollywood; in North America and even the entire European region, those voices are getting louder and louder."

Seeing Wu Yuchen agree, Ang Lee followed up: "The art world has always been the vanguard of social trends, so in recent years, films speaking up for LGBT have frequently emerged. The new project I plan to prepare this time is this subject matter.

I have already negotiated for the short story *Brokeback Mountain* published by Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Proulx in 1997."

Wu Yuchen thought to himself, it really is *Brokeback Mountain*!

The film *Brokeback Mountain* had enormous influence, not just because it won quite a few awards at the Oscars. Although this film didn't manage to win Best Picture that year, it was definitely the film with the most topics, attention, controversy, and even influence at that year's Oscars, spreading to the whole world. From then on, *Brokeback Mountain* directly became a synonym for same-sex or an adjective.

However, one point had to be made clear: it wasn't because *Brokeback Mountain* gave birth to LGBT, but rather the LGBT wave pushed the birth of *Brokeback Mountain*.

The version of development in China now was actually at least two generations behind Europe and America, so there was very little attention paid to this aspect domestically. It wasn't until the birth of *Brokeback Mountain* that it suddenly made many people feel that such a group had suddenly emerged.

Of course, this was all built on a foundation: that Ang Lee indeed shot it very well, whether it was from the film's colors, atmosphere, or the switching of shots and the changes in character emotions, everything was just right. The love between the two protagonists was portrayed very delicately; although it was love between the same sex, it was not inferior to the affection between the opposite sex at all.

However, for Wu Yuchen, what he valued was this film's ability to win big with a small investment: a very low cost of 14 million, winning 8 Oscar nominations, obtaining 3 golden statues including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, capturing the Venice Golden Lion, and ultimately achieving a global box office of 180 million US dollars. No matter from which angle, the investment in this film *Brokeback Mountain* was super profitable; there was no reason not to invest.

After Wu Yuchen finished reading the script, seeing Ang Lee looking at him expectantly, he couldn't help but smile at him: "Worthy of being a Pulitzer Prize winner, the story is written well, and the script adaptation is even better. I have no doubt that Director Lee can present this kind of wonderful and delicate love."

Ang Lee smiled upon hearing this; because the two sides had cooperated on *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, he came to find Wu Yuchen the first time this time; sure enough, he was the one who understood him!

But the next moment, he only heard Wu Yuchen's tone change: "However, Director Lee, you should also be clear that this *Brokeback Mountain* has enormous controversy, which means the risk is very high, so our Miracle Pictures doesn't dare to give you too much investment; I hope you can understand."

Ang Lee wasn't surprised upon hearing this; he said: "Don't worry, I expect to control this film within a cost of 15 million, reducing risk as much as possible."

Doing this wasn't just for the producers, but also for his own consideration. *Hulk* had already consumed a portion of his reputation in Hollywood, so this *Brokeback Mountain* absolutely couldn't lose money; otherwise, if he failed in both commercial films and art films in succession, he might fall into a low point. The most effective way to guarantee not losing money was to lower costs!

In fact, Ang Lee had earned quite a bit in salary for shooting *Hulk* last time, but he wouldn't use his own money to invest in films, even if it was his own film.

Wu Yuchen nodded with satisfaction after listening, and then he thought of Anne Hathaway; she was the female lead of the original *Brokeback Mountain*. Should he arrange this opportunity for her?

He thought about it; among those around him, she was actually the most suitable. After having these two little sweethearts, Jessica Alba and Anne Hathaway, by his side, many newcomers in the last two years couldn't catch his eye.

This made Wu Yuchen sigh, Hollywood's top-tier new tea was getting fewer and fewer!

And just not long after Wu Yuchen and Ang Lee reached an agreement on the investment for *Brokeback Mountain*, people from Warner Bros. came to visit again.

Wu Yuchen looked at the two people sitting opposite him with a relaxed demeanor; he now occupied the active advantage, and even if Warner Bros. didn't accept his conditions, he wouldn't lack projects.

Jeff first spoke: "Wu, you really have proposed a difficult problem for us; 25% of the global box office share is a condition Warner Bros. has never offered before."

Wu Yuchen shook his finger with a smile: "Compared to Spielberg's 20% all-channel share back then, I don't think this is high at all. If you are willing to open up all channels, I can lower it to 15%; how about that?"

Wu Yuchen's fame now was not a bit inferior to Spielberg's before he shot *Jurassic Park*. And the reason he only wanted 15%, lower than Spielberg's 20%, was because *Batman* itself was a famous big IP, carrying big traffic, different from *Jurassic Park* at the time.

Jeff shook his head directly and refused: "No, Wu, let's not discuss this all-channel share matter anymore, okay? You know this is impossible."

Wu Yuchen smiled; he had guessed it would be like this. For big IPs like *Batman* and *Superman*, it was impossible for Warner Bros. to open up their peripherals to outsiders.

Back then, Universal was willing to give Spielberg a 20% all-channel share because they hadn't anticipated that *Jurassic Park* could become that popular; otherwise, they would rather have given Spielberg a 20+20 condition and would never have saved that 20 million US dollar cash salary, letting Spielberg eventually walk away with 250 million.

It was precisely because there was this example that Warner Bros. now couldn't possibly do that.

Subsequently, Jeff said: "Wu, after discussion by our committee, we can agree to the condition of giving you 20 million plus 25% of the global box office share, but to prevent the project from losing money, we have the right to terminate the cooperation on the trilogy at any time."

Normally speaking, this was a very reasonable condition. Wu Yuchen's salary was so high; once the film's box office didn't meet expectations, Warner Bros. could terminate the shooting of the subsequent two films at any time to stop losses in time.

However, Wu Yuchen keenly grasped one point and couldn't help but ask: "What if the film is successful? And what are your standards for the project's success and failure?"

Jeff couldn't help but sigh: "Oh! Wu, high box office is naturally success; we are just trying to reduce risk!"

Wu Yuchen shook his head: "If that's the case, then I think we need to sign one film at a time! Including the script!"

Jeff soon understood the meaning contained in Wu Yuchen's words and couldn't help but say: "Wu, I think you don't need to be so guarded against us!"

"No, no, it's that you haven't given me sufficient trust.

Let me make it clear: according to your conditions, even if the film is successful, you can create a set of books with negative profit, and then use this reason to kick me, the high-salary director, away, and find a substitute to continue shooting according to my script.

The so-called success and failure, the right of interpretation lies with you at Warner Bros.; I won't agree to such conditions. Rather than that, it's better to sign one film at a time; if the first one achieves success and you want me to shoot again and want to use my script, then offer me better conditions!"

Upon hearing this, Jeff couldn't help but rub his head in distress. If it were an ordinary director who dared to say this, they would have started scolding long ago, but Wu Yuchen now had the qualification to negotiate with them like this.

Subsequently, he still said: "Wu, you know this is impossible; this condition is already the best we can offer; it's impossible to increase it even a little!"

Wu Yuchen spread his hands and said: "If you want to use me, then give me sufficient trust from the beginning! Or, if you aren't confident enough in the *Batman* trilogy, then how about sharing a portion of the investment with me? My Miracle Pictures is very happy to share a portion of the risk for Warner Bros."

Jeff thought for a moment and said: "Wu, since we chose to agree to such a high salary for you, it shows that we trust you; there's no need to mention sharing the investment again; we at Warner Bros. can still afford it."

Warner Bros. was currently the company with the best financial situation in all of Hollywood; after all, just the annual *Harry Potter* could guarantee them, and in the last two years, they had also produced blockbusters like *The Matrix*.

Generally, the better a company's financial situation, the easier it is to raise funds; they don't even need to spend their own money; there are many banks and investment institutions willing to send money into their hands.

Then Jeff continued: "We can add a supplementary clause: the director of the trilogy will only be you; if we want to shoot sequels, it can only be you; the salary for each film is this standard, and it's impossible to increase it further. On this basis, we have the right to call a halt; I think this way both of us have a guarantee."

Wu Yuchen sighed inwardly; he actually hoped that Warner Bros. could share a certain portion of the *Batman* investment because of risk concerns, but unfortunately, Warner Bros. was wealthy and powerful. Miracle Pictures could at most mix in a joint production and earn some labor fees; wanting an investment share was impossible.

In his past life, Legendary Pictures and Nolan's own film company participated in the production of *Batman*, but they were also just production; the investor was definitely still Warner Bros.

However, after all, raising the condition of global share to 25% this time could be considered achieving the goal.

Wu Yuchen extended his hand and shook hands with the other party: "Deal."

Soon, Warner Bros. announced to the outside world that they had reached a cooperation plan with Wu Yuchen for the *Batman* trilogy. This news stirred up quite a wave in Hollywood again.

After all, this was Wu Yuchen, who was in the limelight this year, and the *Pirates of the Caribbean* and *Spider-Man* films related to him had already created box office miracles, with none lower than 800 million US dollars. Now that *Batman* had fallen into his hands, just thinking about it made people feel extremely expectant!

For a time, several major talent agencies moved, wanting to inquire about all kinds of news regarding *Batman*, and actors from all walks of life also wanted to probe Wu Yuchen's criteria for choosing people. For a time, Wu Yuchen's agent's phone was rung incessantly. Warner Bros. was also being probed for news by everyone, all wanting to get their hands on script-related fragments.

And Wu Yuchen himself?

To be honest, he didn't intend to go through any multi-round audition process at all; he planned to go directly to designate the main actors. With his current appeal, how many actors could refuse him?

Moreover, he did not want to waste any more time. Now that the *Batman* project was set, the preparatory work for establishing the project had to begin. He would first finalize the choice for Batman, then have him train for at least half a year, so that filming next year would not be delayed.

And some props used by Batman, such as the Batmobile, he also had to put forward requirements now, let the designer make concept drawings, and then go to the manufacturer to customize them. All this work that should be done in advance had to be started by him now; otherwise, if he waited until next year to do it, it would delay a long time.

Because of this *Batman*-related work, his time to return to the country had to be postponed. There was still a *Departures* waiting for him to shoot in the country; where would he have so much time to select actors round after round? ===== CHAPTER 325 =====