Chapter 1094: Advance Payment, Resale

"As of March 31, Lin Dao Nan's film 'The Wandering Earth' has been in theatrical release for a cumulative 55 days, with its domestic total box office officially breaking through 7 billion yuan, settling at 7.006 billion yuan.

At the same time, the film's daily box office yesterday continued to drop sharply, falling below 10 million for the first time, settling at 8.45 million, with only four days remaining until the off-screen date shown by the extended key."

"Following his entry into the Chinese film history's first 6-billion-yuan box office director club, Lin Dao Nan has once again grandly ascended to become the sole 7-billion-yuan-class box office director in Chinese film history.

'The Wandering Earth' has also spanned the 5-billion-yuan and 6-billion-yuan box office chasm, single-handedly pushing the Chinese film market into the 7-billion-yuan box office era…"

"Reprinted from a Movie Channel report: Cast your mind back to the summer slot two years ago, Director Wu Jing, relying on 'Wolf Warrior 2's' 5.723 billion yuan box office, forcefully refreshed and crushed the Chinese film highest box office record held by Lin Dao Nan's 'Operation Meigonghe' at 3.405 billion yuan, leading by a massive 2.318 billion yuan.

But in the mere 20 months that followed, Lin Dao Nan successively relied on 'Dying to Survive' and 'The Wandering Earth' to shrink that 2.318 billion yuan gap with devastating force to 1.501 billion yuan, even nearly overtaking by 1.3 billion…

From this we can see that the Chinese film industry and market development has already arrived at its most dynamic, most open, and most peak moment! It also makes us look forward to the Chinese film world in the next year or two giving birth to more 5-billion-yuan, 6-billion-yuan, 7-billion-yuan, and even 8-billion-yuan-class box office domestic blockbuster epics…"

……

On the first day of April, Lin Nan and 'The Wandering Earth' were crowned for the second time, and the entire production industry was immersed in jubilation.

Because in the eyes of all peers, that Movie Channel report was indeed very well-reasoned and well-grounded, impossible to refute, with not a single flaw to pick.

That is, the box office market was surging forward in triumphant strides, creating a visibly ever-stronger and more prosperous film market;

And the output and achievements of the Chinese film market seemingly had not been affected by the so-called film and television winter at all, the road ahead truly was a sheet of blazing red!

That's right, must increase investment, accelerate expansion, swarm to main melody themes, go hard on big productions, finance and refinance, until landing on the A-share market…

Lin Nan did not go to the company today, but stayed home to keep Liu Liu Yifei company.

Because the media who could not secure interviews with him and Liu Liu Yifei through proper channels had already blocked the area below Lin Nan Pictures building completely, all lying in wait.

These people all knew Lin Nan was busy with the post-production of 'Hua Mulan', so they very decisively chose this most foolish, yet also most direct and effective method.

"Dadi Cinema Line and New Film Alliance simultaneously announced they will add 10 to 20 new cinema complexes within three years, and Poly Bona Cinema Line also announced it will continue to accelerate expansion…

…The matter of 'The Wandering Earth' breaking through 7 billion yuan box office has really stimulated the industry."

Liu Liu Yifei lazily leaned on the sofa, reading the news to Lin Nan.

While the latter was resting his head on her lap, eyes closed, and every now and then reached out to stroke Miss Liu's still relatively flat belly through her clothes.

"In a few more months, I won't be able to rest my head on your legs anymore." Lin Nan suddenly thought of something and couldn't help laughing.

"Ah? Why?" Liu Liu Yifei asked in confusion, her right palm gently pressed against Lin Nan's face.

"Because your belly will bump into me."

"Hahaha, are you trying to kill me with laughter, Lin Nan?" Liu Liu Qianqian laughed uncontrollably, and couldn't resist giving Lin Dao Da a slap.

"That's not right of you, how can you hit me in front of the child?" Lin Nan continued to tease Liu Liu Qianqian into being happy.

"What child? It hasn't even developed a form yet!" Liu Liu Yifei tugged at Lin Nan's ear, cheerfully popularizing some science.

"Oh, close enough, close enough."

Faced with her own director husband's clowning around, Liu Liu Yifei did not respond, but restrained her smile a little and asked about business: "Lin Nan, are you really going to publicly announce this decision at the celebration banquet?"

"It's not like we're publicly announcing your pregnancy, why are you getting sentimental?"

"Just feeling a bit sentimental." Liu Liu Yifei pouted.

"I've been saying it for so many years, now that you're pregnant, it's time I got to lie flat properly. Hmm, serve you through childbirth together with our mom, do the month of confinement…

Oh right, do you want to do your month of confinement at home, or at the hospital's confinement center? If at home, we can hire a private team to come over, specifically to take care of…"

"Go away, you're so annoying, I'm not that delicate and fragile…" Liu Liu Yifei said with tsundere disdain, and immediately used both hands to give Lin Dao Da a bird's nest hairdo.

Lin Dao Da was happily at home keeping his wife company, but the other production companies of 'The Wandering Earth' were not so calm. Each and every one of them was, more or less, in a state of exhilaration.

"Why not continue the extension, what on earth were you thinking?" In the video conference, Ren Ren Zhonglun emotionally and agitatedly questioned Wang Wang Changtian.

"It's fine, not extending is also good. After passing 7 billion yuan, even if we extend another month, we can only get an additional 20 to 30 million yuan in box office at most, better to collect the revenue split early.

With that much box office revenue split, if I just put it in the bank for a month, the interest it generates will be far, far more than the box office revenue split from extending for a month!" Wang Yong said with clear thinking, emphasizing.

Sure enough, Chairman Ren Da was instantly speechless, he really hadn't caught up with this calculation.

"Lin Dao was too lazy to attend today's meeting today, and the Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation also sent

a congratulatory letter for 'The Wandering Earth' and then politely declined, so it's just the four of us.

We've all been old partners and collaborators for many years now. Wanda has a small request here, I wonder if Shanghai Film, Western Film and Enlight can help out?" At this moment, Liu Liu Xiaobin suddenly spoke up.

The reason he specifically made time to attend this meeting today rather than push it off was precisely to speak up about this matter.

Hearing these words, Ren Ren Zhonglun, Wang Yong and Wang Wang Changtian immediately fell silent, all wearing peak acting performances of rare feigned ignorance.

In the end, it was Chairman Ren Da who laughed first, joking: "As long as it's not borrowing money, everything is easy to discuss, hahaha."

Liu Liu Xiaobin felt slightly awkward inside. He could tell that Ren Ren Zhonglun was not just joking.

Or rather, Chairman Ren Da was using a joking tone to tell him that if it was about borrowing money, then he'd better not open his mouth.

"Wanda has indeed had some capital issues over the past year or so, but it really hasn't fallen to the point of asking everyone for loans. Besides, companies in the film and entertainment industry can't come up with that much cash that we need." Liu Liu Xiaobin smiled, also saving face to some extent.

"The help President Liu wants to talk about wouldn't be about the box office revenue split, would it?" In the end it was Wang Wang Changtian who thought more, asking the question speculatively. It wasn't really that he was quick-witted, just experienced.

"That's right, it's about the box office revenue split." Liu Liu Xiaobin immediately nodded in confirmation.

"Box office revenue split?" Ren Ren Zhonglun and Wang Yong seemingly caught on as well.

"Wanda holds a 15% share in 'The Wandering Earth'. Would it be convenient for Chairman Wang to use the 7 billion yuan box office as the final settlement figure and advance the box office revenue split to us? Just consider it a favor…a three to four month revenue split period, Wanda can't wait now."

Liu Liu Xiaobin decisively spoke to Wang Wang Changtian. The industry was well aware of how much Enlight's stock price had risen during this period. The latter buying and selling back and forth must have made quite a profit!

The video conference seemed to have lost its connection, everyone looked at each other without speaking, or rather they were all waiting for Wang Wang Changtian's answer.

"Sure." A few seconds later, Wang Wang Changtian nodded. Just as Liu Liu Xiaobin had said, the two sides had been cooperating for over a decade, consider it help within his ability.

"On behalf of the group, I thank Chairman Wang."

"You're welcome."

At this point, Wang Wang Changtian, Wang Yong and Ren Ren Zhonglun all thought Liu Liu Xiaobin wouldn't have anything else.

But what they didn't expect was that the latter didn't give anyone a chance to catch their breath, and spoke up again, and the matter he brought up this time left the three even more dumbfounded.

"Regarding the film 'The Captain', Wanda also holds a 15% stake. I wonder if among Enlight, Shanghai Film and Western Film,

any of you would be interested in taking it over?

Of course, I suppose Lin Dao doesn't care about this 15% share, so I'll just bring it up here for everyone…

Although Director Li Yang doesn't have much of a box-office track record, his personal reputation and standing have always been deeply recognized by audiences; and just how much trust the film market and audience place in Lin Nan Pictures, everyone here knows as well.

So Wanda hopes to internally transfer this film's share at a price corresponding to 15% of the box-office split on a 2 billion total box office…"

……

That morning, the premiere of Lou Ye's "A First Farewell" could be said to have been held in complete silence; with no one paying attention, naturally it didn't stir up any ripples.

The only slightly buzz-worthy "gimmick" online seemed to be that its release date coincided with the release date of "The Wandering Earth."

So the distribution company shamelessly rushed out a "passing the torch" slogan in the early afternoon and bought puff pieces… it really can be called forcibly riding the heat and traffic!

"This actor surnamed Zhao-something-new is probably playing with fire and about to burn himself!" Inside Tiangong Color, Director Lu Yang sat at his workstation with one leg crossed over the other, browsing the gossip online.

"Don't even say it, this guy is being utterly brazen right now, continuing to whitewash for the imperial army without any restraint on Weibo.

It's also my first time seeing someone so brazen-faced, not even knowing whose rice bowl he's holding? Or is he deliberately holding the bowl to smash the pot here, acting as a collaborator?"

Yue Jun clicked his tongue and shook his head in astonishment — today he had finally seen a devil who didn't hide his horns!

This takes far more guts than a certain well-known director in the industry; the latter only dared to whitewash for certain independence-leaning people in a roundabout way, called netizens devils, and then cowardly deleted the post afterwards.

"Right now there must be plenty of companies in the industry trembling in fear, because quite a few film and television works may once again be hovering madly on the edge of being killed off because of this actor…"

Facing Director Lu Yang's schadenfreude, Yue Jun didn't pick up the thread, because Jiang Jiang Xuerou had called.

"Notify all actors to start entering the production in the company's name? Got it, I'll have someone arrange it shortly…

Although we've already checked in with the locals and filed the paperwork, we're still filming in Thailand, so it'd be better to pay attention to safety; you also remind everyone on set not to go out alone…

Lei Lei Jiayin has already set off ahead of time to join the production; 'Under the Light' is filming on location in Chongqing, and Director Zhang requires all actors to get used to the environment and scout locations in advance…"

After hanging up the phone, Yue Jun finally picked up the thread from earlier:

"Just to be safe, I think our company's actor employment contracts need to be several times stricter. I'll have my assistant set up a meeting with a lawyer later, and have them come by tomorrow to look into it."

"I think we really should do that, to give the actors something to

keep in mind, something to fear: namely, that once their messes cause harm to a film or television work, they should be ready to pay until they're dead broke, bankrupt and up to their ears in debt…"

"Director Yue, the Enlight Media side sent over the planning for the celebration banquet. Would you like to take a look now? If you have any opinions, they can revise it as soon as possible." The assistant walked briskly into Tiangong Color.

Hearing this, Yue Jun immediately stood up and said to Director Lu Yang with a smile: "You go ahead with your work, I need to head back to the office too."

"I say, Director Yue, how is this a celebration banquet? This is clearly… hahaha, how many production companies and film and television capital firms in the industry are going to be overjoyed that day!"

"Brush off your clothes and leave, hiding your merit and fame deep?!" Yue Jun tossed back a line without looking back, also unable to hold back a laugh.

……

The 1st's daily box office dropped to 5.08 million, the 2nd was another 3.67 million.

Until the morning of the 3rd, the production industry still hadn't received the second extension announcement for "The Wandering Earth";

so by now, the entire industry naturally understood — that Lin Dao's sci-fi epic was finally coming to an end.

"500 million in cost, just over 7 billion in box office, and that's not even counting the high attached-ad revenue and the box-office share that will be earned overseas soon. Simply raking it in by the bucketful…"

"How much the overseas box office will be is really hard to predict. After all, it's a purely domestic sci-fi epic — whether it'll suffer from acclimatization issues or be led astray by people with ulterior motives, all of that is hard to foresee.

But considering Lin Nan's connections in Hollywood over so many years, there should be plenty of stars helping promote and cheer it on!" Han Han Sanping analyzed with reason and evidence.

On the set of "My People, My Country: One for All," the two — Fu and Han — were strolling and chatting casually.

The main reason was that the former had heard Han Han Sanping was helping out his daughter here, so he came over. Look, the crew nearby is filming right now.

"With Lin Dao Nan's fame in Hollywood over these years, his track record and achievements at the Oscars, Golden Globes, and the three major film festivals, plus a whole bunch of Hollywood stars promoting it, and the box-office results of the Chinese-language film market as publicity…

With all of the above stacked together, no matter how unsatisfactory the overseas box office is, it definitely won't be too bad!" Enlight's Chairman Fu said with great certainty.

"That's fair enough, then let's look forward to it." After saying this, Han Han Sanping finally asked the other seriously: "You didn't come here today for no reason, did you?"

"Haha, still can't hide it from your eyes, old leader. Chairman Han, what do you think about me going to China Film afterward?" A seemingly casual question, but it instantly silenced Han Han Sanping on the spot.

"I've been retired for almost 6 years now, and you're asking me about this? If you have ideas, that's your business, I'm not getting involved." After a moment, Han Han Sanping smiled and brushed it off lightly.

"The film industry will always rely on directors and producers, and among us state-owned enterprise leaders in the sector, you are the most exceptional one.

Before retirement you were the helmsman of Chinese-language cinema, and after retirement you're still a mountain in the industry — you can even openly enjoy the high fees that the Chinese-language film and television industry pays to directors, producers, and supervisors, as well as invest in films… Tell me, can my future work avoid dealing with you?

And I can see things more clearly than Chairman La — the reason Lin Dao was willing to cooperate with China Film for so long wasn't because of China Film's position, but because of you. Of course, the same logic applies to Shanghai Film and Western Film now — the relationship is maintained through Chairman Ren and Chairman Wang, not through Shanghai Film and Western Film…

Lin Dao Nan has undoubtedly become the iconic director of the entire Chinese-language film world; in the director-centered domestic film industry, he is unquestionably the most sought-after hot commodity… I still very much hope to re-establish a cooperative relationship with Lin Dao, on behalf of China Film… You're a very important bridge here, and so is Jia-nü…"

Listening to the other's endless chatter, Han Han Sanping finally gave this former subordinate a serious look: "It seems you truly have your sights set on China Film!"

"Mm, already in motion — the current 'My People, My Country' is my leverage." Saying this, Chairman Fu suddenly smiled and reminded: "On the day of 'The Wandering Earth' celebration banquet, our tribute film will probably have to shut down for a day off. Because plenty of people are going to show up, especially the seven directors and the actors from the Lin Nan Pictures system…"

Han Han Sanping nodded and said to himself, brooking no argument: "You eyeing China Film is your business, I don't want to get involved. As for Lin Nan's side, I certainly won't be any kind of 'bridge.' I'm 66 years old — whatever favors, connections, relationships, have nothing to do with me!"

Hearing this, Chairman Fu could only laugh helplessly and teased: "Jia-nü has fully grown up now, so your soft spot is gone too, huh?"

Han Han Sanping smiled back on his face, kept his mouth firmly shut, but cursed inwardly: "Am I out of my mind, using the favors owed to me and my daughter to build bridges for you lot?"

Third Master Han returned a smile to his face, kept his mouth firmly shut, and cursed inwardly: "Is my brain sick? Why would I cash in the goodwill my daughter and I have built up just to play matchmaker for you people?"

The 3rd was 2.44 million, the 4th…

On the morning of the 5th, the first thing Lin Nan did upon opening his eyes was to check the film news online, only because "The Wandering Earth" had officially ended its run the previous night.

However, the top headline that met his eyes was not the news about "The Wandering Earth" he wanted to see, but about some actor's plea for a "ban" being granted.

"Oh-ho, this time the efficiency is clearly much higher than last time when they dealt with the one surnamed Dai!"

The news about the total box office of "The Wandering Earth" could wait — Lin Nan browsed with great interest the rebukes and condemnations from major accounts like Zibao Bao, Qing Tuanzi, and Anti-Cult…

The news about the total box office of "The Wandering Earth" could wait. Lin Nan browsed with great interest through the public rebukes from major accounts like Purple Baby, Green Rice Ball, and the Anti-Cult organization…