Chapter 112

Lin Nan was stepping up the filming of the second half of "The Thieves."

Outside, "The Storm Warriors 2" and "The Treasure Hunter" were released on the same day.

The first-day box office for both films was just over 10 million.

The financial prospects were worrying!

Because the next day was "A Simple Noodle Story," and there would be two more imported blockbusters this month.

Zhang Yimou's film was the object of attention for the entire circle.

On the day of release, it easily took 21 million at the box office.

From the next day on, the preceding "The Treasure Hunter" and "The Storm Warriors 2" were directly reduced to foils.

Taking advantage of the break, many people from the crew went to see "A Simple Noodle Story."

When they came back, they didn't discuss it much, but almost everyone posted congratulatory messages on Weibo.

100 million at the box office in 4 days!

This was the audience's respect for the chief director of the Olympic opening ceremony; CCTV News even reported this news.

But the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

A large amount of criticism and negative reviews appeared online.

This time, quite a few media outlets and audience members stood on the same side.

"This film is purely the 'noisy' folk style of the Zhao Family Troupe; it feels like the whole play is completely out of Zhang Yimou's control."

"This is just a stretched-out sketch, with a strong flavor of two-person folk dance..."

"Unprofessional acting with silly smiles, jumpy narrative techniques, completely terrible and disjointed plot!"

"What on earth is Zhang Yimou doing? He's cheating money..."

"28 million cost, sure enough, cheap goods are no good..."

It could be seen that Zhang Yimou had been completely coerced this time.

Bad films by big directors often follow a rule: the more they are scolded, the more popular they become.

"A Simple Noodle Story" was like "The Promise" from yesterday; the box office climbed steadily amidst the scolding...

"Director Zhang's film, where exactly did the problem arise?"

Several crew actors came to consult Lin Nan, and he just said a few words.

"The producer severely interfered with the director's creation. I heard the script and actors originally set were completely different from what we see now; there was a major reshuffle before the battle..."

Thinking about the overwhelming ridicule outside, Lin Nan felt that Zhang Yimou would probably think carefully about his cooperation with Zhang Weiping this time.

"Everyone prepare for the next scene, try to ensure a one-take."

"Okay, Lin Dao."

As filming neared its end, main actors wrapped up one after another, such as Zhang Yi and Wu Jing.

Both of them were the type to get familiar quickly, especially Wu Jing, who specifically came over to chat with Lin Nan.

He wanted to transition to being a director, exactly the same idea Xu Zheng had at the beginning.

"These years in Hong Kong, I've almost always walked the path of a supporting actor. Many people have promoted me, but the lead role never falls to me."

When Wu Jing said this, there was some helplessness; he probably saw the reality clearly.

"Then how do you plan to map out your future?" Lin Nan asked curiously.

"I will put the focus of my work back to the mainland and take a few years to ease up. After all, I'm poor now, and I don't have a girlfriend yet, haha..."

Lin Nan was amused; he was a free-spirited person.

"Hmm, if there are any suitable roles in the future, I will consider you."

Hearing this, Wu Jing was obviously happy.

"Then I have to thank Lin Dao. I've remembered it..."

The more fierce the box office of "A Simple Noodle Story" was, the louder the scolding, and it was already a flood of negative reviews.

Especially the colorful costumes and makeup, and the vulgar and abrupt lines, were described by netizens as eye-stinging and disgusting.

100 million in 4 days, 200 million in 8 days.

Zhang Weiping predicted excitedly when interviewed by the media.

"300 million in two weeks, 400 million in three weeks. After a month, it will definitely be a new box office record..."

The result was not what Zhang Weiping predicted.

After the box office of "A Simple Noodle Story" reached 200 million, it was cut in half, then cut in half again, and the daily growth plummeted.

Zhang Weiping, as the producer, didn't consider the film's own problems.

He attributed the reason to the two imported blockbusters released, "2012" and "District 9."

Zhang Weiping first bombarded the scheduling issue, and then it was a map-cannon.

"China Film Group is dominant," "monopoly of power," "suppressing dissidents," "Huabiao Awards are foul," "personality cult"...

Han Sanping came to visit "The Thieves" set, and Lin Nan jokingly mentioned this.

"You don't say, the nickname Zhang Weiping gave is quite domineering, 'Mountain-Sitting Eagle'!"

Han Sanping thought of Zhang Weiping with a look of disdain.

"Interfering blindly himself, reputation backfiring, blaming China Film Group's scheduling?

The blame is shifted well, wait until the day Zhang Yimou is gone..."

Lin Nan also admired Zhang Weiping; the imported films were decided in the first half of the year, and this could even be dragged into it.

A nickname of "Mountain-Sitting Eagle" could be considered to have completely offended Han Sanping to death.

The crew actors, seeing that Lin Nan and the other were talking about this topic, found it hard to interrupt, greeted them, and didn't disturb them again.

Han Sanping walked around the crew and nodded at Lin Nan.

"Everyone says you are learning from Hollywood this time, and it really looks like it, quite decent. About how much longer until you wrap up?"

"About a week. But the post-production and special effects for this film will probably take some time."

Lin Nan replied. He estimated that the release of "The Thieves" would have to wait until at least the second half of next year.

The filming of "The Thieves" entered the final stage.

The scenes were mainly concentrated on Zhang Hanyu, Liu Dehua, Fan Bingbing, Yan Danchen, and others.

The final climax was Zhang Hanyu's action scene.

A dedicated actor always makes people look at them with admiration; he refused a stunt double.

A long series of chase and fight scenes, smooth as flowing water, actually only took one day to finish.

"Cut."

"You can rest now. The final action scenes of this film are considered finished."

Everyone understood what Lin Nan meant; this meant that the film was only a few days away from wrapping up.

Unlike "The Thieves," which didn't allow media visits, Lu Chuan's "Brotherhood of Blades" crew was much more open.

From time to time, photos appeared online, and there was constant news.

On the other side, Wong Kar-wai's "The Grandmaster" started filming with high profile.

However, at the press conference, the person asked the most was Zhang Ziyi.

The latter was also having a bad year.

First, she was asked why she was dumped, then questioned about losing all her Hollywood resources, forcing her to return to the country to develop, and finally, there was the ink-splashing incident.

Throughout the press conference, Zhang Ziyi kept a dark face, barely holding on until the end, and the other creators didn't look good either.

Many media outlets compared "Ip Man" and "The Grandmaster."

Emperor Motion Pictures' statement was very professional, and they did a promotion by the way.

"The former is a pure commercial film, but it also contains patriotic feelings. As for the latter, I don't know much about it, so I won't comment.

In addition, 'Ip Man 2' is about to complete post-production, and it is highly likely to be scheduled for the first half of next year..."

"The Thieves" crew, the last few shots.

Fan Bingbing is in a swimsuit, chatting insincerely with Yan Danchen by the hotel's outdoor pool.

One is graceful, the other is quiet and elegant.

In the secondary shot, Zhang Hanyu, after disguising himself, became the final winner...

"Cut."

"I announce that 'The Thieves' has officially wrapped up."

The benefits of dual-line filming were reflected in efficiency.

Lin Nan felt that they could film like this in the future.

In the story, the final winners were the two characters played by Zhang Hanyu and Yan Danchen; the others were either dead or caught.

"Lin Dao, for this ending, will there be a second part?"

Liu Dehua asked with a smile, and the others pricked up their ears.

Lin Nan shook his head, "Maybe. Leaving a foreshadowing, maybe one day when I think of it, there might be a sequel."

When he wrote the script, he did leave this foreshadowing for the ending. But he might not necessarily film the sequel himself; maybe he'll give it to someone else in the future.

"Haha, of course we hope there is a sequel, if Lin Dao can spare the time."

Fan Bingbing, Yan Danchen, and others joked.

Since the people who wrapped up earlier had already left the crew, Lin Nan didn't plan to hold a wrap-up banquet.

After a hug, everyone finished their month-long crew life.

"This film is about the story of thieves, but in real life, I hope we all don't do illegal things..."

As soon as Lin Nan finished speaking, he heard Yan Danchen say with a smile: "Lin Dao is even encouraging us; he is worthy of being a big director, haha..."

Liu Dehua, Fan Bingbing, and the rest of the crew also laughed along, looking like they agreed.

Lin Nan saw it in his eyes, only hoping that these people could take it to heart.

Since the film had wrapped up, Lin Nan no longer rejected the media.

Sina definitely got the first-hand information.

"'The Thieves' wrapped up today."

"Hollywood production model, filming efficiency is evident."

"Lin Dao Nan successfully finished filming."

Before on set, reporters couldn't see Lin Nan.

Now that it had wrapped up, the media blocked him and asked for his opinion on "A Simple Noodle Story."

The reputation of "A Simple Noodle Story" was rotten in the streets.

In just one year, Zhang Yimou was dragged down from the altar, feeling like he was being pointed at by thousands of people.

Maybe the old director was also holding back anger in his heart, and when interviewed, he said, "Scold me, you can't scold me down..."

This made the public indignation even stronger.

"Lin Dao, what do you think of the one-sided negative reviews of 'A Simple Noodle Story'?"

"Zhang Weiping accused Director Han of being a 'Mountain-Sitting Eagle'..."

A large number of questions were thrown at him, and Lin Nan was a little dizzy.

"Filming was too rushed, I haven't had time to watch this film yet..."

If he answered one question today, Lin Nan reckoned he wouldn't be able to leave.

After getting in the car, he heard Jiang Xuerou mention the box office of this film.

It broke 200 million in eight days, and it had been almost ten days since then, but the box office hadn't climbed to 250 million. To what extent must the reputation backfire to have this kind of box office trend?

"Lin Dao, 'The Peacock Feather' has also wrapped up..." Jiang Xuerou suddenly said.

Lin Nan then remembered this TV series, which was bought together in a package at the time.

"Then do post-production. When the time comes, we can use video website channels and retain the copyright..."

Jiang Xuerou actually wanted to talk about the signed actors of Zhou Yi, but Lin Nan didn't plan to take this conversation; he wouldn't renew those people.

For a moment, Jiang Xuerou understood Lin Nan's meaning.

After resting for two days, Liu Yifei called to urge him.

"Have you left yet? When will you arrive?"

"Tomorrow, you'll see me tomorrow morning."

"Don't lie to me, I'll get up early tomorrow!"