Chapter 1120: Yue Jun

"As of last night, 'Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child' under Lin Nan Pictures has been in theaters for 45 days, with cumulative box office surpassing 4.8 billion, closing at 4.84 billion;

the film took in over 45 million yesterday, already destined to cross the 5-billion-yuan box office threshold, becoming the third Chinese-language film in history to join the 5-billion-yuan box office club…"

"The 76th Venice International Film Festival will officially open on the 28th of this month. The only Chinese-language film selected for the main competition, 'Saturday Fiction,' has already arrived on Lido Island ahead of schedule;

director Lou Ye announced the release date of 'Saturday Fiction' on Lido Island at 7 PM local time on the 19th, which was early morning domestic time today. The film is scheduled for release on December 9 during the New Year season…"

……

On the morning of the 22nd, Lin Nan didn't pay much attention to the film industry news, because his focus was entirely on the tip Wang Wang Changtian had revealed—about their ally, Wanda.

How to describe this partner who was still, for the time being, an ally? The phrase "if only you had known then what you know now" fit perfectly.

Wanda, unable to withstand the pressure, had swaggered when it pried the Dama City project away from the central SOE giant; these past few days it had been wagging its tail and begging pitifully for the latter to take it back…

"If nothing unexpected happens, there should be news before year's end. The project they snatched at double the premium two years ago in May—now they're offering it at a knockdown price, hoping the other party will take it back.

Because if they can't find another buyer to take over, the project will have to halt. Once the funding is cut off and the project can't continue or goes bust, the breach-of-contract penalties alone could bankrupt them in an instant.

They can't hold on any longer, so they can only cut their losses and unload it as fast as possible. And the only one in the country who can take it over and dares to is that one central SOE giant—the one whose client they poached.

As for other private capital, they're all running scared. After all, Wanda has set a deadly example for everyone: touch a project you shouldn't, and the consequences are extremely serious!"

"So that means our dear partner here will be getting another 'huge sum of money' soon?" Lin Nan quipped, unable to hold back his laughter.

"Heh, huge? Fine, I guess you could call it huge.

But compared to all the money they spent poaching the client and what they've already invested, this 'huge sum' is probably less than thirty percent of that.

And compared to their massive bottomless-pit debt, it's even more of a drop in the bucket. So as you can see, they haven't withdrawn their plan to dump their Tudou shares."

Lin Nan didn't pick up Wang Wang Changtian's thread, because he suddenly realized something: this looked like they were offloading the real estate project?!

"Is it possible that: if you don't give this project back, you'll die faster and more miserably?"

"What do you mean?" Wang Wang Changtian could hear what Lin Nan was implying, and was equally shocked: "Now that you mention it, it does make sense.

Forget it, forget it, let's not overthink it. I only care now about how long they can hold out. How long until they completely can't hold on anymore and proactively cut loose the theater chain business!" At this moment, Big Lao Wang stopped pretending entirely—he was eyeing Big Lao Wang's turf, wanting to take over.

"Director Wang, even though we're on the phone, at least wipe the drool off the corner of your mouth.

The three of us are still the closest of allies right now. Your nakedly obvious look makes you seem a bit too greedy." Lin Nan criticized Wang Wang Changtian mercilessly, while barely holding back his own laughter.

"You actually have the nerve to say that? Can you put your hand on your conscience and say you don't have this thought? I only got this idea because you inspired me!" Wang Wang Changtian laughed and cursed upon hearing this.

"I do, I won't deny that. But I have to advise you: don't expect to see any sign of this happening in the short term.

That's a 16.5% market share. If the day really comes when they sell the theater chain, it absolutely means they've reached the end of the road. After all, this is a cash cow!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, 16.5%, worthy of being the theater chain with the largest market share in the country.

Lin Nan, although more than half of that 16.5% meets your requirements for a boutique theater chain, when the time comes don't be too ruthless—leave some boutique cinemas for me too. After all, you'll be building plenty of new ones yourself."

Sure enough, Wang Wang Changtian completely ignored Lin Nan's reminder and kept eyeing the cake in his eyes—the only missing puzzle piece for the Enlight Media faction.

While Lin Nan and Wang Wang Changtian continued their "secret plotting," on the gravel path of the estate more than ten meters away, Han Jianü, who was strolling and chatting with Liu Liu Yifei and Shu Chang, once again failed to control her big mouth.

"Uncle Ren has been in the capital these past few days, getting together with my dad every now and then, with no intention of going back. I've been wondering for days what he's here for, to actually leave his post for so long?

After I asked my dad several times, he finally let it slip yesterday evening. He said that after the 70th-anniversary tribute film, the 100th-anniversary tribute film is also being put on the agenda. Uncle Ren has been staking out this matter these past few days, constantly gathering information…"

"Whoa, a 100th-anniversary tribute film? This has to be bigger than 'My People, My Country,' right?!" Shu Chang blurted out in shock, asking.

"In theory, yes. Anyway, we'll see when the time comes. My dad said there might be a big meeting at the end of October or early November, just like with 'My People, My Country,' letting state-owned enterprises compete for it. So Uncle Ren, who got this confirmed word from the bureau, flew back this morning."

"Did Director Han say he'd arrange for you to be in this tribute film too?" Liu Liu Yifei asked Han Jianü with a faint smile.

"He did, but I refused. One tribute film like 'My People, My Country' is already more than enough for my resume in the main-melody genre—I don't need more. Besides, I can't be bothered to get involved, it's boring."

……

On the 23rd, the Hollywood import blockbuster 'Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw' opened strong in the mainland market with an ultra-high 52.2% screening rate.

Meanwhile, in just one morning, the Sino-Russian co-produced blockbuster 'The Iron Mask' vanished completely from theaters nationwide, with zero screenings remaining.

It was abandoned in unison by the entire theater chain industry, simply because on the 22nd, its 7th day of release, the film delivered a nationwide daily box office of only 15,000 yuan.

Without a doubt, this is absolutely the worst and most pathetic commercial film of Jackie Chan's career in the industry's collective memory.

With a total box office of 20.82 million, it broke Jackie Chan's lower limits for both box office and reputation in the Chinese-language film market.

Keep in mind that right now the Chinese-language film market is at an unprecedented peak of prosperity—and this is the result? Heh!

"China Film and Yolei are both keeping a very low profile, as if 'The Iron Mask' was never produced by them at all."

"They definitely have to play dead. The promotional push was so big before, they invested so much, and now they've lost this badly—faces completely swollen from the slap. Just wonder how much the overseas rights can sell for?

I bet those two are counting on recouping through the overseas market now, after all Jackie Chan's influence abroad has always been huge, especially in the video rights market."

Watching Jiang Jiang Xuerou walk into his office, Yue Jun picked up the thread and teased with a smile.

Jiang Jiang Xuerou was flying to Shanghai with 'The Captain' crew that afternoon, and would be doing a string of promotional roadshows in cities afterward.

"Then let's hope Jackie Chan's pulling power in the overseas market can save them." Jiang Jiang Xuerou laughed, then changed the subject: "I heard the script for 'The Wandering Earth 2' was officially finalized yesterday afternoon?"

"Mm, it's finalized. Right after Lin Dao read it, he had me lock the script in the safe.

Don't hold your breath, next year is definitely out. At the earliest it would be the year after that before preparation could begin, and there has to be at least half a year of prep in between, right?"

Facing his company's unquestionably biggest project for the next few years, executive Yue Jun naturally showed the utmost anticipation.

Because as long as they put their heart into it and ensure quality, this would surely be a project with a guaranteed floor of 5 billion at the box office.

As for why not aim directly for 6 or 7 billion or even higher—that's because Lin Dao himself isn't confident of that, let alone the fact that he wants to ditch the job and let someone else take over…

"The year after next? Mm, that's good. If nothing unexpected happens, by the year after next our company's theater chain should be slowly getting off the ground too, right?"

Jiang Jiang Xuerou muttered and nodded, then looked at Yue Jun and couldn't help teasing: "Once the theater chain license is approved, I'll have to give you a proper send-off—after all, you're the one going to pioneer new territory at Shanhai Theater Chain."

"Yeah, once the theater chain license is approved, Lin Nan Pictures will only have Director Jiang left—no room for me anymore, hahaha…"

"Stop, stop right there. If those words reach Lin Dao, I'm afraid I'll end up with another new colleague.

Let's talk about the license instead. It's been applied for five and a half months now, and still not a whisper of news? Plenty of industry folks have been asking me about it lately…"

"You ask me, where would I know? But I figure, even if it takes longer and the process is longer, it shouldn't drag on until next year… right?

Also, it's not just people asking you—same on my end. There's not even a shadow of the theater chain yet, and already a bunch of people are hinting to me, trying to drag me down…"

Hearing Yue Jun's teasing tone, Jiang Jiang Xuerou asked uncertainly, "You mean stuff like inflating the box office, buying box office numbers?"

"What did you think? As long as you're in the theater chain business, you can't avoid this kind of thing.

But flip the angle and think about it — selling those time slots with no audience or foot traffic to those film companies is pure profit for the theater chain.

Of course, box office theft is absolutely off-limits, otherwise Lin Dao would definitely kill me…"

Hearing that, Jiang Xuerou immediately gave a thumbs-up and exclaimed in shock, "Lin Dao really picked the right person to handle the theater chain business. You switch sides so smoothly — you're already thinking about profits from the theater chain's perspective!"

"Hahaha, you're too kind. In my view there's just one principle: do the job you're in. If you put me in charge of the theater chain, then naturally I prioritize the theater chain's interests.

Who knows, the two of us might argue a lot in the future — you complain I give you too few screenings, I complain the company's films hog too many slots and drag down the theater chain's overall return rate. When that happens, we'll keep it strictly business, haha…"

……

"Before the end of the year?"

After almost half a year, Lin Nan finally got a definitive answer. The answer directly told him the result — the Shanhai Theater Chain's license application would go through smoothly in one go, no problems.

"Lin Dao, barring any surprises, the public announcement should come around mid-to-late December. Just keep an eye out then."

"Got it, thanks. Please pass along my thanks to the leadership as well."

"Of course, no problem, I'll pass it along for you shortly. Lin Dao, no need to be so polite — we're all working for the vigorous development of the domestic film industry, aren't we?"

After politely hanging up the phone, Lin Nan let out a breath of relief.

Originally he just wanted to casually find someone to ask about the progress, but somehow it got back to the leadership's ears. Yep, that call just now was from the leader's secretary.

"Once the theater chain is up and running, we can completely lie flat." Muttering that, Lin Nan lay down next to Liu Liu Yifei.

The pregnant Miss Liu's body temperature was about half a degree higher than normal; especially under the central air conditioning in summer, Lin Nan could clearly feel Liu Liu Yifei's body heat.

"Lin Nan, blink and it's already the 23rd today?" Someone put on a silly Liu Liu Hanhan look, playing dumb and showing the date on her phone to her own director.

"It really is the 23rd already. In another week school starts.

This morning Old Jiang called for the third time to lobby me, wanting me to attend the directing department's opening ceremony and ideally go on stage to say a few words.

I still firmly refused him, told him I had to stay home and keep you company, no time to go." Lin Nan rattled on with a straight face, working hard to suppress the curve of his lips.

"I want cake." Suddenly, Liu Liu Qianqian threw another direct ball.

"Sure, I'll head out in a bit and buy some for you."

"Hmph, stay away from me." Yep, the pregnant lady was embarrassed into anger, all because Lin Dao Da completely failed to read the room.

"Oh, look at my memory — the day after tomorrow is the 25th. Someone seems to have a birthday coming up? Hmm, cake should be eaten the day after tomorrow too, haha…"

"I'll make you keep pretending, I'll kick you to death." Still kicking? Liu Liu Yifei was so angry she laughed, but couldn't muster any real force. Combined with her swollen fat little feet, she was basically just tickling Lin Nan's leg.

"Fine, no more pretending. The day after tomorrow is your birthday — invite Princess Princess Xixi and the others over for a big meal, throw a small party." Saying this, Lin Nan had already lain down on his side on the sofa.

He and Liu Liu Yifei faced each other, and he grinned mysteriously, "I've prepared a mysterious gift for you — to be revealed at noon the day after tomorrow."

"Tell me, tell me, what mysterious gift?" Liu Liu Yifei was getting impatient, wearing a grinning Princess Princess Xixi look as she pressed Lin Nan for an answer.

"I said it's a mysterious gift to be revealed the day after tomorrow, so it absolutely has to wait until the day after tomorrow. Using your beauty trap on me won't work either! Hiss~~, don't bite me…"

"Are you going to tell me or not?"

"No. If I tell you, there won't be a surprise."

……