Chapter 123: Release Date, Gossip

No one in the industry expected that Mountain Sea Media would sign a second artist so quickly, and one from the Shanghai Theatre Academy at that.

However, compared to this news, Han Geng's signing attracted even more attention from the industry.

Major companies like Huayi, Tianyu, Bona, and Yinghuang all rushed to make offers.

Yinghuang, in particular, offered a signing bonus of 100 million HKD, along with two to three films per year and the chance to co-star with Jackie Chan in Hollywood productions.

Such a high price had already exceeded the market rate.

Lin Nan knew that starting this year, the entertainment industry would begin to change drastically; with financial capital entering the fray, money would become much easier to make.

"Lin Dao, an invitation has arrived from the Asian International Film Festival."

"Same as usual, decline it."

Ever since *The Thieves* used three actors from Hong Kong, that side had started trying to get in touch with Lin Nan.

Two days ago, it was an invitation for the Hong Kong Film Awards, and today it was the Hong Kong International Film Festival. They certainly had high hopes.

The prosperity of the mainland film and television circle was clear to both Hong Kong and Taiwan, leading to a massive collective northward migration of actors and artists.

"The good and the bad are mixed together; there's all sorts of trash."

Lin Nan thought of the recent Weibo post where Zhou Jie had spilled the beans.

The content bluntly stated that back in the *My Fair Princess* crew, those people's words, actions, and loyalties were all twisted...

Those few mainland actors all claimed ignorance, leaving one person to face the group alone.

Logically, fawning over the powerful and stepping on the weak is the norm, but this time, Fan Bingbing, Zhao Wei, and the others all acted as if it had nothing to do with them, claiming they didn't know anything. For those with a discerning eye, this stance said it all.

Lin Nan specifically warned Guo Fan and Lu Yang that in the future, when they were casting for their films, if they wanted to use Hong Kong actors, they must choose carefully, and as for those from Taiwan, they shouldn't deal with them at all...

It seemed like everyone wanted to try their hand at directing.

Gu Changwei and his wife jointly sent out invitations for their film premiere to the industry.

The film, written and directed by Jiang Teacher Wenli, was about to be released.

The guests were all big names: Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Jiang Wen, John Woo, Stanley Tong...

Lin Nan took Guo Fan with him to make an appearance, but they left without staying long.

How good could a semi-autobiographical film from a novice be? Everyone only went to show respect.

But one had to admit, to survive in this circle, you need connections and relationships.

For example, Jiang Teacher Wenli's niece not only acted in the film but was also taken around by her aunt to be introduced and recommended to one big director after another.

Those students still in school without connections wouldn't even dare to dream of such a good thing.

"Lin Dao, others were really pushing their niece to you, not asking for a big role, just a few shots. Tsk tsk..."

Lu Yang sighed. Although Jiang Teacher Wenli had also introduced Ma Sichun to them, the treatment she received compared to Lin Nan's was incomparable.

"Just be polite, who would take it seriously? You guys? Or me and Jiang Wen and the others?"

Lin Nan shook his head and joked.

But he had to admit, with Jiang Teacher Wenli and Gu Changwei behind her, Ma Sichun's starting point was definitely the highest among actors of her age.

*The Thieves* and two other films, as expected, all received their public screening permits.

All the production companies were now waiting for Lin Nan Film Industry to announce the release dates, especially for *The Thieves*.

"*The Thieves* has received its public screening permit; some films with unconfirmed dates claim they will consider avoiding the same release window..."

Some meddlesome media went to interview Feng Xiaogang, because *Aftershock* had already set its release date.

"*Aftershock*'s release date will not change; it should be the other films considering avoiding us..."

Seeing this news, Lin Nan agreed with Feng Xiaogang's statement. It was obvious that the authorities would be booking out *Aftershock*, so only a fool would release a film in the same window.

Immediately after, Lin Nan Film Industry announced the release dates for several of their films to the outside world.

*Brotherhood of Blades* would be released on August 1st, right in the summer window.

*The Thieves* was set for September 30th, aiming for the National Day holiday.

*Love is Not Blind* chose to be released on Singles' Day, as the atmosphere was just right.

"It won't change once it's set, right?" Jiang Wen called to confirm.

"It won't change. You can pick a time for *Let the Bullets Fly*."

"Already picked, set for mid-December for the New Year's window. Damn it, whether I live or die depends on this one."

Jiang Wen cursed, carrying an air of burning his bridges behind him.

There were already three big directors for the New Year's window.

Feng Xiaogang was preparing *If You Are the One 2*; he hadn't even started filming, but the release date was already set.

Chen Kaige's *Sacrifice* had only just started filming, and it had also set that time.

Lin Nan felt the New Year's window was too chaotic and didn't want to wait for the Spring Festival window, so he simply chose National Day.

Sure enough, after *The Thieves* announced its release date, many films set for the National Day period either moved up or pushed back.

A small number of low-budget films were counting on *The Thieves* to drive the market so they could eat the scraps, so they didn't change their windows. Of course, this was limited to small-budget films.

Huayi's *Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame* was now in a difficult spot.

Originally, Huayi had also planned to release it during National Day, but now they had to consider whether that window could accommodate two films with investments over 100 million.

"Why did he have to pick National Day of all times! Bad luck."

"Since the time isn't set yet, should we change it?"

Wang Zhonglei looked at the gloomy-faced Wang Zhongjun and suggested.

"Then change it. It was hard enough to sign a series contract with Tsui Hark; don't let the first one get killed off by Lin Nan..."

"Then what time should we change it to?"

"Move it up by half a month, to mid-September."

"Alright, I'll have someone report it to China Film."

Many acquaintances joked with Lin Nan, saying he was a beast, scaring all the other films away once he entered the field.

"You have a reputation abroad now; it's spread all over the mainland and Hong Kong. Now, for the National Day window, you're the only blockbuster left."

Lin Nan smiled and said nothing; he hadn't expected this result either.

"But that's good too. Between major domestic commercial productions, try to have fewer head-on collisions and present a united front..."

Han Sanping nodded and instructed.

Less than two days later, the media saw news about *Lucy* on the China Film official website again.

"Starring Liu Yifei, *Lucy* is set for release on July 1st."

A Hollywood film with a female lead—not only were her peers jealous, but the big stars were equally envious.

For a long time, Star Dock had been receiving film offers almost every day.

Especially after *Inception*, the number of crews wanting to find Liu Yifei skyrocketed, but 99% of the scripts were mediocre.

Yet the more she refused, the more offers she got.

At this moment, Liu Yifei was sitting in the garden reading a script.

"Which crew is it this time, wanting to invite you?"

Lin Nan walked up and asked.

"A remake of a film. It's adapted quite interestingly; it's very different from the original."

Liu Yifei looked up at Lin Nan and smiled.

"A remake? What film?"

"Here, *A Chinese Ghost Story*."

Lin Nan covered his face with one hand, then lowered it, unable to help laughing out loud, "Haha..."

"What are you laughing at? You haven't even read it."

Liu Yifei rolled her eyes at Lin Nan, a bit angry. She knew Lin Nan; he was definitely mocking her again.

"Xixi, I don't need to read the script to know it's definitely going to flop."

"Why?" Liu Yifei gritted her teeth, looking as if he had to explain it clearly to her.

"The *A Chinese Ghost Story* by those two is too deeply ingrained in people's hearts.

Remaking it following the plot, there's no way to surpass it, and it's easy to be compared and picked apart. Changing the plot significantly makes it even easier to be scolded.

Remaking this film, unless you can surpass the original in one go, you won't win either way. Understand now?"

Lin Nan pinched the smooth, tender cheek of the young lady and asked with a light laugh.

Although she was a bit unconvinced, Liu Yifei understood Lin Nan's words—it meant she couldn't take this script.

"Hmph, you have your reasons, happy now?" The young lady was convinced in her heart but not in her words.

Lin Nan smiled and took the script from Liu Yifei's hand, flipping through it.

The script wasn't bad, nor was it very good, but for Liu Yifei, it did more harm than good.

"How much are they paying you to dare send you a script?"

Lin Nan knew that Liu Yifei's current salary was in a league of its own among young actresses.

"Eight million."

Speaking of this, Liu Yifei was a little proud.

Lin Nan was also stunned for a moment; he had expected it to be around 6 million. It had gone up that much?

If the other young actresses heard this price—no, if Zhou Xun heard it, she would be cursing.

When the latter filmed *Painted Skin*, the salary Lin Nan gave was only 4 million, and it had only just risen to 6 million this year.

"Impressive. Never mind the post-85s actresses, even counting the post-80s actresses, you have the highest film salary now."

"You know how to talk."

Liu Yifei smiled and scolded, then remembered the script, "I'll have Mom decline them."

The current Liu Yifei was able to listen to advice, but sometimes she was too emotional and didn't think things through thoroughly, needing others to point things out.

There was never a shortage of gossip in the entertainment industry.

First, because of the donation fraud scandal, International Zhang lost 80-90% of her major brand endorsements. She was still desperately trying to quell the negative impact.

Then, Jin Qiaoqiao's phone scandal followed right after.

The loss of a mobile phone resulted in a massive leak of text messages about "intermediaries" and photos of "escorting."

"Although they are all minor actresses, female models, and female students from art schools below the third tier, isn't this too rampant?"

"Isn't this just the unspoken rule in this circle? All we can do is manage ourselves."

Lin Nan looked at the shocked Guo Fan and replied. Anyway, the actresses of Mountain Sea Media would absolutely never have a situation of "selling themselves."

He didn't know who had put in the effort, but the matter disappeared from several news websites within two days; the speed was quite fast.

Ning Hao, that guy, had received 50 million in investment this time, but he was even stingier than before when it came to hiring actors.

He went around lobbying the actors from his previous three films one by one, getting them to join for low pay or cameo for free.

When Lin Nan was called to Bad Monkey, he saw Huang Bo there complaining about Ning Hao.

"I'm a Golden Horse Best Actor, at least. Are you really embarrassed to not give me a single cent?"

"Talking about money hurts our relationship, doesn't it?" Ning Hao smiled and patted Huang Bo.

"You, you really are stingy to the bone."

"Haha, at worst, when we start filming, I'll give you an extra box lunch..."

"Get out..."