Chapter 147: Striving to Do the Best

"Lin Dao, you were looking for me?"

Zhang Yi sat on the sofa with a smile on his face.

"Yes, did Yue Jun tell you?"

"He did. He won't arrange any acting contracts for me these two months, and I'll join the crew once *Pacific Rim* starts filming."

While speaking, Zhang Yi still couldn't hide his excitement.

He was about to act in a Hollywood co-production, and such a large-investment sci-fi movie at that.

"Don't let it spread yet, to save the media from blowing up again." Lin Nan cautioned.

"Don't worry, my mouth has a zipper, haha..."

*Aftershock* seems to have overdrawn the entire August movie schedule.

Even though its numbers aren't moving anymore, other movies still haven't seen a recovery in box office.

Like *Brotherhood of Blades*, which has been out for 20 days and reached 168 million at the box office, it's already the best result after *Aftershock*.

And Sweetie's *My Beautiful Boss*, with a box office final at 52.1 million, exited early.

"*Aftershock* box office has reached 673 million, with daily earnings of less than 80,000..."

"A new domestic movie box office record has been born, which is 673 million."

The media raised a question.

"The record for *The Martian* took 22 months to be broken."

"Then how long can the record for *Aftershock* be maintained?"

This kind of topic is still very attractive, and the discussion instantly soared.

Zhang Yimou's *Under the Hawthorn Tree*, Tsui Hark's *Detective Dee*, and Lin Nan's *The Thieves* are all on the list of candidates.

Some even feel that Feng Xiaogang's record can only be broken by his own *If You Are the One 2*.

Seeing these posts, Lin Nan thought of Chen Kaige and Jiang Wen.

I wonder how these two are feeling, being tacitly excluded by netizens just like that?

Hong Kong movies are also being ignored by everyone, deemed impossible to touch things like box office records.

"Lin Dao, Director Zhang sent a screening invitation for the 31st."

The assistant's words left Lin Nan a bit confused.

In his impression, Zhang Yimou's movies have always had screenings or premiere ceremonies only right before release.

Why is it half a month early this time?

Screenings and premiere ceremonies are different; the former only invites peers, professional media personnel, and is rarely open to mass media.

"Are you sure it's Director Zhang Yimou, not New Pictures?"

Lin Nan thought of this question.

"It should be Director Zhang; it's handwritten on it, and there's a signature."

"Bring it over."

Lin Nan opened it and looked; sure enough, it should have been sent by Zhang Yimou.

Because the writing on it was very colloquial, inviting both him and Liu Qianqian. Clearly, he still remembered Lin Nan asking for a role for Liu Qianqian back then.

To be honest, Lin Nan has no good feelings for Zhang Weiping, but he respects Zhang Yimou quite a bit.

Miss Liu also likes Zhang Yimou's art films and feels she could give it a try.

"Screening half a month early?" Lin Nan is still very curious about this abnormal move.

It wasn't until he saw the production cost of *Under the Hawthorn Tree* on the internet that he suddenly realized.

Only Zhang Yimou would dare to do this!

An art film with a production cost of 70 million, using purely new male and female leads.

Lin Nan estimated that the screening half a month early was proposed by Zhang Weiping; the pressure to break even was too great, and they could only put in effort early in promotion.

The day after Liu Qianqian's birthday, *Brotherhood of Blades* successfully finished its theatrical run.

"Produced by Lin Nan Film Industry, directed by Lu Yang, *Brotherhood of Blades* finished with 168 million."

"*Brotherhood of Blades* is Director Lu Yang's first theatrical movie, becoming famous in one battle!"

The Beijing Film Academy is quite happy; the official website homepage has more information about Lu Yang, having trained another 100-million-yuan director.

News came back from Warner.

"Lin, they have already finished the plan."

"Tell me how they arranged it." Lin Nan urged Tang Mu.

"Your people are too efficient; they don't even sleep in the middle of the night, working overtime. It's very inhumane! They've been complained about quite a few times..."

Lin Nan wondered if he had misheard; this wasn't the answer he wanted.

"What's going on?" Lin Nan couldn't help but ask.

Tang Mu's explanation left people speechless.

That group of people from China Film Group are like they've been injected with chicken blood, really not sleeping in the middle of the night. In over a week, they worked overtime to produce dozens of Chinese-style mech designs.

And there are quite a few fancy tricks.

Things like Terracotta Warrior types, General figurines, the Heavenly Generals in murals...

And things like outer armor, bright light armor, Crescent Moon blades, all kinds of ancient weapons...

The names given are also very flamboyant, things like Chi You, Xing Tian...

It's estimated that when it comes to the final selection, it will take a long time to pick.

"Is this going to heaven?"

It's already completely different from the depths of Lin Nan's mind; it's a headache.

"Let's talk about how the time is arranged?" Lin Nan doesn't intend to manage those things and continued to ask.

"They plan to use 2 months for preparation, complete filming within 4 months, and finish post-production special effects in 6 months!"

Lin Nan listened, stunned. This efficiency is really not just for show; anyway, it won't reach this level domestically for several years.

"Okay, I know. The latest start date is the end of October, right."

"Yes."

Not only did Lin Nan get specific news, but China Film Group and Wanda also got word.

The latter two announced the news to the outside world immediately.

"*Pacific Rim* will officially start filming by the end of October at the latest."

"Domestic filming locations are set in Shanghai and other coastal cities..."

*Palace* crew.

Ceng Jia's expression was gloomy. 5 minutes before the news came out on the internet, she had just received a call from Yue Jun.

Right now, Yang Mi is filming and doesn't know about this yet.

"So we missed it..."

She knows that for a movie like *Pacific Rim*, who the actor is doesn't matter; the selling points are mechs and monsters, as well as special effects scenes.

But this doesn't hinder the fact that it is a top-tier sci-fi movie, which can bring actors a bright resume and an improvement in status.

Half an hour later, the crew started to rest.

Ceng Jia pulled Yang Mi to the dressing room.

"What's wrong, Jiajia?"

"Mi Mi, the start time for *Pacific Rim* is out."

"How long? Before or after I wrap up?"

Hearing this, Yang Mi's eyes instantly widened, grabbing Ceng Jia's wrist and asking eagerly.

Before Ceng Jia could speak, Yang Mi had already realized it belatedly; Ceng Jia's expression hadn't looked very good from the start.

"Mi Mi, listen to me, the news is already out; it starts filming by the end of October at the latest..."

Before the words were finished, Yang Mi sat down on the dressing chair, her face turning pale.

"*Palace*... wraps up at the beginning of November..."

At this moment, Yang Mi had the feeling that the sky was falling, and things were going dark before her eyes.

"Director Yue said that the company will find the main actors during this time..."

Ceng Jia looked at Yang Mi's appearance and continued talking; anyway, it was already like this.

Lin Nan brought Zhang Yimou's invitation back.

Miss Liu specifically checked her schedule, and after confirming there was no conflict in time, she felt relieved.

"This is the first time a big director has sent me a screening invitation."

Liu Qianqian said with a face full of excitement.

"It's not like they're inviting you to act in the movie, is it worth it?" Lin Nan teased with a smile.

"Hmph, you talk too much. Remember to go with me when the time comes; there are two names written on it."

Liu Qianqian glared at Lin Nan and reminded him.

*The Warring States*, which started filming in early March and had an investment of 150 million, wrapped up before the end of August.

Lu Zheng invited quite a few media reporters to visit the set and participated in the wrap-up banquet together.

"*The Warring States* wraps up recently!"

"Post-production and special effects will be completed at Heaven Color."

Quite a few stills of *The Warring States* appeared on the internet; not mentioning anything else, Sweetie's stills were very beautiful anyway...

*My Beautiful Boss* also helped Sweetie increase her popularity quite a bit.

Immediately after the wrap-up banquet ended, Lu Zheng took Sweetie and a few assistants and left early, returning to the capital.

"Chairman Han, for the Chinese faces needed for those ensemble shots in *Pacific Rim*, those with close-ups or a small amount of lines, they are all left to China Film Group to be responsible for."

"Try to find them from film studios and art troupes; they must have good images and resolute faces..."

Lin Nan specifically ran over to tell Han Sanping about this.

"Isn't that nonsense! It represents our image, so there definitely can't be any mistakes."

Matters related to his own hat and political achievements, Han Sanping always attaches particular importance to.

Just out of Han Sanping's office, Lu Zheng's call came in.

"Lin Dao, are you free?"

"Hmm, go ahead, President Lu."

"It's about the matter I consulted Lin Dao about last time; isn't the start time out now."

Lin Nan knew it was this matter.

"Come to my company in the afternoon; I'm still at China Film Group right now."

"Okay, we will arrive on time in the afternoon."

Remembering the first time he saw Sweetie, it was at Bad Monkey.

Back then, it was just a feeling, as if he had seen another version of Liu Qianqian.

The first time she left a deep impression on him was at the dinner table, that authentic local dialect...

In the afternoon, the assistant brought Lu Zheng, Sweetie, and Ye Ning to Lin Nan's office.

It seems that this time, Wanda Film Industry also tacitly supports Lu Zheng.

"Lin Dao."

"Big Brother Lin."

"Sit down, congratulations on wrapping up."

"Thank you, Big Brother Lin."

Sweetie thanked him with a smile while looking around.

During the casting for *The Martian*, she had been here once, and the layout was completely different from now.

Now, there are quite a few girl's things here...

"Lin Dao, that female character hasn't been decided yet, right?" Ye Ning asked with a smile.

Lin Nan looked at the three people.

"Qianqian isn't interested. One over at Shanhai Media is in a TV drama crew, and the other is still a student, so it hasn't been decided yet."

Hearing Lin Nan's words, a smile instantly appeared on Lu Zheng's face.

"Then can Sweetie give it a try? Anyway, we're all our own people."

Lu Zheng was quite direct, and Ye Ning also nodded in agreement. "I also think she can give it a try."

Lin Nan looked at Sweetie.

"Do you think you can do it?"

Tiantian was stunned, looked at Lin Nan, and bit her lip. "Big Brother Lin, I, I will strive to do my best."