Chapter 214

*1911*, controlled by Shanghai Film Group and Changchun Film Group, held its premiere ceremony half a month early.

The location was not chosen in the capital, but in Nanjing.

Ren Zhonglun domineeringly declared to the outside world that this film, whether in terms of word-of-mouth or box office, would benchmark against China Film Group's *The Founding of a Republic* and *Beginning of the Great Revival*, and finally surpass and win over them completely.

This kind of public declaration, in the eyes of the industry, felt quite like Ren Zhonglun wanting to challenge Han Sanping, which was very interesting.

The journey was a bit far, so Lin Nan was too lazy to go, only posting a blessing on Weibo.

The competition between top actresses is really exciting.

A few days ago, Li Bingbing got *Resident Evil 5*, and there was a wave of mockery against Zhang Ziyi online.

Today, Zhang Ziyi returned the favor.

She high-profilely announced to the outside world that she would star in the romance film *Dangerous Liaisons*, which had an investment of up to 200 million, and revealed her salary was 20 million.

"Commercial value is not improved by playing a female second lead in a foreign language film; art films can do it too. Of course, it depends on who is acting..."

This statement was a naked counterattack and mockery of Li Bingbing's *Resident Evil 5* from a while ago.

The nosy media and netizens started stirring up trouble again...

Zhang Ziyi's salary this time was indeed a bit inflated. Everyone in the circle knew that she had never been a box-office-selling actress.

Lin Nan estimated that this salary quote was very likely due to the original novel of this film.

After all, Zhang Ziyi had quite a few awards. A Best Actress starring in an art film whose original work had been repeatedly labeled by European courts as "obscene and offensive" and designated as a "banned book"—it was only right to give her a bit more salary.

Thinking about it, the gimmicks for this film's promotion later would definitely not be small, and the external copyright transactions would definitely not lose money!

"People fight for a breath; International Zhang is still International Zhang, she really can let go, determined enough!"

*Beginning of the Great Revival*, which was cared for by the authorities, finally welcomed the day it was pulled from theaters.

The full three-month release period disgusted a group of production companies in the film circle.

The box office of this film did not, as Han Sanping had boasted before, far exceed *The Founding of a Republic*.

Instead, it was a little bit worse than the latter, finally reporting 402 million.

Thinking of the box office trend of *Beginning of the Great Revival*, the industry couldn't help but sigh.

You have to know that it rushed to 300 million in half a month, but it was a pity it ran into *Painted Skin: The Resurrection* and was suppressed.

Since then, *Beginning of the Great Revival* had been depressed; it only reached 350 million after a month and a half, and it took another month and a half, but only added 50 million in box office, finally barely passing the 400 million threshold, and was pulled!

In fact, compared to the cost, *Beginning of the Great Revival* made a big profit.

But after being extended for so long, the box office was far from reaching the expected goal, which in Han Sanping's eyes, was a loss!

At this moment, Han Sanping's mood was not very good.

Who knew there would be someone blind enough to pick this time to come looking for a beating!

Gao Xiaosong, who had just come out of prison, popped up.

He bluntly stated that *Beginning of the Great Revival* had stolen the box office of *My Kingdom* in the last half month, even as high as 20 percent.

If you want to talk about fans, they are the most brainless; Han Geng and Wu Chun's fans started various "sassy operations."

Under the official Weibo of *Beginning of the Great Revival*, it was all ugly words and profanity.

You have to know, this was a film directed by Han Sanping! The consequences of Gao Xiaosong talking nonsense like this can be imagined.

Only one day later, news spread in the industry that the screenings of *My Kingdom* in several major cinema chains had been cut by 80 percent.

The reason given by the cinema chains was very legitimate: because the box office feedback for *My Kingdom* was poor, adjusting the screenings was a reasonable market behavior for the cinema chains.

By the time Gao Xiaosong posted on Weibo again, hurriedly saying he made a mistake and apologizing, China Film Group completely ignored him...

A film that already had poor box office was now completely trampled to death.

Lin Nan was at the company and received the shareholder notice from Huayi.

These two brothers really had big appetites.

They had previously obtained 1,000 acres of land in Shanghai and Suzhou each, and now the investment plan was out.

Huayi expected to invest 7 billion to build two "Cultural Cities"; this scale of capital already far exceeded Huayi's investment in the film and television industry.

In one morning, the news spread completely to the outside world, and Huayi's stock price jumped upward in response, rising nearly three points in half a day.

There was constant praise in the circle, and Huayi's leading position seemed even more unshakable!

Lin Nan thought about the Huayi stocks in his hands, and his mood was suddenly not bad either.

No matter how Huayi tosses, he would just choose a suitable time to leave! As for other problems, that was not something he needed to consider, and it was none of his business.

The premiere ceremonies for *Painted Skin: The Resurrection* and *The Sorcerer and the White Snake* were both held ten days before the release date, and the two companies had already started warming up for the premieres.

Many people in the film and television circle were facing a very tangled problem.

They had received invitations to the premieres of both films at the same time, but it was obvious that they could only go to one.

Julili appeared wealthy and imposing, and the crew of *The Sorcerer and the White Snake* was even more crowded with big names.

Ching Siu-tung, Cui Baozhu, Jet Li, Lin Feng, Wen Zhang, Huang Shengyi, and others were all famous in the industry...

Looking at *Painted Skin: The Resurrection*, the investment was smaller, and the only ones who could be brought out were Wilson Yip, Yan Ni, Deng Chao, and Sun Li; there was nothing else. Even if there were, they were all small actors.

In Yang Zai's view, how to choose should be very obvious; his side definitely had the advantage!

Just when he was self-righteous and complacent, his assistant came over with a very ugly expression.

"President Yang, there's a situation."

"Mm? What happened?"

Yang Zai frowned, having a bad premonition.

"We received calls from quite a few agents and agencies; they can't come on the day of the premiere of *The Sorcerer and the White Snake*.

Besides that, some film and television companies replied the same way..."

The assistant's voice grew smaller because Yang Zai's expression had already become very gloomy.

"Who are they?" Yang Zai said, forcibly suppressing the fire in his heart.

"Most of the big directors, producers, and first-tier stars you listed separately said they couldn't come, and some companies said the vice president would come over..."

"Get out!"

Before the assistant could finish speaking, Yang Zai shouted loudly.

A few minutes later, the sound of porcelain shattering could be vaguely heard from Yang Zai's office, and the work area of the employees outside instantly became dead silent.

Some media had already started reporting.

"According to Enlight Pictures, the guests at the premiere of *Painted Skin: The Resurrection* will include the vast majority of first-tier celebrities and filmmakers in the film and television circle..."

The news didn't mention other films, but everyone thought of *The Sorcerer and the White Snake* immediately.

Everyone could imagine what the situation would be like at the premiere over there; the scene would definitely not be good!

The media was already waiting for that day; comparing the news from both sides would definitely be exciting.

This wave completely demonstrated Enlight Pictures' status and influence in the industry.

Lin Nan brought the music score he had found someone to make for the company and returned to the villa; he still had to take another look.

The theme song for *Passengers* was settled.

"What is this?"

Liu Yifei saw the thing in Lin Nan's hand and took it.

"A song? *Light Years Away*!"

Miss Liu's eyes lit up instantly, and she hummed along.

Lin Nan watched her with a smile like this.

Although Liu Yifei sang very well, Lin Nan hoped that the singer's voice could be more ethereal and pure, fitting the deep and lonely feeling of space.

"The theme song for *Passengers*? Can I sing it?"

Liu Yifei looked at Lin Nan with joy, but before the latter could answer, she shook her head again.

"My voice doesn't seem to be able to sing that feeling... Hmph, it's all your fault!"

Lin Nan was stunned; your voice isn't ethereal enough, and you can blame that on me? How unreasonable!

Outside, Liu Yifei is always a mature and steady actress, occasionally a bit straightforward and silly;

But in private, it's completely different when she's with Lin Nan; she has little temper, little moods, and acts unreasonably...

"Hehe, okay, my fault."

Lin Nan gladly accepted this charge and added:

"I'm planning to find Jane Zhang to try it."

Hearing this, Liu Yifei nodded and looked at Lin Nan, "She is quite suitable; I'll call her."

"Then I'll leave it to you. Mm, do you know which song of hers I like the most?"

"I don't know; you tell me first which song of mine you like the most?"

Liu Yifei stared at Lin Nan, a bit coquettish and a bit unhappy.

"Haha..."

Lin Nan covered his chest and laughed out loud; he remembered Liu Yifei's song *Heart Palpitations* again, dancing and singing on stage, that outfit almost made his heart palpitate to death.

"Which one? Tell me." Liu Yifei looked straight at Lin Nan, urging him.

"All of them." Lin Nan said insincerely.

"Mm, lying again."

Miss Liu smiled and rolled her eyes at Lin Nan, "You like that song *Unparalleled in the World*!"

Lin Nan looked at the confident Liu Yifei; she really knew.

Miss Liu's exquisite face was something one could never get tired of looking at.

At this moment, there was a feeling of quiet time; Lin Nan hoped it could always be like this.

"Infatuated with you in this life, this love is unparalleled in the world.

Your 'Little Dragon Maiden' has always been engraved in my mind.

Back then, I should have thrown two million at Zhang Jizhong..."

Lin Nan said word by word, very seriously; Liu Yifei smiled until her eyes slowly turned red.

There was someone in his arms, sobbing softly.

"Where would it cost that much money." Liu Yifei said softly, truly happy.

"Thinking about it now, I really regret it..."

Lin Nan tightened his hold on the person in his arms, speaking softly, his mind full of memories.

Liu Yifei dialed the phone, and Jane Zhang on the other side was very excited.

"Thank you, Yifei. No, it should be thank you, Producer Liu!"

"No need to be so polite, we are friends. If you have time, go to Lin Nan Pictures and find Yue Jun to sign the contract..."

"Mm mm, thank you, and thank you Lin Dao. I have time tomorrow, and I'll come to see you by the way."

"Okay."

The media took photos of Jane Zhang entering the Lin Nan Pictures building, which caused a heated discussion online for a while.

"I am very grateful to Lin Dao and Yifei for the opportunity; I will sing the theme song for the sci-fi romance blockbuster *Passengers*."

A simple Weibo post made the entire music circle restless.

Counting the previous *Painted Heart*, this was the second blockbuster theme song Jane Zhang had obtained.

And both times, these blockbuster theme songs were for Lin Nan's films.

Unlike *Painted Skin*, which had an investment cost of 100 million, this time *Passengers* had a production cost of up to 250 million!

Many singers knew that *Painted Heart* was introduced to Jane Zhang by Liu Yifei, and thinking about the theme song for *Passengers* this time...

Sure enough, mixing in this circle still requires connections! For Jane Zhang, Liu Yifei was that kind of precious connection!

"Didn't Yifei come with you this morning?" Zhou Xun glanced outside and asked suspiciously.

"She's coming in the afternoon. Let's get ready, we'll start work in a while."

Lin Nan said with a chuckle.

This afternoon, he planned to film his and Liu Yifei's cameo scenes as well. ===== CHAPTER 205 =====

"Don't take my politeness and tolerance as something that can be bullied or deceived! Don't go too far!

Since you don't have that ability, you shouldn't have come to me for investment in the first place; I'm already considering withdrawing from *The Last Supper* completely..."

Emperor Motion Pictures was also in a difficult position; investment was constantly being added, but Lu Chuan could drag things out too much, and costume films were really too capital-intensive...

The industry was all watching the fun, waiting to see Lu Chuan's joke.

Copying others to film historical themes, do you have that ability? You're screwed!

Lu Chuan found himself a seemingly dignified way out at the first opportunity; this guy first posted a Weibo post of self-humiliation:

"Isn't it just a movie? What's the big deal. President Qin, no need to be angry..."

Immediately after, it was heard that Lu Chuan hurried back to the capital from the crew and met with two investors.

I don't know how this guy knelt and licked Qin Hong and Albert Yeung, or maybe both companies were stuck here, and they were unwilling to give up the project, so they could only bite the bullet and continue forward.

The final result was that Lu Chuan fooled another 40 million and promised to wrap up within two months!

Then Qin Hong deleted the Weibo, and StarMe and Emperor Motion Pictures re-issued an announcement:

"*The Last Supper* will add investment to 140 million, and it is expected to complete all filming by the end of October or early November."

Perhaps to divert everyone's attention, after all, he was scolded by Qin Hong on Weibo, so Lu Chuan spoke directly to the outside world.

"I swear on my personality that this *The Last Supper* will definitely be an epic blockbuster, with a box office floor of 300 million!"

As soon as Lu Chuan's post was released, it was instantly surrounded by mockery from netizens.

After *Nanjing! Nanjing! *, Lu Chuan's character in the eyes of many viewers and netizens was completely gone; what personality!

At this moment, when they teased and mocked him, they all swarmed up without mercy...

"You haven't even finished filming, and you're shouting 300 million; do you have to fart like that? At least brew it for a while!"

"First time filming a commercial film, and it's a historical theme; I advise you, Taro, to take it easy and don't talk big."

"Lin Dao Nan and Director Jiang Wen don't dare to make such guarantees before the film is finished. You're floating; can you compare to them?"

"Lin Dao, then I'll go to *The Sorcerer and the White Snake*?" Yue Jun asked.

"Mm, you go over there.

Only the special effects of their film have anything to do with us; don't pay attention to any other topics."

Lin Nan gave Yue Jun a warning and then hung up the phone.

Immediately after, Wang Changtian's call came in.

"President Wang, do you have to rush like this?"

"Haha, I only rush you because I value you; when will you arrive? You still have to speak on behalf of Tianshang Color today..."

Lin Nan shook his head with a smile.

He glanced at Liu Yifei, who had just been pulled out of bed by Liu Xiaoli and was currently in a irritable state, and said to Wang Changtian:

"Yifei is putting on makeup; we'll be there in a bit."

"Okay, see you in a bit."

Today's situation is special, and I went on a blind date, so I only wrote one chapter.