Chapter 227

This year's third blockbuster Qing Palace drama has appeared.

Opening the film and television information, the TV drama section is full of reports on "Empresses in the Palace".

Liu Liu Yifei, having nothing better to do, watched one episode and then couldn't stop laughing.

"How did she become like that? Hahaha..."

"She did become a consort!" Lin Nan also laughed and replied.

Back when we were on the sets of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" and "Chinese Paladin", how young everyone was!

Now that she has become Consort Hua, she is not only burly but also a bit greasy... though her acting is still on point.

Laughing, Liu Liu Yifei picked up her phone and started sending messages. She was probably sending them to Shu Chang or Jiang Xin.

The Hong Kong production "The East Is Red 011", with an investment of 60 million, was released in the first half of the New Year's holiday season.

After four days of release, it grossed 000 million, then reputation fermented and the entire line collapsed, with a chorus of criticism online; on the fifth day, daily revenue dropped directly to around one million.

This once again proves one thing: mainland investors are too easy to fool!

To believe time and again in Hong Kong directors' rehashes, then losing money is truly deserved; you can't blame anyone else.

"Liu Liu Zhenwei is treating the production company like a fool! The script feels like it was written with feet, and a dog must be sitting in the director's chair!"

Many industry insiders mocked him without holding back. The fact that such a person could attract investment in the mainland made many mainland directors feel frustrated.

Zhang Zhang Weiping is now a "flea" in the production industry, despised by every company within the sector.

Yu Dong of Bona was the first to use "underhanded tactics" against "The Flowers of War".

At the media and cinema preview screenings for "Flying Swords of Longmen", Yu Dong directly "curried favor" with all major cinema chains.

He promised to lower the minimum ticket price by yuan: 30 yuan for first-tier cities, yuan for second-tier, and 0 yuan for third-tier. That is, full ticket prices of 60 yuan, 0 yuan, and 40 yuan.

Compared like this, the average price for each tier is 0 yuan less than "The Flowers of War"!

As for whether the cinema chains raise prices, keep them unchanged, or follow with price cuts, that is up to the cinema chains...

In other words, Bona voluntarily gave up profits to the cinema chains in exchange for more screening slots.

After all, everyone knows that "Flying Swords of Longmen" and "The Flowers of War" are releasing on the same day.

In the eyes of most production companies, Yu Dong's behavior was just as disgusting as Zhang Zhang Weiping's.

If Zhang Zhang Weiping is a true villain, then Yu Dong is a hypocrite; neither is a good person.

The result was predictable: Yu Dong's tactic of kicking someone when they are down directly caused Zhang Zhang Weiping to open fire on Bona.

The former immediately exposed that Bona had seriously violated distribution contracts when distributing "A Simple Life" and "Under the Hawthorn Tree", delaying settlement of box office revenues for long periods, seeking private gain, and encroaching on the interests of New Picture.

A listed company bearing such a reputation would suffer significant impact; things could go wrong if not handled carefully.

Yu Dong began a back-and-forth "mutual spraying" with Zhang Zhang Weiping!

Finally, in a fit of rage, Zhang Zhang Weiping announced that "The Flowers of War" would not be screened in Poly Bona cinemas, as "punishment" for Yu Dong!

"Chairman Han, a hypocrite is far more disgusting than a true villain; Yu Dong is the former..."

While talking on the phone with Han Han Sanping, Lin Nan spoke bluntly and named Yu Dong to scold him.

Lin Nan Film and China Film had already scheduled meetings with the eight major cinema chains to negotiate tiered revenue sharing; Wanda was willing to act as an insider.

But Yu Dong's actions at this moment were clearly damaging the interests of the entire production side and handing the cinema chains a knife!

It would most likely drag down the negotiations for "Pacific Rim"; although Lin Nan did not think this was a major problem, he still felt disgusted.

Han Han Sanping was also somewhat helpless; Yu Dong had not consulted him beforehand, as this was a decision made unilaterally by Bona.

A 3D blockbuster suddenly voluntarily lowering ticket prices and giving up profits to cinema chains indeed forced other production companies into an awkward position.

Everyone had been pressuring the cinema chains alongside New Picture, but now this major company, Bona, had voluntarily "knelt down"; would the cinema chains then demand the same from other production companies?

It amounted to the production industry being backstabbed twice, once by Zhang Zhang Weiping and once by Yu Dong!

"I've been cursing for two hours, but now the words have been thrown out and cannot be changed; we should still prepare for the upcoming negotiations with the cinema chains."

"Cursing for two hours? Heh." Lin Nan felt a bit angry in his heart.

"Chairman Han, if this matter causes the negotiations to fail to meet expected results, I think Zhang Zhang Weiping's method is quite good."

"What do you mean?"

"'Pacific Rim' could simply not be screened in Bona's cinemas."

"What kind of joke is that?"

"No joke, although the probability is very low."

Lin Nan said very seriously.

This was his true thought, and he had the confidence for it; Wanda would definitely stand on his side.

"The Legend of the Banquet" began its final round of pre-release promotion.

Yang Mi came out of the "The Grandmaster" set, joined the promotion team for "The Legend of the Banquet", and specifically returned to the company once.

"Director Yue, is Lin Dao not at the company today?"

Ceng Jia led Yang Mi to find Yue Jun, who had just returned from outside.

"Yes, Lin Dao did not come today; he should be at home."

At this moment, Yue Jun remembered that Ceng Jia had made a phone call earlier.

Looking at Yang Mi and Ceng Jia before him, he asked, "Are you sure you haven't accepted any other roles afterward?"

Hearing this, Yang Mi instantly rejoiced, "No, two have already wrapped up; 'The Great Wu Dang' will wrap up in less than a month..."

Yue Jun only smiled and shook his head, "I was just confirming; the final decision rests with Lin Dao. When will you return to the set?"

"We return to the set the day after tomorrow."

"Then come to the company tomorrow morning; Lin Dao should be there."

"Alright, Director Yue, we'll come tomorrow."

Yang Mi wanted to ask further about the specific details of the new film, but Ceng Jia decisively pulled her away.

Lin Nan had just posted a congratulatory message on Weibo and was currently on the phone with Andy Lau.

"Congratulations, Brother Hua, on winning the Golden Horse Best Actor award."

"I still have to thank you for your good wishes. When we were filming 'Passengers', you joked that if Venice didn't work, the Golden Horse would; I never expected it to actually come true, haha..."

Lin Nan had only learned this morning that at last night's Golden Horse Awards, Andy Lau won Best Actor for 'A Simple Life'.

"Sigh, this is the best news of the year."

As he spoke, Andy Lau even let out a sigh.

"It's a Sai Sai Xishi, why are you sighing?" Lin Nan joked.

"Wait until this film is released, and you'll understand. I don't even know what I acted out during this past month..."

Lin Nan decisively did not take up the topic of 'The Golden Age'.

He only remembered that the plotlines for Tong Tong Dawei and Lin Chi-ling were truly twisted and perverted.

Liu Liu Yifei had already started reading the script for 'Bad Genius'.

For this genre, she was full of interest and very immersed.

"Besides my female lead role, how do you plan to cast the remaining roles?"

Liu Liu Yifei rarely asked about Lin Nan's casting decisions; the only time was for 'Starry Starry Night'.

That time, she suggested playing a mother and daughter with her own mother in the film.

"What, does Producer Liu want to interfere with casting?" Lin Nan teased with a smile.

"Is that not allowed? Please show some respect for the producer, okay!"

Liu Liu Yifei raised an eyebrow at Lin Nan, looking thoroughly justified.

"So, do you have an intention?"

"I haven't finished reading the script yet; let's talk after I finish."

Liu Liu Yifei shook her head, saying this, then sat back on the sofa and picked up the script again.

"Currently, only your female lead role is confirmed; the other roles are undecided. Read slowly; I'll go to the company first."

"Mm, go ahead."

To be honest, Lin Nan greatly appreciated that Yang Mi proactively sought resources.

Proactive children always get to eat full meals. Just like that guy Zhang Yi, not only proactive but thick-skinned; Lei Lei Jiayin is currently learning from and aligning herself with the former.

In Lin Nan's office, Yang Mi and Ceng Jia sat on the sofa, nervous yet slightly excited.

"Lin Dao, Mimi has turned down several acting offers these past two days..."

Ceng Jia was indeed a qualified agent, quite skilled at expressing intentions.

Lin Nan glanced at Yang Mi; the latter wore an expectant smile on her face.

"After 'The Great Wu Dang', are you sure there are no other acting offers?"

"Lin Dao, I guarantee there are no other acting offers."

Yang Mi half-raised her hand and immediately declared her stance. The fact that Lin Nan asked this meant she had a role!

Lin Nan nodded and organized his thoughts.

"Currently, the company has two films; the scripts are under review, and results are not yet out."

Yang Mi and Ceng Jia immediately perked up their ears, listening intently.

"One is 'Finding Mr. Right', also called 'Love in the Time of Seattle', directed by Xue Xue Xiaolu, who is both director and screenwriter, with a 30 million investment from the company."

"The other is 'Bad Genius'; the director and screenwriter are me."

Lin Nan stopped there, seeing the two opposite him with eyes shining, very excited.

"Lin Dao, for these two films, what role am I suitable for? What can I play?"

Yang Mi asked excitedly. To be fair, she wanted to star in Lin Nan's films, preferably as the female lead.

Seeing Yang Mi's expression, Lin Nan continued:

"If you choose 'Love in the Time of Seattle', the company can arrange for you to play the female lead..."

"Then what about 'Bad Genius'?"

Seeing Lin Nan stop halfway, Yang Mi couldn't help but press further.

"Female supporting role."

"Why is it the fe..."

Yang Mi blurted it out, but before she finished, she swallowed her words.

Ceng Jia's hand on her back reacted a bit faster than her own.

"Is the female lead Liu Yifei?" Yang Mi still asked aloud.

"Yes, I wrote this script for her."

As soon as Lin Nan finished speaking, Yang Mi made her choice.

"I choose 'A Love Affair in Seattle'."

Hearing this, Ceng Jia glanced at Yang Mi with satisfaction.

Lin Nan nodded, secretly approving—among the young actresses, it was still Yang Mi.

"Then it's 'A Love Affair in Seattle.' I hope you give it your all—this film isn't weak."

"Thank you, Lin Dao. I'll work hard."

…………

Outside Lin Nan Film Company.

"You made the right choice."

Yang Mi nodded, smiling wryly:

"In 'The Genius Cheater,' no matter how well it does at the box office, the most dazzling star will definitely be Yi Fei as the female lead—after all, the script was written by Lin Dao for her."

After speaking, Yang Mi switched to a relaxed, cheerful expression.

"So I chose 'A Love Affair in Seattle,' because it's the female lead role!"

Yang Mi was very satisfied with today's return to the company.

"Deng Jiajia, we can go back to the set."

"Okay."

…………

On average, dozens of scripts are sent daily to the Film Bureau for review.

Most scripts pass, with only a tiny fraction being rejected and requiring revisions.

The Film Bureau's latest script review list was posted on its official website.

When certain media outlets checked these documents as usual, searching for news material, they were stunned.

"This—this—is this real?"

"Fake, right?"

"Real! Real! The name and company match exactly!"

"Oh my god! This news is going to explode!"

…………

While Lin Nan was napping at home in the afternoon, numerous calls came in—none were answered.

Soon after, many began calling Liu Liu Yifei instead.

…………

The media quickly reported it; the industry spread the news rapidly.

"Major Film News: Lin Dao Nan's New Script Rejected!"

"The Film Bureau's official website shows that 'The Genius Cheater,' written by Lin Dao, failed its first-round review and was rejected!"

"Every great director goes through this—this time, it's Lin Dao Nan!"

…………

Online chatter aside, the film and television industry was utterly shaken.

This was indeed Lin Nan's first script rejection.

Many actors, artists, directors, and production companies had taken notice of Lin Nan's new project, but only knew its title: 'The Genius Cheater.'

"A script on this subject shouldn't be rejected, right?"

"Cheater? Like exam-cheating? Could this be overreacting?!"

Most insiders were curious and began inquiring for details.

…………

End of Chapter