Chapter 280: Pressing Chess, Agreement

Lin Nan and Liu Yifei's remarks at Shanghai Theatre Academy quickly spread throughout the film circle.

Poor Zhang Weiping was the first to propose changing the profit-sharing ratio, but the result was that it wasn't negotiated in the end, and they could only take a step back, reaching an agreement with a segmented decreasing gambling profit-sharing model.

Subsequently, no one expected that Lin Nan not only changed the gambling rules and proposed a profit-sharing model where the higher the box office, the higher the share, but also successfully won the bet!

Now he was even addicted to playing, and *Bad Genius* was also prepared to do the same!

Everyone couldn't help but laugh at Zhang Weiping, as if he had set the stage and paved the way for Lin Nan.

"Lin Dao, don't tell me you're serious?"

Ye Ning's call came quickly.

Just because Lin Nan Film Industry was very clean and neat here; after Liu Yifei publicly said those words, they immediately sent gambling invitations to all theater chains.

Major theater chain companies were all a bit indecisive, but in fact, they were all eager to try in their hearts.

*Pacific Rim* had already proven that this was a win-win model.

And major theater chains were not united; if they didn't agree to the gambling, Lin Nan was easier to break the theater chain side one by one than Zhang Weiping.

Offending a top commercial film director and a high-box-office production company was not a result the theater chain side wanted to see.

More importantly, this *Bad Genius* was a domestic film, and Lin Nan might not necessarily be able to get the highest ratio...

"Yifei has already spoken it out publicly; I am definitely serious."

Lin Nan said with a smile, unquestionable.

Only hearing Ye Ning on the other end of the phone pause for a few seconds, "Can Lin Dao tell me how much *Bad Genius* sold for at the Cannes Film Festival?"

Lin Nan knew that the theater chain side would definitely inquire about this news.

At that time, the distributors in each region didn't know each other's bottom price; on their own side, Lin Nan had issued a gag order very early, just to guard against this hand.

"No."

Hearing this answer, Ye Ning understood.

"It seems Lin Dao sold it for quite a lot of money. Let's talk face-to-face when the time comes."

"Okay."

…………

Beijing Film Academy's official website posted the graduation list of all graduate students.

Guo Fan and Zhao Yanzi were prominently ranked at the forefront, both being excellent graduates of their respective majors, with the highest thesis defense scores.

This announcement time was slightly late. Lin Nan heard from Han Jia that the Graduate Department of the Directing Department was waiting for Zhao Yanzi's film, that *So Young*.

However, the film Zhao Yanzi submitted wasn't a finished product, just a rough cut.

Just such a youth film subject matter film could actually get the highest score. To be honest, this result was indeed a bit unexpected, but thinking carefully, it seemed to be within reason.

A large number of industry insiders, familiar or unfamiliar, sent congratulatory Weibo posts, only for these two.

Those graduates without fame were basically ignored.

On the internet, quite a few people were watching the excitement.

Because of the "Zhao-Zhen Dispute", many Hong Kong and Taiwan artists who withdrew from Weibo seemed to have agreed, taking advantage of the "World Environment Day" public welfare activity to return to Weibo and promote public welfare.

In the end, they were still reluctant to part with the large number of fans, or more accurately, they were reluctant to part with the benefits.

Feng Xiaogang was very excited, taking the initiative to post on Weibo, welcoming Shu Qi's return, and many stars in the Huayi circle followed closely, voicing their welcome one after another.

Netizens were mocking, saying they were going to withdraw, but they only withdrew for less than 3 months?

Director Feng, who was determined to be a protector of flowers, couldn't avoid scolding again.

…………

Saying one week, it was really one week; *Lost in Thailand* cut the line.

In the latest batch of approved lists from the Film Bureau, they were all films with significant backgrounds.

Jackie Chan's *Chinese Zodiac*, Feng Xiaogang's *Back to 1942*, Xu Zheng's *Lost in Thailand*...

Previously, Huayi only said the film would be released in the New Year schedule; now that it had passed censorship, they announced the specific release date for the first time.

"After careful discussion and coordination by the company, Director Feng Xiaogang's film *Back to 1942* is scheduled for November 29;

The film *Chinese Zodiac*, written, directed, and starred in by Big Brother Jackie Chan, is scheduled for December 12..."

Once the news was announced, the entire film circle couldn't stay calm.

Really treating the New Year schedule as a bus, stuffing big films in?

Especially *Back to 1942* and *The Last Supper* being released on the same day, quite a few media ran to interview the two directors.

Both sides were quite tough; Feng Xiaogang was confident:

"*Back to 1942* is the film I've put the most effort into in these years, far better than *Aftershock*, the box office will only be higher, not lower; Director Lu Chuan has no commercial film advantage..."

Looking at Lu Chuan on this side, he retorted quickly, "When meeting on a narrow road, no one can be sure they will definitely win; why can't *The Last Supper* win over *Back to 1942*? As long as there is no package screening..."

Good guy, Lu Chuan was exposing the bottom line nakedly, not giving Feng Xiaogang any face at all.

Lin Nan Film Industry side.

"Lin Dao, really not changing? The key is that so many big films have entered the New Year schedule..."

Jiang Xuerou asked a bit worriedly; Xu Zheng on the side wanted to refute, but opened his mouth and held it back.

After all, he was just the director and actor of this film, and had no qualification to make decisions.

Only to see Lin Nan smile and say, "What is the New Year schedule?"

Jiang Xuerou and Xu Zheng didn't react for a moment and were stunned.

"Everyone has been busy for a year; most people's thoughts are very simple, they just want to go to the cinema to relax. How to relax? Comedy is the best choice!"

After Lin Nan finished speaking, the two in front understood.

"So the subject matter of *Lost in Thailand* is the most appropriate?"

"Indeed." Xu Zheng also nodded.

"Go announce it, add some ingredients." Lin Nan instructed.

Jiang Xuerou nodded and left the office.

"Lin Dao, back when *Lost in Thailand* finished filming, we talked about a sequel, now?" Xu Zheng couldn't help but speak.

"Too early, wait until this film is released, then we'll talk."

Lin Nan looked up at Xu Zheng and said casually.

"Alright, then I'll head back first."

"Mm."

…………

An hour later, Lin Nan Film Industry's Weibo updated.

"Produced by the company, directed by Director Xu Zheng, and written by Lin Dao Nan, *Lost in Thailand* will be scheduled for December 1st. Willing to compete head-on with films like *The Last Supper*, to see if there are any bad films!"

Good guy, within one day, three famous commercial films set specific release times.

Lin Nan Film Industry was even more ruthless, directly naming *The Last Supper*; what was this for?

Pressing chess?

Provocation, insult!

Too naked, right?

Once Lin Nan Film Industry's Weibo came out, the media in the circle were excited.

Everyone knew that in the circle, there had been conflicts between Lin Nan and Lu Chuan, just like between Jiang Wen and Lu Chuan.

Previously, there were always people mediating and saying peace, suppressing it. After all, both were famous directors from Beijing Film Academy, the facade.

But this time, Lin Nan clearly wasn't prepared to keep a low profile; *Lost in Thailand* directly named *The Last Supper*, the intention was very obvious, fight head-on, talk with the film box office, slap in the face.

People who never thought the excitement was too big were always the first to stir up trouble, just like Jiang Wen, a Weibo post was quickly sent out:

"Today I have to pick a bottle of good wine, prepare some good dishes, and invite Lin Dao to have a good meal. Now I just want to say one sentence, well done!"

Equally naked, without any concealment!

On Huayi's side, Feng Xiaogang, Wang Zhonglei, and others were also confused; although they were also opponents, they didn't put *Lost in Thailand* in their eyes at all.

"The first part had a box office of over 90 million; the sequel should be just like that, at most over 100 million, it has no impact on us. Let them bite each other."

…………

On Lu Chuan's side, his face was gloomy, and he had been scolding for a while; Qin Lan was cleaning up glass shards on the side.

Lu Chuan knew how to play Go; the release dates were adjacent, plus naming his name, this was pressing chess!

When had he ever suffered such an insult, especially since *Lost in Thailand* wasn't directed by Lin Nan himself, the latter was just the screenwriter.

"Arrogant, conceited people will only lift a rock and drop it on their own feet; let's wait and see."

Lu Chuan's Weibo came out; in the eyes of the media and the circle, he had accepted the challenge.

Choosing sides, quite a few people in the circle chose to choose sides.

First was his own artists like Zhang Yi, then a large wave of actors and artists like Zhou Xun, Huang Xiaoming, Jing Tian, Zhang Ziyi, Li Bingbing, Fan Bingbing, etc., all liked Lin Nan Film Industry's Weibo.

Guo Fan, Lu Yang, Jiang Wen, Ning Hao, Xu Zheng, and others were not absent either.

This circle is a vanity fair; as long as you aren't blind, you should know which one to choose between Lin Nan and Lu Chuan.

…………

"Teacher Tian told you not to bother with those people, saying that if you aren't flamboyant when you're young, you'll definitely regret it when you're old, haha..."

Liu Yifei held Lin Nan's phone, reading the text message on it, laughing non-stop while holding her stomach.

"Teacher is right." Lin Nan said with a smile while tidying his clothes in front of the mirror.

"Are there many intercepted calls and text messages?"

"They are all peacemakers, don't worry about them. Pay attention to your phone too; maybe they'll find you to pass a message to me."

Just after Lin Nan finished speaking, Liu Yifei's phone rang.

"Hello, Teacher Zhou? Lin Nan? He went out, went to talk about work with the theater chain company. Don't help people pass messages, mm, that's it..."

Lin Nan looked at Miss Liu, who was laughing heartlessly, gave a thumbs up, "I'm leaving."

"Mm, come back early."

…………

Lin Nan took Jiang Xuerou, as well as some professional talents from the company, and met with representatives of the theater chain side at Wanda's place.

In the conference room, a group of theater chain people saw Lin Nan and his group come in, everyone had smiles on their faces, as if it were a gathering of friends.

There was no feeling of swords drawn and bows bent like the first meeting at the Film Bureau.

This was because *Pacific Rim* made everyone money.

"Lin Dao, you doing this, isn't it a matter? The gambling has passed for almost half a year, and you are the only case; Zhang Weiping's doesn't even count. In the past half year, other companies and films haven't even mentioned this matter."

The Vice President of Dadi Theater Chain spoke first to tease.

"That's because they have no confidence in themselves, and are afraid of being pressed even lower by you. In terms of courage, they can't even compare to Zhang Weiping."

Lin Nan said jokingly while signaling Jiang Xuerou and others to take their seats.

Time was almost up, and the people from New Film Association got straight to the point:

"For this gambling of *Bad Genius*, how does Lin Dao want to bet?"

Ye Ning was drinking tea with his head down on the side, not saying a word, as if he didn't care about the matter on the field.

"No need to be so troublesome, just take out the previous contract and sign it again; the sooner it's done, the sooner it ends."

"When I left, Liu Yifei told me to go back early."

In the eyes of the theater chain side, Lin Nan's two sentences were one more unreliable than the other.

"*Pacific Rim*'s gambling agreement?"

"That's right."

"Lin Dao isn't joking? Even for *Pacific Rim*, it was because of the extension key that it passed 1.2 billion, getting 46%..."

"I didn't say I must break through 1.2 billion either; isn't 44.5% also not bad? Does my domestic film not have this qualification?"

Lin Nan interrupted the other party's words, with a smile on his face, asking back playfully.

No one would say Lin Nan didn't have the qualification; *The Thieves* back then, if brought to this time, could still enjoy the 44.5% profit-sharing ratio.

On the field, it was quiet for a moment; the theater chain side looked at each other, and no one spoke first.

Finally, Ye Ning made the decision; Wanda was the largest theater chain in the country.

"Let's follow *Pacific Rim*; Lin Dao is currently the most qualified director in the country."

"Then sign?"

"Wanda has recognized it, then sign."

……

Not long after, all theater chain representatives reached a consensus, and the gambling agreement for *Bad Genius* followed *Pacific Rim*.

……

More than two hours later, all contracts were signed and notarized.

At this time, a theater chain company couldn't help but ask:

"Lin Dao, now you can tell us how much the copyright transaction amount for *Bad Genius* was in Cannes, right?"

"83.65 million USD!"

"Hiss..."

As Lin Nan's words landed, all representatives of the theater chain companies couldn't help but gasp, making exclamations.

"Awesome!"

"This, it must scare a large group of film companies to death..."

"No wonder Lin Dao is so confident!"

"Congratulations, Lin Dao!"

……

"It's okay, it's okay. It's not much money, hehehe..."

Lin Nan replied with a smile.

The theater chain side all had reluctant smiles; obviously, they were all complaining about Lin Nan in their hearts, really able to pretend!

…………

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 281 =====