Chapter 293: 1.4 Billion, Guo Fan's Film

*The Silent War* produced by Media Asia dared to strongly set its release date in early August for a reason.

This spy film with an investment of over 100 million had a very powerful cast.

Its production team, director, and screenwriter all came from *Infernal Affairs*.

Even the cast consisted of several Best Actors and Best Actresses like Tony Leung Ka-fai and Zhou Xun.

Logically speaking, with such a powerful configuration, there was indeed reason not to fear any opponent. Unfortunately, they met Lin Nan.

The first domestic blockbuster to compete head-on with *Bad Genius* appeared, and the media paid high attention, but the result was a bit of a pity.

"Affected by *Bad Genius*, *The Silent War*, directed by Director Alan Mak and starring Tony Leung Ka-fai and Zhou Xun, had a poor first-day box office, far below expectations, closing at 16.5 million."

"*Bad Genius* finished its second week of release, closing at 442 million this week, with a total box office reaching 963 million!"

"The domestic film box office record has been refreshed again. Lin Dao Nan refreshed his own record..."

"According to the betting agreement between Lin Dao Nan and the theater chain, the revenue-sharing ratio has been changed to 44.5%; it is only 237 million box office away from 46%."

"The first domestic film with a 1-billion box office is about to be born."

"The first 1-billion-box-office director, the first 1-billion-box-office big female lead, the first 1-billion-box-office... is about to be born!"

……

Animals!

All film companies in the industry were cursing *Bad Genius* and Lin Nan at this moment, really shocked.

The box office record of 901 million for *The Thieves* was refreshed by Lin Nan himself again.

And no one knew what the new record would be. But it was certain that it would definitely break 1 billion!

All the main actors of *Bad Genius* were waiting expectantly.

Just wait one more day, and everyone would have one more title.

Status, salary, endorsements, notices...

Career and commercial value would all take a big step forward!

The first 1-billion-box-office film in Chinese-language cinema was bound to be written into film history!

All young actors born in the '80s and '85s were envious.

It turns out *Bad Genius* was the biggest cake in the circle last year. Unfortunately, outsiders couldn't get involved.

"If I had known, I would have looked for Lin Nan last year and stuffed you in. If you couldn't play the female lead, playing a supporting role would have been fine too."

Lu Zheng said with envy.

Jing Tian moved her gaze away from the webpage, looked at Lu Zheng, and smiled very cleanly:

"Uncle Lu, how can there be so many good things? *Pacific Rim* at the beginning of the year was already a great help to me. In the future, we'll talk about it if there's an opportunity..."

"Right, we'll talk about it later. Lin Dao will definitely have commercial films." Lu Zheng nodded.

…………

"Jiajia, do you think I chose wrong?"

Yang Mi looked at Zeng Jia with a confused expression.

How to answer this question?

A supporting role in a 1-billion-box-office film seemed to be a huge resource indeed.

At the very least, *Sleepless in Seattle* definitely wouldn't have a 1-billion box office, nor would it enter film history or become a milestone.

"It's too late to say these things now..."

……

Unlike the others in the circle who were amazed and envious, the atmosphere at Tang Ren was very wrong.

"First debut on the big screen, 1-billion box office... this starting point can let that Especially Reba go very, very far."

"Yifei, this is about to become the first 1-billion-box-office big female lead!"

Hu Ge said with emotion, and Liu Shishi and Nazha on the side were both a bit dazed.

……

Lu Yang was a lazy person, slowly editing the post-production, and even requested rendering for some shots, which was a bit extravagant.

Guo Fan went to Tiangong Color first to say hello.

When Lu Yang heard that Guo Fan was going to start a new film, he also went to Lin Nan Film Industry's floors to join in the fun.

"Your eye for things is really good." Lin Nan tapped the desktop with his finger and said.

"How does Lin Dao say that?"

Guo Fan and Lu Yang were both a bit curious.

"I registered this script in Hollywood; it was almost sold before, but the price wasn't negotiated, so I took it back and gave it to you to choose."

Lin Nan flipped through the script on the table; Guo Fan had already written and drawn on it, making many notes.

"We all know that science fiction films are divided into soft science fiction and hard science fiction. For a director, which is harder?" Lin Nan suddenly asked.

Lu Yang subconsciously shook his head; science fiction films were not in his scope of involvement.

"I don't think there's an answer. Soft science fiction tests a director's grasp of characters, emotions, and plot; setting is important, story is king;"

"And hard science fiction requires a director to have coordination ability and the support of film industrialization; visual effects are more important, and the plot is actually simpler."

Guo Fan gave his answer. He knew his own strengths and weaknesses.

He was a bit lacking in the director's basic ability; after all, he was a half-way monk, so he chose soft science fiction, hoping to make up for his own disadvantages through practice.

"This represents two different styles of directors; you'd better combine the two."

Lin Nan affirmed Guo Fan's statement and gave advice. He had shot both styles himself and felt it deeply.

Guo Fan nodded, "That's why I chose this science fiction romance film, *About Time*."

"Mm, 'Butterfly Effect' is the most classic material in soft science fiction. What about casting?"

"Lin Dao didn't designate any?" Guo Fan asked with a smile.

"Mm, see which supporting role is suitable for Especially Reba, take her with you. She can only start from a supporting role for now."

Lin Nan thought for a while and named Especially Reba.

"Only this one?"

"Yes. The remaining actors are open auditions or invitation auditions; you decide yourself."

"Okay, then I'll go back and plan, and I'll let them send the script for review first..."

…………

The 8th ended, and the entire film circle turned its gaze to *Bad Genius*.

"... Yesterday's box office was 48.4 million; released for 15 days, *Bad Genius* totaled a box office of 1.0114 billion..."

Boiling.

Major internet media and official media were all reporting this news.

The film industry seemed to have agreed, with private and state-owned enterprises forwarding and congratulating one after another.

Whether sincere or fake, it couldn't be denied that this was indeed a major event in the industry.

Actors and artists were even crazier, posting on Weibo one by one, tagging Lin Nan, Liu Yifei, and others, and the phone calls and text messages didn't stop.

The Film Bureau even specifically issued a press release:

"Congratulations to *Bad Genius* for breaking 1 billion in box office;"

"Congratulations to the domestic film industry for officially entering the 1-billion box office era!"

Immediately following were personal honors.

The Movie Channel took the lead, and official media and online media swarmed.

"Congratulations to Lin Dao Nan for becoming the first director in the 1-billion box office club! Bringing domestic films into the 1-billion box office era."

"Congratulations to Liu Yifei for becoming the first big female lead and producer of a 1-billion box office domestic film."

Zhu Yawen, Shu Chang, and Luo Jin were all on the list.

Tony Leung Ka-fai, Zhou Xun, and Especially Reba were also named one after another.

…………

Liu Yifei's luxury brand partners were even more active than her, issuing announcements for the first time, congratulating their spokesperson for becoming a 1-billion box office big female lead.

"Notices, notices, notices, every time a film is released, I have to face these..."

Miss Liu sat at the table in her pajamas, complaining with puffed cheeks.

Woken up by the assistant's phone call early in the morning, her morning temper was erupting, and she hadn't touched the breakfast in front of her.

Lin Nan was eating with his head down; Liu Yifei at this moment could only be viewed from afar, not spoken to, because... easy to explode!

The phone's buzzing vibration sounded, and Lin Nan grabbed the phone and walked outside, just meeting Mother Liu who had just returned from a walk, also holding a package.

Sitting in the courtyard, he could vaguely hear the old mother lecturing her daughter, "Eat quickly, how old are you..."

Lin Nan answered the phone.

"Lin Dao, congratulations on the film breaking 1 billion. You are now the only 1-billion box office big director in the country, um, and Yifei..."

Andy Lau laughed heartily, and also talked about *Passengers* for the National Day season, hoping that this film could also be like *Bad Genius*.

Lin Nan knew his real intention.

"Brother Hua, you should know that for the Golden Horse Awards, I can take it or leave it. After all, I have awards from the three major European film festivals."

Andy Lau on the other side of the phone paused, then continued:

"I certainly know that if Lin Dao comes to Golden Horse, it definitely counts as supporting the scene."

"But even if Lin Dao doesn't care about awards, what about others, like Yifei, Zhu Yawen, and these people around you?"

"A Chinese-language film that has passed 1 billion in box office and sold copyrights at a high price in Europe and America, if it doesn't have an award, does the Golden Horse still want its reputation?"

Andy Lau said this very nakedly, and also very realistically.

Just like what was said outside these two days, if Lin Nan goes to Hundred Flowers, it's basically destined to be a formality to receive an award.

But these words all sound good, but who knows if there will be that 1% accident.

"I'll ask Yifei and reply to Brother Hua tomorrow."

"Mm? Okay."

……

Walking into the living room again, he saw Liu Yifei had already finished breakfast.

She was sitting on the sofa in her pajamas, flipping through a hardcover picture album.

"Really treating yourself like wool to be sheared, looking for it every year?"

Lin Nan said speechlessly, sitting down beside Miss Liu.

"Can't say that, it's charity; I don't care what others are like, I just do my best."

Liu Yifei looked up at Lin Nan, smiling very sweetly and truly.

This wasn't a lie; it was Liu Yifei's style. Back in '08, when Lin Nan was still lying down, she went to donate a million.

In such a big entertainment circle, only those few people donated this amount; if it weren't for Lin Nan, Liu Yifei's donation amount would definitely have offended a group of people.

"Okay, as long as you are happy."

"By the way, have you decided where to go? I have to reply to Brother Hua."

Hearing this, Liu Yifei raised her head, her eyes sparkling, "Golden Horse?"

"Because of high gold content?"

"Mm."

Liu Yifei really wasn't polite, smiling, nodding forcefully.

"Okay, then Golden Horse."

When saying this, Lin Nan was looking at Liu Yifei's eyes; her eyes carried expectation, a desire for awards.

Going to Golden Horse, Lin Nan had no objections. First, for Liu Yifei, and second, to repay a favor.

Back then, the Venice Jury President was Ang Lee; it was he who invited Lin Nan twice to participate in the Venice Film Festival, and then he won the Golden Lion Award.

The Golden Lion Award also counts as some favor...

"Mm, I just want to try; maybe I can win an award! Mom has the Best Supporting Actress at Cannes..."

Speaking of this topic, Liu Yifei was a bit depressed, but instantly became happy again.

After all, it was her own mother who won the award, and it didn't go to the actress of another film.

……

Given that too many people suggested this film, it was written out.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 294 =====