Chapter 302

Lin Nan never expected that the war of words between the two Zhangs over artists would involve him.

It was only because Ni Ni took a stand in public, saying that it had always been Pu Lun from Zhang Yimou's studio who was arranging work for them.

The latter was their actual manager, taking meticulous care of them.

This was to refute Zhang Weiping's claim that New Pictures held their management rights.

Artist contracts and management rights are two different things; the latter directly arranges the artist's activities and film contracts.

This is also the only advantage Zhang Yimou's studio has in the artist tug-of-war.

Zhang Dapao had the contract but couldn't control the artists. In a fit of rage, he cursed Zhang Yimou online for being treacherous, saying that this artist management right was swindled from him through improper means.

He even warned the entire industry, saying that before these people's contracts expired, all third-party production companies and crews were forbidden from cooperating with these actors, otherwise, they would see each other in court.

The other side was also scolding Zhang Yimou for being shameless, accusing the latter of secretly finding ways out for these people and digging up his walls before the fallout.

Among them, it was specifically mentioned that Ni Ni had once been recommended to Lin Nan.

Quite a few media reporters heard the news and ran to Lin Nan Film Industry, wanting to verify if Zhang Weiping's claim was true.

The result was as expected: they were all shut out and blocked by Yue Jun.

The attitude was very clear: unclear, not informed, not participating.

……

"How did Zhang Weiping know? Are the two of them playing *Infernal Affairs*?"

Lin Nan was a bit puzzled; logically speaking, the matter of Zhang Yimou recommending Ni Ni to him should also be kept confidential and not spread around.

"Perhaps, after all, they worked together for so many years, there would be more or less each other's people around."

Liu Qianqian stopped flipping through the book in her hand, looked up at Lin Nan, and speculated with interest.

"I ran into that Ni Ni at an event yesterday, and she felt okay. It seems she wasn't affected by the lawsuit at all, and even greeted me."

"This is why Zhang Weiping is so irritable, hahaha."

Lin Nan laughed and threw the last script in his hand onto the table, where there was already a stack.

Yesterday, Liu Qianqian promised that she could send scripts to Red Star Dock, and if they were suitable, she would consider investing.

As a result, from yesterday afternoon to this morning, she had received over twenty.

"How are they?"

Miss Liu moved her bottom next to Lin Nan, looking anxious. "How are they, are there any good ones?"

Lin Nan shook his head gently; the probability of finding a good project from people who come to Liu Qianqian to pull investment at an event is very, very small.

"Ah? Are they all passed?" Miss Liu asked disappointedly.

"The art films are too deliberate, the realistic themes are too fake, the commercial films are too childish, the crime themes are full of loopholes, the comedy scripts are pieced together, and there's even plagiarism..."

Hearing Lin Nan's evaluation, Liu Qianqian pouted, feeling a bit discouraged.

"Take it slow, you can first put the word out in the industry that you accept scripts or project investments recommended by acquaintances, instead of not turning anyone away like this."

"Mm, that's also a good way. I'm going to post on Weibo..."

Liu Qianqian nodded and said, then hugged the laptop on the table and started editing.

…………

*Sad Fairy Tale* was released for a week, with a box office of 8.89 million, and the daily box office dropped below 100,000, having been forcibly pulled from theaters.

In the eyes of the theater chains, giving these screening slots to other films would not have resulted in such garbage performance; it was simply a waste of resources.

They were looking forward more to the batch of blockbusters at the end of the month, especially Lin Nan's *Passengers*.

Because the just-passed *Bad Genius* had made everyone full of money.

However, at this moment, the attention of major production companies in the industry was all on *Bai Luyuan*, which was on its first day of release.

The original work was known as the "milestone of Chinese literature," a Mao Dun Literature Prize-winning work, and the director was a Golden Bear director.

But there is an old saying: the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

The film was cut from 220 minutes to 156 minutes, and it wasn't even the 188-minute version shown at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year, having completely lost the historical profundity and charm of the original work.

A film with an investment of 130 million had a first-day box office of only 10.5 million, accompanied by large-scale negative reviews online.

"The theme is vague, the narrative is chaotic, all character relationships are not expressed, it's too formalistic."

"Those who haven't read the original work, don't enter the theater; after entering, you will only come out confused."

"Those who have read the original work, don't enter the theater either; you will definitely come out cursing..."

"*Bai Luyuan* has been filmed as Zhang Yuqi's *Legend of Tian Xiao'e*; the director's wife has been changed into the core!"

"However, the erotic scenes are really good, the figure is very great..."

……

The defense from the production side and Wang Quanan was very practical.

"The film is too long, which is not conducive to audiences maintaining attention and not conducive to film scheduling. The current version is more concise and smoother..."

A large number of film critics supported the film, expressing understanding.

"Being able to film it like this is already very wonderful; this is the best long-form adaptation film in recent years."

"Ordinary audiences need to savor the connotation of the film, rather than staying on the surface of the story..."

……

Different from other films in the past, this time the media also had different positions and various opinions. Those who praised and those who criticized stood on each side and refused to give in.

Lin Nan, along with Zhou Xun, Liu Dehua, Lei Jiayin, and Reba, went to the Movie Channel.

This was also the only time they went on a show before the release of *Passengers*, mainly because the Sixth Princess had strongly invited them.

"This should be Lin Dao's second sci-fi film with an investment of over 200 million. When is the third one planned? Will the investment be higher?"

"The third one, maybe it will take two years. Next time, it should be like *The Martian*, preparing for hard sci-fi, higher investment, more refined filming, and long-term refined special effects and post-production..."

Actually, Lin Nan didn't have a detailed plan at the moment, but that didn't stop him from bragging first.

"Lin Dao, remember to leave a role for me." Liu Dehua, dressed in a formal suit, smiled and interjected.

"Then when the time comes, it will depend on what Brother Hua is suitable for."

……

"What about the box office? Does Lin Dao have higher expectations this time? For example, exceeding *Bad Genius*?"

Zhou Xun, Liu Dehua, and others all looked at Lin Nan, expecting him to have some astonishing statement.

"I really haven't thought about surpassing *Bad Genius*; there are too many opponents, I have to leave some soup for others to drink, haha..."

Lin Nan's words seemed humble, but in fact, they carried pride.

Unexpectedly, when the interview was about to end, the host asked a question outside the scope.

"There's a saying that's very popular in the film circle these two days. It says: films longer than 3 hours are not conducive to scheduling and box office growth, and audiences are also very easily distracted. What does Lin Dao think?"

Lin Nan thought for a moment and gave his own answer:

"The point about it being unfavorable for theater scheduling makes some sense. After all, in the time it takes to show one of your films, if you change to other films, you could show two, but the ticket price should also increase accordingly to offset the disadvantage."

"As for audiences not being able to concentrate? I think as long as the story is wonderful enough and attractive enough to the audience, everyone won't have this situation. Even if they want to go to the bathroom halfway, they will go and come back quickly, haha..."

"Haha..."

The remark about going and coming back quickly amused everyone at the scene.

……

"Then will Lin Dao film 3-hour or longer films in the future?"

Lin Nan only thought for a few seconds and nodded firmly.

"If the story needs it, and I'm not willing to cut it, I won't deliberately shorten the film's duration. 3 hours is fine, 3 and a half hours is also fine..."

"Not considering whether theaters can accept it, or the box office?"

"I think I should have this capital and appeal..."

……

……

*Bai Luyuan*, relying on its huge name, although the word-of-mouth wasn't great, barely maintained a daily box office of 10 million.

However, this box office performance was still very terrible. Because it had only been a few days since the first week of release.

With this data, it was impossible for the film to break even; it could only hope to lose a little less.

……

A joke suddenly appeared online, it seems a member of the "Stabbing Sect" from Huayi was sending heart-shaped stones everywhere, and they were all picked up by the riverside.

A large number of netizens were mocking, did they go to the riverside to wholesale a sack of them? Why couldn't anyone else pick up even one?

*Sad Fairy Tale* was pulled from theaters in a sorry state, and *Bai Luyuan* could already be seen to the end at a glance.

The films at the end of the month were all ready to go, and the final promotional time all took Lin Nan's *Passengers* as the object of hype and comparison.

Huayi's *Tai Chi 0* bore the brunt, holding the first premiere press conference ten days in advance.

Wang Zhonglei shouted high-profile slogans in front of the media.

"Two *Tai Chi* films filmed consecutively, with an investment of 220 million; our goal is not the 600 million box office to break even, but a total box office exceeding 1 billion."

"This first *Tai Chi 0* must at least snatch 300 to 400 million in box office from Lin Nan's *Passengers*, and then get another 100 to 200 million from other films; this is our minimum goal!"

……

Lin Nan admitted that because of *Bad Genius*, the attention on *Passengers* had risen to a new level.

But for this group of people to all step on *Passengers* for publicity was a bit too much.

Before Lin Nan could respond, Liu Qianqian's Weibo had already been posted.

"I believe that among the films in the National Day slot, not one can beat *Passengers*!"

……

Netizens and fans were all happy.

"*Light Years Away* is very nice, looking forward to the film."

"Everyone is staring at *Passengers*, what does this explain? It explains that everyone is wary of it!"

"Producer Liu has already taken the lead in expressing her stance, where is Lin Dao?"

"Lin Dao is sharpening his knife; the producer has already spoken, he must be preparing for a fight, right?"

……

The actors, creators, and artists in the circle were also cheering.

"I believe *Passengers* will continue the brilliance of *Bad Genius*."

"Lin Dao's sci-fi film is not to be missed, just like *The Martian* that year!"

……

After Lin Nan scrolled through Weibo for a while, he remembered the serious business.

With a smile on his face, he re-edited a Weibo post and sent it out, first tagging Liu Qianqian, and then Liu Dehua, Zhou Xun, Lei Jiayin, Reba, and others.

"Producer Liu's words are exactly what I want to say. This National Day slot, let's just leave it to *Passengers*! I feel that among the other films, not one can fight!"

Good heavens, as soon as Lin Nan's Weibo was posted, it was quickly forwarded and discussed.

In the past, when Lin Nan's films were released, where had anyone ever seen him be so high-profile?!

This time, echoing Liu Qianqian's Weibo, it was almost as if he had directly said: everyone here is trash!

"Lin Dao is so domineering this time, is he going to take on a whole group by himself?"

"Liu Qianqian is still the one who works! Lin Dao used to be quite low-key; this is the first time he has publicly called out other films, saying they aren't good enough, hahaha."

……

The film parties for *Tai Chi 0*, *Dangerous Liaisons*, *Second Exposure*, etc., were all a bit unable to react for a while.

This was being despised?

You're great because your investment is high? You have a box office record, so you can be this arrogant?

"It's too arrogant; if the box office is unsatisfactory, when the time comes, we must pay him back!" Wang Zhonglei said with a dark face.

"With *Bad Genius* supporting him from the front, he can afford any consequences. Besides, his film's word-of-mouth has never been bad..."

Wang Zhongjun tapped him at the right moment, although he was also very annoyed by Lin Nan's remark: "Among the other films, not one can fight."

"Let's wait for the New Year slot; that is our home field, and we'll crush that *Lost in Thailand* from his company!"

……

This chapter foreshadowed three films.

(End of chapter)