Chapter 340: The Box Office Trend of

The box office trend of "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" is even better than that of "Lost in Thailand" back then, second only to "Bad Genius".

By the end of the first week, it had raked in 510 million in box office, standing head and shoulders above the crowd of Spring Festival films and taking the championship throne!

Meanwhile, "Sleepless in Seattle" followed closely behind, grossing 103 million in three days, which also made all the production companies in the industry green with envy.

In just three days, "Sleepless in Seattle" had already fully recouped its costs and even made a tidy profit.

If any company in the industry claimed they weren't jealous, that would absolutely be a lie.

Several films that had received much attention from the industry also wrapped up filming during this Spring Festival period.

"Produced by Enlight Pictures and directed by Chen Jiashang, 'The Four II' and 'The Four III' officially wrapped up filming yesterday afternoon at Hengdian World Studios after eight months of production."

"It is reported that both the second and third installments of 'The Four' will be produced in 3D, which is worth looking forward to..."

"Written and directed by Guo Jingming, and starring Yang Mi, Guo Caijie, and others, the first and second installments of the film 'Tiny Times', which were shot back-to-back, wrapped up filming today..."

"Director Guo Jingming clearly stated that the first installment of 'Tiny Times' will meet audiences in the second half of the year."

Lin Nan Pictures, Tiangong Color, and Shanhai Media have all started working normally.

In the office, Lin Nan met Zhao Liying, who had flown back to the capital last night.

"How have you been in the crew for the past six months or so?"

Hearing Lin Nan's inquiry, Zhao Liying nodded excitedly: "It's been very fulfilling. I've learned a lot of things, and Director Chen has also been patient in teaching me."

"You've been busy for so long, take a break for a while first. An actor cannot work non-stop; you must leave time to digest the things and experience learned in the crew."

"Thank you for your guidance, Lin Dao. My management team has also decided this; acting offers will be put aside for now. My main work for the next period will be public appearances, endorsements, and commercials, and I'll take a vacation while I'm at it."

Zhao Liying spoke very earnestly. These were also the development plans for actors formulated by Yue Jun and Jiang Xuerou for Shanhai Media, rather than turning artists into pure money-making tools.

"Next month, Yang Mi's contract will expire. She already talked to the company a few months ago, and she won't be renewing after the contract expires."

"In the company's film planning, there were originally some resources reserved for her, which will all be allocated to you when the time comes. I'm telling you in advance."

Lin Nan had a faint smile on his face and spoke very casually.

But these words, heard in Zhao Liying's ears, instantly left the latter's mind blank and buzzing.

After a moment of distraction, she felt a bit uneasy, yet could not suppress her excitement:

"I, thank you, Lin Dao. I won't let, let the company down."

Zhao Liying spoke with such excitement that she was even a bit stuttering.

"Alright, there aren't many people at Shanhai Media, and our resources are still in surplus. If there's nothing else, you can go back."

Lin Nan said with a smile. In Zhao Liying's eyes, this smile was simply like a spring breeze.

"Um, then goodbye, Lin Dao. I'll be going first."

"Oh, I almost forgot. I'll go with you; I happen to need to go to those floors of Tiangong Color anyway."

Lin Nan patted his forehead and muttered with a smile.

Downstairs at the company building, Zhao Liying was still thinking about what Lin Nan had just said.

"Not renewing? What is she thinking?"

Zhao Liying couldn't figure it out at all.

It wasn't until her manager called her in the car that Zhao Liying stopped thinking about this question.

"Forget her. Maybe she's never struggled at the bottom, so her heart is a bit wild?"

In Zhao Liying's view, since Yang Mi's debut, she absolutely had never suffered as much as she did when she was at Huayi!

Lin Nan also admired Wang Xiaoshuai and their group of people.

In "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons", there are some horror scenes.

Such as: the scene where terrifying dead bodies are hanging in the fireplace;

The scene where the fish demon opens its bloody mouth and eats a human head;

The scene where the female demon uses a knife and fork to cut human flesh piece by piece and eats it.

These horror scenes scared many children in the cinema to tears.

Wang Xiaoshuai and others took advantage of this topic to talk about the film rating issue from two months ago again, attacking the authorities!

A group of people posted articles, being sarcastic and making a big fuss:

"Hearing the children's crying, I blushed. I don't understand why the uncles don't implement film ratings? What are they afraid of? What exactly are they afraid of?"

"When parents are unable to protect their own children, only a film rating system can protect them on their behalf."

To be honest, Lin Nan felt that this group of people were obsessed. If they kept going like this, wouldn't they play themselves to death?

Sure enough, just one day later, Lin Nan received an invitation from this group of people; they wanted to do the thing from two months ago again.

This time, Lin Nan was in the country, and there was no way to hide even if he wanted to.

However, before Lin Nan could come up with an idea to refuse, the authorities had already taken action first.

Director Tong directly held a large meeting and gave a speech:

"It's the same censorship, why can some directors make high-grossing films? Can pass censorship and win big awards abroad?"

"While other directors only know how to attribute their own incompetence to the system?"

"Or is it that these people have impure motives from the beginning, specifically picking bad things to film, in order to shape their own image?"

Alright, now it's getting interesting.

Lin Nan heard that not long after the meeting ended, some of Wang Xiaoshuai and others' film projects that had already been finalized basically all fell through.

Those that had received support funds were either stuck or discounted. Those that had state-owned enterprise investment all withdrew their capital.

When the other investors saw this situation, could they still not understand what it meant? Decisively, they all ran away!

Tiangong Color.

The second installment of "The Four" is prioritizing special effects.

Wang Changtian specifically called to instruct, hoping that the special effects for the second installment could be as fast as possible, as Enlight was waiting to arrange the release schedule.

But how could such a thing be fast just because one says so, unless the quality of the special effects is sacrificed, so Lin Nan "pushed" it back.

He only said he would strive to finish the second installment in the first half of the year; as for the release time, it would have to wait until the second half of the year at the earliest, so don't even think about the summer slot.

At the same time, Lin Nan was not idle either, busy with the post-production editing work of "The Invisible Guest".

At this time, news of the Hollywood Oscars spread back to the country.

"Lin Nan's foreign language film 'The Invisible Guest', lead actress Naomi Watts and second lead Jessica Chastain, both narrowly lost to Jennifer Lawrence at the Oscar awards ceremony, missing out on the Best Actress award!"

Domestic media scrambled to report, and there were many people in the circle who were either regretful or gloating.

Most people on the internet basically felt regret for Lin Nan.

"So close, in Lin Dao's new film, it was so close to having an Oscar Best Actress!"

"It's such a pity. So far, no mainland director's film has had an Oscar Best Actor or Best Actress as the lead. Lin Dao, it was just that close!"

"That Jennifer Lawrence is also too unscrupulous, right? When receiving the award, she actually shouted: Thanks to Weinstein for clearing all her opponents for her!"

If it weren't for Liu Yifei calling to tell Lin Nan about this, the latter would still be burying his head in hard work at Tiangong Color.

"Send an email to comfort her. Anyway, we are friends now."

Lin Nan muttered, and acted as soon as he said it.

In all fairness, he had watched those films, and really didn't feel that Jennifer Lawrence was more outstanding than the others.

But this result just happened to explain one thing: at the Oscars, public relations is truly the top priority!

"Um, I also have to send a congratulatory email to Li An. This is his second Oscar Best Director trophy, right? Not to mention, I'm even a little envious..."

Several films from the outside world are still fiercely fighting.

"Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" raked in 640 million in eight days, and rushed to 700 million in nine days!

The industry is full of praise, as if this whole year will be such a good scene.

Although "Sleepless in Seattle" ranks second, it has already been left far behind, grossing 180 million in 5 days!

However, just like the old saying goes: happiness is compared.

Looking back, the other films are even more of a motley crew, and the mood suddenly became good.

On Huayi's side.

"Submit the application for the extension key for 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons', we want one month."

Wang Zhongjun's face was rosy, and he also echoed an old saying: when a person encounters happy events, their spirit is refreshed!

Huayi enjoys 70% of the mainland box office revenue of "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons". Because the production cost of this film is only a little over 100 million.

And Huayi had previously accumulated 88 million as a distribution deposit. According to the agreement, this money also belongs to the film's investment funds.

Wang Zhonglei nodded, also in high spirits.

After losing for several months, finally seeing the return of money.

But it's just a pity that the stock price is still motionless, what a strange thing!

"Okay, I'll go now, this time it will definitely succeed!"

Wang Zhonglei said with certainty.

On the other side, Lin Nan returned to the villa.

Liu Yifei, like a little wife, helped him pour a glass of water.

"Leon is probably going to be miserable. The supporting actor in the same crew won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and his screen time wasn't even as much as his."

Miss Liu joked with a smile.

Lin Nan also nodded; this is indeed a sad piece of news.

It would be one thing if he wasn't nominated, but the one in the same crew won the award; by comparison, he would probably feel even worse.

Suddenly, the phone Lin Nan placed on the table vibrated.

"Han Dong's call."

Liu Yifei handed the phone to Lin Nan.

"It's already off-duty time, I wonder what's the matter? If he calls me out for socializing, I won't go. I'll just say you won't let me."

Looking at Miss Liu's pretty face, Lin Nan teased with great interest.

"Sure, if you're not afraid of being laughed at, then I'm not afraid either."

Liu Yifei crossed her arms, looking at Lin Nan, very proud.

"I'll answer the phone first."

Lin Nan shook his head and connected the call.

"Han Dong, it's this time of day, is there anything else?"

"Good thing. Tomorrow, have your company people apply for the extension key for 'Sleepless in Seattle', just extend it to the end of March, for half a month."

Hearing this, Lin Nan was stunned for a moment; he did have this idea.

But he really didn't expect Han Sanping to call and talk about this.

"Since when have you started actively caring about such things?"

"Since when? Right now! In the same release period, the number of films that can get extension keys is fixed; basically, there is only one."

Lin Nan seemed to understand something, and reacted the next moment.

"Huayi's side, applied for an extension key for 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons'?"

"Haha, you reacted quite quickly. You guessed right, that's exactly it."

Han Sanping's laughter was very loud; Lin Nan could already guess what he was going to do.

"If you do this, won't something happen?"

"Why don't you tell me, what did I do?" Han Sanping felt in a very good mood, and asked Lin Nan with a smile.

"Haha, nothing. I'll have Yue Jun apply tomorrow."

"Um, as soon as possible."

After saying three words, Han Sanping hung up the phone, not dragging his feet at all.

Liu Yifei had a look of astonishment on her face, looking at Lin Nan: "Han Dong wouldn't be wanting to?"

Lin Nan nodded, unable to help laughing out loud:

"I even feel a little sympathy for Huayi. Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei, who shouldn't they have offended, but they had to provoke Han Dong! Hahaha..."

(End of chapter)