Chapter 448: Departure, Hollywood

"Just to let you know, we're planning to release 'The Breakup Guru' in the summer season, at the end of June."

Upon receiving Wang Wang Changtian's call, Lin Nan couldn't help but laugh: "What a coincidence."

"What coincidence?"

"Half an hour ago, I just got off the phone with Ying Huang; 'Ip Man 3' will also be released in the summer season, on June 27th."

At this moment, Lin Nan clearly felt a sense of deja vu, as if his left hand were about to fight his right hand.

It's just that for 'Ip Man 3', he owns sixty percent of the shares and copyright, while for 'The Breakup Guru', he only holds a fifty percent investment.

Hearing this, Wang Wang Changtian paused for a moment, then smiled and said:

"That really is unfortunate! But let's leave it at that; the summer season is so vast that it can easily accommodate both films competing in the same slot without affecting each other."

"Indeed, after all, one is a comedy and the other is an action film."

"You must be preparing to set off, right?" Suddenly, Wang Wang Changtian changed the subject and asked.

"The flight tickets are already booked; we'll depart in two days."

"Mm, then I wish you and Yi Fei a smooth trip to Hollywood and a successful award win.

We are all looking forward to it, looking forward to you becoming the first mainland director to win the Oscar for Best Director!"

"Haha, thank you, Mr. Wang, for your auspicious words. Do one's best and leave the rest to fate."

Lin Nan sincerely expressed his gratitude, but as for winning an award, who could say for sure?

After hanging up the phone, Lin Nan was too lazy to continue working on the script.

His attention was captured by today's film news; the media and the industry were all hotly discussing 'Coming Home'.

As expected, an art film by a top-tier director never worries about making money and never lacks generous buyers.

Moreover, there was no need to go to a film festival to trade; the other party came to them directly.

Take Zhang Zhang Yimou's 'Coming Home', for instance; that's exactly how it happened.

The film had just finished its initial cut, and overseas distribution rights for multiple regions, including North America, were bought by Sony at a high price.

Everyone in the production industry couldn't help but sigh; indeed, the combination of Zhang Zhang Yimou and Gong Li has influence on the international film scene!

"The art films these two collaborate on are indeed famous."

Lin Nan also agreed with the industry's view. At that moment, a knocking sound was heard at the door.

"Lin Dao, 'The Invisible Guest' has passed censorship." Yue Jun, dressed quite formally, walked in.

"Then pick a release slot and report it to China Film later," Lin Nan said casually.

"I think it's better to wait until next month, after the Oscar ceremony, to set the release date."

"Mm? That works too. I hope you come back with good news this time."

"Definitely."

Yue Jun nodded, looking full of confidence. At the 2 PM flight, he would take people to fly to South Korea.

The negotiation time had already been arranged with them beforehand; it was still about the 'Running Man' copyright.

Huayi was holding a press conference again.

This film's theme was a bit "high-end," claiming to be the first Chinese-language film focusing on anti-child trafficking—'Lost and Love'!

The lead role even rarely secured Andy Lau, which was his first time challenging a role as a rural father in mainland China.

For Andy Lau, who desperately wanted to be a good actor, achieve a breakthrough, and prove himself, the temptation of such a script was fatal.

It was said that when the crew communicated with him, it could be described as "effortless."

However, a perfectly fine press conference was made difficult for producer Wang Wang Zhonglei by the media.

Reporters pointed to words like "First film focusing on anti-child trafficking..." on the banner at the press conference site and asked producer Wang Wang Zhonglei:

"... What do you think of Director Li Yang's 'Blind Mountain' and Director Chen Chen Kexin's 'Dearest', which has not yet been released?"

Good heavens, the press conference site instantly turned into a face-slapping scene; the promotion had blown it out of proportion!

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei had already started packing their luggage sporadically.

With less than ten days left until the Oscar ceremony, the two of them had to set off early.

"The 'Interstellar' team notified me that they need me to do some additional voice recording; this time we can get it all done together."

Liu Liu Yifei walked down from upstairs and said to Lin Nan in the living room.

"That's good; saves us from making another trip."

Lin Nan replied without looking up; he was reading a message sent by Wang Wang Baoqiang.

"What are you doing? You seem distracted."

Liu Liu Yifei walked up close and saw the chat interface.

Realizing it might be serious business, she immediately picked up the black cat from the carpet, sat on the sofa, and played a small game by herself.

Looking at the message on his phone, Lin Nan was momentarily speechless.

How to put it? He quite admired Wang Wang Baoqiang.

Although the latter came from the countryside, his vision and "wisdom" were no worse than anyone else's.

"Huang Bo really guessed wrong this time."

Lin Nan muttered to himself as his phone began to vibrate.

He waved the phone in his hand towards Liu Liu Yifei, "I'm going to the garden."

"Mm."

As soon as he answered the call, Wang Wang Baoqiang's voice came from the other end.

"Hello, Lin Dao."

"Sigh, your negotiation fell through too…"

Hearing Lin Nan's words, Wang Bao paused a moment before catching on. "Brother Bo as well?"

"Mm, that's right. You two really did manage to 'advance and retreat together.'" Lin Nan teased.

Just like Huang Bo, when Xu Zheng discussed *Lost in Hong Kong* with him, Wang Bao had raised the request to invest or to exchange a zero-paycheck for a box-office revenue share.

The result was obvious — he was refused.

Wang Bao had it slightly better; he wasn't spoken to harshly, but on the matter of pay, they likewise failed to reach an agreement.

On this point, Xu Zheng really was a bit ruthless. He actually wanted to sign Wang Bao at the same fee as during *Lost in Thailand* — how could that possibly work!

Wang Bao, however, took it in stride and didn't harbor any negative feelings:

"It's a role, win or lose, that's how it is. Since Xu Zheng says he'll find another actor for *Lost in Hong Kong*, I won't think about it anymore. I just acted in the first two, and suddenly missing the third — I figured I still had to say something to Lin Dao, that's all…"

Listening to Wang Bao's words, Lin Nan was a bit moved; the man really had decent character.

"Then I won't keep bothering you, Lin Dao. Wishing you a smooth Oscar win at the start of next month."

"Then I won't disturb Lin Dao. Wishing you a smooth Oscar win at the beginning of next month."

Looking at the hung-up phone in his hand, Lin Nan clicked his tongue in admiration — this Xu Zheng, really something else!

Looking at the hung-up phone in his hand, Lin Nan clicked his tongue in admiration. That Xu Zheng, what a guy!

*Ip Man 3*, *Breakup Guru*, *Tiny Times 3*.

Three films announced simultaneously for the summer slate, and the atmosphere across the entire film industry instantly grew restless.

Everyone could fully anticipate just how lively this summer slate would be.

At the same time, February entered its fourth week, and the total box office of *The Taking of Mount Mount Weihu* smoothly broke past 1.5 billion, settling at 1.503 billion. But by now, daily box office had already dropped below thirty million.

The industry could all see that *The Taking of Mount Mount Weihu*'s box office was not going to reach 2 billion this month — it would depend on March's takings!

The script for *The Journey of Flower* had already been sent to the General Administration half a month ago, and there had been no word whatsoever since.

Jiang Jiang Xuerou had even taken the trouble to explain to Lin Nan at length:

"TV drama scripts, especially ones with a mythological theme like this, take longer to review. It'll probably have to wait until March."

"TV drama scripts, especially ones with mythological themes like this, take longer to review. It'll probably be March before we hear back."

He was still mulling over one thing at the moment — after the Oscars, should he immediately start preparing *Manchester by the Sea*, or wait a while?

He was still wrestling with one thing right now: after the Oscars, should he immediately start preparing *Manchester by the Sea*, or wait a while longer?

"Director Jiang, once the script passes review, you can start moving on the project — set it up, cast, hold auditions. By then, most likely I won't be in the country."

"Director Jiang, once the script passes review, go ahead and start the project—pitch it, cast, hold auditions. I probably won't be in the country by then."

……

A fantasy film titled *Zhong Kui: The Demon Exorcist*, with an investment of two hundred million and starring Chen Kun and Li Li Bingbing, held a grand opening ceremony in the capital.

The film industry was abuzz, and the producers were even shouting that they would match the special effects of top-tier Hollywood blockbusters.

According to Ye Ning, Enlight and Wanda, leveraging their own business advantages, had also secured a small investment share and become co-producers.

Lin Nan didn't want to discourage his allies, but he truly had never heard of any Hollywood blockbuster whose special effects could be pulled off with a two-hundred-million-RMB investment.

Looking across the history of domestic films, of those that used Hollywood special effects as a marketing gimmick, eight out of ten died, and the remaining two were half-dead!

He could only wish Enlight and Wanda good luck.

Time came to the 23rd.

Over in Hollywood, the atmosphere had fully shifted to the Oscars, the buzz and grandeur no less than Europe's three major film festivals.

Domestic media were all reprinting and reporting on it; even official outlets like the Movie Channel had sent reporters over, because this year really was different.

Besides Hong Kong's *The Grandmaster* having a nomination, more importantly, Lin Nan, a mainland director, had been nominated for four major awards.

In the morning, three SUVs were parked outside the villa.

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei's luggage was neatly stacked in the trunk.

This time, once the two of them headed over, they wouldn't be back for a while.

Miss Liu was dozing against Lin Nan, while Liu Liu Xiaoli scolded her from the side.

"Even an alarm clock can't wake you, can it? Right now it's me calling you to get up — wait till you have kids someday, let your kids call you? Day after day…"

Liu Liu Yifei listened to her own mother's "nagging," fluttered her heavy eyelids, and put on a placating smile.

"Mom, that's actually a great idea you've come up with — we can totally give it a try in the future, hehe…"

Good lord, Lin Nan couldn't help but give a thumbs-up — Liu Liu Qianqian here really dared to think it!

Good lord, Lin Nan couldn't help but give a thumbs-up. Liu Liu Qianqian sure dares to dream!

Liu Liu Xiaoli spoke as she reached to twist her own daughter's ear.

"Ahh, Lin Nan, save me…"

"Auntie, it's time to leave."

Lin Nan half-blocked in front of Liu Liu Yifei and said with a smile. He was nervous too — the one in front of him was his mother-in-law, after all…

Liu Liu Xiaoli made a show of rolling her eyes at the all-smiling Liu Liu Yifei, then let it go.

"Once you arrive, remember to send a text back to let us know you're safe."

"Once you arrive, remember to send a text back to let us know you got there safe."

……

A little past nine in the morning, three cars set off from the villa compound, heading toward the capital airport.

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei each brought two assistants on this trip, and several others had gone ahead two days earlier to make preparations.

Outside the airport, when the media reporters caught sight of Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei, they were beyond thrilled.

Because there was no need to guess where they were going or what for — Hollywood, the Oscars.

Because there was no need to guess where they were going or what they were doing—Hollywood, the Oscars.

They didn't take any interviews; the two of them just smiled and waved at the reporters. Then, hand in hand, they walked into the departure hall.

But from a distance, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei could still hear their well-wishes:

"Lin Dao, Liu Yifei, best of luck at the Oscars…"

……

Today's Tian Di Er Zhang will most likely run until the wee hours of the morning.

(End of chapter)