Chapter 489

"But, I remember the cost of 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons' was only about 120 million, right?"

After Ren Zhonglun reacted, he was the first to question. La Peikang sat there, also nodding in tacit agreement.

'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons' was a fantasy film with 'Journey to the West' subject matter, and it also had quite a few special effects, but the investment cost was less than 120 million.

Why does a 'The Mermaid' demand 300 million right off the bat? And it doesn't exclude the possibility of needing additional investment later.

A comedy, and a comedy with a modern background at that—even if it is a fantasy film, a budget as high as 300 million is indeed too outrageous!

"'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons' broke through to 1.245 billion at the box office because of the addition of many factors.

Is Director Zhou sure that a 'The Mermaid' with a 300 million cost can break even? And how much can it earn? The risk involved is already more than just generally large."

La Peikang took over Ren Zhonglun's words and continued to question. Stephen Chow said nothing, listening carefully without a hint of impatience.

Lin Nan could see that both bosses from China Film and Shanghai Film were a bit shaky about this budget.

After La Peikang finished speaking, Stephen Chow showed a reluctant smile and looked at Lin Nan:

"Lin Dao should understand, when we film ourselves, especially when our own company invests, directors usually don't take much of a salary.

It's all counted as investment shares. When filming 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons' before, my team's salary was handled this way."

Lin Nan nodded, indicating agreement. This method is to earn more.

It seems Stephen Chow really learned his lesson after suffering a loss once. This time, salary and investment are treated separately, clearly distinguished.

"Even so, this budget is still too high."

"It is a bit inflated," Lin Nan echoed.

"If Chairman La, Chairman Ren, and Lin Dao find it inconvenient to invest too much, I can find more investors to join; I won't force the three of you."

Stephen Chow said somewhat awkwardly, but he had no intention of cutting the budget.

At the same time, he was also very anxious; he needed China Film and Shanghai Film to endorse him to prevent Huayi from playing dirty.

At this moment, Lin Nan had completely finished flipping through the materials in his hand, calculating rapidly in his mind.

Subject matter above average, script above average, tropes and jokes slightly cliché, 3D production……

Stephen Chow writing and directing himself is the biggest gimmick of this film, which can boost the box office effect to the top tier.

Actually, the most perfect plan is for Stephen Chow to write, direct, and star in it himself.

If he were the lead, even with an average script, what he filmed would still be a blockbuster movie.

The audience has had a filter for him for over twenty years! What a pity.

"Director Zhou, how much of a share can you give the three of us?"

Lin Nan's sudden question made La Peikang and Ren Zhonglun look at him in astonishment.

In their view, this young man Lin Nan was just impatient; wouldn't it be better to press down the budget?

Stephen Chow's budget was clearly too inflated, especially his and his team's salaries!

Lin Nan returned a smile and continued to look at Stephen Chow, waiting for an answer.

Of course he knew the thoughts of the two big bosses, but their ideas were useless against the Stephen Chow in front of them.

The latter is recognized as incredibly talented, but after so many years, he has one biggest criticism, and that is money!

This is a matter of personality, it can't be changed, and Stephen Chow never denies it. If he can quote 300 million, it means this is the bottom price; there's no room for cutting.

"I can give out at most six, no, seven-tenths of the share."

Hearing this number, a sentence popped into the three men's minds: "He really is not polite at all!"

For a moment, the four people on the scene each had their own thoughts.

"Chairman La, Chairman Ren, Lin Dao, you can rest assured. Even if the three of you can't invest this much, it won't affect the project approval of 'The Mermaid'.

I can find it elsewhere; although the budget is a bit high, I think it can be gathered."

Stephen Chow spoke very seriously, but a bit too directly.

Ren Zhonglun, La Peikang, and Lin Nan looked at each other.

This is the Magic City, Shanghai Film's territory. Ren Zhonglun was the first to speak without hesitation.

"Shanghai Film is currently investing in quite a few films and can't spare much attention; we only want 15% of 'The Mermaid'."

Lin Nan and La Peikang looked at each other; both understood in a second, Ren Zhonglun's old habit had flared up again!

The risk of 'The Mermaid' was too great, but he wanted to gamble on it, so he only took 15%.

"China Film, let's say 25%."

The risk of this film was indeed very great; La Peikang's focus wasn't on investing in the film, but on investing in the person, investing in Stephen Chow himself.

Oh wow, Lin Nan's eyes lit up instantly; leaving 30% for himself?

"You can invest a little less; Director Stephen Chow also said he would make up the rest from elsewhere," La Peikang reminded him kindly.

"For the first cooperation, of course, one must have sincerity. Although the budget is 300 million, I think with Director Stephen Chow's appeal, breaking even shouldn't be too much of a problem."

"But for this kind of subject matter, Director Stephen Chow is also exploring it for the first time, and he isn't participating in the acting."

Ren Zhonglun said without a hint of emotion. This sentence was said to Lin Nan, to Stephen Chow, and even more so to La Peikang.

"What does Lin Dao think?"

Stephen Chow didn't care about that much and continued to look at Lin Nan with a smile.

"Then, give the remaining 30% to me. Over these years, Lin Nan Film still has some accumulation. Haha……"

"You are really humble! Still have some accumulation? Setting aside the fake stock price stuff, Huayi's three-year net profit might not even catch up to your company's one year."

"Many thanks, Lin Dao."

Without responding to La Peikang's teasing, Lin Nan continued to look at Stephen Chow.

"Director Zhou is too kind, but I have one more request."

The scene suddenly became quiet.

"Lin Dao, please speak."

The big rock in Stephen Chow's heart had already landed, and he seemed much more relaxed now.

"'The Mermaid' will have a 3D version, and there will also be quite a few special effects?"

"Yes, there will be quite a few special effects shots."

Stephen Chow didn't think too much and nodded directly in admission. La Peikang and Ren Zhonglun had already guessed what Lin Nan wanted to do.

"The special effects business for 'The Mermaid', Tiangong Color wants it; what does Director Zhou think?"

"Tiangong Color? Of course, no problem." Stephen Chow paused and immediately nodded in agreement.

He had heard that Tiangong Color under Lin Nan was currently the most capable special effects company in the country, with many credits and a very good reputation in the industry.

"Tsk tsk, you've arranged this quite well, you can earn back quite a bit," La Peikang joked.

"Chairman La, my business just happens to match. Haha……"

After finishing the business, the four chatted about quite a few side topics.

At ten-thirty in the morning, Stephen Chow stood up to take his leave, needing to rush back to Hong Kong.

The lunch appointment was naturally avoided; furthermore, La Peikang and Ren Zhonglun didn't have anything to talk about while eating together, and Lin Nan also felt it was boring.

Downstairs, the three each got into their cars.

Suddenly, just as Stephen Chow was sitting halfway into the car, he turned his head and said to Lin Nan: "Lin Dao, thank you for your righteous words last time."

It wasn't until Stephen Chow's car left and his assistant urged Lin Nan that he came back to his senses, "Is he talking about the business with Huayi last time?"

Lin Nan remembered that when the verdict of that lawsuit was announced, he had indeed followed up by posting on Weibo to mock Huayi, counting as a wave of support.

On the way back, Lin Nan couldn't help but mutter: "No wonder Chairman La said he suggested adding me and Stephen Chow didn't object; it turns out this is one of the reasons!"

…………

During the Magic City International Film Festival, many films hold press conferences and promotional activities every day.

In the morning, the media meet-and-greet for 'Tiny Times 3' and 'The Continent' collided at the same time.

Yu Dong personally stood up for Han Han, but couldn't control his mouth.

He stated bluntly that in terms of quality, 'The Continent' completely crushed trash films like 'Tiny Times'.

The consequence of these remarks was that the producers of 'Tiny Times 3', LeTV and Huace, spent the whole morning in a war of words with Yu Dong.

The two sides attacked each other, and in the end, it actually escalated to the issue of "making films and being a person," pointing directly at Yu Dong's inferior character.

For a time, the internet was very lively, but it was also quickly suppressed.

Rushing back to the hotel at eleven-thirty in the morning, Lin Nan didn't expect Ning Hao and Xing Aina to be there too.

"Yo, rare guests. How come you two came?"

Liu Yifei was shaking her head with a smile nearby, winking at Lin Nan.

"There's a press conference for 'Breakup Buddies' this afternoon, we're here to block you two. Yifei has already confessed; you two have no serious business scheduled for this afternoon."

Xing Aina said with a smile, while Ning Hao nodded in agreement beside her.

"What do you mean no serious business? Our serious business for coming to the Magic City is to play; film festival activities are secondary."

"You're so carefree. By the way, where did you go? The 'China Stories "Challenge" Hollywood' forum this morning, I didn't see you again," Ning Hao asked.

"Why go to such a forum with no nutritional value?"

"Hey, you're so noble," Ning Hao was speechless for a moment and complained.

"You still haven't said where you went? Even Yifei doesn't know," Xing Aina followed her husband's lead.

"Chairman La called me to participate in investing in a film. Don't ask, it needs to be kept secret for now."

Lin Nan sat down next to Liu Yifei, preemptively suppressing the curiosity of Ning Hao and his wife.

"Still secret? Hmm, then it must be some big project!"

"It is quite big, I went out for a trip, and 90 million directly disappeared from my wallet."

Hearing the number Lin Nan reported so nonchalantly, even Liu Yifei beside him subconsciously widened her eyes looking at him.

"Good heavens, now you don't need to keep it secret. We don't dare to ask either, afraid of being scared."

"Haha, it's not that bad. Since you're here, let's have lunch together, shall we go out to eat?" Lin Nan invited with a smile.

"Alright, just in time to slaughter the rich. Yifei, don't feel bad," Xing Aina looked at Liu Yifei.

"I don't feel bad, order whatever you want, my treat."

As she spoke, Miss Liu stood up and walked toward the bedroom, preparing to take her bag and go out together.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Yifei is increasingly having the air of a mistress of the house."

Ning Hao looked at Lin Nan and teased.

"What do you mean mistress of the house? Could there be a smaller one? Director Ning, your thinking is not right!

Sister Na, I suggest you check thoroughly after you go back—call logs, consumption bills, emails, text messages…… don't miss any! After all, there's a criminal record……"

Lin Nan smacked his lips and dug a pit on the spot.

Ning Hao instantly got anxious, "Your grandfather's, you're messing with me again, right?"

"Hmm, hmm, it is necessary to be careful."

Xing Aina nodded and smiled; she also knew Lin Nan was joking.

"Is it soon, you two?"

"Haha, the elders from both sides will meet in the second half of the year," the smile on Lin Nan's face couldn't be stopped.

"Oh my, the process is quite complete, engagement first! Then we must prepare the wedding gift money for you in advance."

Ning Hao immediately put away his aggressive stance and said with emotion.

"Hmm, can't be less."

"Alright, let's go."

Liu Yifei came out carrying her bag and had also changed into a pair of high-heeled sandals. Lin Nan took it from her proactively; everything seemed so natural.

This scene made Ning Hao's teeth ache because Xing Aina was glaring at him. Director Ning had no choice but to learn from Lin Nan reluctantly and took the bag his own wife was carrying.

"The press conference for 'Breakup Buddies' this afternoon, you two don't even think about running away."

"Then let's take a stroll."

"Hmm, hmm," Liu Yifei echoed.

Lin Nan didn't have much of an opinion about attending the film press conference.

It's just that once he went to the 'Breakup Buddies' side, he couldn't favor one over the other.

Additionally, the other two films, 'The Breakup Guru' and 'Ip Man 3', would all have to be visited.

"Thinking about it this way, your company has several films again this year!"

"Sigh, just earning some bride price money."

"Hahaha……"

…………

(End of Chapter)