Chapter 496: Breaking the Record, 'The Mermaid' Greenlit

"Produced and primarily controlled by Lin Nan Pictures, directed by Deng Chao in his debut, the film 'The Breakup Guru' earned 39.66 million yuan on its opening day, with highly polarized critical reception..."

"Primarily controlled by Lin Nan Pictures, co-produced and produced by Ying Huang, 'Ip Man 3,' the third installment of the 'Ip Man' series, earned 42.14 million yuan on its opening day, with continued acclaim for its spectacular fight scenes!"

"The Hollywood sci-fi blockbuster 'Transformers: Age of Extinction' earned a staggering 174 million yuan on its opening day, thanks to an exceptionally high screening rate of 54%!"

"After just one day of release, 'Transformers: Age of Extinction' has broken and surpassed the domestic box office records for both opening day and single-day earnings, now setting its sights on the highest box office record in China's film market!"

On just its first day, 'Transformers: Age of Extinction' made the entire domestic film industry understand what 'blockbuster domination' truly meant.

At any other time, the opening-day figures of 'Ip Man 3' and 'The Breakup Guru' would have been considered high box office success.

But compared to 'Transformers: Age of Extinction,' they clearly paled in comparison, appearing weak.

Looking at yesterday's overall box office, these three films accounted for nearly 95% or more of the total.

The other dozen or so films contributed less than 5%—what else could they be called but cannon fodder?

"High screening rate, high ticket prices, strong reputation."

"There's a high probability that 'Transformers: Age of Extinction' will break your record for 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy'!"

On the phone, Wang Wang Changtian chuckled teasingly.

"Let it break it. Internet companies have already entered the scene; the further we go, the more inflated box office records will become. Besides, I'm gradually becoming indifferent to these things."

Lin Nan spoke sincerely: chasing total box office records all the time would make life exhausting. Being burdened by fame was not what he wanted.

Moreover, realistically, given Lin Nan's current achievements, awards matter more than box office records.

Box office records are temporary; awards are lifelong!

Chen Chen Kaige's very existence proves it: a single film can earn as much as any high-grossing blockbuster.

"Listen to your tone—someone who doesn't know you'd think you're showing off. Hahaha..."

"You've laughed enough, Boss Wang. I still have to say it: Deng Chao's film is pretty bad." Lin Nan spoke bluntly.

"He's directing for the first time—understand. Besides, our market department analyzed it and told me there's an 80% chance it'll be a huge hit. As long as it makes money, who cares?"

Wang Wang Changtian's reasoning was undeniable—it was real.

"Besides, you should still worry about your box office record. Many industry peers are waiting right now to laugh at you, hahaha..."

Hearing this, Lin Nan was speechless:

"Even if it breaks 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy's' record, I'll still remain the record holder for domestic films. Besides..."

"What else?"

"'Transformers: Age of Extinction' only has one month. If it breaks 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy's' record within that month, I can't stop it. But if it doesn't break it—even by just one million—it won't get another chance."

"You think others can't apply for an extension?" Wang Wang Changtian immediately countered.

"Boss Wang, 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy' didn't leave theaters until the end of March. The China Film Group and Film Bureau officials have only just submitted a three-month report... Do you think they want to extend it further?"

"Oh my god, I forgot that! Once the record is broken by a foreign film, even if 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy' still holds the title of highest-grossing domestic film, its achievements and political credit will be severely diminished!"

"Hahaha, exactly. I'm certain that if 'Transformers: Age of Extinction' fails to break the record within a month, La Dong will definitely oppose any extension."

Hearing Lin Nan's confident words, Wang Wang Changtian believed him. He took a deep breath and sighed, "Wow, your mind!"

All morning, Lin Nan was busy—either taking calls or replying to messages.

After Wang Wang Changtian came Yang Yang Shoucheng, and many industry acquaintances also sent messages to tease him.

They said only the two films invested by Lin Nan Pictures had withstood the pressure and didn't collapse!

With the feedback from the first-day box office, theater chains once again increased the total screening volume for these three films, completely abandoning dozens of domestic productions.

Huayi, Chairman's Office.

Although the group's current situation was overwhelmingly positive, Wang Wang Zhongjun and Wang Wang Zhonglei's expressions were far from good.

Because they had just been informed that Lin Nan had begun selling off his shares again—this was the fifth consecutive day of trading.

"About 300,000 shares per day on average—he's already sold nearly 1.5 million shares. Clearly, he's liquidating, gradually clearing out!"

Wang Wang Zhongjun said coldly, his tone laced with disdain.

This time, Lin Nan's selling didn't significantly affect the stock's upward trend, because Huayi was now favored by all investors.

"The stock still has huge room to rise. Such a high-quality investment—he's choosing to exit early? He doesn't even need the money?"

"Let him leave. We don't need him anymore. When the stock breaks 100, he'll regret it."

Wang Wang Zhongjun sneered, then turned to Wang Wang Zhonglei: "The film industry's pie is too small. Real estate, finance, and the internet are our future..."

For three straight days, the Chinese-language film industry was in an uproar.

"'The Breakup Guru' earned 39.66 million on Friday, 47.10 million on Saturday, and 46.70 million on Sunday—totaling 134 million for its opening weekend."

"'Ip Man 3' continued to climb, earning 42.14 million, 49.23 million, and 51.54 million over its opening weekend, totaling 142.82 million, ranking second."

"The imported blockbuster 'Transformers: Age of Extinction' shattered the single-day box office record again:"

"After earning 174 million on its first day, it took in 223 million and 213 million on the second and third days respectively, totaling 610 million for its opening weekend!"

Domestic producers and countless film companies were left speechless, unable to believe these box office figures.

Like when 'Avatar' first arrived in China, everyone was utterly crushed, stunned.

Producers planning films for July were all filled with dread, involuntarily considering withdrawing their projects.

Although online buzz was intense, Lin Nan paid little attention. He hadn't gone to the company these past two days—he'd stayed home.

Liu Liu Yifei was currently video-calling Watching Shu Chang, who was filming the final two scenes of 'The Assassin 2: The Arena,' with an official announcement of wrap set for tomorrow morning.

"I'm flying in tomorrow morning, arriving around 10:50. Remember to pick me up. I'll eat lunch at your place—tell Auntie I want shrimp..."

Watching Shu Chang chattered on, instructing Liu Liu Yifei, who nodded cheerfully, "Yeah, I'll set an alarm to pick you up."

Lin Nan watched and listened from the side—the scene felt deeply warm.

"You really don't hold back at all, Changchang."

"Aw, no need for politeness with Liu Qianqian. Right, Liu Qianqian?"

Hearing Lin Nan's laughter, Watching Shu Chang quickly shot back a line.

"Haha, right, that's right."

The two girls were chattering away, laughing and chatting.

Lin Nan picked up his phone, gestured to Miss Liu, then walked out to the lawn outside — he had an incoming call.

Today's sun wasn't very strong; on the lawn, the dog frolicking around Lin Nan and the few cats lazily sunbathing and napping formed a sharp contrast.

Lin Nan stroked the orange cat with one hand while taking Beside La La Peikang's call with the other.

"Zhou Zhou Xingchi's side decided to officially announce this project tomorrow?"

"Right. A nationwide open casting for the female lead, and auditions for the other main roles across the entire film and television industry. His side hopes we can assist with the promotion."

Lin Nan understood what that meant. "Fine, my company will issue a notice too, at most adding my personal Weibo on top of it.

I can't exactly put my name on the promotional poster for the female lead's open casting, can I? I won't agree to that."

"Giving him free publicity for nothing — it won't come to that, haha…"

Hearing this, Lin Nan was relieved. He was just afraid a few companies might pull some stunt, after all he was extremely influential himself.

Using his own reputation to build momentum for a Zhou Zhou Xingchi Girl — he wouldn't do it.

Suddenly, Lin Nan thought of Miss Jing Tian again. She should count as the only one, and also half a "Lin Girl," right? Debuting through Ning Hao's MV, her first film was Lin Nan's The Martian.

Back at the villa, Miss Liu still hadn't finished chatting; this time Zhang Yi and a few others had also appeared on camera.

"Director Lin, Director Lu said the wrap party can only be held once we're back in the capital. The crew is over budget, out of money, haha…"

"Over by ten million."

Liu Liu Yifei looked at Lin Nan and laughed helplessly. She was the producer — all the account details were reported to her by the producing team.

"So the cost just shot from ninety million to a hundred million? Then the box office better be higher than Wu Lin!"

Lin Nan said it as a joke — ten million over budget wasn't much.

…………

A new day, and out of habit the producing industry had to check yesterday's box office data.

To see if Transformers 4 was still that fierce after entering the weekday window.

But the top trending topic on Weibo forcibly drew the attention of the entire film industry.

Every actor in the entertainment industry was thrilled — opportunity had arrived!

"Starlight Films officially announced that, one and a half years after Jiang Mo Pian, director Zhou Zhou Xingchi's new film The Mermaid has been officially greenlit."

"The film The Mermaid has an initial investment of 300 million, jointly produced by Starlight, China Film, Shanghai Film, and Lin Nan Pictures; written and directed by Zhou Zhou Xingchi."

"For this film's casting, the female lead 'Mermaid' requires a non-professional actress. A nationwide open casting will be held over a three-month period. During this time, the remaining roles will be open to industry-wide auditions and invitations."

Immediately after, Lin Nan Pictures, China Film, and Shanghai Film successively issued project announcements for The Mermaid.

Lin Nan was woken by his alarm, squinted his eyes, posted on Weibo, then pulled the covers over his head and went right back to sleep.

But by then, both online and within the industry had completely exploded.

……

(End of chapter)