Chapter 53: New Line, Returning Home

After some probing, everyone understood Lin Nan's meaning: they wouldn't be getting "Dead Silence" this time, but Lionsgate would certainly remain the party with the best chance in the future.

"Tom, you can leak a little something. I'm preparing to return to the country."

Lin Nan prepared to take the initiative.

"Okay, Lin. I understand what you mean."

Tom was a shrewd man and grasped Lin Nan's intent immediately.

The next day, Tom came to see Lin Nan, excited, saying that someone had already contacted him, wanting to arrange a meeting with Lin Nan.

At the same time, Lionsgate had also heard some rumors.

"New Line? Which of Lin's works have they taken a fancy to?"

Lionsgate couldn't help but take it seriously; like Lionsgate, New Line was an independent film company, and the fields they were involved in had a high degree of overlap.

New Line's main business at the beginning was distribution, primarily targeting low-budget horror films in Europe and domestically; later, they entered production and began investing in and filming horror movies.

It had previously been acquired by Warner Bros., but it retained its independent operational autonomy for films and was now also a powerful film company.

"James, you can appropriately go and sound out Lin Nan. As long as it's not the script we've set our sights on, it's fine."

A Lionsgate vice president instructed James Wan.

"I will go and ask."

"New Line Cinema?"

Lin Nan found the name familiar, but there were too many independent film companies in Hollywood, and he couldn't recall it for a moment.

"They want to see me? Then let's set a time."

Lin Nan decided to meet; he was also guessing which script the other party had taken a fancy to.

"New Line Cinema? New Line Cinema!"

After Tom left, Lin Nan muttered it a few times, and finally, he suddenly realized.

"The Butterfly Effect, Final Destination, and most importantly, Jackie Chan's Rush Hour series!"

Lin Nan remembered this film company; there were few Chinese who could have a film series in Hollywood, let alone as the lead.

Jackie Chan's Rush Hour was just that; it was the series that established his international status, and it was produced by New Line Cinema.

At this moment, Lin Nan felt as if he had guessed what they wanted.

A sunny afternoon.

Lin Nan hadn't expected the people from New Line to be so straightforward, inviting him to meet directly at Santa Monica Beach. Wouldn't doing this be like undermining Lionsgate?

"Lin, the script for Dead Silence is excellent. Lionsgate has made a killing this time. Our business unit expects it to harvest about 100 million in global box office, and with a cost of less than 3 million, it's simply a surprise."

"Thank you. I think it's better if we get straight to business."

Lin Nan took a small sip of coffee and glanced at the beach in the distance.

"Of course. We want Journey to the Center of the Earth. You have the novel rights, and the completed script is also very outstanding.

We plan to make it into a 3D film series. With the foundation of the version from decades ago, it is the most suitable. Just like Jackie's Rush Hour, it will definitely be a success."

The middle-aged foreigner from New Line talked eloquently, mentioning Jackie Chan and Rush Hour in passing.

Lin Nan knew his second half of the sentence was purely to get on good terms.

"But I can't be as easy to talk to as I was the first time I negotiated with Lionsgate. Because Lionsgate was the first, I only asked for a 20% share. Only the first person willing to take the risk can eat the most delicious food."

The other party seemed to have guessed Lin Nan's attitude. "Then let's talk about your requirements."

"I want a 40% investment stake and two roles," Lin Nan said.

The other party raised his eyelids, revealing a meaningful smile.

"Lin, you should understand, this is Hollywood. You are too greedy..."

Lin Nan leaned back, resting on the sofa.

"Journey to the Center of the Earth is different from Dead Silence; it can be screened in more regions..."

The person from New Line paused, revealing a helpless smile. "What you say is correct, but how can you guarantee it can be screened over there?"

"You're already wavering, aren't you? For a production of this scale, I can't swallow a 40% investment."

Lin Nan smiled.

"Lin, it seems you were prepared before meeting me. How do you say it in your language? You have a well-thought-out plan, right?

I need to go back and report your requirements to the company and give you a final answer, but I estimate that even if they agree, it won't be the 40% you want."

The person from New Line extended a hand, and Lin Nan shook it.

"I look forward to you bringing me good news."

"Goodbye."

The independent film circle has several obvious advantages over the traditional Big Eight: it is purer, more inclusive, less exclusionary, and more accepting of foreigners.

Although New Line Cinema belongs to the Time Warner Group, for certain reasons, it still operates within the independent film circle.

"Lin, how did the talk go?"

After seeing the New Line people off, Tom came over to ask.

"He said he needs to go back and report to the company."

"James Wan wants to know the purpose of New Line seeking you out," Tom added.

"Help me reply to him: it's not one of the scripts Lionsgate has set its sights on."

Lin Nan knew what James Wan and Lionsgate were worried about.

"Before New Line gets back to me, don't contact other companies. If they come to you, it's best to stall them as well," Lin Nan added.

"But I can't stall them for many days. It was already said that you are returning to the country soon. Wouldn't that be self-contradictory?" Tom reminded him.

"It won't take that long. At most a day or two. New Line won't stall me either."

"Then that's no problem."

Lin Nan didn't want to look at the box office data sent by China Film Group anymore; he could only say it was miserable. The daily increase of hundreds of thousands made him panic just looking at it.

Not waiting long, Lin Nan met that person from New Line again. This time, there were two more, a man and a woman.

"Lin, you have achieved victory. The market behind you is simply too tempting."

"Thank you. You are an honest filmmaker," Lin Nan smiled.

"Don't be happy yet. The company didn't agree to what you said. Come and listen to our latest proposal.

We plan to use digital 3D format entirely for this film. The initial budget is 60 million USD, and the investment stake can only be at most 30% for you. One role excluding the male lead, and the screenwriter fee will be based on a box office share."

"Just the first one?" Lin Nan asked in return.

"Yes. Based on the results of the first one, we'll talk about the rest. Anyway, the novel rights are all with you."

Lin Nan pondered for a moment and agreed to this distribution plan.

"I accept this plan. I want the role of the female guide."

Lin Nan extended his hand and said.

"Lin, let's wish for a pleasant cooperation."

The three people shook hands with Lin Nan one by one, their faces full of smiles.

For this kind of film, the actual filming usually doesn't require much effort; the main work is post-production effects and 3D effects.

Lin Nan gave some of his own suggestions: it's best not to produce only one type of 3D format.

If global release is to be considered, for the sake of the box office, one must consider those places without 3D cinemas. New Line indicated they would think about this issue carefully.

Sci-fi films are always relatively expensive, and the production costs are not small. Being able to give Lin Nan a 30% investment stake, plus a screenwriter's share, was already a huge concession.

Even if it was 30%, it was still a huge sum of money. Lin Nan never thought about paying out of his own pocket from the beginning; this could be taken back to do "favors," and favors with a premium are still favors.

According to New Line's requirements, by New Year's Day next year, which is December at the latest this year, Lin Nan must have the 30% capital ready.

Time was still very abundant. At the same time, the actress for the female guide needed to be confirmed. Once the crew was ready, he would be notified to start filming at any time.

"Tom, no need to help me stall those companies anymore. After signing the contract with New Line, I will be returning."

"I guessed this would be the result."

Tom complained.

Lin Nan smiled, "After Lionsgate settles my share, I will definitely add a bonus for you."

"Oh, you look so handsome when you say that."

The day after signing the contract, Lin Nan boarded the plane and set off to return to the country.

This time he specifically bought a red-eye flight, thinking about adjusting to the time difference on the plane so it would be morning when he got back.

Domestic time, 9:00 AM on the 10th, Lin Nan arrived at the Capital Airport.

Wrapped up tightly, Lin Nan got into a car.

"I'd say you're shameless enough, notifying me to pick you up a day in advance."

Zhu Yawen nagged while starting the car.

"Did you go thieving last night? It's this time of day and your eye circles are still so dark?" Lin Nan asked in return.

"Attended an event, didn't sleep for many hours," Zhu Yawen said irritably.

"Alright, alright, drive. Breakfast is on me," Lin Nan waved his hand and smiled.

"Good, let's go to a private kitchen restaurant."

Zhu Yawen instantly changed his tone, preparing to fleece the rich guy.

"Fine, private kitchen it is. I've been eating Western food for these ten-plus days until I'm nearly brain-dead."

Lin Nan smacked his lips, also missing Chinese food.

At the dining table, the two chatted while they ate.

"The daily box office for *Return to Dust* is quite steady now, seven or eight hundred thousand, for quite a few days already," Zhu Yawen muttered.

"I know, let it be. I don't expect it to make much at the box office anyway."

"You were gone for quite a while this time. *Dead Silence* has spread, especially after the three-day box office figures came out; the number of people asking about you is simply insane."

Zhu Yawen recalled his experiences over these past few days.

"Heh, did they come looking for you?"

Lin Nan looked at Zhu Yawen, guessing the scene.

"Of course. The atmosphere at the company is so strange right now. Young Master Wang even specifically pulled me aside to chat, asking about your itinerary over there between the lines.

I'm also very curious, you couldn't have just been staring at the box office for *Dead Silence* for these ten-plus days, right?"

Lin Nan put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth. "Old Zhu, I definitely didn't just have that one thing to do. I also negotiated another film."

Zhu Yawen's eyes lit up instantly. "What film? Does it need actors? Is there one suitable for me?"

Looking at the somewhat excited Zhu Yawen and his three consecutive questions, Lin Nan shook his head.

"Tch." Zhu Yawen had gotten excited for nothing.

"It really isn't suitable for you. It's adapted from a sci-fi novel, *Journey to the Center of the Earth*. An uncle and nephew plus a female guide, with New Line Cinema in control. Which one do you think you're suitable for?

That uncle definitely won't work; it has to be a Western actor. Are you going to cross-dress as the female guide?"

Lin Nan teased him.

He saw Zhu Yawen's eyes widen instantly. "You don't mean you can actually decide the casting for this female guide role you mentioned, right?"

"Hahaha, you guessed it." Lin Nan smiled and nodded.

"I originally wanted two roles, but New Line only agreed to give me one, so I took the female guide role, which counts as one of the leads. She can be written as Asian.

The investment amount I asked for was also cut a bit, but fortunately, my screenwriting fee can be taken as a share of the box office."

Lin Nan was talking, and Zhu Yawen was listening; the latter's brain was buzzing, filled entirely with the words "investment amount."