Chapter 53

After some probing, everyone knew Lin Nan's meaning. This time, they couldn't get 'The Conjuring', but in the future, Lionsgate will definitely still be the party with the greatest opportunity.

"Tang Mu, you can reveal a little bit, I'm ready to return to the country."

Lin Nan is ready to take the initiative.

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

Tang Mu is a shrewd person and understood Lin Nan's intention immediately.

The next day, Tang Mu came to see Lin Nan excitedly, saying that someone had contacted him and wanted to meet Lin Nan.

At the same time, Lionsgate also heard some wind.

"New Line? Which of Lin's works did they fancy?"

Lionsgate couldn't help but be serious. New Line, like Lionsgate, is an independent film company, and the fields involved have a high degree of overlap.

New Line's main business at the beginning was distribution, mainly targeting European and local low-cost horror films. Later, it entered production and began to invest in filming horror films.

It was previously acquired by Warner, but retained the independent management rights of the film, and is now also a powerful film company.

"James, you can appropriately go to Lin Nan to inquire, as long as it is not the script we fancy."

A Lionsgate vice president instructed James Wan.

"I will ask."

"New Line Cinema?"

Lin Nan felt a bit familiar with this name, but there are too many independent film companies in Hollywood, and he really couldn't think of it for a while.

"They want to see me, then make an appointment."

Lin Nan decided to meet. He was also guessing which script the other party fancied.

"New Line Cinema? New Line Cinema!"

After Tang Mu left, Lin Nan muttered a few times, and finally reacted suddenly.

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

Lin Nan remembered this film company. Few Chinese people can have series films in Hollywood, and they are still starring.

Jackie Chan's 'Rush Hour' is, this is the series film that established his international status, which was produced by New Line Cinema.

At this moment, Lin Nan seemed to have guessed what they wanted.

A sunny afternoon.

Lin Nan didn't expect the people from New Line to be so crisp, directly inviting him to meet at Santa Monica Beach. Doesn't doing this count as putting eye drops on Lionsgate?

"Lin, the script of 'Dead Silence' is great, Lionsgate made a lot of money this time, our business department expects it to harvest about 100 million in global box office, and the cost of less than 3 million is simply a surprise."

"Thank you, I think we should get straight to the point."

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

"Of course. We want 'Journey to the Center of the Earth'. You got the novel copyright, and the written script is also very excellent.

We plan to make it into a 3D series film, with the version from decades ago as a foundation, it is the most suitable, just like Jackie's 'Rush Hour', it will definitely succeed."

The middle-aged foreigner from New Line talked eloquently, and mentioned Jackie Chan and 'Rush Hour' by the way.

Lin Nan knew that his second half of the sentence was completely trying to get close.

"But I can't be as easy to talk to as the first time I talked to Lionsgate, because Lionsgate was the first, so I only asked for 20% of the share. Only the first person willing to take risks 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 40% of the investment, and two roles." Lin Nan said.

The other party raised his eyelids and revealed a meaningful smile.

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

Lin Nan leaned back, leaning on the sofa.

"'Journey to the Center of the Earth' is different from 'Dead Silence', it can be released in more regions..."

The people from New Line were stunned and revealed a helpless smile, "What you said is not bad, but how can you guarantee that it can be released over there?"

"You are already shaken, aren't you? This kind of production, 40% investment, I can't eat it."

Lin Nan smiled.

"Lin, it seems that you were already prepared before meeting me. How do you say it in your words, you are confident, right?

I need to go back and report your requirements to the company, and reply to you finally, but I estimate that even if I agree, it will not be the 40% you want."

The people from New Line stretched out their hands, and Lin Nan shook them.

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

"Goodbye."

The independent film circle has several obvious advantages over the traditional Big Eight, that is, it is purer, more inclusive, less exclusive, and more able to accept foreigners.

Although New Line Cinema belongs to the Time Warner Group, because of some reasons, it is still mixing in the independent film circle.

"Lin, how did you talk?"

Sending away the people from New Line, Tang Mu leaned over and asked.

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

"James Wan wants to know the purpose of New Line looking for you." Tang Mu said another sentence.

"You help me reply to him, it's not the few scripts that Lionsgate fancied."

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

"Before New Line replies to me, don't contact other companies. It's best to drag it out if they look for you." Lin Nan added.

"But it can't be dragged for a few days. It was already said that you are going to return to the country immediately. Wouldn't this be self-contradictory?" Tang Mu reminded.

"It won't take that long, at most one or two days, New Line won't drag me either."

"Then there is no problem."

Lin Nan didn't want to look at the box office data sent by Zhongying anymore. He could only say it was miserable, increasing by hundreds of thousands every day, looking at it made his heart panic.

Without waiting long, Lin Nan met the person from New Line again. This time, there were two more, a man and a woman.

"Lin, you won, the market behind you is really 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 plan.

We plan to use the digital 3D form for this movie, the initial budget is 60 million US dollars, and the investment amount can only give you 30% at most, one role except the male lead, and the screenwriter fee goes according to the box office share."

"Just the first one?" Lin Nan asked back.

"Yes, according to the results of the first one, let's talk about the later ones. Anyway, the novel copyright is with you."

Lin Nan thought for a moment and agreed to this allocation plan.

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

Lin Nan stretched out his hand and said.

"Lin, I wish us a happy cooperation."

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

…………

This kind of movie generally doesn't need much effort to film. The main work is post-production special effects and 3D effects.

Lin Nan gave some of his own suggestions, it is best not to produce only one 3D format.

If you want to consider global release, for the sake of box office, you have to consider those places without 3D cinemas. New Line said it would think about this problem carefully.

Science fiction films have always been relatively expensive, and the production costs are not small. Being able to give Lin Nan 30% of the investment, plus screenwriter shares, is already a great concession.

Even if it is 30%, it is a huge sum of money. Lin Nan never thought about paying for it himself from the beginning. This can be taken back to do "favors", and premium favors are also favors.

According to New Line's requirements, next New Year's Day, which is December at the latest this year, Lin Nan must have 30% of the funds in place.

The time is still very abundant. At the same time, the actors for the female guide must be determined. After the crew is ready, notify the start of filming at any time.

"Tang Mu, you don't need to help me drag those companies anymore. After signing the contract with New Line, I will go back."

"I guessed it was this result."

Tang Mu complained.

Lin Nan smiled, "Wait for Lionsgate to settle my share, I will definitely add a bonus to you."

"Oh, you look really handsome when you say this."

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 flight in the early morning, thinking about adjusting the time difference on the plane, and it would be morning when he went back.

Domestic time, after 9 o'clock in the morning on the 10th, Lin Nan arrived at the Capital Airport.

Wrapped tightly, Lin Nan got into a car.

"I said you are shameless enough to notify me to pick you up a day in advance."

Zhu Yawen nagged while starting the car.

"Went to be a thief last night, it's already this time, and the circles under your eyes are still so dark?" Lin Nan asked back.

"Participated in an event, didn't sleep for a few hours." Zhu Yawen said angrily.

"Alright, alright, drive, I'll treat you to breakfast." Lin Nan waved his hand and smiled.

"Okay, go to the private kitchen."

Zhu Yawen changed his tone instantly, preparing to slaughter the big household.

"Okay, just the private kitchen, I've been almost stupid from eating Western food for more than ten days."

Lin Nan smacked his lips, also missing Chinese food.

At the dinner table, the two chatted while eating.

"'Apart Together' box office is quite stable every day now, 700,000 or 800,000, for many days." Zhu Yawen muttered.

"I know, just like this, I don't expect it to get much box office."

"You have been over there for a long time this time, 'Dead Silence' has spread, especially after the three-day box office came out, there are simply too many people asking about you."

Zhu Yawen remembered his experience these days again.

"Hehe, they looked for you?"

Lin Nan looked at Zhu Yawen and could guess the scene.

"Definitely, the company's atmosphere is so strange now, Boss Wang specifically found me to chat, asking about your itinerary over there in his words.

I am also very curious, you have been over there for more than ten days, it is impossible to just keep an eye on the box office of a 'Dead Silence', right?"

Lin Nan stopped his chopsticks and wiped his mouth, "Old Zhu, I definitely won't have only this one thing, I also talked about a movie."

Zhu Yawen's eyes lit up instantly, "What movie, are you short of actors? Is there one suitable for me?"

Looking at the three consecutive questions, Zhu Yawen, who was a bit excited, Lin Nan shook his head.

"Pfft." Zhu Yawen was excited for nothing.

"It's really not suitable for you. Science fiction novel adaptation, 'Journey to the Center of the Earth', two uncles and nephews plus a female guide, New Line Cinema controls it. Which one do you think you are suitable for?

That uncle definitely won't work, it must be a European and American actor. Do you want to cross-play as a female guide?"

Lin Nan teased.

Then he saw Zhu Yawen's eyes widen, "You can't really decide the candidate for this female guide role you mentioned, right?"

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

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

The investment amount I wanted was also cut by a part. Fortunately, my screenwriter fee can take a box office share."

Lin Nan was talking, Zhu Yawen was listening, the latter's brain was buzzing at the moment, all were the three words investment amount.