Chapter 554: Running Man

"This afternoon, Le Vision Pictures and Director Zhang Zhang Yimou's studio issued a joint announcement:

Director Zhang Zhang Yimou has confirmed an investment of 12 million yuan, purchasing 12 million shares of Le Vision Pictures' original stock at an internal price of 1 yuan per share!"

"At that time, Director Zhang Zhang Yimou will become Le Vision Pictures' first celebrity major shareholder!"

"President Zhang Zhao stated: Le Vision Pictures sincerely invites the participation and cooperation of many outstanding film and television professionals in the industry, and is willing to open investment channels to recruit talent with original shares!"

……

12 million shares of original stock!

This astonishing number made countless filmmakers in the film and television circle widen their eyes in envy!

It must be known that although Le Vision Pictures is not yet listed, its valuation is far higher than Huayi Brothers was before its initial listing.

And back then, Huayi Brothers' allocation of original shares to its contracted artists and directors was nowhere near as 'generous' and 'open-handed' as Le Vision Pictures!

Even the original share amounts held by the two pillar directors, Feng Feng Xiaogang and Zhang Zhang Jizhong, were only 2.88 million shares and 2.16 million shares respectively.

As for other artists, the maximum allocation was capped at 1.8 million shares, and only Huang Huang Xiaoming managed to buy the full 1.8 million shares.

Even with only one or two million shares, these people rode the wave of Huayi Brothers' listing and one by one transformed smoothly into billionaires.

Now compare that to Director Zhang Zhang Yimou, who owns 12 million shares of original stock... once Le Vision Pictures lists, what kind of fortune will this great director have?

No one in the film and television industry is not envious, but they can only envy silently.

Because in everyone's minds, only a great director like Zhang Zhang Yimou is qualified to receive such treatment!

China Film Group, Chairman's Office.

Beside La La Peikang, looking at Zhang Zhao's smiling face, felt very displeased.

Because this guy used Zhang Zhang Yimou as a 'bargaining chip' to demand an investment share in 'The Great Wall' and partial domestic distribution rights for the film.

"Chairman La, what do you think? To get Director Zhang Zhang Yimou to agree to direct 'The Great Wall', Le Vision has also paid a huge price."

Beside La La Peikang did not respond immediately, but instead frowned slightly.

If it were Lin Nan, he would not have hesitated at all.

After all, investment shares, box office revenue sharing, and the female lead role were all 'terms' that the three parties had actively offered to Lin Nan.

As for Le Vision? It gave him the sensation of a clown 'holding Zhang Zhang Yimou hostage to bargain'.

But no matter how much was said or how reluctant he felt, Beside La La Peikang could only agree, because Zhang Zhang Yimou was Le Vision's contracted director and could not be bypassed!

"Fine. But your share will not exceed 10 percent."

Hearing this, Zhang Zhao immediately became excited, "10 percent is enough, we are not greedy... what about the domestic distribution business?"

"We will give you a part of that too."

Beside La La Peikang said expressionlessly, then lifted his teacup.

Zhang Zhao understood; this meant he was in a bad mood and wanted him to leave?

"Chairman La, I will take my leave then. You are busy."

"Come to sign the contract with Zhang Zhang Yimou as soon as possible. Legendary and Universal will cooperate on casting, and the actors will undergo several months of closed training. By the way, the female lead is decided; she is a mainland actor."

Zhang Zhao was nodding when he suddenly heard the last sentence. He immediately knew in his heart; it was definitely another well-connected person, and one with significant influence!

"I understand, Chairman La. I will bring Director Zhang Zhang Yimou over tomorrow."

…………

For this October slot, Huang Bo could be called the biggest 'winner'.

He was the lead actor in three films: 'Dearest', 'The Stool Pigeon 2', and 'Lost in Beijing'.

Especially 'Lost in Beijing', which added another 1 billion box office film to Huang Bo's resume!

That's right, 'Lost in Beijing' took 14 days to officially break the 1 billion box office mark, ending with 1.02 billion! Daily box office dropped sharply again.

"You are unique among domestic actors. So far, there have only been five films with box office receipts over 1 billion, and you, damn it, acted in three of them!"

Bad Monkey, Ning Hao, muttered while picking up peanuts with his chopsticks.

Lin Nan ate on his own; the signature dishes sent by the hotel were indeed quite good.

Huang Bo took a small sip, in a very good mood, "I still need two great directors to guide and promote me so I can continue to improve. Don't you agree, Director Ning Ten-Billion?"

The table suddenly went silent; Lin Nan felt a bit disgusted by Huang Bo's flattery.

However, the next second, Ning Hao burst out laughing, "Hahaha, well said! Come, let's have a drink, haha..."

Damn it, Lin Nan witnessed Ning Hao's thick skin once again. This vanity, so naked, without even trying to be low-key?

"Cheers, happy together. Director Lin, join us too?" Huang Bo egged them on.

"I still have to drive home. What are you drinking? What, do you want me to be on the headlines tomorrow for drunk driving?"

"That's true, better be careful. If Lin Nan gets exposed for drunk driving, that would be a huge embarrassment. Hmm, when Fei returns, she'll kill us, right? Haha..."

Ning Hao stopped laughing halfway, pushed back by the look in Xing Ai's eyes, then changed his subject:

"Um, the victory banquet must be held at the end of this month. Lin Nan, I'm giving you a heads-up in advance."

"Have someone contact my company; they will cooperate."

So far, Lin Nan has accumulated over 250 million yuan in revenue sharing from the film 'Lost in Beijing'. A victory banquet is just a small matter; even if Lin Nan Pictures funded the entire event, there would be no problem!

……

Starlight is brilliant.

Lu Zheng returned from outside in a rush.

Today, China Film Group notified him to come over; he guessed it might be about the contract, and he didn't expect to guess correctly.

"Is Tiantian at the company?"

"President Lu, as soon as I received your call, I notified Tiantian. She is in the lounge right now, probably watching a movie."

"Good."

After replying, Lu Zheng headed straight for the lounge. An assistant holding a document bag followed closely behind him, never leaving his side.

He knocked on the door, and after hearing a "Come in," Lu Zheng pushed the door open.

On the screen, the movie *Pacific Rim* starring Miss Jing Tian was playing; Miss Jing Tian was watching intently, as this was her most impressive resume item.

"Tiantian, you've got the contract."

Hearing the voice, the assistant immediately handed the document folder to Miss Jing Tian; the latter was stunned for a moment, then a smile instantly bloomed on her face.

"Really? Let me see..."

As she spoke, she tore open the document folder.

The first page that came into view read "... Movie *The Great Wall* Actor Employment Contract..." and so on.

Watching Miss Jing Tian, who was holding the contract and looking absurdly happy, Lu Zheng suddenly felt a bit conflicted.

He didn't know whether to tell the girl in front of him another piece of news he had just learned from China Film.

On the screen, Miss Jing Tian's shot appeared; Lu Zheng glanced at it, then still spoke: "Tiantian..."

"Hmm, what is it, Uncle Lu?" Miss Jing Tian didn't look up, but continued flipping through the contract.

"*The Great Wall* requires closed-door training for several months..."

"I understand; co-produced action blockbusters are like that. I heard most of the main cast of *Kung Fu King* trained for a long time at Shichahai Sports School..."

"The director of *The Great Wall* is Zhang Zhang Yimou, not Lin Nan."

In the lounge, silence fell at once, leaving only the sound of the movie.

Miss Jing Tian raised her head, a flicker of panic and helplessness flashing in her eyes:

"Uncle Lu, what did you say?"

Amidst the anticipation of the masses, *Running Man* premiered.

In just one night, *Running Man* exploded!

Blueberry Channel's first season, first episode's viewership rating shot straight up to 5.9, and this was only the first episode.

Early in the morning, the entire internet was filled with *Running Man* topics; the entire internet was hotly discussing the pressure boards!

Every regular guest had their own characteristics: some a bit cheap, some a bit goofy, some humorous, some cunning, some pretty and cheerful, some agile and skilled... In short, they could all play freely!

Especially those game designs were even more tricky and interesting.

While "torturing" the guests, they made the audience laugh nonstop, laugh until their stomachs hurt, with no dull moments throughout!

And as the show exploded in popularity, all seven regular guests became the focus of online discussion and forcefully broke into Weibo's trending searches, surrounding Lu Han, who had just returned from South Korea, and there was a subtle trend of pushing him down.

Whether it was the variety show *Running Man* or the seven regular guests, the fact that they were hot was truly hot!

This had already become a consensus within the industry, because this format, this style of play, it was bound to be hot; moreover, everyone let loose, creating an extremely strong sense of immersion! The feeling for the audience was as if the stars were right across from them, right by their side!

"Hahaha, Lin Nan, it really worked! *Running Man* became an instant hit, completely not inferior to Mango's previous *Where Are We Going, Dad? * Moreover, our *Running Man* has a wider track, goes further, and has boundless potential!"

Lin Nan was discussing this matter with Yue Jun in the office when Wang Wang Changtian's call came in.

From that laughter and excited tone, one could tell his mood at that moment was extremely excited.

"Yes, *Running Man* will be a goose that lays golden eggs, continuing indefinitely."

"Season two..."

"Chairman Wang, the first season has only aired one episode; isn't it too early to talk about this?" Lin Nan interrupted the other party.

"Not too early."

"Let's talk about it after the first season concludes."

Hearing Lin Nan so decisive, Wang Wang Changtian didn't bring it up again, instead talking about something else.

"*Running Man* definitely promotes people; those not in the top tier will advance at the fastest speed, with worth, endorsements, and appearances... rolling in."

"Hmm, that's right."

"How about later, bring in some people from Light? You know, the group has never had anyone in the top tier..."

"Xie Nan, Liu Yan, and others can come; flying guests are completely fine."

"What about regulars? Let's calculate the time; the first season will finish airing after the New Year. For the second season, can we put Bao Bei'er from my side up?"

Lin Nan almost wanted to retort, but since the person on the other end was Wang Wang Changtian, he held back.

"In principle, I hope the regular guests are the original cast. Even if there are personnel changes, I will deliberate carefully and not be rash. Chairman Wang, to be honest, I don't favor your company's Bao Bei'er, including his performance in *Lost in Hong Kong* this time."

"So absolute?"

"I'm a director; I'm quite accurate when judging actors. That 'number one brother' of your company is strangely arrogant, quite snobbish, and has many flaws. Last time, in conversation, he even looked down on his own company's colleagues, hehe."

Lin Nan stopped there and didn't say more. He knew Bao Bei'er was highly valued by Wang Wang Changtian and flattered him very well!

"Is it as terrible as you say? Alright, let's see later... Flying guests can still be arranged, right?"

After hanging up Wang Wang Changtian's call, Lin Nan shook his head helplessly.

He looked at Yue Jun, who had been waiting opposite for a while, and instructed:

"Add more staff to Dilraba's team as soon as possible. The path of a 'star' is not easy; everything must be in place, especially external publicity."

"Understood. In just one night, her fan count increased by over a million," Yue Jun replied with a smile.

"Over a million? That's still far from enough. When the first season of *Running Man* concludes, I hope she stands at least at the forefront of the second tier, or even with one foot stepping into the ranks of top-tier little flowers. By the time of the second season, she will have fully entered the top tier."

If Lin Nan's words were to spread within the industry, many artists would probably be insanely envious.

Yue Jun nodded with a light laugh, "She is a lucky one."

(End of this chapter)