Chapter 59: News Flying Everywhere

There were media outlets with far-reaching connections, reporting that internal conflicts had apparently emerged within Huayi, pointing directly at the top brass.

But very quickly, this piece of tabloid news vanished.

Many who saw it didn't take it seriously, but those with an eye for such things noticed that the matter had quietly passed without even a statement.

A piece of news from across the ocean was pinned to the top of a portal website.

"Hollywood's New Line Cinema recently announced a new film plan, confirming collaboration with renowned director and screenwriter Lin Nan on the 3D sci-fi adventure film 'Journey to the Center of the Earth'.

The latter is participating as screenwriter and investor; the film's initial budget reaches sixty million US dollars, with Lin Nan holding a thirty percent stake…"

"'Dead Silence' allowed Lin Nan to smoothly open the door to Hollywood. New Line is the second Hollywood film company, after Lionsgate, to extend an olive branch to Lin Nan…"

"Lionsgate director Wan Wan Ziren stated in an interview that he looks forward to Lin Nan's new film with New Line; he is the director of the hit horror film 'Dead Silence'."

The domestic film and television industry was dazzled by this news, and for a time all other entertainment gossip was suppressed.

People who knew him and those who didn't were all reaching out to Lin Nan.

From the available information, everyone could easily calculate Lin Nan's investment share: eighteen million US dollars.

The various film companies were the most enthusiastic, all inquiring about the truth of the matter. Although the news from New Line couldn't possibly be false, everyone hoped to get confirmation straight from Lin Nan.

After taking calls one after another from Enlight, Wanda's Ye Ning, Western Film, and others, and being teased by Ning Hao for half a day, Lin Nan finally accepted a phone interview with a reporter and stated outright that it was true.

Soon, the news was updated.

"Our reporter has obtained confirmation from Lin Dao Nan that the collaboration with New Line Cinema on the new film 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' is real, and the thirty percent investment amount is accurate."

Now everyone was truly restless, all guessing whether Lin Nan had casting authority. With a thirty percent investment share, logically he couldn't have no say in casting, and Lin Nan was also the screenwriter—Hollywood screenwriters aren't as weak as they are domestically.

The quick-witted media had already gone to dig up the original novel, or were asking their contacts on that side to find out about the adapted script.

A three-person protagonist team, an uncle and nephew, plus a female guide character—with a sixty million US dollar investment, the leads are basically these three.

Now a huge wave of talent agencies began approaching Lin Nan; even Zhang Zhang Ziyi's agent came calling. Lin Nan was still curious—wasn't she currently preparing for 'The Banquet'? What a big appetite!

For those inquiring about casting, Lin Nan didn't meet with anyone and said nothing; the few who knew wouldn't let it slip either.

China Film struck first, announcing that it had secured a four million US dollar investment share from Lin Nan, adding more fuel to the fire.

Shanghai Film followed closely behind, similarly publicly revealing that it had obtained an investment share, also four million, just like China Film.

The involvement of these two state-owned leaders of the film and television industry truly made this a nailed-down fact.

Only then did the crowd realize that Lin Nan had long since reached agreements with China Film and Shanghai Film; this was merely the public announcement.

"There are still some shares that haven't been finalized, roughly…"

This was the message Lin Nan had someone pass out.

"Big brother, let me go reach out to Lin Nan. We need this investment to stabilize the situation going forward. Wang Wang Jinghua has already made up her mind to leave…"

"Fine, you go, but he won't let go easily. We need to be prepared to pay a premium."

"I understand."

……

Lu Zheng looked at the news in his hand, his interest stirred, but he held back.

"If he has decision-making power over that female role, we could help you buy it, but unfortunately there's no confirmation."

A Hollywood sci-fi film with a sixty million US dollar budget—even in Hollywood, its female lead would be a hot commodity, let alone domestically.

If Lin Nan revealed that he could decide the allocation of this female role, the actresses seeking him could drown him; he didn't doubt for a moment the frenzy of these domestic actresses.

Miss Jing Tian held a book in her hands, not thick—it was the original novel of 'Journey to the Center of the Earth'.

"But Lin Dao Nan also didn't explicitly say he has no say in casting." Miss Jing Tian said softly.

"It seems you're quite fond of this film."

Lu Zheng said with a smile.

"Judging from New Line and Lin Nan's moves, they should be confident about this film's profitability. Since they're confident about profits, they'll be much more selective about collaboration partners. I'll have someone go and inquire."

"Okay, Uncle Lu."

Choosing to enter the film and television circle was Miss Jing Tian's own idea—a wish from childhood. For this, her family had found Lu Zheng to help her.

The first step was to release an EP, hiring Wang Fei's producer to help her with the songwriting, and for the title track MV, they even got the rising star director Ning Hao.

And this was just the stepping stone to entering the industry; if she could directly act in a film, that would be best.

But currently there was no opportunity to enter a major director's crew; on the contrary, crews in Hong Kong would let you in if you had the money.

Although Miss Jing Tian wasn't very old, she still wanted to enter a proper major crew, not that 'Furious Python Shock' she had in her hands.

On the other side, Liu's mother was also asking Liu Liu Yifei, "When Lin Nan came to visit that day, didn't he talk to you about film matters?"

Liu Liu Yifei and Watching Shu Chang both shook their heads. "We didn't talk about those things that day."

Liu's mother was somewhat regretful. "This is a Hollywood film; if only he could call the shots."

Liu Liu Yifei felt her mother was being presumptuous again.

"How about we go ask him?"

Watching Shu Chang suggested.

"Let's not—if he wanted to say something, he would have."

Liu Liu Yifei disagreed with Watching Shu Chang's suggestion.

Lin Nan received a call from Wang Wang Zhonglei. First came a round of polite social pleasantries, and only at the end did he get to the point, hoping to obtain a portion of the remaining shares in Lin Nan's hands.

Lin Nan didn't agree directly, but told him he could find time to come in for a face-to-face meeting, together with the other companies.

Not deceiving the young Mr. Wang, Lin Nan had also received intentions from other companies, including the old friend Enlight, and Wanda, which was currently expanding its theater chain.

To be honest, along with Huayi, these three were indeed the private enterprises Lin Nan could ideally collaborate with.

Although Wanda hadn't yet ventured into upstream industries, its intentions were clear—as could be seen from inquiring about shares with Lin Nan.

An unexpected visitor called on Lin Nan—someone from Emperor Entertainment Group.

"Mr. Lin, we meet again."

This was Lin Nan's second time meeting this Yinghuang artist director.

"Ms. Huo, long time no see. What brings you here this time? I haven't heard that Director Jiang Wen's side is going poorly."

Lin Nan invited Huo Huo Wenxi into the office.

"Mr. Lin, don't play dumb. You must have guessed the purpose of my visit."

Huo Huo Wenxi, dressed in urban beauty attire, sat across from Lin Nan and chatted freely.

Lin Nan stopped playing dumb. "Ms. Huo, you've come too early. Wait until the few parties sit down together, then we'll talk."

"Mr. Lin, what other parties are there? In my view, whether it's funding, artists, or status, Yinghuang is your most suitable choice."

"Hong Kong Island is too small. My base is in the mainland, and the future belongs to the mainland market too…"

Huo Huo Wenxi hadn't expected Lin Nan to be so direct.

"Since Miss Huo has come to the capital, stay a couple more days. When it's time to talk, I'll notify you, how about that?"

Huo Huo Wenxi thought briefly, then nodded in agreement.

"Then I'll wait for Mr. Lin's call. I'll also drop by to visit Director Jiang Wen's set."

"No problem."

……

Over twenty days, "Return to Dust" wrapped, with a box office of 10.8 million.

News that had vanished for a few days resurfaced. This time, gossip reporters had somehow obtained confirmed information.

They stated outright that Wang Wang Jinghua had fallen out with Huayi Brothers and would lead her artists away from Huayi's management company, even reporting the suspected poaching target.

Unlike the last vague and general news, this time specific individuals were named, and specific events were detailed.

Everyone in the circle knew Huayi was the leader among private film and television companies.

What cemented this position was not only having a prolific director like Feng Feng Xiaogang in hand, but also the massive roster of artists and stars under its banner—plenty of big names, and more powerhouse actors than you could count.

Artist management revenue had always occupied a non-negligible share in Huayi's profit composition. Everyone in the circle was happy to watch the drama.

Regarding this matter, Huayi Brothers Film and Television Media's response was that it was completely baseless.

On the other side, Wang Wang Jinghua's response was that she was on a business trip and would speak upon returning to the capital.

The suspected acquiring company, Orange Sky, also couldn't explain things clearly.

While the news flew everywhere outside, Lin Nan waited at his own company for representatives from four companies to arrive.

Yinghuang's Huo Huo Wenxi, Huayi's Young Mr. Wang, Enlight Media's vice president, and a senior executive from Wanda Cinema Line.

"First, I need to make clear to the four of you: I only have six million in quota left. China Film, Shanghai Film, and my side each have four million."

"These six million can't go to just one party, and there can't be too many partners. My plan is to split between two companies—highest bidder wins."

Lin Nan got straight to the point and stated his meaning directly. Looking at their expressions, they had all been mentally prepared beforehand.

China Film and Shanghai Film have backgrounds and authority, and can vouch for the import and distribution of foreign films, so they got their quotas at face value—but these few companies definitely can't.

A premium was inevitable; the four just hadn't expected Lin Nan to want only two companies—meaning each company would get an investment quota of three million US dollars.

From the start, Lin Nan had a rough idea in his mind, and the result fully matched his expectations.

Although Enlight Media was moving toward the film business, its main business was still variety shows and television.

Lin Nan had a good relationship with Enlight Media, but their actual strength was indeed lacking, so they were the first to drop out.

"Please give my regards to Mr. Wang."

"I will, Lin Dao."

Yinghuang coveted this chance to reach Hollywood directly, but Hong Kong people's style of doing things made Huo Huo Wenxi less decisive than Wanda and Huayi in bidding, so she was the second to drop out.

"Miss Huo, let's work together next time there's an opportunity," Lin Nan said.

"No matter. There will be chances in the future. Yinghuang looks forward to working with you, Lin Dao."

Huo Huo Wenxi also left early.

Huayi and Wanda each got three million in investment quota, but they spent four million two hundred thousand.

"Lin Dao, please keep this matter confidential for a while. When the time comes, my side will announce it."

Wang Wang Zhonglei said.

"That's no problem. I believe Enlight Media and Miss Huo's side won't take the initiative to leak it either."

"We'll definitely just mind our own business."

The Wanda executive did him a favor.

Wang Wang Zhonglei left the door thoroughly satisfied.

"Lin Dao, there's something I'd like to ask."

The Wanda person spoke up.

"What is it?"

Lin Nan still had to give his partner face.

"For this film, did you really not get a role? Like that female lead, for instance."

Lin Nan hesitated.

"She's not part of what we're cooperating on."

The other party seemed to understand what Lin Nan meant.

"I understand. Thank you, Lin Dao."