Chapter 643

……

Just as Wanda acquired Legendary Pictures, Warcraft was officially announced with a confirmed release date;

Suddenly, related topics and online heat surged like oil poured onto fire, climbing another level.

After all, this was Warcraft, a top-tier visual spectacle co-produced by Legendary Pictures and Blizzard; its gaming fanbase spanned the globe, countless in number!

"I was wondering if China Film Group had been criticized so much lately that they dared not schedule Warcraft for summer, but instead placed it in early June?"

"Pretty much, that's definitely part of the reason. After all, that's a death slot—online news and public attention are almost entirely focused on the college entrance exam;

so you can imagine how difficult promotion and box office performance would be, with half the effort yielding minimal results. Even if it's a global top-tier IP with countless fans, what good does that do?"

The meal lasted until 3 p. m.; when they stepped out, Lin Nan and the others heard the news of Warcraft's domestic release date.

Thus, Wang Wang Changtian and Lin Nan couldn't help but tease each other.

For a film of this scale to miss the big slot, it must be agonizing—Wanda probably wasn't in a good mood either.

"Strange—has Ye Ning really vanished during his vacation? With Wanda swallowing Legendary Pictures, he hasn't shown up at all—gone abroad to relax?"

On the way back to Guangxian, Wang Wang Changtian muttered under his breath.

"He's worked tirelessly at Wanda for all these years—can't he be allowed to enjoy life a little?"

Lin Nan joked as they turned the corner and ran into Xie Nan and Liu Yan: "Hey? You two just back from outside?"

"Shao Shuai airs tonight on Capital TV, and officially streams online tomorrow morning—just finished the premiere press conference. I'm the host, she's a guest star."

Xie Nan explained with a smile; Liu Yan nodded in agreement beside him.

"I know this drama—directed by Zhang Li. Starring Wen Zhang and Li Li Xuejian, strong cast—should be a good series," Wang Wang Changtian commented with interest.

Lin Nan merely nodded perfunctorily; Potato must have bought the streaming rights.

What to say about Wen Zhang? Classic case of sudden success leading to arrogance;

then, seized upon by numerous rivals and some capital interests during the "Monday Incident," he was dragged down from the top tier. He brought it on himself—no one else to blame.

But as for acting skill, he's still excellent! On that front, actors from the Central Academy of Drama are unquestionable.

As everyone laughed and walked into the elevator, Lin Nan learned what role Liu Yan played in Shao Shuai;

she portrayed the protagonist's cousin-in-law—the object of his adolescent wet-pants dreams—what a twist!

……

A reimagined version of "The World Is Always Good to You," performed by Cheng Shaohqiu and Mo Mo Wenwei with Zhou Zhou Xingchi handling mixing, became the second promotional song for The Mermaid, following Deng Chao's "Invincible."

It was also the film's insert song. Upon release, it instantly went viral online.

One must admit, in terms of promotional intensity and reach, The Mermaid utterly crushed all other Spring Festival films like Ocean Heaven 3 and The Monkey King: The Wondrous Battle of the White Bone Demon.

The industry was already prepared—Zhou Zhou Xingchi was likely coming in with serious intent!

From the 10th to the 11th, 12th, 13th, until the morning of the 14th—four consecutive days had passed since Tang Ren Qintan's release, now fully two weeks.

Its total box office delivered a "shock" to the entire domestic film industry, leaving everyone stunned, swallowing hard, then grumbling in disbelief at the "shock!"

"Co-produced by Lin Nan Pictures, Guangxian, Wanda, China Film Group, and Shanghai Film Group, directed by Lin Nan, produced by Liu Liu Yifei, the New Year's comedy-action-mystery blockbuster Tang Ren Qintan has been in theaters for two weeks, with total box office officially surpassing 2 billion, reaching 2.016 billion…"

"The film Tang Ren Qintan, after two weeks, officially became the second Chinese-language film in history to surpass 2 billion yuan in single-film box office; it is also Lin Nan's second 2-billion-yuan film as director."

"Undoubtedly, Tang Ren Qintan will today break and surpass the 2.053 billion record held by Lin Nan's film Mount Mount Weihu—becoming the new highest-grossing domestic film!"

……

Broke 2 billion!

The entire film industry and production sector stared at the 2.016 billion box office figure, most hearts filled with mixed emotions.

Guangxian, Wanda, China Film Group, and Shanghai Film Group were the most excited; Ying Huang and Xi Film, having collaborated before, felt mostly nostalgia and envy.

As for other industry peers, most wore sour expressions; some were even the cannon fodder and stepping stones that made the 2.016 billion possible.

"Good good good—2.016 billion in two weeks! I remember when Mount Mount Weihu climbed to 2 billion only in the to extension month—but this one did it in just two weeks!"

At China Film Group, La La Peikang muttered excitedly;

beside him, Ren Ren Zhonglun was equally thrilled—Shanghai Film Group had finally gotten a taste of this.

This was the second 2-billion-yuan film in Chinese-language cinema history—and the one about to set the new box office record!

Sitting on the sofa, Zhou Zhou Xingchi wore a face full of longing and envy; he never concealed his extreme greed for money.

"No need to call—China Film Group only has a 15% share anyway, can't claim the same credit as with Mount Mount Weihu."

After his own excitement, Ren Ren Zhonglun began to dampen someone else's mood.

Sure enough, La La Peikang's face darkened instantly; he shot Ren Ren Zhonglun a sour glance, then remembered The Meigonghe Operation—China Film Group's share was only 5%!

"Call him—capitalize on the momentum and allocate more promotional resources, and apply for the to extension key."

As he spoke, La La Peikang reached for his phone.

Ren Ren Zhonglun's expression flickered with disdain: "Do you really think you need to say that? Lin Nan and Wang Wang Changtian already handled it—didn't count on you…"

Before he finished speaking, La La Peikang had already hung up.

Because the call wouldn't go through—it was busy…

Was it rejected immediately? Blocked? Or set to Do Not Disturb?

"Director La, Director Ren, I have an idea—after The Mermaid releases, let's also apply for the to extension key. What do you think?"

At this moment, Zhou Zhou Xingchi, silent for a long time, finally spoke.

"Won't it need to crush the other Spring Festival films before it even has the right to ask?"

……

Lin Nan had set Do Not Disturb, because since the morning box office figures came out, congratulatory calls had never stopped.

And when he video-chatted with Liu Liu Yifei, he didn't want to be interrupted, so he simply didn't answer any calls—out of sight, out of mind.

"I'll check… I'll be back around the 20th—remember to pick me up on time."

Liu Liu Yifei, holed up in her hometown, wore a plain denim jacket and casual pants;

With her hair tied in a single ponytail, she looked completely natural, like a lotus rising from clear water;

At first glance, she exuded star quality. Her face simply wouldn't allow her to be low-key!

"You've only been back eight or nine days, and now you want to leave again?"

Before Lin Nan could respond to Liu Liu Yifei, another voice sounded from behind Miss Liu in the tablet's screen.

"Grandma, what you're saying, there's still a week left, hehe..."

Zhu Chun lightly parted, and a soft, cloying, coquettish voice naturally hummed out from Liu Liu Yifei's mouth.

"Only a week left? Time flies so fast, it feels like you just got back yesterday,"

Lin Nan really didn't know how to interject; watching Liu Liu Yifei coax the old lady into happiness, the scene was quite warm.

"Lin Nan, you two chat, I'll go see how they're preparing lunch..."

"Mm, Grandma, take your time."

"Grandma has already walked far away, you flatterer." Liu Liu Yifei blinked her eyes, teasing Lin Nan with a smile.

"Producer Liu's 'Tang Ren Zhou Jie Tan An' has broken 2 billion."

"I know; from morning until just now, I've received no small number of calls and messages."

Liu Liu Yifei tilted her head, a sweet smile constantly on her face, dragging out her tone, very languid.

Lin Nan pretended to look left and right, then grinned, "This director of yours is waiting for you to come back and be 'privately regulated'..."

"You'll die!"

Miss Liu was startled; she nervously looked left and right, ensuring no one was around, then gave Lin Nan an annoyed glare and bared her teeth.

"Just wait until I get back and deal with you!"

The birth of a 2-billion-box-office film was undoubtedly the most heavyweight event in the industry for this New Year's season.

Because every time such a film emerges, it means the market has grown significantly larger;

And according to the pace of domestic economic development and the momentum of the film market's growth:

Producing the first such film is difficult, producing the second is still not easy, but from the third and fourth onward, the market will likely begin to show an explosive trend!

Although 'Star Wars 4: The Force Awakens' had a very bright box-office performance on its first and second days of release, since the third day when work resumed, the daily box office directly 'collapsed'!

150 million, 125 million, 36.6 million, 27.5 million, 24.4 million!

After five days of public screening, the total box office was 363.5 million; the daily box office is estimated to be around ten million.

One can only say that the hopes of industry peers who pinned high expectations on it, hoping it would pose some threat and impact to 'Tang Ren Zhou Jie Tan An', have all come to nothing.

In the study, Lin Nan stared at the names and introductions on the copyright list, and for a moment truly felt no interest whatsoever.

Until he stood up, his gaze sweeping over the bookshelf that was more than two meters high and more than five meters long, his eyes fixed on one spot.

Lin Nan pulled out that book but did not open it; he simply looked at the cover.

"Hmm? This year's work plan is already arranged... wait until the second half of the year or the end of the year, we can start preparations? Pre-production takes a long time, post-production will take even longer..."

Jin Dun.

Sometimes, when a project receives official help and support, then in certain aspects one cannot but consider some of the official opinions.

Lin Nan's achievement of a second 2-billion-box-office film record, and the matter of him about to create a new box-office record, was likewise a hotly discussed major event on Jin Dun's side.

"The Ministry attaches great importance to the main-melody commercial film 'Meigonghe Xingdong'; during its subsequent promotion, distribution, and public screening, support will certainly be provided. Plus Director Lin Nan's unparalleled box-office drawing power, the Ministry is full of expectations for this film's box office..."

"Now it seems all units are staring at main-melody films? Wanting to film a main-melody movie for their own promotion, I heard earlier..."

"I wonder if Lin Nan Film Industry has finished post-production yet?"

"Director Zhang, do you mean that regarding the scheduling, we should talk with Director Lin?"

"Mm, correct, but let's wait until a bit later to discuss it. The scheduling matter is also the Ministry's intention."