Chapter 683: Wang Wang Changtian's Sigh—The Third Film

China Film.

Beside La La Peikang's expectations for "The Great Wall" had always been extremely high.

Otherwise he wouldn't have had people communicate and negotiate to the fullest extent, hoping to synchronize the film's global release date—at the very least, to have it open simultaneously in North America and domestically.

But as things stood now, that wish of his seemed impossible to achieve;

because Universal Pictures had explicitly opposed setting "The Great Wall"'s North American release date in December, which was the Chinese-language film market's New Year season.

"What's their reason?" Beside La La Peikang's expression was not pleasant as he questioned his secretary.

"Universal's side says there are already several major films heading for the late-November Thanksgiving window in the North American market:

including the "Harry Potter" spin-off "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," the comedy "Bad Santa 2," Disney's "Moana"…

Most importantly, November through January is awards season in North America, and a flood of films will be released in clusters. If 'The Great Wall' is set for December, it would be very unfavorable."

Seeing the big boss silent and expressionless, the secretary steeled himself and continued to add:

"Moreover, Universal's side specifically reminded us: North America is different from domestically—films there don't have a release-window limit, they can keep screening indefinitely, the campaign will be drawn out very long;

so they've decided to set 'The Great Wall''s North American release window in mid-February, to avoid the impact of awards season… but by that time, the domestic Spring Festival golden week will already be over."

Beside La La Peikang frowned and said nothing. Although this outcome displeased him, he had to admit that Universal's side had very reasonable, correct considerations.

"Then go notify LeTV—the release windows for 'The Great Wall' domestically and in North America will be staggered; then go communicate with Zhang Zhang Yimou's studio… and start drafting the film's promotional plan.

The domestic release date will be set for the New Year season; additionally, make sure there's at least a one-month gap from 'Journey to the West: Fu Yao Pian.'"

After a moment's thought, Beside La La Peikang gave the order decisively.

"Journey to the West: Fu Yao Pian" opens on January 28 during the Spring Festival season, and like "The Great Wall," China Film is one of the lead controllers.

But to be honest, Beside La La Peikang himself valued "The Great Wall" more, because it was a major co-production meant for global release.

"Understood, Director La, I'll go right now." Beside La La Peikang waved his hand, watching as his secretary left the office.

He had anticipated that this year's New Year season competition would be brutally fierce, far surpassing previous years, even exceeding next year's late-January Spring Festival season.

After all, films like "Operation Meigonghe" would most likely also be in the New Year season, wouldn't they?

But he still had absolute confidence in "The Great Wall" and "Journey to the West: Fu Yao Pian," as well as "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" on November 11.

Three blockbusters, the pulling power of four top-tier directors—such a lineup would be hard for other industry companies or capital to match. And China Film had assembled them all!

……

Another two or three days passed.

It wasn't until the morning of the 11th that the paparazzi and entertainment reporters staking out Lin Nan Pictures, Enlight, and Wanda gradually drifted away, having mostly given up.

Because they hadn't gotten even a whiff of casting news for "Pacific Rim 2," nor had they managed to snap even a single industry star.

A whole week's effort had been wasted.

However, "Pacific Rim 2"'s attention and buzz online and within the industry remained undiminished;

simply because this film was the top-tier film resource domestically in the past two years; and who could guarantee when the next global A-class production of equal caliber would come along—it might be till the cows come home!

"Warner Bros.' side says that by the end of this month or early next month, all the Chinese-side staff, including engineers, can set off for Hollywood. Project preparation officially begins."

"How many people in total?" Lin Nan looked up at Yue Jun and asked.

"Our company, plus Enlight and Western Film—150 people total. Wanda isn't participating."

Lin Nan nodded upon hearing this; he had anticipated from the start that Wanda wouldn't send people to join the film's production team.

After all, when you got right down to it, Wanda Pictures' scale really wasn't large, film and television production wasn't a core business of the group, and they had no plans to invest heavily in training behind-the-scenes personnel.

"Then let's do it at the end of the month—charter a plane for those 150 people."

Lin Nan signed the last document while instructing Yue Jun.

He glanced at his watch—it was just past 10 a. m.; he had been busy at the company for over an hour and wanted to leave early.

Just as Lin Nan stood up, Yue Jun got the hint, and both were about to leave the office when the phone rang.

"Hm? Not going to let me get off work?" Lin Nan looked at the incoming call and laughed helplessly.

"Lin Dao?" Yue Jun probed.

"It's Happy Happy Mahua's side!"

While walking out, Lin Nan answered the phone with a smile: "Yan Dao? Is Happy Mahua's side not busy with performances lately?"

"Lin Dao, every time I hear you call me 'Yan Dao,' I feel utterly ashamed! Ha ha… It's almost noon, would it be convenient to treat you to lunch? I'll report on Happy Mahua's new film project plans while I'm at it."

Waving at Yue Jun, Lin Nan stepped into the elevator and replied: "Sure, give me the location. By the way, I still need to check in with our producer."

"Then Lin Dao can bring Producer Liu along—I'll go apply to Boss Zhang right now, upgrade the meal to the top tier, double the budget, and have them all come keep us company! Ha ha…" Yan Fei picked up the thread, laughing as he spoke.

"Eh? The way you say that, it's as if I don't deserve to go alone?"

Lin Nan laughed and retorted. As for bringing Liu Liu Yifei along? She couldn't be bothered—she'd choose to invite Han Jianü or Zhou Xun and Xie Nan out for a meal!

Over at Happy Happy Mahua, Yan Fei cheerfully denied it three times in a row, then busied himself with the arrangements.

He looked at Song Yang and the others and teased:

"I've gotten him to come, you guys get ready—noon together. Song Yang, this is your first film, feeling excited?"

"The way you put it—of course I'm excited, not just excited, I'm thrilled! Allen, Ma Li, what about you two?"

"Ah, well, Director Song, please take good care of me." Ma Li laughed and cupped her fists.

"Please guide me well, Director Song."

"Oh, it's nothing, nothing at all, ha ha…"

Happy Happy Mahua's mission was always to give every signed artist a chance to break out; whether they could seize it depended on each person's own 'fate,' whether as lead actor or director!

……

Enlight.

Some supporting roles in "Pacific Rim 2" had been tossed to Wang Wang Changtian by Lin Nan, originally meant to "look after" the mainland film and television circle; in other words, for exchange or favors.

One substantial supporting role had already been taken by Jiang Jiang Xuerou; the remaining ones, Wang Wang Changtian naturally "cherished" greatly, acting very low-key and discreet.

But at this moment, he looked at the head of the group's talent management department, and unusually wore a "long, troubled face," then sighed helplessly:

"Don't even think about it. There was never any chance of giving it to Bao Beier in the first place, and then there was that incident at the end of last month. Lin Nan's side is very disgusted with him…"

Hearing this, not only was the head of the talent management department somewhat regretful, even the vice president in charge of the production department, Li Li Xiaoping, felt the same way.

This Sino-American co-produced A-grade sci-fi blockbuster — they clearly had an investment share, yet couldn't squeeze anyone in. It was truly frustrating to the extreme.

"Then forget it, Director Wang. He deserves it."

A few minutes later, the group left Wang Wang Changtian's office.

On the 5th floor, the head of the talent management department shook his head at Bao Beier, who was waiting there:

"Don't even think about it… Let me remind you of one thing: in this circle, sucking up to the powerful and trampling the weak isn't really wrong, but bullying the soft and fearing the hard is truly a cardinal sin — especially when you're bullying one of your own!"

One sentence, containing both the result and the reason. Bao Beier's face went deathly pale. "Thanks, boss. I'll remember this lesson."

Elsewhere, Lin Nan drove to the destination. In the private room, there were only four people: Yan Fei, Song Yang, Allen, and Ma Li.

"Lin Dao, didn't you say you'd bring Producer Liu along?"

Yan Fei proactively pulled out a chair for Lin Nan, while the other three all rose with flattering smiles.

"She went out to eat with Zhou Xun. We were going to invite Han Jianü too, but somehow — a person who's usually so lazy and gluttonous — she actually turned it down today, saying she was busy?"

Lin Nan laughed as he roasted Han Jianü, then sat down.

Once the table was laden with a dazzling array of dishes, Yan Fei also began to discuss business. Song Yang beside him wore an eager expression.

"The third film, *Yin Yin Xiuxiu's Iron Fist*?"

"Yes, Lin Dao. According to plan, this film will be directed by Song Yang, with Ma Li and Allen as the female and male leads respectively, and Shen Teng will appear as a major supporting role;

we'll try our best to ensure the main original cast from *Goodbye Mr. Loser* returns… Currently Song Yang is adapting the screenplay from the stage play, and should be able to finish it by the second half of the year, with filming starting no later than year-end…"

The moment Yan Fei finished speaking, Song Yang beside him immediately nodded, thumping his chest in assurance: "Lin Dao, don't worry, I'm fully confident in this project. The stage play was also directed by me."

Looking at Song Yang's face, Lin Nan's mind instinctively flashed to that classic scene from *Goodbye Mr. Loser*:

"I've decided. From today on, we each call each other what we want. I'll call you 'bro,' you call me 'Dad'… Bro, what are you looking for? Dad'll help you find it…"

And just like another classic line from *Goodbye Mr. Loser*: a man being old and ugly doesn't matter — what matters is having talent! Of course, Song Yang isn't old, nor is he ugly — he just can't really be called handsome!

Lin Nan nodded at Song Yang in approval, and the latter was very pleased.

"So this time, the two of you are making up for the 'meant to be but not fated' from *Goodbye Mr. Loser*, huh." Lin Nan looked at Ma Li and Allen again and quipped.

To be honest, Lin Nan quite admired Ma Li — after all, she graduated from the Central Academy of Drama's acting department vocational class, and her acting is quite good.

"It's the two of us. When the time comes, we still ask Lin Dao to come to the set and give us some guidance."

Ma Li spoke first, smiling as she invited Lin Nan. The others at the table had already taken it as given that Lin Nan would support this project.

"No problem, if I have the time then."

Lin Nan certainly supported Kai Xin Ma Hua's film projects. Their greatest advantage was that every film's story was already a proven, mature script that had been tested on the stage.

As cups were raised and clinked, they brought up the film's budget.

"Once you have a budget later, give me a call, or go straight to Yue Jun. Do you have a rough figure right now?"

"Lin Dao, there's no way to give a rough figure, but we can guarantee it won't exceed 100 million!" Yan Fei replied.

Sure enough, even though Happy Happy Mahua's comedies had become a huge hit after *Goodbye Mr. Loser*, and everyone's pay had skyrocketed, it was still nowhere near as "black-hearted" as Zhou Zhou Xingchi's!

Lin Nan nodded with satisfaction and commented: "Under 100 million is good. Keep the budget reasonable. Your comedy film style is suited to beating big with small…"

"Naturally. Stretching every penny in half — that's our Happy Mahua's fine tradition, haha…"

…………