Chapter 769: Swept Out the Door; Tudou IPO Time

"Jointly produced by Enlight Pictures, Lin Nan Film Industry, and Orange Image, starring Deng Chao, Bai Baihe, Zhang Tianai, Yang Yang, Yue Yunpeng, Du Juan, and others;"

"The comedy romance film *I Belonged to You* has landed in national cinemas early this morning and is officially released..."

"Last night, at the celebratory banquet for *I Am Not Madame Bovary* winning an award, Director Feng Xiaogang happily displayed the Golden Shell trophy for Best Picture, and when interviewed by media reporters, he made bold statements:"

"Although the film's release slot is sandwiched between two blockbusters, with intervals of 7 and 10 days, he is completely unafraid to compete in the same slot with directors Ang Lee and Lin Nan, and he himself is full of fighting spirit and eager to try..."

"At the celebratory banquet, Fan Bingbing and Li Chen appeared together in a high-profile manner; the latter joked that he was not Wu Dalang, and the former self-deprecatingly comforted the other party: she was just a vase who won an award."

"It is reported that the two will devote themselves to the training for the air force-themed mainstream commercial blockbuster *Sky Hunter* to prepare for the official start of filming..."

In the eyes of the vast majority of people in the film circle, Huayi took advantage of the momentum of *I Am Not Madame Bovary* winning a big award at an A-list film festival to push the promotion of this film to the extreme.

Related news has dominated the front-page headlines and hot searches for three or four days; it's simply endless and very annoying!

Lin Nan doesn't care about Feng Xiaogang "talking big"; if the "Little Steel Cannon" didn't make wild statements, would he still be himself? What's more, having just won a big award, it's exactly the time to "fire cannons" wantonly.

"I just don't know if Director Feng will still have this kind of 'unruly' spirit in a month and a half? Will he be able to maintain this kind of 'full of fighting spirit' posture?"

Thinking of the cold expression and disgusted tone Liu Xiaobin used when he said Wanda didn't think highly of *I Am Not Madame Bovary*, Lin Nan was inexplicably looking forward to it. Hmm, he couldn't wait to watch the show.

"Enlight Pictures sent a work email saying that the daily box office of *Cock and Bull* yesterday has dropped to just over 10 million, and today's screening rate continues to be cut, all given to *I Belonged to You*;"

"The screening rate for the first day of this film's release today is 46%, but they said it is estimated that it will drop by about 20 points tomorrow, because *L. O. R. D* is released tomorrow..."

Liu Yifei had just hung up the phone with Han Jia and turned to read the contents of the work email to Lin Nan.

"Hmm, within my expectations. The commercial attributes of *Cock and Bull* are far inferior to *I Belonged to You*. After the second week ends, the box office is estimated to drop significantly again, and it is highly probable that it won't make it to the fourth week, won't finish the release period."

The pencil in Lin Nan's hand didn't stop, and he talked to Liu Yifei like this.

"You've drawn up to here?" Miss Liu leaned against her director and glanced at the storyboard he was drawing: a woman in a dancing posture.

"That's right, drawn to this character story line. A single mother, and her only daughter is also a terminal patient on the verge of death."

Lin Nan turned his head to look at Liu Yifei; this character setting is very familiar to both of them.

Because in *The Fault in Our Stars*, Liu Xiaoli and Liu Yifei had a similar setting. Therefore, Miss Liu can completely empathize with the character's emotions in this plot.

"I haven't finished reading the script yet. However, is there really no role suitable for me?"

Looking at Liu Yifei's expectant and eager eyes, Lin Nan shook his head resolutely, with a helpless smile on his face: "I don't think so."

"How could there not be?" Miss Liu pouted, very unwilling; such a good film theme!

"For this, you have to go find trouble with Han Jia. When she was writing the script, she didn't think about arranging these 'best friends' of yours. Hmm, it's all plastic sisterhood, haha..."

I don't know if Han Jia is sneezing at this moment? Anyway, Lin Dao didn't hesitate to put some eye drops on this junior sister, even though she often calls him "Senior Brother Lin."

But what she said about "Senior Brother Lin" isn't false either, because the female characters in *Dying to Survive* are strictly speaking, actually all supporting roles.

"Really, I must criticize her properly when I see her in the next two days. No, my car was driven away by her and hasn't been returned yet!" Liu Yifei's eyes widened, looking even more "fierce."

The National Day slot, representing the entire October slot, has officially kicked off.

The various films for the New Year slot also naturally ignored those obscure small and medium-cost productions in November and started their comprehensive film promotion work one after another.

At least in the eyes of the industry, *Railroad Tigers* is finally no longer "sneaky," but is openly showing its head among the many New Year blockbusters.

Its promotional posters suddenly spread across the entire internet and national cinemas today.

Those sensitive people in the circle who smelled something, the moment they saw these promotional posters and press releases, their nerves immediately tightened: sure enough, there's no kid from Big Brother's family, right?!

The entire film and television industry, including the media circle, remained silent; no one, no voice, dared to touch the bad luck.

Regarding this kind of thing, people like Lin Nan and others, without exception, could only hide far away.

Because everyone is a "mortal" and a "vulgar person," and on one side of this matter is Shanghai Film Group and Jackie Chan, who have good relationships, and on the other side is the General Administration's red-headed document and rules and regulations...

They can't do the "righteousness to destroy relatives" reporting thing, and they can't do the "aiding the evildoer" helping thing, so Lin Nan can only pretend not to see it. When the time comes, whoever is responsible will bear it, let's see how the higher-ups handle it.

"Director Chen Kaige didn't save a long string of scenes? This is clearly violating the red-headed document, violating policy, but did the higher-ups say anything? They didn't say anything! So, others don't need to worry about it at all; that's called meddling! Even leaders like Chairman La and Chairman Han are playing deaf and dumb..."

In the office, Yue Jun looked at Lin Nan and laughed with a rather disdainful tone. Lin Dao was truly speechless for a moment, because what Yue Jun said was the truth.

"Hey, the higher-ups don't take it seriously themselves, so you can't blame the lower-ups for not taking policy seriously. Forget it, just let it be." Lin Nan shook his head speechlessly; still the same sentence, just restrain yourself.

"Phone. Hmm? Li Bingbing's? What could she have to do with you, Lin Dao?" Yue Jun's reaction was fast, instantly seeing the caller ID on Lin Nan's phone.

"I can roughly guess the purpose of her call." Lin Nan said as he clicked answer and turned on speakerphone.

"Lin Dao?" Li Bingbing's voice sounded in the office, with a clear greeting tone.

"It's me. Is *The Meg* about to start filming?" Lin Nan asked back with a smile. If nothing unexpected happened, this was the reason Li Bingbing called.

"Hmm, Lin Dao really blocked me. Warner notified me that *The Meg* starts filming on the 13th of next month, so I want to ask Lin Dao if the promotion schedule for *Operation Meigonghe* in the next two months can be arranged on weekends, so I can try to run back and forth as much as possible, not delaying the group promotion, including attending the premiere."

Hearing this, Lin Nan and Yue Jun couldn't help but look at each other, very satisfied.

These big actresses might be very cruel when they "tear" at each other, but when it comes to work attitude and professionalism, there is nothing to say; they are completely worthy of the title "Big Actress"!

"No problem. The first promotion for *Operation Meigonghe* is on the 9th of next month, and it will be changed to weekends afterward. We will notify you in advance. I also wish you success in filming."

"Okay, thank you, Lin Dao. Then I won't disturb Lin Dao, see you next month..."

Hanging up the phone, Lin Nan smiled at Yue Jun, "Heard it, adjust the promotion schedule for *Operation Meigonghe* as soon as possible."

"No rush, I'll arrange it tomorrow, it's already time to get off work."

Yue Jun pointed to Lin Nan's phone and teased with a smile. Although it was only past 3:00 PM, it did indeed conform to Lin Dao's rule of getting off work!

"Okay, then I'll go first."

Lin Nan wasn't polite either, immediately put his phone in his pocket, stood up with a smile; while Yue Jun shook his head speechlessly and followed him out of the office.

On the morning of the 30th, *I Belonged to You*, with a first-day box office of 74.1 million, successfully dominated the top of the hot search list.

And in second place on the list was the film information for *L. O. R. D*, produced by LeEco, directed by Guo Jingming, and starring Fan Bingbing, Wu Yifan, Chen Weiting, Wang Yuan, Yang Mi, and others...

With this, the atmosphere unique to the big slot of the film market came rushing in, and the National Day slot was successfully warmed up!

Near noon, *Operation Red Sea* added another fire to the already restless film industry, attracting the attention of the entire internet, focusing the industry, and causing the media to scramble to report...

"Around 11:00 AM, the Navy Political Department, China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, and Lin Nan Film Industry issued a joint announcement that the casting for the navy military-themed mainstream commercial blockbuster *Operation Red Sea* is complete, and the list is announced as follows:"

"Actor Zhang Yi will serve as the male lead, playing the special assault team captain; actor Luo Jin will serve as the male second lead, playing the special assault team deputy captain and demolition expert."

"Actress Yu Nan will play the female lead, the role of a war correspondent; actor Zhang Ruoyun will play the male third lead... Jiao Junyan, Xie Miao, and others are all members of the special squad and starring personnel..."

"Zhang Hanyu, Lei Jiayin, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Reiza, and others will participate in the filming of *Operation Red Sea* as main cast members and will not participate in militarized training..."

At noon, a large number of actors in the industry who had auditioned for *Operation Red Sea* but did not receive a signing notice were all paying attention to the casting announcement online;

Although they were mentally prepared, it was only at this moment that the last glimmer of luck in their hearts completely vanished.

However, the complaints and objections online did not decrease in the slightest, but instead increased abruptly; as for whether it was the voices of netizens or some people in the industry, that is unknown.

"Look at this casting list, it's worthy of being directed by Guo Fan and Lu Yang, and produced by Lin Dao Nan! The core leads are almost all people from the Lin Nan Film Industry system!"

"If you say there's no internal fixing, I won't believe it even if I die. With so many acting powerhouses, why are they all these 'familiar faces'? This is abusing power for personal gain in a film project controlled by the Navy Political Department!"

"The way Lin Dao's company is eating alone this time is truly a bit undisguised, right?"

"I'm quite envious of Yan-yan. Look at how many Lin Nan Film Industry movies she's acted in."

Yang Mi was busy taking time off to have lunch with Zhang Xiaofei. Seeing the envious look on the other's face, she really didn't know what to say. But she also knew that Zhang Xiaofei had indeed been doing very poorly in recent years.

"She has acted in quite a few, but they are all supporting roles, aren't they." She could only comfort her like this.

"You are also a full person who doesn't know a hungry person's hunger. The female second lead is already very powerful; I don't even have the opportunity for a female second lead. An actor who graduated from the acting department, now mixing in the sketch industry..."

Zhang Xiaofei mocked herself quite sadly, and also meant to envy Yang Mi. "For an actress like you who can decisively choose not to renew your contract with Shanhai Media and go out to work alone, you are the only one in the circle!"

Yang Mi opened her mouth, wanting to say something but swallowed it back. In the end, she didn't refute this former classmate and friend, but encouraged her again:

"Wait, maybe in the near future you will overtake on a bend. There are quite a few big names in the sketch circle, maybe you'll hug a big thigh and become famous overnight."

"Aiya, I hope so."

Lin Nan never denied that the entire process and results of the *Operation Red Sea* audition and casting contained a lot of "private goods"; but for these acquaintances in the circle to call him one by one to "mock" him, that was their fault!

In the morning, Lin Dao didn't go anywhere, because there was a group of chattering people at home—Watching Shu Chang, Han Jia, Tang Yan, Luo Jin, Zhu Yawen... and he had to provide lunch!

Looking at Luo Jin's meaning, he would stay in the capital for these 10 days, until he set off with the *Operation Red Sea* crew on the 10th of next month to go "training" with the navy.

And Tang Yan was on vacation until Luo Jin left, which could be considered company before the latter went out to "wander."

"Lin Dao, your producer is 'beating' Han Jia again. Why didn't I notice she was so violent before?"

Zhu Yawen glanced at the lawn direction following the sound, and saw Liu Yifei pressing Han Jia on the carpet, the latter struggling, while Watching Shu Chang and Tang Yan were cheering.

"I'm blind, I don't know anything." Lin Nan was too lazy to look back and continued to be busy with the storyboards in his hand. Luo Jin was also idle, actually holding Lin Nan's tools and drawing a sketch for his Tang Yan.

"Wang Wei?"

Seeing a call coming in, Lin Nan answered immediately, this time without speakerphone. Because any call from Wang Wei was basically business.

"Speak, President Wang."

"Lin Dao, I got accurate news. Yesterday afternoon, Alibaba held a president-level meeting... Jack Ma officially kicked Gu Yongqiang out of the Alibaba system and swept him out of Youku..."

Hearing this, Lin Nan was stunned for a moment and felt a bit emotional: "Old Gu finally waited for this day after all. This is the consequence of him inviting a wolf into the house."

"However, I thought you were going to tell me that the specific time for Tudou's IPO had been set!"

"Lin Dao, it is indeed set. I made this call also meaning to notify you of this matter... The major shareholders can sit down and talk."

... ===== CHAPTER 770 =====