Chapter 786

"Three months, with a roadshow schedule covering 50 cities, including many third and fourth-tier small cities.

This was mainly considered based on the return-home wave during the Spring Festival, the trend of box office sinking, and the distribution of his film's target audience..."

Listening to the promotional plan that Enlight Pictures had formulated for Wang Baoqiang and which was already underway, Lin Nan felt a bit of lingering fear in his heart. For these three months, Wang Baoqiang would likely have to be running on adrenaline the whole time, right?

"Chairman Wang, there's no need to pull the strings so tight, is there?" Lin Nan kindly reminded him.

"There are three roadshow plans for him to choose from, and it was his own request to execute this most grueling and exhausting one. I suspect he also has the intention of numbing himself, allowing himself to try his best not to think about other matters."

Fine, hearing this answer, Lin Nan immediately had nothing left to say. This was indeed something a ruthless person like Wang Baoqiang could do, to keep himself from thinking about the lawsuit and the children.

"However, you can rest assured that he will still be able to make it back for the premiere of *Operation Meigonghe*."

"That's good. Hmm? If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up; I need to start getting busy." Seeing Yue Jun and people from the screenwriting department walk in, Lin Nan was about to hang up the phone immediately.

"Fine, you really are a busy person. See you on the 21st." Wang Changtian sighed and made a snide remark.

"Lin Dao, the script for the first installment of *The Wandering Earth* series has been officially finalized." Yue Jun sat down there and happily announced the good news.

The people from the screenwriting department then handed the script to Lin Nan:

"Lin Dao, according to your previous instructions, we let Liu Laoshi see the finished script first; his feedback was that he had no objections, was very satisfied, and there was absolutely no need for further revisions."

"Actually, that joke Liu Laoshi made was quite right: he is just a writer, and adapting it into a film script requires a massive expansion of the story and plot. On this point, he really can't compare to professional screenwriters."

Yue Jun joked with a smile. Lin Nan didn't pay them any mind, instead opening the script and reading it at a glance.

Previously, the project team had proposed two script creation plans, which were also filming plans.

The first was to develop the script and film the movie according to the story's progression; the second was to break it down according to the science fiction elements and shots, from few to many, to create a series of film scripts.

Finally, after discussion, Lin Nan "still" chose the second one.

Because, considering commercial attributes, for a science fiction blockbuster series, it is best to save the grander scenes, more magnificent science fiction shots, and more climactic plots for the next installment.

Such an arrangement is conducive to the layered progression of the series' popularity, with each climax higher than the last. Therefore, the first installment still starts from "wandering."

"Hmm, not bad, it can be taken to the Film Bureau."

Lin Nan closed the script he hadn't finished reading and looked up with a smile. Now, everything was completely ready.

More than half an hour later, just as Lin Dao was timing it to leave work early, outside, on the internet, it was already like a drop of cold water hitting a hot wok, crackling and exploding.

To be precise, the A-share circle and the netizens who play the stock market were boiling over, which in turn caused a sensation across the entire internet.

In the morning, the listed company Wanjia Culture and Long Wei Media filed a bid with the CSRC and the Shanghai Stock Exchange, submitting an application for approval of a large-scale acquisition case...

A few days ago, Long Wei Media, controlled by a certain person, issued an acquisition intent to Wanjia Culture: planning to acquire 29.135% of Wanjia Culture's shares with 3.06 billion in funds. After the transaction is completed, the former will become the controlling shareholder of Wanjia Culture!

Wanjia Culture agreed to this acquisition offer and submitted the approval application to the competent department this morning. And the result after this matter was announced was that countless retail investors became restless.

Because of that person's track record of winning every battle in the A-shares, as well as her identity and her "nickname" in the financial world... these things, in the eyes of countless retail investors, made her the weather vane of the stock market.

And the A-shares, which had been sluggish since the stock market crash last year, added fuel to the fire at this very moment... The consequences can be imagined; right now, the internet is in complete chaos, and netizens have gone crazy.

Anyone can foresee that as long as the competent department approves this acquisition case, and after waiting for Wanjia Culture to successfully suspend trading, reorganize, and resume trading, its stock price will definitely skyrocket;

Retail investors, who have been thirsty for a year and a half since the stock market crash, will inevitably buy up Wanjia Culture's stock... scrambling and following one after another!

The retail investor circle is reveling and waiting eagerly, while the capital circle remains silent, without the slightest sound of discussion;

Because everyone has their own camp, and that person naturally has her own behind her... Being in the same capital circle, everyone minds their own business, does not interfere with each other, does not influence each other, and does not offend each other.

…………

On the morning of the 14th, after Lin Nan woke up naturally, he discovered an interesting thing.

Outside, many media outlets were fueling the fire and rendering the atmosphere for that person's "feat" of acquiring Wanjia Culture.

As for who is exerting effort behind the scenes? For those in the small circle, it is completely self-evident; those who know, know.

"Director Ang Lee's *Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk* has already been labeled a 'failure' by the media. In three days, it has only managed a box office of 80 million at most, and today's screening rate has been directly cut in half."

Liu Yifei, dressed in a trench coat, jeans, and black short boots, wearing sunglasses and carrying a bag, returned from outside. As soon as she entered, she began to lament to Lin Nan.

She actually got up early today to accompany Liu Mu to Red Star Dock; after all, many things in the company require the boss's signature, such as finance and taxes.

"There's no help for that. Who told Director Li to think about using new technology to make another breakthrough in film? Isn't this kind of thing high risk? Just like now, the audience isn't buying it, and it's backfired!"

Lin Nan smiled helplessly; *The Donkey Gets Water* is also miserable. As of yesterday, it had been in theaters for 17 days, but the total box office had only just managed to climb to 200 million, closing at 201 million.

The current situation of a daily box office of less than 30,000 nakedly shows that this movie is finished!

But even so, Yan Fei just called to ask Lin Nan if they should hold a celebration banquet? This question really stumped Lin Nan.

Although the film's cost was only 15 million and it did indeed earn more than 4 times after the split, Lin Dao was really embarrassed to attend a celebration banquet for a 200 million box office movie, so he immediately told them to go enjoy themselves.

"Looking at it this way, before the New Year's slot, *Doctor Strange* should have the strongest box office. Hmm, I'm especially looking forward to the release of *Operation Meigonghe* at the end of the month..."

Liu Yifei joked with Lin Nan while walking up the stairs to change her clothes.

"Wait for it, there are only two weeks left, and we are the first shot of the New Year's slot!" Lin Nan naturally understood what Miss Liu meant, so he responded with full confidence.......

Within the industry, the focus of the vast majority of insiders was gathered on the premiere of *I Am Not Madame Bovary* tomorrow morning.

As the film for which Feng Dao "proved his name" as an international director, the pomp and specifications Huayi prepared for its premiere were undoubtedly top-tier; the number and status of the invited guests were also beyond doubt.

"How is the battle situation in the distribution department, Ye Zong?" In the conference room, Wang Zong, in the main seat, asked Ye Ning with a rather good mood, even cracking a joke.

But in the eyes of the other executives, the Chairman's smile was not that amiable. Besides, everyone was also looking forward to hearing Ye Ning's answer to this question; after all, he is a new official taking office!

Ye Ning didn't rush to open the file he had with him, just glancing at it: "The vast majority of domestic theater chains have promised to give a 45% screening rate on the day of the premiere..."

Hearing this number, smiles immediately appeared on the faces of all the executives in the conference room; this was great news.

But the next second, Wang Zong's words made the atmosphere in the room instantly turn cold again, even deathly silent: "Ye Zong, what about Wanda Cinema Line?"

Facing the many gazes, Ye Ning was silent. He recalled his meeting with Liu Xiaobin the day before yesterday; the other party was completely businesslike, and that was right, past friendships had long since vanished into thin air.

"No clear promise was given, only that they would arrange screenings according to the box office forecasts of Wanda Cinema Line's market department." Ye Ning's voice rang out in the conference room, exceptionally loud.

"Arrange screenings according to the market department's box office forecasts?" Wang Zong and Wang Zong looked at each other, their smiles somewhat cold; the executives also had strange expressions. Isn't Wanda just being perfunctory?

"It seems they are still holding a grudge, haha..."

"But we did pay the liquidated damages, this is a bit petty, huh!"

"Who's to say it isn't?"

"Big Lao Wang is the richest man after all, he doesn't seem like someone with a small belly..."

Under the lead of Wang Zong and Wang Zong's teasing, the chattering discussions and arrangements in the conference room suddenly rose and fell;

They didn't mean to blame Ye Ning either; after all, this result had been expected for a long time, but this didn't affect their side making fun of Wanda and Big Lao Wang.

"Let Wanda Cinema Line be. Even if it's a few points less, it's just like that, it won't affect anything." Wang Zong shook his head with a smile, as if he had much more vision than Big Lao Wang.

Only Ye Ning obscurely smacked his lips, his eyes complex.

He had been at Huayi for almost 10 months. Although he held a high position and had received quite a few shares, and had also entered the board of directors, he truly felt that Huayi was far from being as "formal" as Wanda's film and entertainment sector.

Some things done here were truly too lawless. If this continues, sooner or later there will be big problems!

In the afternoon, Liu Yifei accompanied Lin Nan to the company. Also coming to meet up were Liu Xiaobin and Wang Changtian.

"Because this counts as a sudden event after signing the gambling agreement, and it has nothing to do with *Operation Meigonghe*, I didn't notify Jin Dun, Yinghuang, Zhongying, and Shangying." Yue Jun spread his hands and said rather helplessly.

"They already signed the gambling contract for *Operation Meigonghe* with the theater chains. After signing it, do they still want to find trouble or what?" Wang Changtian flipped through the several gambling agreements on the table, looked at Lin Nan, and asked suspiciously.

Lin Nan's mood right now was both speechless and somewhat helpless; Liu Yifei held his hand and gave him a comforting look. She and Lin Nan felt the same way.

"Let Liu Zong tell Chairman Wang about it. After all, Enlight doesn't have a theater chain business, so Chairman Wang naturally wouldn't know." Lin Nan looked at Liu Xiaobin.

The latter, upon hearing this, immediately explained with a smile:

"Actually, ever since Zhou Xingchi's *The Mermaid* achieved a record-breaking box office of 3.39 billion, several major theater chains have sat together and discussed several times the fact that Lin Dao often uses his own films to sign total box office gambling agreements with theater chains;

The general meaning is that Lin Dao's past overbearing behavior has elements of using power to suppress others; now that the market has fully risen, we can no longer let Lin Dao continue to take advantage of the theater chains alone, everyone can firmly refuse..."

"Then why was *Operation Meigonghe* still signed?" Wang Changtian asked.

"Isn't it because it's a mainstream commercial blockbuster from the Ministry of Public Security? It's destined to have many preferential treatments, and the theater chains aren't willing to reject the Ministry's face!" Lin Nan interjected with a smile.

"Then what do they mean? What message did they have you bring?" Wang Changtian looked at Yue Jun belatedly.

"Among the theater chains with the top ten market shares, except for Wanda, the other nine all directly 'gave' me their word after signing the gambling contract this time.

They asked me to convey to Lin Dao that after *Operation Meigonghe*, they will no longer sign total box office gambling agreements. This time, those nine theater chains must have formed an alliance, right?" Speaking to the end, Yue Jun asked Liu Xiaobin with a look.

"Those few have reached a consensus, and have even signed an agreement to advance and retreat together. Lin Dao, in this situation, although Wanda is the theater chain with the number one market share in the domestic market, it is certainly far inferior to the market share of those nine added together." Liu Xiaobin said with hidden meaning. There is no other solution to this matter, we can only accept it.

"To be honest, why do I feel a bit aggrieved? I should be the first director in the industry to be jointly forced by theater chains, right? The key is, I have no way out!

Because as Liu Zong said, those nine added together have a large enough market share! And the current film market is mature, there are plenty of blockbusters that make money, Hollywood imported films, mainland domestic films... there is no shortage of audiences, no shortage of films, no shortage of box office, so naturally, there is no need to be like before and be unable to say 'no' to my gambling agreement!"

Lin Nan admitted that at this very moment, with the film market being hot, theater chains are indeed king!

Don't talk about distribution channels or anything like that; as long as the theater chain's market share is sufficient, they are irreplaceable!

"Lin Dao, what now?" Yue Jun asked. Liu Xiaobin, Wang Changtian, including Liu Yifei sitting beside Lin Nan, all looked at him.

"Accept it, what else can I do? I can't think of any other way to 'resist', can I?" Lin Nan was angered into laughter; what is there to ask about this?!

"This is a struggle of interests, seizing every condition favorable to oneself to force the other side to make concessions. If it were two years ago, they wouldn't dare to speak so openly.

In this way, in the future, the revenue of Lin Dao's films that Wanda participates in investing in will also drop a lot. So this is the reason why they excluded Wanda when the nine of them formed an alliance, because Wanda naturally stands with Lin Dao."

Liu Xiaobin was quite good at expressing his stance, but what he said was also a fact.

…………

(End of chapter)