Chapter 790

To be frank, right now, every actor in the film and television industry is most concerned about the casting for "The Wandering Earth" and "I Am Not Madame Bovary."

The auditions will begin in three days, with both films launching their casting processes simultaneously.

But on the other hand, everyone must admit that the "major incident" surrounding "I Am Not Madame Bovary" has also drawn immense attention, impossible to look away from;

After all, everyone has a taste for gossip, and when it's a big director and a film giant being openly suppressed and targeted by an even larger power in the industry, it's simply too thrilling!

Indeed, the entire morning, the internet was still flooded with reports on this matter; compared to Wanda's calm and unmoved demeanor, Huayi has clearly broken down…

"The film 'I Am Not Madame Bovary,' produced and controlled by Huayi, jointly produced by Dongyang Meila and Yaole Pictures and directed by Feng Feng Xiaogang, earned 45.45 million yuan on its opening day."

"Wang Wang Zhonglei, general manager of Huayi Group, updated his Weibo this morning, expressing regret that due to targeted screening restrictions, the opening day box office fell more than 30 million yuan short of expectations—a situation both frustrating and infuriating."

"According to aggregated data from theater chains, compared to yesterday, 'I Am Not Madame Bovary' saw its overall screening rate drop by 4.5% to 28.5%; on Wanda Cinema's screens, the rate fell to 4%."

"In the morning, Director Feng Feng Xiaogang led a meet-and-greet with the cast at the Grand Guangming Cinema in Shanghai. Facing numerous media cameras, he once again lost emotional control, weeping bitterly and angrily condemning:

Due to the feud and conflict between the two companies, Wanda has retaliated against my film—it is profoundly unfair;

Faced with this situation, Huayi was genuinely frightened, so Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei chose to bow their heads, and I accompanied them to personally apologize to Wanda's Wang Dong;

But they ignored us entirely, and even continued retaliating against 'I Am Not Madame Bovary'! To be honest, compared to Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei, I am not afraid of trouble, and Li Xuelian in my film isn't afraid of trouble either!

Wanda's covert sabotage this time is a serious harm to the Chinese-language film industry… I choose to make this public, to lay it bare, to tell the entire industry:

Including 'The Death of Romance' in the New Year slot, every director who has collaborated with Huayi may be targeted and retaliated against—and the perpetrator is Wanda!

Also, I want to respond one final time to Little Wang: yesterday's opening day box office has proven Wanda's judgment wrong—my film is a success, and you are brutally suffocating it…"

…

Onstage, Feng Feng Xiaogang continued passionately weeping, even humbly pleading with other theater chains to grant more screenings, not to be swayed by outside interference, not to abandon 'Madame Bovary'—it deserves it.

In the back rows of the audience, as one of the industry guests, Wang Wang Chuanjun furrowed his brows and couldn't help whispering to the person beside him, teasing:

"This is a rare sight in the industry, worth capturing on camera! The once haughty Director Feng has actually broken down in public, tears streaming down his face?"

"Bro, keep your voice down—better yet, shut up. Your mouth will eventually bring you trouble!"

His agent complained helplessly beside him, then cautiously glanced around—luckily, no one was paying attention.

"What's there to fear? I'm not spreading rumors—I'm just stating the truth. Look, his eyes are still red, like he's suffered a great injustice."

Wang Wang Chuanjun remained utterly unconcerned, even chuckling. But soon, under his agent's sharp warning glance, he deliberately changed the subject:

"Good opportunities in this industry are so rare, especially for actors like me with no connections or background—prestigious resources are far out of reach; we're almost never considered by big companies.

But this time is different: even if Lin Nan Pictures doesn't offer core resources, at least supporting roles are never withheld. And even more rare is that two major films are casting simultaneously—this means…"

"It means the chances have doubled—it means if you're right for the role, you can secure resources and connect with that mountain and that capital circle!"

The agent instantly grew serious; what Feng Feng Xiaogang and the others were saying onstage meant nothing to him now.

"Yeah, right. Did my audition resume have any issues?"

"No, I've confirmed it multiple times—it was successfully submitted!"

"Good, I'll keep dieting and staying up late these next few days…"

"Do you really need to push yourself this hard?"

"I do. My acting isn't refined enough, so I need attitude—I must compensate for my state and performance through hard work elsewhere… and this is still far from enough!"

…

Near noon, Lin Nan, Liu Liu Yifei, and Han Jia nv had reviewed over three hundred actor audition resumes.

The three had also preliminarily recognized many previously unfamiliar, half-strangers—admittedly, about 80% of them were obscure second-tier or lower actors.

It seems Lin Nan Pictures' reputation truly precedes it, giving these actors a glimmer of hope; especially "I Am Not Madame Bovary," which drew the most pursuit from unknown Yanji Sect actors.

"Let's go—I'm treating you both to lunch today, to reward Producer Liu and Director Han, who's also the screenwriter." Lin Nan stretched and stood up.

"Liu Yifei, see? I told you my 'I Am Not Madame Bovary' is more popular among Yanji Sect actors and big-name stars—just compare the resumes, it's obvious!"

Han Jia nv smirked at Liu Liu Yifei; "I Am Not Madame Bovary" would be her signature work, and she was immensely proud.

"Enough, enough—wouldn't this have happened without our director? You're just a recent graduate from the directing program? Tsk, tsk, tsk…"

Liu, in high spirits, needed only one light remark to instantly silence Han, who gritted her teeth but couldn't retaliate.

"How about this: when you have time later, let the company prepare a script for you? Stop dreaming of using films to practice—go for a TV series instead. What do you think, Han Chen Shimei?"

Lin Nan, prompted by Liu Liu Qianqian's words, suddenly had this idea and turned to ask Han Jia nv, who was still gesturing wildly but dared not actually attack Liu Liu Yifei.

She froze, then impatiently shook her head, "We'll talk about it later—first, let's finish 'I Am Not Madame Bovary'—I'm counting on it to win me Best Screenwriter!"

…

On the 19th, "I Am Not Madame Bovary" released a 36.42 million yuan daily box office the next morning;

Alongside it, reports emerged that its overall screening rate on the 20th had dropped to 25%, and Wanda's screening rate had been slashed another point, down to just 3%.

On the 21st, after yesterday's box office of 32.15 million yuan was revealed to the entire film industry, Huayi's worst fear finally came true: theaters outside Wanda had completely abandoned "I Am Not Madame Bovary."

Since the film had opened on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—three consecutive days of declining box office—what could anyone expect for Monday, the first workday?

No need to guess: its five-day workweek box office was doomed to plummet uncontrollably.

Once the workweek ended, "I Am Not Madame Bovary" would be effectively dead. After all, Friday was the premiere of "Meigonghe Operation," which would officially open in 72 hours!

At this point, many in the industry had realized: it seemed Lin Nan Pictures and Wanda had, one after the other, killed Huayi's most important film of the year?!

Think back: on the day of "Madame Bovary's" premiere, Lin Nan Pictures' two major films had forcefully overshadowed its hype;

On opening day, Wanda delivered a crushing blow with screening cuts; before the film could recover, Lin Nan's "Meigonghe Operation" was about to open!

Anyone who saw this wouldn't hesitate to say Lin Nan Pictures and Wanda had conspired—calling it coincidence? Ha, try fooling a ghost.

In the morning, Lin Nan Pictures.

The designated producers of "The Wandering Earth" all arrived by 8 a. m.; Ren Ren Zhonglun and Wang Yong had even flown to the capital the day before.

At 9 a. m., Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei, Ren Ren Zhonglun, Wang Yong, Wang Wang Changtian, Liu Liu Xiaobin, and the crucial longtime contact from the Aerospace Science and Technology Group gathered around the small conference room.

After a brief exchange about the gossip—essentially watching Huayi's humiliation—they swiftly turned to business.

Yue Jun distributed copies of "The Wandering Earth"'s detailed budget to everyone present.

"According to the budget team's report, the final budget cost for the first 'The Wandering Earth' was set at exactly 500 million yuan. Actually, if compression were needed, it could still be compressed."

"Starting with actor salaries, promotion and distribution costs, as well as costume, makeup, props, and sci-fi element costs, we could absolutely save tens of millions."

"But the team from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation felt it was unnecessary, so Lin Dao didn't ask for compression..."

Hearing Yue Jun's words, Ren Ren Zhonglun and others looked at the executive from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The latter immediately wore an awkward smile on his face. "Didn't Lin Dao say before that there's no need to be timid? Go ahead and do it freely!"

Hearing this, Lin Nan also smiled and nodded. Wasn't that exactly how the project team from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation was? Having finally hooked up with a wealthy patron, how could they be willing to tie their own hands and feet?

"Old Wang, you don't know how I'm feeling right now; it's just so satisfying!" Ren Ren Zhonglun sighed. Wang Wang Changtian naturally knew he wasn't speaking to him, but to Wang Yong.

"What do you mean?" Wang Yong responded and asked.

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei exchanged a smile; both guessed what Ren Ren Zhonglun was about to say next. Meanwhile, Wang Wang Changtian and Liu Liu Xiaobin only half-understood, and the representative from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation was even more bewildered.

"Because today, for the first time, we didn't see La La Peikang's ugly face. More accurately, China Film is finally gone! I'm happy, hehe..."

"Haha..."

"Are you trying to laugh me to death?"

"Indeed, China Film is gone."

While the group was laughing wildly, inside the office of the Chairman of China Film, La La Peikang was also feeling irritable. He knew that today Lin Nan Film was dividing up the "cake," but there was no share for China Film!

"Has the premiere ceremony for 'Operation Operation Mekong River' been arranged over there?"

"Chairman La, it has been arranged. The 25th, at the Great Hall, the leaders from the Ministry of Public Security will all attend."

The secretary also felt a bit sighing; this film, with China Film holding a 5% share, was undoubtedly the final interaction with Lin Nan Film.

"As long as it's arranged, that's fine. That's all, you can go back to your work first." La La Peikang nodded, his voice somewhat low.

"Okay, Chairman La. Call me anytime if you need anything." In the secretary's eyes, at this moment, La La Peikang's emotion carried an unmasked sense of desolation.

"Liu Liu Yifei and I have kept a 40% share together; I assume the rest of you have no objections?" Lin Nan looked around at everyone and said with a smile. Liu Liu Yifei also had a sweet smile and shook her head.

"You are the director and the producer; how would we dare to have any objections?" Ren Ren Zhonglun was the first to respond jokingly.

"No, you two as a couple going first is reasonable."

"The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's participation in 'The Wandering Earth' is not for profit, so we will just take 10%; that's enough to give an explanation internally."

"Then you are truly noble. We won't be polite about the two percentage points you gave up." Wang Wang Changtian said jokingly and bowed to the executive from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

"Chairman Wang, is Xi'an Film's funding sufficient? Participating in both films?" Ren Ren Zhonglun's eyes held a glint of sharpness as he looked at Wang Yong.

"Then there's no need for Shanghai Film to worry. Xi'an Film has no money, but the banks do! Coincidentally, Xi'an Film happens to have some idle land plots, hehe..."

Hearing this, everyone was wide-eyed; what true boldness!

"Chairman Wang, you are impressive." Even Lin Nan couldn't help but express admiration.

"Lin Dao, you are too polite."

"I wonder what the specific location of Xi'an Film's land plots is? Wanda Commercial Real Estate..."

"President Liu, you're going off-topic!"

"Sorry, it was a subconscious reaction." Liu Liu Xiaobin hurriedly waved his hand, smiled apologetically, and then spoke again:

"Is 15% for Wanda not excessive? We can provide support for Oriental Movie Metropolis and the cinema chains. Moreover, unlike Shanghai Film and Xi'an Film, the two state-owned enterprises that can also participate in 'Dying to Survive', Wanda and Enlight Media only have a share in 'The Wandering Earth'."

Hearing Liu Liu Xiaobin's words, Wang Wang Changtian immediately agreed. "That's right, Enlight Media can also strongly support promotion and distribution, and they only have a share in 'The Wandering Earth' as well."

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei leaned together, watching the group argue; this scene was truly lively.

Ren Ren Zhonglun and Wang Yong looked at each other, and two seconds later, they nodded simultaneously.

"Alright, then Shanghai Film will also take 10%, matching the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation."

"Xi'an Film has no problem."

"By the way, how did you two split it? After all, Liu Yifei participated using Red Star Studio, so whether it's signing the contract or the future revenue sharing, there must be a specific share." Wang Wang Changtian asked Lin Nan.

"Chairman Wang, we definitely split it equally." Liu Liu Yifei said playfully. She and Lin Nan had already settled this at the beginning of the month.

"That makes sense; you two are indeed splitting it equally."

"Mm, joint property!"

Huayi Brothers.

In the cold, sterile office, the atmosphere was equally frozen to the extreme.

"Feng Xiaogang, don't think about it too much for now. Get ready and lead the team to the Golden Horse Awards."

"Yes, although the box office was suppressed by them, interfering with awards is beyond Wanda's capability; their influence is far inferior to ours."

Feng Feng Xiaogang had a pale, gray face. He didn't reply but stood up and walked toward the door. Awards and box office; he had originally been full of confidence that he could control them completely, but the result—damn it!

"Feng Xiaogang, why go to such lengths?" Wang Wang Zhongjun stood up and called out.

"Chairman Wang, notify the 'Youth' crew to move the start date from mid-January to early January."

Feng Feng Xiaogang threw out the words without turning back. He had no time to curse; he needed to hurry up and start his next film, and then start 'Cell Phone 2'... Wanda and Lin Nan Film were both damned!