Chapter 804: Second Clash with Zhang Yimou, Accept the Challenge!

So sickening!

At high noon domestic time, Luo Jin, far away in Morocco, updated his Weibo, wishing a happy birthday while also spreading dog food online.

It seems the intensity of the Navy training was far from enough, since this guy could actually crawl out of bed at four in the morning local time to "slack off"!

Many acquaintances in the circle, including Lin Nan, Liu Yifei, and Zhu Yawen, decisively tagged Guo Fan, Lu Yang, the Navy, and the official Weibo of *Operation Red Sea*, with very "sarcastic" wording:

"It is suggested that the crew add more 'burden' to Luo Jin, so he doesn't have the energy to be distracted while working, affecting the training effect."

The internet became lively in response, but compared to the blessings netizens gave Luo Jin and Tang Yan, the big treasure of the Leader's family was not well-received.

Isn't that right, *General and I* starts airing on the 2nd of next month.

As the female lead, the interview video recorded by Yang Ying for the TV series promotion appeared online along with the promotional materials at noon.

Her bold and shameless remarks caused a huge uproar across the internet in the afternoon.

Support, complaints, boos, curses... spread across Weibo and various social media, causing the entire film and television industry to be affected for the Nth time and cursed at.

The cause was that the host asked her a question: why could she get a sky-high salary of 80 million in the costume drama *General and I*, ranking first among all the actors in the crew.

And when Yang Ying heard this question, she answered with a very serious, solemn, and slightly angry expression:

"You only saw my salary of 80 million, but did you see my efforts? Did you see how hard I worked to memorize lines on set? You never mention these, never report these."

"Acting is a profession, and film and television works are art. There are many delicate and soft things that need to be accumulated and polished; it's not something that can be completed by brute force and passion alone. In other words, you can't act well just by working hard."

"No one is perfect, and no actor is perfect. There is gain and there is loss. And I am lucky. Although my acting skills may be green, heaven gave me this appearance, so I deserve something; just like this salary, I deserve it..."

Not to mention whether netizens were broken, anyway, many old actors and acting schools in the industry were broken.

Many first-line acting schools with guaranteed ratings also had unbalanced mentalities, because they only earned 20 or 30 million per drama.

Everyone didn't dare to dream of comparing themselves to top first-line actors and stars like Zhou Xun and Fan Bingbing, but being stepped on by such a "thing" was really frustrating.

This is indeed in line with market rules: first-line stars earn much more than first-line actors, and that's in the profession of acting.

I have to say, this is indeed ironic, but also very realistic. However, Yang Ying's situation is another matter, because she really has no acting skills to speak of.

Even if she had one decent role, in this situation of "shameless" speaking and completely brainless behavior, there wouldn't be so many people "repulsed" and cursing her!

This is no longer a problem that can be explained by "pregnancy makes you stupid for three years." She thinks so from the bottom of her heart, that is: her face is worth 80 million.

There have been too many "heaven-defying" gossips recently, and Lin Nan was full of them at home. In the afternoon, he even stared at Liu Yifei for a long time.

Then he was rolled eyes at by Liu Xixi, who teased him: "Why, do you want to value my face too?"

Well, can't provoke, really can't provoke.

Lin Nan was puzzled, and he didn't know when he had become completely transparent in front of Liu Yifei's eyes. It was like a custom-made pair of fiery eyes, specifically countering him!

Thinking hard, this situation seems to date back to when they were in school?

It's really a long time ago, so long that Lin Nan, a big director, was confused for a moment: who was the hunter and who was the prey back then?

Early on the 7th, the box office information for *Operation Meigonghe* still dominated the top of the hot search list.

Yesterday's daily revenue was 122 million, and the total box office reached 1.761 billion; this data is terrifying, and the industry continues to curse.

However, this film information only stayed at the top of the hot search list for less than half an hour, and was then washed away by the news wave of *The Great Wall*.

Sino-US co-production, 150 million USD investment, action, adventure, fantasy, special effects blockbuster; it is also the "most expensive" film directed by Zhang Yimou in his decades of filmmaking!

If anyone is more nervous and excited than Zhang Yimou, it is undoubtedly La Peikang, because this is the film he believes will produce "results."

As for the most emotional person, that naturally belongs to Chen Kaige. From beginning to end, he has always been indignant that Zhang Yimou could direct such an international blockbuster.

After all, he was the "little brother" who carried the camera for him in the past, but over the years he has walked step by step to his side, and even led by half a body—that time 8 years ago!

Outside the Great Hall of the People at eight in the morning, in terms of popularity, it was no less than the premiere of *Operation Meigonghe* two weeks ago; in terms of scale and pomp, it even slightly surpassed it.

Who let the nature of the two films be different? *Operation Meigonghe* is a mainstream melody, not suitable for being too flashy and extravagant.

Returning to the topic, compared to two weeks ago, there were clearly a large number of foreign media on the red carpet this morning, and foreign faces could be seen everywhere.

The big names and big shots in the Chinese film circle who could be named, especially the big directors in the director circle, without exception, all who could come came, and even Hong Kong and Taiwan directors like Wong Kar-wai appeared on the red carpet.

"La Peikang is really showing off today. He's probably been waiting for today for this whole year, right?"

Ren Zhonglun went on the red carpet with Han Sanping and Han Jia. Under the lenses of countless long guns and short cannons, he teased in a low voice while waving and greeting with a smile.

"Hmm, that's right. You saw his state just now, he was glowing and radiant." Han Sanping added, also joking.

"Hehe, when Uncle La was walking the red carpet with the people from Universal just now, that agility was just like a young man in his twenties, not to mention how 'youthful' he was."

"Is that how you talk about your elders?" Han Sanping criticized helplessly, but it was useless; this was a girl who never listened!

"Look, Uncle Ren thinks so too."

When Lin Nan held Liu Yifei's hand and helped her get out of the car, Zhang Yimou's family of seven had already disappeared at the end of the red carpet.

The main crew including Ma Te Damon, Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe, Andy Lau, Zhang Hanyu, Lu Han, Eddie Peng, etc., had also walked halfway through the red carpet.

"Cold, right? You insisted on wearing a dress, there's no heating in this section."

Lin Nan glanced at Liu Yifei's smooth arms and said angrily. On such a cold day, why wear a gown, and a sleeveless one at that.

"It'll be fine once we get into the Great Hall, it's not cold inside, walk faster."

Liu Yifei retorted in a low voice impatiently. When it comes to enduring the cold, actresses, female stars, and ordinary women are different; the former group is quite tenacious.

Stepping onto the red carpet, the two complemented each other, and the shouting from the side suddenly doubled.

A dozen seconds later, the smile on Lin Nan's face stiffened for a moment, because he clearly heard someone shouting at Liu Yifei—"Wife"!

Damn it!

And Miss Liu bent over laughing, holding Lin Nan's arm, her eyes constantly glancing at him playfully, "Hehe..."

"What are you laughing at? What's so funny?"

"Your reaction is just very funny, hehe."

"Lin Dao, *The Great Wall* is about to be released, is there any certainty that *Operation Meigonghe* can take it down? We are already close to 2 billion now." At this time, a familiar media reporter suddenly shouted at Lin Nan and Liu Yifei.

Lin Nan didn't even think about it and replied with emotion: "Take it down!"

And so, the two sides of the red carpet exploded directly. The first key gossip material of the morning appeared, thanks to Lin Dao.

The Golden Hall was no longer just crowded; it was packed.

As soon as Lin Nan and Liu Yifei came in, they were noticed by many people. Ma Te even greeted them from afar and walked over with a smile.

"Lin, Crystal, long time no see. You guys didn't go to Hollywood during the awards season this year."

"Ma Te, we are very busy, I have two films coming up. Oh right, the second one will probably be filmed in May or June next year, remember to leave a slot, you promised me."

Lin Nan's voice was not deliberately amplified, but it was "deafening" to many people around: Ma Te Damon will participate in *The Wandering Earth*?

"Don't worry, I'll be on vacation in the first half of next year."

Not long after, Lin Nan and Liu Yifei found their group of acquaintances.

The former was naturally mixed with Han Sanping and others, and the latter undoubtedly had her own small group: Shu Chang, Han Jia, Reba, Tang Yan, Xie Nan...

"Ang Lee, Wong Kar-wai, they all came today, which is something I didn't expect at all."

"China Film Group sent invitations, how many could turn them down? And this film also has Hollywood capital in it. Look, Huanxi, Huayi, Bona, aren't they all hovering in front of the Universal people?"

Ren Zhonglun smiled and signaled. Sure enough, he saw Dong Ping, Wang Zhonglei, Yu Dong, Zhang Qiang, and other domestic film industry capitalists surrounding a few foreigners and chatting and laughing.

Lin Nan was not very interested in this, his eyes turned to Zhang Zhao of LeEco. As one of the producers, he seemed a bit "lonely"?

"Remember at the end of the year before last when *The Great Wall* was publicly established, and at the beginning of last year when *The Great Wall* officially started filming, LeEco's limelight was unparalleled. But look at today, everyone is avoiding Zhang Zhao like a plague."

"Watching him build a vermilion building, watching him feast guests, watching him... the building is about to collapse. Human feelings are warm and cold, isn't that how it is? In the film and television industry alone over the years, have we seen too little?"

Han Sanping sighed with emotion, and the people around him had nothing to say. Everyone had a tacit understanding; LeEco's building was about to collapse, this was the general trend.

The free social time in the Golden Hall lasted until 9:30 in the morning.

Until the host on the scene asked everyone to take their seats through the microphone, everyone followed their positions and sat down in an orderly manner.

Lin Nan and Liu Yifei were in the second row, and both of them were acquaintances. Jiang Wen and his wife, Ning Hao and his wife, Chen Kaige and his wife, and Zhang Yimou's wife, daughter...

In front, Director Zhang led a large group of actors onto the stage, and it seemed there were many new faces he didn't recognize. But they were all small supporting roles, inserted by major capital and connections.

"Thank you very much to all the colleagues in the industry for coming to support the Asian premiere of *The Great Wall* today."

"This is the first fantasy special effects blockbuster I've directed in my decades of filmmaking, and it's also a co-produced film with Chinese elements; it's also the first time I've fully understood and used the Hollywood industrial film production model..."

Old Mouzi talked eloquently above, followed by a group of core creators. After Ma Te Damon was Jing Tian, who was the most core member among the Chinese leads, with rigorous wording, relaxation, and good performance.

At 10 o'clock in the morning, the film premiere officially began, and everyone put on the glasses that had been distributed in advance.

Lin Nan was very satisfied with the color of the first shot of the opening; he had nothing to say, this was Zhang Yimou's strength.

And as the plot unfolded, the picture became more and more magnificent, the lens sense was exceptionally full, and the visual effect was very enjoyable.

When the "Taotie" officially appeared, everyone nodded unconsciously. The quality of the special effects was almost full, worthy of the 150 million USD production cost.

When the "Taotie" army filled the entire screen, the guests at the scene were already sighing in admiration. The visual effect under the IMAX 3D giant screen was shocking, and the special effects shots could be given full marks directly.

"Sigh." Lin Nan couldn't help but sigh.

"Why are you sighing? I think this film is very good!" Liu Yifei was wearing Lin Nan's suit jacket, looking at him suspiciously.

"Just looking at the film content and visual effects, it is absolutely qualified."

"That operation of using people as 'bait' is just to prevent the Taotie from being harder to deal with after climbing the Great Wall, so they must be killed or crippled below..."

"But... Director Zhang did his best. Just from the quality of the film, I also think it's quite good."

"But more often than not, the feedback of the film market is not determined solely by the quality of the film. Many external things and objective factors will seriously affect the reputation and performance of the film..."

"For example?" Liu Yifei asked.

"For example, it shouldn't be called *The Great Wall*; for example, it shouldn't let a few foreigners come to the 'Great Wall' to save the Chinese."

"This is the biggest weakness of this co-produced film, it hurts 'national self-esteem'! And ordinary people are often more sensitive in this regard than those above."

"So, this is also destined to be rhythm-led online, attacked and cursed by the audience and netizens. As for other aspects of the film, generally speaking, the flaws do not obscure the virtues."

Liu Yifei frowned slightly when she heard this. She was only focused on watching the movie and didn't think much about things outside the movie.

At 11:40, the movie ended. Amidst the overwhelming applause, Zhang Yimou took the core leads back to the stage, this time with La Peikang.

The latter was full of smiles and spoke first: "No need for media friends to ask, I'll say it directly. For *The Great Wall*, our box office expectation in China is 3 billion, and that's starting from 3 billion."

As the words fell, the applause at the scene became even more deafening.

Zhang Yimou, Jing Tian, and others all had smiles on their faces, as if what La Peikang said would inevitably come true. Of course, they were indeed very confident in the quality of the film.

"Director Zhang, as Chairman La said, then the biggest opponent of *The Great Wall* in the New Year film season should be Lin Dao Nan's *Operation Meigonghe*."

"The latter has taken 1.761 billion at the box office in 9 days, what do you have to say about this? This seems to be the second time the two directors have clashed in one film season!"

The reporter's question made hundreds of people at the scene look at Lin Nan in the second row. The first clash between the two was *Coming Home* and *The Invisible Guest*.

Only to see Zhang Yimou raise the microphone, look at Lin Nan's side, and then rarely start joking:

"Although the two films are 18 days apart, looking at the daily box office posture of *Operation Meigonghe*, it will indeed have a fierce conflict with *The Great Wall*."

"But fortunately, when the enemy is exhausted, we are full of energy. *The Great Wall* is a big-production special effects blockbuster in the true sense. At that time, we will show mercy."

Good guy, as soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere at the scene reached a climax directly. This was the first time Director Zhang had spoken out!

And Lin Nan and Liu Yifei looked at each other, and both of them smiled helplessly.

"Lin Nan?"

Well, Zhang Yimou above even started interacting, calling Lin Nan's name. The eyes of everyone in the Golden Hall gathered in response.

Ning Hao, Han Sanping, Ren Zhonglun, Wang Yong, Han Jia... a group of people all had cunning eyes, watching the excitement without fear of trouble.

Only Liu Yifei muttered in a low voice on the side, "I support you, accept the challenge!"

Fine, some reporters had already run to the first row impatiently, and Zhang Hongsen also joined in the fun and helped pass the microphone to Lin Nan.

Taking the microphone, Lin Nan coughed, and then smiled seriously:

"When Yifei and I walked the red carpet and came in, media friends were asking me this question. I have already given an answer, which is: Take it down!"

So, there is absolutely no need for *The Great Wall* to show mercy, because *Operation Meigonghe* will be ruthless to *The Great Wall*, thank you, haha..."

As Lin Nan's words fell, the laughter at the scene erupted.

... ===== CHAPTER 805 =====

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