Chapter 810: Oscars are Suspended; Chairman Ren's Self-Awareness; The Unscrupulous Huayi

"Just past nine o'clock in the morning, the Shanghai Stock Exchange officially issued an inquiry letter regarding the acquisition of the listed company Wanjia Culture by Longwei Media, raising several questions."

"Given that Longwei Media's registered capital is only 2 million, and the registration time is less than three months, it requires the actual controller of Longwei Media, the well-known actress and film director... to make a written response:"

"The plan to invest 3.06 billion yuan to acquire 29% of Wanjia Culture's equity and become the controlling shareholder, is it related to the 'Alibaba system' behind it? Where did the huge capital channel come from? What is the guarantee?"

"After this transaction is completed, what business plans will be made for Wanjia Culture? Will it participate in the group company's personnel appointments and management? Will it hold shares for a long time? Will it..."

The film information that *The Great Wall*'s daily box office fell from 53 million on the 19th to 46.6 million again, could no longer attract the attention and interest of the entire film and television industry and the melon-eating masses online.

Today, everyone's focus is on that public inquiry letter from the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Some of the inside story of this large-scale acquisition case was considered to be pointed out for the first time, placed nakedly in front of the public.

However, in the eyes of capital in the film and television and financial industries, although this inquiry letter from the Shanghai Stock Exchange is full of "difficult problems," it cannot stump the questioned object, and it will even help her and them.

The final result will only be that the Alibaba system is named from behind the scenes to the front of the stage; at the same time, it will also strengthen the confidence of retail investors, because the Alibaba system and the person who steers Alibaba are even more "gods"!

"No need to think, in the written response to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, there will definitely not be any affirmative wording about 'business plans' and 'long-term holding';"

"They will only prevaricate and deal with it. After all, this acquisition case has been approved by the CSRC, and the Shanghai Stock Exchange only has the power to inquire!"

Wang Changtian's tone was a bit sour. No one doesn't like quick money, but this is obviously a crooked path, which is inconsistent with his status, status, and style of conduct; so he can only watch, complaining helplessly.

Lin Nan was too lazy to bother with Old Wang's sigh, but continued to browse the annual meeting planning book and performance guest list drafted by Enlight Media with Yue Jun.

Originally, it was enough to send someone to send it, but Wang Changtian insisted on coming in person, and even called Lin Nan to the company like a life-threatening call.

In his words: Thanks to the "Limit Korea Order," he finally received the work of Lin Nan Film's annual meeting.

That's right, Enlight Media's main business includes large-scale entertainment commercial performances, literary and artistic evenings, and other event planning and hosting, and it is the existence of the industry's number one!

"Tsk tsk tsk, to use an exaggerated metaphor, it is really a whale falling and all things living. Look at this list after the South Korean side withdrew from the domestic market, it instantly became diverse. Japanese, mainland, Hong Kong, Singapore... Eh? Why is there a South Korean girl group? Chairman Wang, you are going to make trouble?" Lin Nan looked at Wang Changtian curiously, puzzled.

The latter didn't answer, but threw a disgusted look, and said angrily: "Ignorant! Let Yue Jun explain to your boss."

"Director Lin, there are quite a few trainees who debuted over there in China, and there are also combinations cultivated together with companies over there; and there are definitely quite a few Chinese artists in the combination;"

Yue Jun immediately explained with a smile, and pointed to the list to introduce, "Like this 'Cosmic Girls' belongs to the combination established at the beginning of this year, and the girl Cheng Xiao who leads the team this time is Chinese."

"In the second half of this year, the entertainment companies cultivating idol trainees in China are like an eruption.

After the 'Limit Korea Order' came out, the names of these Chinese idols were all sent to Enlight Media by domestic companies, and the most important thing is—they are cheap now!"

Wang Changtian laughed, but this is indeed a fact.

And just like the joke Lin Nan said just now: After the South Korean film and television entertainment circle lost the Chinese market, it is really a whale falling and all things living here, especially in the cultivation of idol artists!

"Fine, then cancel their Amsterdam half-month tour benefits!" Lin Nan closed the list by himself. He had no objections, just arrange it like this.

"Ah? Hahaha..."

While Lin Nan Film was chatting and laughing, the atmosphere in the chairman's office of China Film Group was the exact opposite.

La Peikang sat there with a blue face. On the sofa were Zhang Zhao, Zhang Yimou, and the person in charge of Wanda Culture's global business department. The four were all in a serious and silent state.

Two hours ago, Universal Pictures sent an email to China Film Group. They set the time for the premiere of *The Great Wall* in North America.

Zhang Yimou needs to lead the team to arrive in Hollywood before February 15th, Los Angeles time, to attend the premiere.

In addition to this, the email also notified a thing that could not be accepted: Universal temporarily will not issue invitation letters to several core creators of *The Great Wall* crew for the Oscar awards ceremony and banquet.

This also represents that the thing said very early, that *The Great Wall* can appear on the Oscar red carpet and attend the awards ceremony for two consecutive years, is not necessarily valid.

"They said, the reputation and box office data of *The Great Wall* in the mainland are far from expectations, so they have to look at the box office performance of *The Great Wall* in North America to decide whether to invite."

La Peikang sneered and said, those people in Universal are really snobbish; even if it is a film initiated and invested by themselves, they are so ruthless!

"Released in North America on the 17th, and the Oscars will be held on the 26th... Are they going to look at the first week's box office?" Zhang Yimou muttered in a low voice.

"Can Legendary Pictures issue invitations?" Zhang Zhao looked at the Wanda executive who was called by La Peikang.

The latter heard this, and shook his head helplessly under the "questioning" eyes of the three:

"Chairman La, President Zhang, Director Zhang, although Wanda acquired Legendary, it has words in advance and wrote it into the contract, and will not interfere with Legendary's operations and decisions."

"In addition, the largest producer of this film is Universal Pictures, only they have the power to decide whether to invite *The Great Wall* to attend the Oscars;"

"Unless the Academy takes the initiative to invite, otherwise we can only wait for Universal's attitude. And other sponsors, although they are also qualified, will definitely not overstep their authority, and there is no such reason!"

After hearing this answer, La Peikang's face became even uglier, and Zhang Zhao was the same. Even Zhang Yimou, who had always looked at things openly, couldn't help but show a lonely expression.

The thing that *The Great Wall* would appear at the Oscars for the second time next February had been publicized since last year, and it had been known to the whole internet, and no one in the industry didn't know.

If *The Great Wall* was absent from the Oscars at that time, then China Film Group's face, La Peikang's face... it is hard to imagine what it would be beaten into? But it is certain that the two will definitely become objects of ridicule by everyone in the circle!

Time came to the 22nd.

Zhang Mo's chick flick *Suddenly Seventeen* managed to get a share in the cracks of the New Year film season; it took 13 days to get 110 million, the daily revenue was less than 10,000, and the screening rate was officially zero!

And *The Wasted Times* was a bit miserable. Yesterday was the sixth day of release, and the daily revenue was 3 million. After the two films are released tomorrow, this film will probably be completely gone.

The films most concerned by the film industry are still *The Great Wall* and *Operation Meigonghe*. The former raked in 41.1 million yesterday, while the latter officially fell below 30 million, with a daily revenue of 29.24 million.

However, against the background that *Operation Meigonghe* has been screened for 24 days, this daily box office data is quite strong. Hmm, exceptionally strong!

And the 3 billion box office mark is also close at hand.

"Do you think Chairman Ren is a little nervous at this moment? After 12 o'clock tonight, *Railroad Tigers* will be released!"

Liu Yifei was wearing a beautiful printed pajama, and leaned on Lin Nan's side. This question, Director Lin was also very curious.

By this time, to say that those few in the General Bureau and the Film Bureau didn't know, didn't understand... even if he was beaten to death, he wouldn't believe it.

"Maybe, they knew it long ago?"

"What are you talking about?" Liu Yifei turned Lin Nan's face to her, puzzled.

"I said, Director Tong, Director Zhang, they might have known about *Railroad Tigers* long ago."

"Then... then why is there

"I'm telling you, Director Tong, Director Zhang, and the others probably knew about the *Railroad Tigers* situation a long time ago."

"Then... then why was there no reaction? Are they pretending not to know?" Liu Yifei was stunned for a moment, but she wasn't too shocked; after all, everyone was an adult, and they had seen many such things long ago.

"The industry always says Han Dong led Chinese cinema through its most difficult period, and he has indeed always kept Chairman Ren in check. But one must acknowledge a fact: Chairman Ren's contributions are equally significant, second only to Han Dong's.

Back in the year 2000, the Shanghai Film Group was still dirt poor. But since he took full control in early 2003, he is the one who led the Shanghai Film Group step by step to where it is today, standing on equal footing with the China Film Group and contributing to the growth of Chinese cinema."

Speaking of this, Lin Nan looked at Liu Yifei's exquisite face and joked, "Did you understand the meaning behind my words?"

Miss Liu nodded earnestly: "I understand. If Han Dong did the same thing, the higher-ups would also pretend not to see it and deal with it after the fact..."

"But Han Dong wouldn't do such a thing! However, one can see the same logic from the project approval of *Dying to Survive*."

Lin Nan smiled and corrected classmate Liu Qianqian's inappropriate analogy, clearing the air for Han Sanping.

If the higher-ups could grant special consideration to him, the youngest major director, then for a veteran contributor with such deep qualifications as Ren Zhonglun, they could naturally turn a blind eye even more and let him be "willful" once!

As for how to deal with it after the fact? I'm afraid the most they would do is give him a stern scolding, right? "Don't let it happen again!"?

Some things are hard to explain clearly; after all, this is a society of "people."

"But since we're on the subject, I 'can't help' but comment on Chairman La as well. Hmm, he absolutely won't enjoy the same treatment as Han Dong and Chairman Ren! Haha..."

Shanghai Film Group.

At this moment, Ren Zhonglun was in a completely relaxed state of mind. After suffering for so long, the film was finally about to be released, and the stone in his heart could finally be set down.

A knock on the door outside the office sounded abruptly. Ren Zhonglun looked up: "Come in."

"Chairman Ren, the distribution department has checked with all theater chains, and tomorrow's comprehensive screening rate will be around 29%."

"And what about that film *See You Tomorrow* from Alibaba Pictures?"

"35%." The secretary blurted out; after all, one needs to know oneself and the enemy.

Hearing this number, Ren Zhonglun didn't say anything. After all, in terms of the creative team, that side really did have plenty of gimmicks.

As for film promotion, the Shanghai Film Group was extremely low-key and had invested almost no cost. So, it was reasonable that *Railroad Tigers* was not as valued by the theater chains as *See You Tomorrow*, and he had no objections.

"Go help me book a flight and a hotel; I'm flying to Beijing tomorrow morning." Ren Zhonglun changed the subject abruptly and inexplicably.

The secretary heard this, and their heart skipped a beat. "Chairman Ren? Should we wait for the Film Bureau to..."

"I'll go to Beijing and wait. I estimate they will look for me within two or three days." Ren Zhonglun said with a smile. From the day the film project was approved, he had been waiting for this moment.

"Then should we tell Jackie Chan and have him come along?" the secretary suggested sincerely.

"Hmm? Come to think of it, that's a pretty good idea."

As he spoke, Ren Zhonglun picked up the private phone on his desk, found the number, and dialed it.

In less than ten seconds, the call was answered. With the speakerphone on, a voice sounded in the office: "Chairman Ren?"

"I'm flying to Beijing tomorrow morning. You should also take three days off from the crew."

"Okay, I'll go tell the director's team in a moment. I will fly directly to Beijing from abroad in the afternoon, and I will go to the airport to pick up Chairman Ren tomorrow morning." Jackie Chan also seemed to have been waiting for a long time; everything was understood without being said.

"Hmm, thank you for your hard work."

"Chairman Ren, you're joking; I should be the one thanking you."

……

Throughout the day, the media were warming up for the two films *Railroad Tigers* and *See You Tomorrow*.

However, at 3:00 PM, a piece of film project information from Huayi Brothers broke through the encirclement and topped the headlines of film and entertainment news!

Controlled and produced by Huayi Brothers, the third installment of Tsui Hark's "Detective Dee series," *Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings*, was officially approved, and open casting for the entire film and television industry began immediately.

It must be said that this film news really shocked the entire production industry, simply because of the astonishing budget cost announced by Huayi Brothers.

Even Lin Nan and Liu Yifei, who were staying at home, were dumbfounded, and Lin Nan couldn't help but curse out loud:

"Huayi isn't even pretending anymore; isn't this too blatant?! The investment cost for *Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame* was 130 million, and the cost for *Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon* was also 130 million.

But for this *The Four Heavenly Kings*, it has actually soared directly to 500 million, and that's just the starting budget, with no ceiling! Are they filming a martial arts movie?"

"So, you mean they are..." Liu Yifei stopped at the point, her words implying more than what was said.

"Huayi Brothers is already showing a reckless attitude; the cost of the series has quadrupled directly, and it's highly likely it will go even higher...

Do they have a grudge against money? It's as if that's not money, just numbers that can be changed at will, and the bigger the number, the better!"

Lin Nan was 70% to 80% sure that this was...