Chapter 891

From the 3rd to the 6th, a continuous 4-day plunge caused the daily box office of *The Founding of an Army* to completely hit zero.

On the morning of the 7th, under the gaze of the entire film industry, this tribute film, which had become a major industry joke since the day of its premiere, finally made a sloppy exit.

"It is reported: The film *The Founding of an Army*, a tribute to the 90th anniversary of the founding of the army, controlled and produced by China Film Group, unfortunately ended its theatrical run this morning, failing to complete a full month of public screening.

The film was released for 10 days, with a cumulative box office of 302 million. Compared to the 200 million investment cost, the losses are severe; and as the final installment of the 'Founding of the Nation' trilogy, *The Founding of an Army* has effectively ended in a fizzle."

"As of last night, the patriotic, mainstream commercial blockbuster *Wolf Warrior 2* has officially surpassed 3 billion in total box office, reaching 3.06 billion; the film has become the third domestic film to break the 3 billion mark, and is currently ranked third on the Chinese film box office list!"

"Exclusively produced by Alibaba Pictures, the film version of *Once Upon a Time* has been in theaters for four days, grossing a cumulative 201 million at the box office. Due to word-of-mouth issues, yesterday's box office fell to over 26 million, showing a complete trend of collapse."

"This morning, directors Han Jia and Han Sanping set off for Guizhou with the *Unnamed* crew... Lin Dao Nan appeared at the airport to see them off."

……

The current film market can be completely described as a stage where *Wolf Warrior 2* stands alone; there is simply no room for any other film.

In just 10 days, Wu Jing has also become a hot commodity in the industry as if he were riding a rocket; it would not be an exaggeration to describe him with the phrase, "Who in the world does not know you?"

At the same time, the question of how much box office revenue the four production companies can reap through *Wolf Warrior 2* has undoubtedly become a topic of discussion across the entire internet. Without exception, everyone in the industry is green with envy... because a 4 billion box office seems to be a foregone conclusion!

"Alright, alright, stop hovering in front of me. I'll give you a belated congratulations, okay? Congratulations on your nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Rooster Awards.

To be honest, it's not like you haven't been nominated before. Didn't you get nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Horse Awards last time? There's absolutely no need to be this expectant;

And don't blame me for discouraging you, but in my opinion, you can only get as far as the nomination. It's impossible for the Golden Rooster to give you the award." Lin Nan's words directly extinguished the fire in Zhu Yawen's heart.

"Why? On what grounds?"

"Can't you tell? This year's Golden Rooster Awards have been contracted by Huayi. For the film *The Conformist*, Huayi is only a participating investor, not the lead producer. Besides, the subject matter of this film isn't right, and the quality is a far cry from the other few films."

Following Lin Nan's explanation, Liu Yifei, Shu Chang, Luo Jin, and Tang Yan all cast "please accept my condolences" looks at Zhu Yawen.

"His... grandfather's." Facing the absolute certainty of the great Lin Dao, Zhu Yawen couldn't even manage a rebuttal and could only grumble a curse.

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about things that make Old Zhu unhappy. Let's talk about something happy on my side. Tang Tang."

Luo Jin smiled and shook his head at Tang Yan, who immediately beamed with a smile and pulled a stack of red items—invitations—out of her bag.

"These are the invitation styles Luo Jin and I just selected a couple of days ago. When I came over today, I took the opportunity to hand-write one engagement banquet invitation for everyone, for every household. Take a look..."

"Are you announcing it officially to the public?" Lin Nan asked, glancing at the time on the invitation. Only then did he realize that the date of this engagement seems to be Tang Yan's birthday?

"That's right, we plan to announce this on the 20th of this month and send out invitations to the public at the same time. We only plan to invite a small number of people to this engagement banquet, and we'll hold a grand one next year."

The muscles in Luo Jin's face were probably about to cramp from smiling. The "next year" he mentioned would be the time for the wedding.

"Luo Jin, you're quite something. You've learned pretty quickly from our Lin Dao. Getting engaged on the woman's birthday..." Zhu Yawen couldn't help but tease, and subsequently received an eye-roll from his classmate.

"The restaurant people are here." Shu Chang's eyes were bright, and she suddenly interrupted everyone's laughter.

They saw a van parked outside the main gate, and restaurant staff had already gotten out and started moving insulated boxes.

"Alright, get ready for the meal. It's rare that we could all get together; we can drink some red wine today."

Lin Nan greeted them with a smile. When he returned from the airport after 10 a. m., Zhu Yawen and the others had already arrived, just waiting for the noon gathering.

On the other side, Lin Nan Pictures.

"Lin Dao and the others are eating and drinking at home, having a great time. They've completely dumped the Venice itinerary planning on the two of us!" Yue Jun teased while discussing work arrangements with Jiang Xuerou.

"How about I take people and leave 5 days early? That time is enough for us to coordinate with the Venice International Film Festival organizing committee regarding the exhibition area and film screenings." Jiang Xuerou suggested.

"Hmm? That works too." Yue Jun thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

……

The two days of the 7th and 8th flashed by. Early on the 9th, the Chinese film circle officially welcomed a "new king"!

Wu Jing, with *Wolf Warrior 2*, forcefully topped the Chinese film box office list with 3.492 billion, while *Operation Mekong* and *The Mermaid* dropped to second and third place respectively.

Even the CCTV morning news featured a 10-second report, and the movie channel even opened a special segment in the morning...

……

In the early hours of the 11th, *Wolf Warrior 2* officially broke the 4 billion box office mark, also ushering Chinese cinema into the 4 billion yuan box office era.

Consequently, just past 12 noon, it appeared on CCTV-1 again for a few seconds.

And the news buzz about *Detective Chinatown 2* starting production in New York naturally took second place.

As for Alibaba Pictures' *Once Upon a Time*, it was also forced to be pulled from theaters early after 8 days of release, with the final box office fixed at 288 million.

On the 11th, *Wolf Warrior 2* barely grossed 140 million;

On the 12th, the box office rebounded, rising to 201 million;

On the 13th, it fell below 200 million again, reporting 151 million;

On the 14th, the box office officially fell below 100 million, collecting 97 million...

At noon on the 15th, Huayi and the Seven Impression Pictures under Guan Hu high-profile officially announced the cast list for *The Eight Hundred*, planning to start production on time in a month.

And Han Jia's *Unnamed* also started filming low-key at the same time in a remote small city in Guizhou.

Lin Nan arrived at Enlight Media just past 10 a. m. to visit Wang Changtian, who had been a bit restless lately.

"The film has only been in theaters for 20 days, why do I have a feeling that half a year has already passed?"

"Because the box office of *Wolf Warrior 2* makes every day feel like a year! Isn't that right, Chairman Wang?" Lin Nan smiled and flattered him.

"It's not just feeling like a year! This week, my blood pressure hasn't gone down at all, and my heart has been beating very fast every day... Lin Nan, looking at it like this, I'm afraid it can hit 5 billion, right?"

Wang Changtian looked straight at Lin Nan, his eyes a bit dazed.

He couldn't quite believe what was happening outside, and the entire circle had become a mess since the day *Wolf Warrior 2*'s box office officially broke 4 billion.

"Hmm, it should be able to reach 5 billion before the 18th. However, this film will definitely release all its box office potential within this month. Don't even think about how much box office there will be in that extended month; even getting a million a day is probably high."

Lin Nan said as such. The massive patriotic sentiment stirred up by the external environment was concentrated and erupted within this month for *Wolf Warrior 2*, converting into box office revenue.

Everyone who could enter a cinema had already done so, and there was an endless stream of viewers watching *Wolf Warrior 2* for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th time... that's why *Wolf Warrior 2* could reach this scale of box office.

It can only go this far; it absolutely cannot touch the edge of 6 billion, because the limitations of market scale and audience numbers are right there—it's an insurmountable shackle.

"The box office record was raised directly from 3.4 billion to over 5 billion, and it's an achievement *Wolf Warrior 2* reached within a month. This is simply like a dream. In the short term, I'm afraid it's impossible to have a new box office record, right?" Wang Changtian's eyes drifted, still immersed in that unreal state.

"Unless there is a similar external environment to stimulate it, otherwise it's absolutely impossible. Revenge consumption, blind consumption, hot-bloodedness... to break through, there must be an emotion that can drive the entire nation and all casual viewers, and the degree of eruption cannot lose to this time with *Wolf Warrior 2*." Lin Nan answered Old Wang's question very objectively.

One has to admit, after *Wolf Warrior 2* pulled this off, the box office record from now on is no longer something that can be obtained purely by film quality. It must have the best "timing," as well as the joint support of many external factors!

Film Bureau.

*Youth* appeared on the list of films that passed review and was handed over to the next department, just waiting for the official website announcement the day after tomorrow.

"After all, this film was personally rejected by Director Zhang several times before. For this review, are you sure we don't need to report it to Director Zhang?"

"The August First Film Studio has already come to greet us. What attitude do you think Director Zhang will have? Personally go and reject their face?" Once this rhetorical question came out, many people were speechless.

That's right, either pass or reject. According to past practice, with the involvement of such a unit, there is a high probability that face must be given.

"What if? Director Zhang is very decisive now."

"What if? Then you go?"

"Then let's forget it, it's thankless either way."

……

Zhang Yimou's studio, the father and daughter had also made their itinerary arrangements.

Zhang Mo would take people and leave early for Venice, while Zhang Yimou would arrive before the opening ceremony.

"Dad, since we chose to promote in Venice this time, I'm afraid we won't be able to go anywhere else next year, right?" Regarding which international film festival *Shadow* would sign up for, Zhang Mo had already guessed Zhang Yimou's thoughts.

"Let's stick with Venice. I've won two Golden Lion awards there." Zhang Yimou nodded, responding to his eldest daughter's question.

"Director Zhang, Mr. Dong from Huanxi Media is here." At this moment, an assistant knocked on the door and reported.

"Go and invite him over." Zhang Yimou looked at Zhang Mo.

"Okay."

Not long after, Dong Ping followed Zhang Mo into the office.

Nowadays, the entire circle had guessed the relationship between Zhang Yimou and Huanxi, so Dong Ping was prepared to come early to talk to Zhang Yimou about cooperation; he could also be considered to be taking advantage of LeEco, after all, Zhang Yimou's contract with LeEco hadn't officially expired yet.

"You mean for me to prepare the plan for the next film in advance, including the script. When the time comes, we can directly establish the project, cast, and then start filming?"

"That's right, Director Zhang, that's exactly what I mean. There are still 8 months until your contract expires, and you don't have anything else to do during this time, right? Being idle is being idle, you can completely prepare for the next film project in advance..."