Chapter 91: Crazy Racer

On the day "Red Cliff II" was released, "If You Are the One" successfully finished its theatrical run.

The latter grossed 340 million.

It was still 102 million short of the domestic box office record held by "The Martian".

"Director Feng Xiaogang has already done his best."

"I believe that for a very long time, no one will be able to break the box office record of 'The Martian'."

Huayi held a grand celebration banquet in the capital, inviting people from all over the industry.

Lin Nan did not go; he accompanied Liu Yifei to watch "Madagascar 2".

That evening, Wang Zhonglei called to tell Lin Nan that Huayi would be listed on the mainland's Growth Enterprise Market in the second half of the year.

Lin Nan remembered that Wang Zhonglei had previously stated firmly that they would list in the United States; he guessed they were scared off by the subprime mortgage crisis.

Huang Xiao took the initiative to visit Lin Nan.

He had obtained the role of the senior apprentice brother in "Ip Man 2".

"If someone else had acted in 'Painted Skin', they probably wouldn't have looked down on such a supporting role," Lin Nan laughed.

"I am different from those people. As long as I think it is a good work, I can accept both leading and supporting roles."

Lin Nan believed Huang Xiao when he said this.

Otherwise, why would he, as a top mainland young actor, go and act in "Summer's Desire" produced by the island side?

But it had to be said, his judgment this time was indeed a bit low-class; he was already heading down the path of a CEO.

"Thinking about it, you have acted in quite a few of my films: two that I directed, and two that I participated in investing."

Lin Nan suddenly remembered this.

"Haha, it is quite a coincidence. I am still waiting for Director Lin's 'Painted Skin 2'."

"That will probably take a long time to wait for."

The media published the first-day box office for "Red Cliff II".

Compared to the previous installment, it was a full 12 million less, grossing 15 million.

The decline in word-of-mouth was directly reflected in the box office figures.

Ning Hao decided to take the opportunity to launch another round of promotion to gain more attention and audience for "Crazy Racer".

Lin Nan was the miserable one, dragged onto programs twice.

But it must be said, having two big directors promote the same film together had surprisingly good results.

Topics about "Crazy Racer" in the media and online increased by nearly double in just a few days, surpassing the contract termination incident of the "Super Boy" champion.

"Do these talent agencies make money so ruthlessly? Squeezing them to death, and still demanding sky-high compensation for contract termination?"

Ning Hao looked at the news with a shocked expression.

"It seems that is indeed the case," Lin Nan replied.

Tianyu had always had a notorious reputation in this regard, but who let them have the backing of Mango TV.

Lin Nan thought of Red Star Dock; a long time ago, he suggested Liu Xiaoli buy back the shares held by Zhang Jizhong, and the latter had quickly gotten it done.

Now, all the equity of the company Red Star Dock was in the hands of Liu Yifei and her mother, which counted as working for themselves, and they were very free.

"You even praised an actress from Emperor Motion Pictures?"

Ning Hao seemed to have seen some incredible news and smirked.

"What's the situation?" Lin Nan was also confused and leaned in to take a look.

"The Myth" was going to be made into a TV series.

Jackie Chan was the executive producer, Tang Jili was the art director, Hu Ge was the male lead, and Bai Bing was playing Princess Yushu...

Lin Nan wanted to refute it, but opened his mouth and couldn't find the words; he had indeed said that Bai Bing was suitable for period costumes.

"At that time, while doing post-production for 'Painted Skin' at China Film, I ran into Fok Man-wai bringing this girl to ask Director Han for the role of Xue Baochai, so I just made a comment."

"This should count as a top-tier production TV series, with Jackie Chan leading, and Shanghai Film and Emperor Motion Pictures producing, with Director Ren and Albert Yeung personally standing in support."

Ning Hao nodded and commented.

…………

As the second and third-day box office figures for "Red Cliff II" were released.

The industry had already concluded that this film, let alone surpassing "If You Are the One" and "The Martian", would even fall far short of "Red Cliff I" in its final box office.

After more than a month of promotion, the premiere that Ning Hao had been looking forward to for a long time was coming.

Liu Yifei had changed into a long dress early on, which was one of the outfits she wore while shooting for "Vogue" fashion magazine two days ago.

Both the hairstyle and the clothes made her look several years more mature.

Lin Nan watched from the side; Liu Yifei was looking in the mirror, looking very satisfied.

Girls are just like this; when they are young, they always want to be more mature, and when they get older...

Lin Nan smiled helplessly; even when she got older, Liu Yifei wouldn't pretend to be young.

"Stop looking, it's already very beautiful."

"Hee hee, I think so too."

"By the way, can you walk the red carpet with me today?"

Liu Yifei looked at Lin Nan expectantly.

"I'm afraid not. I am one of the producers, so I have to be with Ning Hao and the others. That guy has reminded me several times."

"Alright then." Liu Yifei stopped dwelling on this issue.

Today was Ning Hao's home turf; Xing Ai was about to give birth, so she didn't come.

After Lin Nan and Liu Yifei separated, he met up with the crew and headed to the premiere venue together.

"Unaccountably a bit nervous, haha." Ning Hao clenched his fists.

"After today, Director Ning might soon be a 200-million director."

Huang Bo flattered him.

"Is this why you were able to rise from a supporting role in 'Crazy Stone' to the lead in 'Crazy Racer'?"

Someone joked, and everyone laughed.

"What are you saying? Am I the kind of person who flatters? I'm just stating a fact."

The premiere of "Crazy Racer" didn't pick and choose people like "Painted Skin" and "The Martian" did, so many guests came.

Ning Hao was one of the only two young directors to have broken through in recent years; the other was Lin Nan beside him.

Therefore, there were many actors who wanted to come and show their support.

Those sitting in the front row were all acquaintances.

"Yifei, you're dressed very beautifully today. If I had known, you should have walked the red carpet with us, haha."

Although Ning Hao was joking with Liu Yifei, his eyes looked at Lin Nan playfully.

"Good idea, it looks even more beautiful."

"Hey, hey, hey, you can't disparage people like that," Huang Bo said with a smile.

Many actresses were a bit jealous; Liu Yifei could already joke with big directors like Ning Hao.

The premiere of "Crazy Racer" didn't have many fancy tricks.

Soon, it was time for the film to play.

A 100-minute film, six narrative threads, the plot was tight and the logic was meticulous, challenging everyone's intelligence and attention.

In the end, all the seemingly scattered lines converged into one point.

The "Eighteen Farewells" after the credits ended was also very creative.

The venue erupted in thunderous applause; many people reacted slowly and were still pondering the plot just now.

Ning Hao held the microphone, a bit excited.

"The script for this film referenced 'Crazy Stone' when it was written. Although it is a different story, they are of the same style."

When a reporter asked Ning Hao about his specific expectations for the box office of "Crazy Racer", the latter handed the microphone to Lin Nan.

"Director Lin is quite experienced in box office estimation, let him do it."

This move by Ning Hao made many people at the scene laugh.

"Fine, if I'm to do it, I'll do it." Lin Nan did not decline.

"The production cost of 'Crazy Racer' is only 10 million. Including promotion, it's at most less than 15 million. In commercial films, this counts as a small budget."

"But everyone knows Director Ning's strength. 'Crazy Racer' is no less than 'Crazy Stone', so in the big slot of the New Year season, it is very possible to aim for a 200 million box office."

Many people heard this number mentioned by Lin Nan and were stunned at first, feeling that a 10 million cost aiming for a 200 million box office was a bit of a fantasy.

But then they thought, wasn't the original "Crazy Stone" also an 8 million cost with a 100 million box office?

More than 3 years later, it was still the New Year season; aiming for a 200 million box office didn't seem impossible.

Today's news material had one more item.

During the banquet, Lin Nan was stopped by a stranger.

"Director Lin, hello. I am Zhong Lifang from Small Horse."

A business card was handed over.

"Hello, is there anything?" Lin Nan saw Liu Yifei in the distance, chatting with Xie Nan about something.

"Our Small Horse has established a film company, and I am in charge of this area. I hope to cooperate with big directors like Director Lin in the future..."

"Hmm, let's talk about it if there is a chance in the future."

Seeing that Lin Nan seemed somewhat unmoved, Zhong Lifang kept smiling.

"Small Horse started with TV series, and in this area, we can also provide a lot of help to Director Lin's company..."

Looking at the person rambling on before him, Lin Nan finally understood why Ning Hao had told him this woman was very talkative.

As for the company Xiao Ma, he had indeed heard of it; it seemed many of its senior executives were relatives.

Such companies have advantages in the early stages, but the further they go, the greater the drawbacks become.

After ten or twenty minutes, Lin Nan finally managed to get away from Zhong Lifang.

"Is she very chatty?" Ning Hao asked with schadenfreude.

"Yes. But do you think I would cooperate with a company that has just stepped into the film circle?" Lin Nan asked in return.

"Hehe, no. To you, Xiao Ma doesn't even count as a chicken rib, but it's different for others."

Ning Hao said, gesturing for Lin Nan to look into the distance.

He saw a group of actors and filmmakers already surrounding Zhong Lifang, just as she had been doing by Lin Nan's side just moments ago.

This was the naked reality within the film and television circle.

…………

Headlines like "Racing's 200 Million Box Office Goal" appeared in the media.

On the first day of the official release, a large number of positive reviews for Racing appeared online in the afternoon.

"A duplex cemetery extending one level down, plus villas and a CBD... it cracked me up!"

"Even as a hitman, you have to love the job you do..."

"This flavor isn't right!"

"Could this flavor be right?"

……

"How much for the opening day?"

"Over twelve million, it's very good."

Ning Hao was very satisfied with this result.

Based on these figures, it would definitely pass one hundred million; as for two hundred million, it would depend on luck.

If it really doesn't work out, then he would have to see if the next film, No Man's Land, could push past two hundred million.

Many companies had noticed the opening day figures for Racing.

"Lin Nan has struck gold again; his luck is truly good."

Han Sanping sighed with emotion.

A commercial film with a ten-million budget, another blockbuster like Stone, it would go down in film history.

"After Racing, Director Ning has firmly secured his position as a major director."

"This is also good news for No Man's Land, which you decided to invest in."

The secretary chimed in at the right moment.

"That's right, I fully funded this film myself. When it's released next year, I'll pick a good release window for it, haha..."

Han Sanping already took it for granted that another achievement would be added to his record.

Ten minutes, chapter two.

Currently checking for typos.