Chapter 914: The Explanation of

"At 9:00 AM, Huayi's official Weibo officially released the schedule change announcement for the film *Youth*, and gave a detailed explanation regarding the pulling and rescheduling of the film:

First of all, Huayi, on behalf of the producers and the creative team of the film *Youth*, sincerely apologizes to all cooperating theater chains and the vast number of film fans. *Youth* did indeed receive a notice to be pulled from theaters due to content issues.

But here, we also want to publicly clarify the situation to set the record straight: the reason why *Youth* was forcibly pulled from theaters is not what the outside world rumored about involving sensitive topics, sensitive backgrounds, and deliberate and subtle smearing...

The real reason is mainly that the film involves a bloody long shot depicting the conflict against Vietnam, which is over six minutes long; Director Feng's creation of this shot at the beginning was just to show the extreme cruelty of war...

After consultation between all producers and Director Feng Xiaogang: the film *Youth* is officially rescheduled to be publicly screened on December 15th in the New Year slot starting today... Please look forward to it."

In the eyes of the film and television industry, Huayi's explanation was completely a way to fool ghosts. The shrewd netizens on the internet even shouted the mockery of "no silver three hundred taels here."

After all, this reason really doesn't make sense!

Just imagine, if the problem was really just because of a bloody long shot, would this film need to be rejected three times? And after receiving the public screening permit for the fourth time, it was still forcibly pulled?

Most importantly, would the leaders of the Bureau ruin their own faces and credibility like this? Just because of a bloody shot on the battlefield?

However, as the old saying goes, "explanation" is often not for outsiders, but a step for oneself!

Of course, besides mocking and questioning Huayi's explanation, the point that netizens on the internet paid the most attention to was undoubtedly the new schedule of *Youth* — another big general added to the New Year slot!

Outside China Film, Yue Jun flipped through the news that had just been refreshed on Weibo, feeling quite speechless for a while.

Before, his schedule suggestion to Yan Fei and Peng Damo was to choose a big schedule between the two big directors, that is, *Never Say Die* would go directly to the New Year slot to confront Director Chen's *Legend of the Demon Cat*, without bothering about *Youth*...

"Tsk tsk, it's good now, Feng Xiaogang is also coming. This year's New Year slot is really exciting!"

Yue Jun muttered with interest, and then walked straight into the gate of China Film. For a familiar face like him, the security department naturally wouldn't stop him.

Ten minutes later, the secretary walked quickly toward Chairman La Peikang's office, knocked on the door, and entered.

"Is everyone here?" Chairman La asked without raising his head, he was busy dealing with documents at his desk.

However, he was also very concerned about *The Mermaid 2*. Because this film was undoubtedly destined to be a blockbuster, after all, the first one cut down more than 3 billion in box office!

"Chairman La, all producers are here. Director Stephen Chow is also waiting in the conference hall."

"Then let's go." Upon hearing this, La Peikang put down his pen after signing the documents at hand and stood up with a smile.

But at this time, the secretary hesitated.

"If you have anything to say, just say it. As long as it's business, don't hesitate to consider too much." La Peikang walked in front with big strides, urging at the same time.

"Chairman La, the one representing Lin Nan Pictures is Yue Jun, Lin Dao didn't come."

The moment the words fell, La Peikang's pace subconsciously slowed down, "Good, I know."

"Also, the one who came from Shanghai Film isn't Chairman Ren, but the Vice Chairman." The secretary added, biting the bullet. He could already clearly feel that his leader's aura was a bit cold.

"Ren Zhonglun? Did Shanghai Film give a reason?"

"No, none."

"Go." La Peikang didn't speak again, but quickened his pace.

At the same time, inside China Film's conference hall, Yue Jun was dealing with the socializing of a group of people. After all, he is the big housekeeper of Lin Nan Pictures, and he has a lot of resources in his hands!

It's just that while talking and laughing, his eyes also glanced at the Huayi team not far away from time to time; to be precise, he was secretly glancing at Wu Yifan beside Wang Zhonglei.

Looking at Stephen Chow again, he was completely the focus of the audience. The predetermined producers of *The Mermaid 2* such as Huayi and Shanghai New Culture were all surrounding him, laughing and flattering.

"So, is it confirmed that he is the male lead?" Yue Jun approached the Vice Chairman of Shanghai Film and asked in a low voice.

"Hmm, it was decided by Stephen Chow himself. Chairman Ren only heard about it later. That Wu Yifan is the candidate strongly pushed by Jackie Chan's Sparkle Roll Media and Huayi, and Stephen Chow also thinks highly of him... I heard that when the first one was made, Lin Dao disagreed?"

Yue Jun nodded slightly, which was considered a default. At the same time, he was also muttering in his heart: "It seems that I really have to execute Plan B today! It's just, it seems a bit eye-catching, right?"

At this time, La Peikang led people and finally appeared at the door of the conference hall.

"Chairman La."

"Chairman La, we've been waiting for you."

The sound of greetings rose one after another, which also meant that today's business was about to begin.

Sure enough, as soon as La Peikang sat down, he handed the initiative to Stephen Chow and signaled the secretary to close the door of the conference hall.

"Let me tell everyone about the film budget first. Remember that the budget for *The Mermaid* was 300 million, but in the end, it actually cost 350 million.

Here, I sincerely thank Lin Dao and Chairman Ren again for their help, although the two of them didn't come today because they have things to do."

Stephen Chow said the opening remarks with a smile. Because of his accent, he spoke very slowly.

"As for *The Mermaid 2*, the cost budget this time is 600 million. Everyone, don't be surprised first, listen to me finish. Because the script content this time involves more sci-fi elements and shots, such as the story plot and special effects shots in space, as well as wormhole special effects, alien planet scenes... so the production cost has almost doubled..."

Although Stephen Chow spoke eloquently, Yue Jun still couldn't help but stare and despise. 600 million? Good guy, I'm afraid half of this will be eaten by you, the director!

"... As for the lead actors, the female lead will still be Lin Yun from the first one. And I have already decided on the male lead, Yifan. Our cooperation experience in *Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back* was very good. He is a very sunny and pure boy, I believe he can play the male lead of *The Mermaid 2* well..."

Stephen Chow patted Wu Yifan on the shoulder while introducing him to everyone with a smile. And the latter was also smiling and cupping his hands, looking like he was unworthy, "humble," and "embarrassed."

Before long, it was La Peikang's turn to speak.

He looked at all the producer personnel present, especially Yue Jun and the Vice Chairman of Shanghai Film, and then spoke very solemnly about the share distribution:

"Although Lin Nan Pictures and Shanghai Film were producers of the first one, for *The Mermaid 2*, you can get at most 30% of the share. I mean the two of you together only have 30%. Because you have also seen the number of investors this time, as many as 10, and they are all big companies..."

La Peikang spoke like a dictator. Obviously, he had already reached an agreement with the other controlling producer, Stephen Chow, before.

But just at this time, a voice abruptly interrupted La Peikang, causing everyone present to look over — it was Yue Jun!

"What's the matter?" Although displeased, Chairman La still asked calmly.

"Chairman La, Director Chow, I want to confirm. The male and female leads are now officially decided, right?" Yue Jun asked very seriously.

"Yes, it's decided. If Lin Dao wants to arrange any actors here, Director Yue can take the script back later, but they can only be supporting roles." Stephen Chow answered with a smile.

"Then I understand." Yue Jun nodded upon hearing this. Then he stood up and looked at the two with a smile:

"Chairman La, Director Chow, on behalf of Lin Nan Pictures, I thank you both for your invitation. But unfortunately, the company has other film plans, so we voluntarily withdraw from the producer team of *The Mermaid 2* and give up that investment share."

Everyone looked at Yue Jun as if they had seen a ghost. Is his brain flooded?

"Yue Jun, this is *The Mermaid 2*, the sequel to a 3.39 billion box office film!" La Peikang's face was dark, and his tone was cold.

Looking at Wang Zhonglei and the others, besides being stunned, their eyes were filled with mockery and excitement. Lin Nan Pictures chose to leave? Good thing! Everyone can eat a little more of the vacated share.

"Chairman La, I know *The Mermaid* got 3.39 billion at the box office. But with this sequel's 600 million investment, how much profit can so many producers finally get?"

"Lin Nan Pictures really doesn't lack this bit, and we happen to have other projects to be busy with in a while, so we might as well give the share of *The Mermaid 2* to everyone." Yue Jun maintained his smiling appearance and politely refused.

At this moment, La Peikang was really a bit angry, but he couldn't vent his anger, he couldn't vent it. Because Yue Jun had been in a humble attitude from beginning to end, not trying to take more, but giving up benefits.

Just at this time, another voice that added fuel to the fire sounded, it was the Vice Chairman of Shanghai Film:

"Chairman La, Director Chow, Chairman Ren asked me to tell you both on his behalf, thank you very much for the invitation from China Film and Starry Sky. But this time, Shanghai Film is not prepared to participate in *The Mermaid 2*... and I also wish this film a big box office success, far exceeding the first one."

In an instant, you could hear a pin drop in the conference hall.

Lin Nan Pictures and Shanghai Film withdrawing from the producer team of *The Mermaid 2* at the same time, this is not a small matter, but a big event!

"Are you two sure?" Stephen Chow's face also lost its smile. He questioned again, and the response to him was the nodding of the two.

"Since Lin Nan Pictures and Shanghai Film are not prepared to participate, and both voluntarily withdraw, then you can leave now. Because the next is an investment meeting involving commercial secrets, outsiders cannot be present." La Peikang's cold voice sounded, issuing an order to leave.

............ ===== CHAPTER 915 =====