Chapter 940: *Mulan* Project Launch, The Second Jury Member!

The Hollywood Walk of Fame was originally a world-famous tourist attraction, maintaining a high volume of visitors all year round.

But this morning, outside the Chinese Theatre located in the core area, the number of media, the density of tourists, and the specifications of the security level were all far exceeding any large-scale event of the awards season.

Especially when many Hollywood actors and international superstars arrived one after another and appeared on the red carpet, this Disney media press conference suddenly became comparable to the Oscar awards ceremony!

"Jackie, what are you dazed for? Hey, over here..." A black actor saw Jackie Chan, who was wearing black-rimmed glasses, waving from afar.

It was no wonder Jackie Chan was dazed. He had just stepped into the theatre's main entrance when he looked up and was shocked by the giant poster around him—it was the poster for the Disney animated version of *Mulan* from back then.

"Good fellow, is this the press conference for this movie?" Jackie Chan muttered, vaguely guessing a little in his heart.

"I still can't quite believe it? Crystal and Lin didn't mention this at all two days ago!" Jessica Chastain muttered, her eyes shining.

"Isn't it obvious? To choose a Chinese person to star, she is the highest priority choice, even the only choice." Naomi Watts beside her replied with a smile.

"Leo, I have a premonition, Lin and them wouldn't be a husband-and-wife team, would they?" On the other side, Ma Te Damon pointed to the line "Disney Live-Action Film: *Mulan* Global Media Project Launch Press Conference" on the giant poster wall and said to Leonardo, half-questioning and half-affirming.

"He really has a movie? It's a pity, it's not only unsuitable for us, but also unsuitable for all actors other than Chinese." Leonardo smiled helplessly. He had the same premonition as Ma Te!

Today, all the actors, directors, and filmmakers in Hollywood who had interacted with, collaborated with, or were even familiar with Lin Nan and Liu Yifei had all arrived without exception.

Everyone had only vaguely associated some things after entering the theatre; immediately after, their eyes and thoughts were all locked on Lin Nan and Liu Yifei.

Because according to past experience, Lin Nan only came to Hollywood during the awards season when his English-language films were submitted for the Oscars and needed PR.

And this awards season had nothing to do with Lin Nan and Liu Yifei, but they arrived 4 days ago? At this moment, everything was explained!

Backstage at the theatre, in the large lounge area.

Disney people were checking the press conference process with Lin Nan and Liu Yifei for the last time to ensure that today's large-scale *Mulan* media project launch press conference would not have any unexpected situations.

"... You don't need to speak for the first hour. This is the time for Disney Pictures' production department. We will announce the investment, production, location shooting, and other arrangements for *Mulan* to the global media for the first time;"

"Crystal, you have a separate speaking session and interview session afterward. The time is 40 minutes. We will remind you from the side."

"Lin, you are after Crystal, but you only have 20 minutes. Information about the specific conception and content of the film still needs to be kept confidential. Please try to be careful in dealing with that group of media; they are all very cunning..."

"No problem, I understand." Lin Nan nodded with a smile.

Today's protagonist was not him, but "Mulan." Look, she was sitting right beside him; hmm, her smile was very sweet, "Turn back, I want to see your profile."

Hearing this, Liu Yifei raised her eyebrows smugly, giggled, and stopped looking at Lin Nan.

At 9:40 AM, the Disney team left first and walked solemnly and formally toward the press conference site...

Even though Lin Nan and Liu Yifei were backstage and far away, they could still clearly hear the thunderous applause and the faint sound of shutters.

Just at 10 o'clock sharp, the staff reminded Lin Nan and Liu Yifei that they could move and prepare.

Surrounded by assistants and staff, the two moved from the lounge area to the waiting area.

At this time, they were only five or six meters away from the press conference site, separated only by two screens... The enthusiastic atmosphere of the scene, the sound of microphones, flashes, noisy and excited discussions—everything seemed to be close at hand.

The next instant, they only heard the Disney people speaking in an impassioned tone, their voices echoing in the grand theatre through the microphone: "... Welcome, the lead actress of the Disney live-action film *Mulan*, Crystal Liu; the director of the Disney live-action film *Mulan*, Lin..."

"Xixi, let's go."

"Hmm."

The two looked at each other and smiled, subconsciously tightening the other hand they were holding, then walked out side by side.

The moment Liu Yifei and Lin Nan appeared in front of hundreds of lenses and blinding flashes, screams first erupted from several familiar faces, and the support was directly maxed out.

And what the two could respond with were even brighter smiles, waving their other hands.

Hollywood time passed second by second, gradually approaching noon;

At the same time, the news of the Disney live-action film *Mulan*'s large-scale media project launch press conference also spread from the Walk of Fame... to the global film circle.

On the other side, domestic time had already reached past three o'clock from the zero hour of December 1st.

The night shift staff of major portal websites and social media were caught off guard and dizzy by the "big news" that fell from the sky; when they woke up again, everyone seemed to have been injected with chicken blood and was restless!

While countless people were still immersed in their dreams, film and entertainment news online quietly began a major reshuffle; all existing hot searches and headlines were removed and replaced with explosive news from Hollywood across the ocean, and it was constantly being refreshed and accumulated.

As the morning drew closer, the voices online began to increase; until after seven o'clock in the morning, it completely formed an overwhelming tide of traffic...

The film information transmitted back from Hollywood swept and shocked the entire domestic film and television entertainment industry like a hurricane, strongly focusing the eyes of everyone in the industry.

"At 1:00 AM today, which is the morning of November 30th, Hollywood time, Disney Pictures held a high-profile *Mulan* global project launch press conference at the Chinese Theatre on the Walk of Fame..."

"Facing the global film industry, it officially announced the main creative lineup: Liu Yifei will star as the lead actress of the live-action film *Mulan*, and Lin Dao Nan will serve as the director of *Mulan*..."

"Quoting Hollywood media reports, the person in charge of the Disney team confirmed at the press conference site:"

"The live-action film *Mulan* has an initial investment budget of 200 million USD; the film will be shot entirely on location in China... Lin Dao Nan has obtained 100% authorization and will be fully responsible for script matters, casting, location scouting, and building a professional team to complete costumes, props, historical material positioning, and background worldview construction... Core lead Liu Yifei will undergo at least half a year of physical and professional training. The film is expected to start filming as early as the second half of 2018..."

"After the press conference, Lin Dao Nan accepted an exclusive interview with the Movie Channel and stated: The *Mulan* film project is huge. When it is officially prepared, it will inevitably need the common help of major film studios, major art academies, history scholars from various universities, museums... martial arts directors, and a large number of other relevant units, institutions, and professionals..."

"Liu Yifei was relaxed and witty in front of the Movie Channel's camera, and while talking and laughing, she also had a headache for Lin Dao Nan: 'Lin Nan will be much, much more tired than me. I only need to complete the training and perform according to the script and his requirements, but he will be difficult;'"

"'A large-scale film project with an investment of as much as 200 million USD requires him to coordinate and be responsible for the whole process from scratch. I really can't imagine how tired he will be... I also hope that partners like Western Film Group can share more work and help more... He originally said he wanted to be a salted fish and lie flat at home, haha...'"

The 85.46 million second-day box office of *Ex-Files 3* couldn't squeeze into the hot search list of film and television entertainment information at all, because the eyes of the entire industry and the entire network were firmly locked on the news related to *Mulan*!

"Good fellow, Lin Dao and Liu Yifei are launching a satellite without making a sound!"

"Hiss... 200 million USD production cost? For this kind of top-tier A-level production, thinking about it, it is indeed only suitable for Lin Dao and his wife. Hmm, they are both our own people."

"Have you noticed one thing? It's been almost 15 years since Lin Dao Nan debuted as a director. This is his first 'foreign film', and it's a husband-and-wife combination!"

"Hmm? Come to think of it, this is indeed the first time Lin Dao Nan has taken on a film from another company!"

"I'm very curious about how Lin Dao's salary for taking on a foreign film is calculated? He seems to be the most expensive film director in the country, none other."

"In Hollywood, if nothing goes wrong, Lin Dao and Liu Yifei should both be taking box office shares... Large productions there are generally like this!"

"Damn, this dog..." In Shanghai, Ning Hao cursed while eating breakfast. When he just saw the news online, he subconsciously thought he hadn't woken up yet.

He admitted that he hadn't recovered until now; and he was really envious and jealous, unable to hide that emotion at all!

"Changchang, looking at you like this, did you know it early on?" Xing Aina looked at Watching Shu Chang, who was full of joy, and asked tentatively.

"Oh my, I finally don't have to hide it. I was almost suffocated during this time, hehe."

Under the gaze of Xing Aina, Qin Hailu, Yuan Quan, Xin Baiqing, Qin Hao, and others, Watching Shu Chang nodded with a giggle. She had accompanied Liu Yifei to the audition the whole way, and as an intimate sister, she naturally knew the result the first time.

"Lin Dao is afraid he won't be able to be idle after coming back this time! In the eyes of the entire circle, he is undoubtedly a piece of walking fat meat. He has obtained absolute autonomy for the crew, an A-level production of 200 million USD!"

A sentence from Qin Hailu instantly reminded everyone present. Only Li Baotian continued to drink millet porridge calmly, looking completely unconcerned.

Not just Ning Hao, the mood of all the great domestic directors at this moment was very complicated. Especially those who had participated in the competition for the director of *Mulan*, such as Chen Kaige, Jiang Wen...

"Sigh, remember to congratulate the couple later." Chen Kaige ate breakfast expressionlessly and said casually to Chen Hong.

The latter could clearly feel Director Chen's dejected mood at this moment, but she didn't speak to comfort him, because that would only make him embarrassed.

In addition, she also had other thoughts at this moment, and a ray of spirit flashed in her eyes, "Lin Dao and Yifei have already promised to attend the premiere of *Legend of the Demon Cat*. We will congratulate them in person when the time comes..."

"Around 10:00 AM, the official Weibo of the Beijing Film Academy Performance Institute posted:"

"Congratulations to our school's outstanding alumnus of the 2018 undergraduate performance department, Liu Yifei, for confirming to star in the female-themed classic IP ancient costume war blockbuster produced by Disney—*Mulan*!"

"At the same time, I wish every art examinee of the 2018 class to be their own 'Mulan' in the examination room, forever invincible..."

"Old Wang, you're something, hiding from everyone and doing things secretly, right? If it weren't for the fact that Western Film Group was mentioned in Yifei's interview, I probably wouldn't know yet! You have such a righteous face, usually speaking righteously, but secretly you are so cunning, having already mixed into the *Mulan* team..."

Facing Ren Zhonglun's sarcastic phone call, Wang Yong was completely confused, "What are you talking about? Why can't I understand?"

"Your grandfather's, you actually asked me what I'm talking about?" Ren Zhonglun was so angry he laughed, "Don't pretend with me. It's written clearly on the news, and there's an interview video..."

As he spoke, Ren Zhonglun hung up the phone directly. He felt that Wang Yong was really not a good thing, too good at pretending!

Looking at the phone call that came inexplicably and hung up inexplicably, Wang Yong was completely confused for a while.

He moved the pile of documents he was preparing to deal with this morning to the side, and then directly opened the webpage to flip through the news;

After only a while, the corners of his mouth curled up, and he couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Good fellow, I'm sitting at home and good things are falling from the sky?! No wonder Ren Zhonglun is full of resentment, so sour..."

A whole morning passed, and the focus of the Chinese film and television circle was on *Mulan*. Almost all film and television information on the entire network was reporting on this film.

It is no exaggeration to say that this is the biggest cake Hollywood has ever given to the Chinese film and television industry, and the number of people who can share it is far beyond any previous time... After all, the supporting roles other than Liu Yifei are also undoubtedly top-tier resources!

First-line male actors in the industry, top big actresses... there is no one who doesn't have thoughts; Zhang Ziyi, Li Bingbing, Fan Bingbing... For *Mulan*, they can completely accept playing supporting roles. After all, it's not like they haven't played supporting roles, not to mention it's an A-level production with a cost of 200 million USD, destined to be released globally!

"Finally officially announced! I estimate that there must be countless congratulatory text messages in the circle flying to Hollywood right now." Han Jia looked excited and said quite affirmatively.

It's just that Han Sanping didn't take her words, but continued to ponder the news of *Mulan*, especially the interviews of Lin Nan and Liu Yifei.

"Dad, why are you frowning?" Han Jia asked puzzledly.

"What is certain now is that Lin Nan will definitely find helpers to help him with the film's preparation work, especially those things related to costumes, props, history, humanities, geography, architecture, weapons, armor, etc."

"For major film studios and those universities and museums, this is a sweet pastry job to fight for fame. I estimate that China Film Group..." Han Sanping stopped abruptly here.

The smile on Han Jia's face also disappeared in an instant. She naturally understood what Han Sanping meant, "You mean, Uncle La will also have ideas? But you also know Lin Dao's personality."

"Having ideas is certain. He now has a trend of being sick and seeking medical treatment indiscriminately, and he will never let go of any opportunity, especially this kind of opportunity that is clearly successful! But just as you said, Lin Nan will most likely reject China Film Group directly." Han Sanping glanced at Han Jia and couldn't help but sigh again.

"If it's not your own thing, it's best not to force it. Otherwise, it's inevitable that your face will look ugly..." Han Jia shook her head with a playful expression.

China Film Group.

Han Sanping didn't guess wrong. La Peikang did have ideas. Although he had a premonition that this idea would be very difficult to realize, he still wanted to try... wanted to talk to Lin Nan in a few days, after he returned to the country!

"There is no contradiction that cannot be solved... It's been so long, don't you think?" La Peikang looked at the secretary.

The latter couldn't react at all for a while, and only nodded busily after a few seconds.

In his view, his leader really started to "be sick and seek medical treatment indiscriminately." Although there was indeed no contradiction that could not be solved, the favors that should be repaid by Lin Nan Pictures had long been repaid, and even repaid quite a lot! And those were originally almost all favors left by Chairman Han.

Furthermore, the blockbuster controlled by that side had long been defaulted to no longer bring China Film Group but changed to Western Film Group, which also represented the determination of Lin Dao—everyone gathers and disperses, there is no place for China Film Group!

"I estimate that many brokerage companies and actors in the circle are hoping that Lin Dao and Producer Liu will come back soon. At that time, there will be plenty of fawning."

The secretary changed the subject, really not wanting to talk about the leader's idea anymore. Because in his eyes, it was too unrealistic.

The most important business of the Hollywood trip had ended, so Lin Nan and Liu Yifei naturally considered the matter of returning to the country, that is, the date of the return journey.

After all, one thing was absolutely certain, and that was that there must be a large number of media reporters and paparazzi waiting for them in the country, and they might have already "deployed" at the airport at this very moment!

And the idea of the two of them was to hope to return home low-key, and it would be best not to run into a single paparazzi after landing at the Capital Airport. Although this idea was very difficult to realize, they had to try, didn't they?

"Forget it, let's take the flight tomorrow morning. Go back early, there are still a lot of things to do." Lin Nan still chose to return on the 2nd, which meant they could arrive on the morning of the 3rd, domestic time.

Liu Yifei nodded, only saying "Hmm," and didn't look at Lin Nan. She was still replying to messages, chatting in a small group with Watching Shu Chang and Tang Yan.

"It's already 10 PM in the country, right? They aren't sleeping yet?" Lin Nan glanced, quite speechless.

"Changchang just finished writing the character biography, Tang Tang is purely unable to sleep... She is getting engaged on the 6th, and she is a little excited now. Look, they even made an appointment to go shopping tomorrow, they happen to be in Shanghai." Liu Yifei raised her head and teased.

Alright, if it weren't for Miss Liu's reminder, Lin Nan would have almost forgotten about Luo Jin's big event. "Fine, now I have to go back even earlier, and I have to prepare gifts for the two of them."

Just as Lin Nan finished speaking, his phone "ding-donged," it was a message from Nolan.

Before he left the Chinese Theatre yesterday afternoon, he specifically mentioned the business of the meal this morning to Nolan. The latter now took the initiative to set the place and wanted to be the host, which could be considered as wishing Lin Nan and Liu Yifei's *Mulan* success in advance.

"Xixi, Nolan sent a message, we will go out at 10 o'clock sharp."

"Director Nolan agreed?" Liu Yifei reacted in an instant, her expression a bit happy.

"Hmm, he definitely won't refuse, I helped him lobby for several votes.

Speaking of which, we are in the same boat. He is exactly the same as Leo in those years, wanting an Oscar for Best Director so badly he's almost crazy, hahaha...

Besides, *Dunkirk* was just released, and he has no other film shooting plans next year, only a sci-fi script to perfect, so he has plenty of free time."

That's right, the second judge Lin Nan invited for his main competition jury was Christopher Nolan!

"What script?" Upon hearing that there was a script, Liu Xixi's curiosity was instantly aroused.

"*Tenet*! For this film, Nolan will simultaneously take on the roles of screenwriter, director, and producer; it will be invested and produced by his own company, and Warner will be responsible for global distribution. Listening to what he meant, it seems he plans to start filming in the first half of the year after next..."

Domestic time, the night passed quietly.

*Manhunt* really fulfilled Han Jia's "curse," with its total box office falling at the feet of 70 million, fixed at 67.89 million—the production side lost as much as 173 million, causing a burst of ridicule in the circle. As for the director John Woo, he had already been blacklisted by the entire mainland film circle.

Unlike the collapse of *Manhunt*'s box office and word-of-mouth, *The Problem Solver* was also removed from theaters early with a super low box office of 7.77 million, but it won super high praise for its word-of-mouth, not losing face!

The New Year's season currently still only had *Ex-Files 3* riding alone, handing in an impressive box office result on the third day of release: 130 million.

Huayi's stock also had a trend of singing and advancing, eager to try upward.

However, in the eyes of the industry, this was just Huayi taking advantage of the time; only because there were no strong opponents within half a month could it be so "arrogant"!

But Huayi didn't think so! *Ex-Files 3* already had an irresistible force, and then *Youth* by Feng Xiaogang would follow... couldn't this New Year's season completely become Huayi's New Year's season? Even if it couldn't reach that point, it could always be stable in winning half the share, right?

"Facts have proven that by now, Wanda Cinema Chain is also in a dilemma. On one hand, they want to play dirty to suppress, on the other hand, they don't have a film that can replace *Ex-Files 3*. They can't possibly suppress us by losing money with such a large cinema chain, right? Hahaha..."

At the same time, Liu Xiaobin was also on the phone with Wang Changtian: "Right now, we are just waiting for that film, *Never Say Die*, from Happy Mahua and Red Star Dock!"