Chapter 949

"On the third day of the public release of Jackie Chan's film *Bleeding Steel*, it grossed 60.01 million, with a cumulative total reaching 196 million. Today's screen share plummeted to 10%."

"On the second day of the public release of Yuen Heping and Tsui Hark's fantasy martial arts blockbuster *The Thousand Faces of Dunjia*, it grossed 37.62 million; today's screen share plummeted to 8.2%."

"The daily revenue of Huayi's film *Ex-Files 3* fell below 20 million, closing at 18.21 million yesterday; today's screen share plummeted to 5.1%."

"Director Feng Xiaogang's film *Youth* has an eye-catching box office performance, grossing 76.12 million on its first day of release, making it a standout among films of the same type. Today's comprehensive screen share was cut by more than one-third..."

"Co-produced by Happy Mahua and StarMe, and starring Ma Li, Ai Lun, Shen Teng, and Tian Yu, the comedy film *Never Say Die* officially landed in theaters nationwide at 6:00 this morning.

On its first day of release, the film swallowed up the market's screen share for the day, fighting against the crowd with an ultra-high screen share of 46.6%, suppressing all other films currently in theaters during the same period!"

"According to industry insiders, Wanda Cinemas has allocated nearly 90% of the prime time slots to *Never Say Die*, while films like *Youth* have all been moved to other time slots or unpopular times..."

On the morning of the 15th, the film information on the internet left the entire production industry stunned; anyone in the industry who saw it would probably curse: the way some films eat is really too ugly!

Admittedly, all films in the same period were forced to "cut flesh and bleed" helplessly, clearing a "broad road" for *Never Say Die*.

However, this is also what the latter deserves in the New Year's slot based on its own strength: the market appeal that comedy films have in major slots, the huge fan base of Happy Mahua and *Goodbye Mr. Loser*, and the resources (cinemas) of the producers...

Those who are unconvinced can only endure it; those who are jealous can only watch; those who are furious have to hold it in, could they possibly curse it out?

"Damn it, I f*** his whole family... *Youth* has only been released for the second day, and they cut my screen share from 34.2% to 20%!"

"*Youth* is not a pure commercial film, but its box office performance is better than the vast majority of commercial films... Wanda, are they holding their breath just waiting for that film today?! Hehe, not counting the blockade of our film, after all, they gave us unpopular times, screen share my ass... We have so many producers, how dare they..."

Feng Xiaogang's state was already a bit out of control, his eyes staring fiercely, the whites of his eyes bloodshot, and the veins on his neck were bulging...

Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei on the side were also livid; at this moment, although they saw Feng Xiaogang's emotional breakdown, they didn't speak up to stop him.

Because they both knew very well that if their own company wasn't being targeted, then today's daily box office for *Youth* could definitely have surged to over 100 million, but now it's impossible.

After all, the market is fixed; if you eat more, I have to eat less; with the ebb and flow, as long as *Never Say Die* isn't much worse than *Goodbye Mr. Loser*, then it will definitely swallow the daily box office, and even present a trend of swallowing for a long time!

And the reason Feng Xiaogang completely lost his composure and collapsed is because he was carrying a gambling agreement. And no matter how you look at it, *Youth* originally possessed all the necessary factors and trends for a box office explosion... provided it wasn't sabotaged.

But now, it has indeed been targeted; as the old saying goes, cutting off someone's wealth is like killing their parents... he needs to vent it out.

"To prevent this move of theirs, we brought in so many producers, August First Film Studio, China Film, Emei Film, Alibaba Pictures, Beijing Jingxi Culture, how dare they still be so naked?" Wang Zhonglei couldn't hold back his anger either, gritting his teeth and cursing at Wang Zhongjun.

"Yeah, how dare they? But isn't there still 20% screen share? Who can blame them? What can we use to protest?"

Wanda wants to tell us clearly that they are a private enterprise, they follow the rules of the market, so they gave the best time slots to the film with the most market box office appeal, this is compliant; they didn't cut *Youth*'s screen share, the reason the comprehensive screen share dropped is the result of all cinemas adjusting... everyone is optimistic about comedy...

Their subtext is not hidden at all: although we can't openly suppress your film, we can let other films suppress you, we only provide the objective conditions... This is in line with market competition rules!"

Wang Zhongjun closed his eyes powerlessly, his voice hoarse and cold, he was trying to calm his emotions. The more *Never Say Die* eats, the less is left for *Youth* and *Ex-Files 3*.

Coupled with the two flop films *Bleeding Steel* and *The Thousand Faces of Dunjia*, as well as *Legend of the Demon Cat* and other cannon fodder a few days later, the days for Huayi's two films can be imagined, naturally it will be even more difficult!

In the office, Feng Xiaogang's cursing suddenly weakened, his hands and feet numb, and he tremblingly supported himself on the chair and sat down... his breathing was rapid, his chest heaving violently, and his body was also trembling and twitching uncontrollably...

Seeing this, Wang Zhonglei and Wang Zhongjun hurriedly got up and ran over. They had seen Feng Xiaogang like this many times; emotional excitement leading to respiratory alkalosis... especially frequent in recent years, it seems it's all because of film matters, being targeted, sabotaged, and slapped in the face...

"Xiaogang, you're not young anymore, for the sake of your health, it's better to restrain your temper a bit."

Wang Zhongjun patted Feng Xiaogang's back while comforting him helplessly. The latter is two years older than him, and 12 years older than Wang Zhonglei, he's already sixty!

"Right, let's wait and see. Isn't this only the second day of release, there's still 20% screen share, the reviews are still very good..."

Wang Zhonglei was also suppressing the anger in his heart, echoing Wang Zhongjun, comforting Feng Xiaogang. The latter is a major director in Huayi's core circle, and the only one, so don't let him get so angry he gets a brain...

Lin Nan also didn't expect that Wanda Cinemas taking the lead could actually push the screen share of *Never Say Die* to 46.6%.

His original expectation was that around 35% would be enough, but now under this ultra-high screen share, if the first day's box office doesn't exceed 200 million, it would be a bit of a slap in the face, at least it would be unworthy of this "highly anticipated" treatment!

"I estimate that there are definitely more people cursing you in the circle right now, especially Director Feng; his film *Youth* was just released yesterday, and today it was cut like this, I'm afraid he could be angered to death."

At Tiangong Color, Han Jia was busy with the post-production of *A Cool Fish* while eating fruit from a platter. Even so, she couldn't help but be distracted to joke and laugh with Lin Nan on the side.

"Cursing already? Then wouldn't they be angered to the point of exploding on the spot when they wait for the Spring Festival slot? Besides, *Never Say Die* set its release date first, that *Youth* came later."

To be honest, Lin Nan also felt a bit of "sympathy" for Feng Xiaogang. But then again, Enlight, Wanda, and Happy Mahua, isn't this the result everyone wanted? The film market, especially in major slots, is inherently a winner-takes-all rule.

"That's true, the main event is still in the Spring Festival slot." After saying this, Han Jia suddenly turned her head, staring at Lin Nan with a playful expression, and asked with a smile:

"I heard from my dad that the Navy Political Department notified Lin Nan Pictures, China Film, and Shanghai Film, saying they don't need the three companies to worry about the premiere arrangements for *Operation Red Sea*? The time and place are all decided by them?"

Hearing this question, Lin Nan was immediately amused, he smiled and nodded: "Um, it was just notified yesterday. The time is decided by them, and the place is also decided by them.

But I suspect the reason they decided on the Great Hall of the People is not only because it's the most suitable and solemn place, but also because the premiere of the Air Force Political Department's *Sky Hunter* was also there, hahaha..."

Lin Nan couldn't stop laughing. According to the Navy Political Department's notification, the guests from various industries such as film, media, and entertainment at the premiere are to be invited by Lin Nan Pictures, Shanghai Film, and China Film together, while other guests are invited by the Navy Political Department itself.

He didn't doubt it at all, and could even be 100% certain that the leaders of the Navy Political Department and the Navy would definitely invite some leaders of the Air Force Political Department and the Air Force, tsk tsk tsk!

"Hiss~~ then this will be worth watching. At that time, the scene will definitely be spectacular, right?" Han Jia's eyes sparkled, obviously having already thought of the guest issue.

What is this? Calling opponents to cheer for you? Bad taste? No, no, no, this is a military exercise! Although you guys did that before you even fought, even so, you have to come and witness our glorious moment, you can't be absent, this is the old rule of military exercises!

A morning passed, and the lively film reviews and high-heat entries on the internet undoubtedly confirmed a fact, which is that comedy is indeed the film theme that best fits the New Year's slot.

And high-quality comedy films were destined from the beginning to be the first choice for the vast majority of audiences and fans—*Never Say Die* completely caught that 46.6% ultra-high screen share favor!

Shunyi, Manor Villa.

Liu Yifei, who had just finished talking to Lin Nan on the phone, turned around and received a work call from Huang Bo—about the release date of Huang Bo's directorial debut *The Island*.

"Ning Hao and his wife are as busy as old oxen in the fields all day, completely acting as hands-off shopkeepers. No way, I can only communicate this matter with you, the producer and production manager.

If nothing goes wrong, I can complete all the post-production of *The Island* by the end of this month. It's better to set the release date early than late, there are quite a few blockbusters from big directors next year!"

"So you set your eyes on the summer slot? Those two months are in deep water and scorching heat!" Liu Yifei said with a teasing smile.

"Your family's Director Lin's *Dying to Survive* is on July 1st, it's no problem for me to set it for the end of July or early August, right? His film won't be able to chase me down and cut me after being released for a month, right?" Huang Bo laughed.

"That shouldn't be... right? But I can reveal to you in advance that Happy Mahua's *Hello Mr. Billionaire* is highly likely to be set for the end of July. One is to avoid Lin Nan's *Dying to Survive*, and the other is for other reasons, it can't be dragged too far back..."

"Damn! Why is it all like this? Then I'll go to early August... No, set it directly for mid-August, open up the distance, and by the way, open up 10 days from your *How Long Will I Love U*... Eh? But then again, wouldn't your own films have to fight each other? *Hello Mr. Billionaire* and *How Long Will I Love U*? Should be within a few days!" Huang Bo teased.

"Yeah, so I will also remind Happy Mahua later, try to keep a 10-day gap from *How Long Will I Love U* when setting the date, move it forward."

"Good guy, fish-scale screen share release? The summer slot market for two months next year is going to be completely wrapped up by the films you two control and participate in! Haha..."

Huang Bo's joke also meant that the release date for *The Island* was set in laughter.

Liu Yifei naturally wouldn't object, nor did she deny Huang Bo's joke just now. Because as he said, there will indeed be at least 4 films they participated in released during the two-month summer slot next year!

Not long after, the phone hung up. Liu Yifei glanced at the time, then decisively got up to prepare to go out. She and Lin Nan had already agreed with Han Jia in the morning to have dinner together at noon.

"When visiting the set on New Year's Day, let's invite Sister Gong Li for coffee by the way. The sixth member of the jury!"

In the afternoon, news reports came out that *Shanghai Fortress* held a high-profile wrap-up ceremony at the China Film Digital Production Base.

For a time, Lu Han's fans came upon hearing the news, rioting again. They forcibly sent the news of this film's wrap-up to the top of the film and entertainment headlines and trending lists across the entire internet.

Don't say, this kind of massive momentum undoubtedly gave some people full confidence and belief again!

After 3:00 PM, China Film, inside the office.

La Peikang was smiling and chatting with Teng Huatao, Lu Han, Shu Qi, and other main creators, and everyone was full of expectations and prospects for the future of *Shanghai Fortress*.

A few days ago, because La Peikang strongly demanded that *Shanghai Fortress* and *The Wandering Earth* be released in the same period, Teng Huatao had some resistance;

But at this moment, the negative emotions in his heart had completely disappeared, and he no longer had any "fear" of *The Wandering Earth*.

After all, look outside, look at the internet, they are all loyal supporters of *Shanghai Fortress* and Lu Han, and also a massive potential audience!

"After these three months of filming, the two lead actors Lu Han and Shu Qi can be said to have been very dedicated."

Teng Huatao smiled and nodded at the two, then looked at La Peikang and continued:

"Chairman La, don't worry, the special effects and post-production work for this film will start within a week, and I will also be with the team at the digital production base throughout the process.

As for the box office? To be honest, I'm a bit impatient right now. You can listen to the voices on the internet, our *Shanghai Fortress* is the focus of attention and expectation across the entire internet."

Hearing Teng Huatao's confident words, the expectation in La Peikang's heart became even more intense. After all, he had indeed seen the cheers on the internet, and you have to know that even Lin Nan's films didn't have this kind of heat and traffic!

"Good, then you keep a close eye on post-production and special effects. According to my estimation, Lin Nan's film is either the New Year's slot or the Spring Festival slot. Anyway, it's highly likely to be one of these two major slots, eight or nine out of ten. You get it done before November!"

La Peikang happily exhorted, and a group of people all echoed and nodded.

Very interestingly, they didn't put Ning Hao's comedy sci-fi film *Crazy Alien* in their eyes at all, and might not even have remembered it!