[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-that-year-in-huayu":3,"chapter-that-year-in-huayu-that-year-in-huayu-chapter-955":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","That Year in Huayu",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2287791,4473,"Chapter 955: Screening Share Yields to Sixth Place","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-955",955,"\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On the third day of its release, the Jackie Chan film *Bleeding Steel* grossed 60.01 million, bringing its cumulative total to 196 million. Its screening share today has plummeted to 10%.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The fantasy wuxia blockbuster *The Thousand Faces of Dunjia*, directed by Yuen Woo-ping and Tsui Hark, grossed 37.62 million on its second day of release; its screening share today has crashed to 8.2%.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Huayi Brothers film *The Ex-File 3: The Return of the Exes* saw its daily gross fall below 20 million, reporting 18.21 million yesterday; its screening share today has crashed to 5.1%.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Feng Xiaogang's film *Youth* has shown impressive box office performance, raking in 76.12 million on its opening day, making it a standout among films of the same genre. Its comprehensive screening share today has been slashed by more than a third...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jointly produced by Mahua FunAge and Red Star Dock, and starring Ma Li, Ai Lun, Shen Teng, Tian Yu, and others, the comedy film *Never Say Die* officially hit national theaters at six o'clock this morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On its opening day, the film swallowed up the lion's share of the film market's screening capacity, using an ultra-high screening share of 46.6% to take on all comers, crushing every other film currently in theaters!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"According to industry insiders, Wanda Cinemas has moved nearly 90% of its prime-time screenings to *Never Say Die*, while films like *Youth* have been pushed to other time slots or off-peak hours...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the morning of the 15th, the film information online left the entire production industry stunned; anyone in the industry who saw it would likely grumble: the way some films are hogging the market is truly unsightly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Admittedly, all the films in the same release window were helplessly forced to \"cut their own flesh and bleed,\" clearing a \"broad, smooth road\" for *Never Say Die*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this is also what the latter deserves in the New Year season based on its own strength: the market appeal that comedy films possess during major seasons, the massive fan base of Mahua FunAge and *Goodbye Mr. Loser*, and the resources (theaters) of the producers...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who aren't convinced can only endure it; those who are jealous can only watch; those who are furious have to bottle it up—it's not like they can actually curse out loud, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it, I'll be damned... *Youth* has only been out for two days, and they've already slashed my screening share from 34.2% to 20%!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Youth* isn't a purely commercial film, but its box office performance is better than the vast majority of commercial films... Wanda, are they just holding their breath waiting for that film today?! Heh, I'm not even counting the blocking of our film, since they still gave us off-peak times, but the way they're scheduling... We have so many producers, how dare they...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Xiaogang's state was already bordering on a meltdown; his eyes were wide and ferocious, the whites filled with blood, and the veins on his neck were bulging...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing to the side, Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei were equally livid; at this moment, although they saw Feng Xiaogang losing control of his emotions, they did not speak up to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they both knew very well that if they hadn't been targeted, *Youth*'s daily box office today would absolutely have surged to over 100 million, but that was impossible now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the total market is fixed; the more you eat, the less I get. With this zero-sum game, as long as *Never Say Die* isn't much worse than *Goodbye Mr. Loser*, it will definitely swallow the daily box office, and perhaps even maintain that dominance for a long time!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason Feng Xiaogang was completely losing his composure and breaking down was that he was under 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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, it had indeed been targeted; as the old saying goes, cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents... he had to be allowed to vent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To prevent this move from them, we brought in so many producers—August First Film Studio, China Film Group, Emei Film Group, Alibaba Pictures, Beijing Jingxi Culture—how could they still dare to be this blatant?\" Wang Zhonglei couldn't suppress his anger either, gritting his teeth as he cursed to Wang Zhongjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, how could they? But isn't there still a 20% screening share? Who can blame them? What can we use to protest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanda is telling us clearly that they are a private enterprise, they follow market rules, so they give the best time slots to the film with the most market appeal—this is compliant. They didn't cut *Youth*'s screenings; the reason the comprehensive share dropped is the result of all theaters adjusting... everyone is bullish on comedy...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their subtext is completely undisguised: although we can't openly suppress your film, we can let other films suppress you, and we only provide the objective conditions... this is in line with market competition rules!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhongjun closed his eyes powerlessly, his voice hoarse and cold as he tried to calm his emotions. The more *Never Say Die* eats, the less is left for *Youth* and *The Ex-File 3: The Return of the Exes*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coupled with the two box-office flops *Bleeding Steel* and *The Thousand Faces of Dunjia*, as well as *Legend of the Demon Cat* and other cannon fodder arriving in a few days, the situation for Huayi's two films can be imagined—it will naturally be even more difficult!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the office, Feng Xiaogang's cursing suddenly weakened; his limbs numb, he tremblingly supported himself on a chair and sat down... his breathing was rapid, his chest heaving violently, and his body was shaking and twitching uncontrollably...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Wang Zhonglei and Wang Zhongjun hurriedly got up and ran over. They had seen Feng Xiaogang like this many times before; emotional agitation leading to respiratory alkalosis... it had been especially frequent in recent years, seemingly always because of film matters—being targeted, sabotaged, or humiliated...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiaogang, you're not young anymore. For the sake of your health, you really should try to temper your temper.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhongjun patted Feng Xiaogang's back while helplessly offering comfort. The latter was two years older than him, and 12 years older than Wang Zhonglei—he was already sixty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right, let's wait and see. It's only the second day of release, and we still have 20% of the screenings, and the reviews are still very good...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhonglei was also suppressing the anger in his heart, echoing Wang Zhongjun to soothe Feng Xiaogang. The latter was the core director of Huayi's inner circle, and the only one at that; they couldn't afford to have him get so angry he suffers a brain...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan hadn't expected that with Wanda Cinemas taking the lead, they could actually push the screening share of *Never Say Die* up to 46.6%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His original expectation was that around 35% would be enough, and now, with such an ultra-high screening share, if the opening day box office doesn't exceed 200 million, it would be a bit embarrassing—at the very least, it would be a disservice to this \"highly anticipated\" treatment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I reckon there are definitely plenty of people in the circle cursing you right now, especially Director Feng Xiaogang; his film *Youth* just opened yesterday, and today it's been cut like this—he's probably going to be furious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Tiangong Color, Han Jia was busy with the post-production of *A Cool Fish* while eating fruit from a platter. Even then, she couldn't help but get distracted to tease and chat with Lin Nan, who was nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cursing already? Then won't they explode on the spot when they wait for the Spring Festival season? Besides, *Never Say Die* set its release date first; that film *Youth* came later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, Lin Nan felt a bit of \"sympathy\" for Feng Xiaogang. But then again, isn't this the result that Enlight Media, Wanda, and Mahua FunAge all wanted? The film market, especially during major seasons, is inherently a winner-takes-all game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's true, the main event is still the Spring Festival season.\" After saying this, Han Jia suddenly turned her head, staring at Lin Nan with a playful expression, and asked with a smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard from my dad that the Navy Political Department notified Lin Nan Film, China Film, and Shanghai Film, saying they don't need the three companies to worry about the premiere arrangements for *Operation Red Sea*? That they'll decide the time and location themselves?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this question, Lin Nan immediately laughed and nodded: \"Yeah, the notification just came down yesterday. They decided the time, and they decided the location.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I suspect the reason they chose the Great Hall of the People isn't just because it's the most appropriate and solemn venue, but also because the premiere for the Air Force Political Department's *Sky Hunter* was held there too, hahaha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan was laughing uncontrollably. According to the Navy Political Department's notification, the guests from the film, media, and entertainment industries for the premiere would be decided jointly by Lin Nan Film, Shanghai Film, and China Film, while other guests would be invited by the Navy Political Department personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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 from the Air Force Political Department and the Air Force—tsk, tsk, tsk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hiss~~ then this will be something to see. The scene will definitely be spectacular, right?\" Han Jia's eyes sparkled, clearly having already thought of the guest issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is this? Calling your opponents to come and cheer for you? A twisted sense of humor? No, no, no, this is a military exercise! Even if you haven't engaged in battle yet, you still have to come and witness our glorious moment; you can't be absent—that's the old rule of military exercises!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the morning passed, the lively film reviews and high-heat keywords online undoubtedly confirmed one fact: comedy is indeed the film genre that best fits the New Year season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And high-quality comedy films were destined from the start to be the first choice for the vast majority of audiences and fans—*Never Say Die* completely lived up to the favor of that 46.6% ultra-high screening share!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shunyi, Manor Villa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei, who had just finished a call with Lin Nan, turned around and received a work call from Huang Bo—regarding the release date for Huang Bo's directorial debut, *The Island*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ning Hao and his wife are busy as oxen in the fields all day, acting completely as hands-off managers. No choice, I can only communicate this matter with you, the producer and presenter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If nothing goes wrong, I'll be able to finish all the post-production for *The Island* by the end of this month. It's better to set the release date sooner rather than later; there are quite a few blockbusters from big directors next year!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you've set your sights on the summer season? Those two months are a real battlefield!\" Liu Yifei said with a teasing smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Director Lin's *Dying to Survive* is on July 1st, so it should be fine if I set it for the end of July or early August, right? His film won't still be chasing me down to cut my screenings after being out for a month, will it?\" Huang Bo joked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That shouldn't... happen? But I can reveal to you in advance that Mahua FunAge's *Hello Mr. Billionaire* will most likely be set for the end of July. Firstly, to avoid Lin Nan's *Dying to Survive*, and secondly, there are other reasons—it can't be pushed too far back...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn! Why is everyone like this? Then I'll go for early August... no, set it for mid-August directly, to create a gap, and by the way, keep a 10-day distance from your *How Long Will I Love U*... eh? But then again, wouldn't that mean your own films are competing? *Hello Mr. Billionaire* and *How Long Will I Love U*? They shouldn't be more than a few days apart!\" Huang Bo said with a mocking tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, so I'll remind Mahua FunAge later to try and keep a 10-day gap from *How Long Will I Love U* when setting the date, by moving it earlier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good heavens, fish-scale scheduling? The summer season market for those two months next year is going to be completely wrapped up by films you two control and invest in! Haha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Bo's quip meant that the release date for *The Island* was set amidst the joking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei naturally wouldn't object, nor did she deny Huang Bo's joke. Because as he said, there would indeed be at least 4 films they invested in released during the two-month summer season next year!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, the call ended. Liu Yifei glanced at the time and then decisively got up to prepare to go out. She and Lin Nan had agreed with Han Jia in the morning to have lunch together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When we go to visit the set on New Year's Day, let's invite Sister Gong Li for coffee while we're at it. The sixth member of the jury!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon, news reports emerged about the high-profile wrap-up ceremony for *Shanghai Fortress* at the China Film Digital Production Base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Lu Han's fans arrived upon hearing the news, rioting once again. They single-handedly pushed the news of this film's wrap-up to the top of the entertainment headlines and trending lists across the entire internet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And let's just say, this massive display of force undoubtedly provided certain people with plenty of confidence and conviction!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After 3:00 PM, China Film, in the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>La Peikang was smiling and chatting with Teng Huatao, Lu Han, Shu Qi, and other main creators; everyone was full of expectations and prospects for the future of *Shanghai Fortress*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days ago, because La Peikang had insisted that *Shanghai Fortress* and *The Wandering Earth* be released in the same window, Teng Huatao had been somewhat resistant;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this moment, the negative emotions in his heart had completely vanished, and he no longer had any \"fear\" of *The Wandering Earth*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, looking outside and looking online, those were all loyal supporters of *Shanghai Fortress* and Lu Han, and also a massive potential audience!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Over these three months of filming, the two leads, Lu Han and Shu Qi, can be said to have been very dedicated and hardworking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teng Huatao smiled and nodded at the two, then looked at La Peikang and continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry, Chairman La, the special effects and post-production work for this film will start within a week, and I will be with the team at the digital production base the whole time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the box office? To be honest, I'm a bit impatient right now. You can listen to the voices online; our *Shanghai Fortress* is the focus of attention and expectation across the entire internet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing these confident words from Teng Huatao, La Peikang's expectations became even more fervent. After all, he had indeed seen the cheers online; one must know that even Lin Nan's films didn't have this kind of heat and traffic!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good, then keep a close eye on the post-production and special effects. By my estimation, Lin Nan's film will either be in the New Year season or the Spring Festival season. Anyway, it's highly likely to be one of these two major seasons, it's a safe bet. Just get it done before November!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>La Peikang instructed happily, and the group all nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interestingly, they completely ignored Ning Hao's comedy sci-fi film *Crazy Alien*, and might not have even remembered it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>",2641,"2026-06-20T03:22:13.361Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","bf7e7de61fe13809d02e903835eb7c5b2316dd05ccb1bec648180e33d5c492e1","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-956","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-954",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-in-huayu-cover.jpg"]