Chapter 157: District 9

Columbia Pictures' attention exceeded Cao Yang's expectations.

Just a week later, a group of people from Columbia arrived in Beijing.

The people who came this time were all true high-level executives of the company, Columbia Pictures Executive Director Tom Rothman, and Columbia Pictures Asia President Barbara Robinson.

As someone who had a particularly close relationship with Cao Yang, Bellman also followed. After all, he was familiar with both sides and could privately act as a middleman to pass messages, allowing both sides to have room for maneuver.

Bellman introduced the other party's identity to Cao Yang and reminded Cao Yang that Tom Rothman had huge power in Columbia Pictures, and he specifically used the word "huge."

Cao Yang understood immediately. This was a real power faction and had real say in Columbia.

"Cao, to be honest, I really didn't expect you to be an excellent novelist. Someone recommended a novel in *Cao Yang's Fantasy Journey* to me, saying they wanted to buy the film adaptation rights."

Tom Rothman looked very talkative, and his speech also gestured with his hands, "I checked it, and this book was actually written by the big director Cao Yang. It's really surprising, you are a very amazing person.

I said at the time, hurry up and put away your fantasies, don't think about adaptation, as the world's most excellent director, writing these novels, you will definitely prioritize filming them yourself."

Look, it's worthy of being a big company executive, speaking is just good to hear.

"Various strange ideas always appear in my mind, so I record the ones with new ideas and expand them into short stories. I think this is also quite interesting."

Cao Yang said with a smile: "After writing more, I thought, it would be quite good to publish them, so there was *Cao Yang's Fantasy Journey*."

"Great idea, I have to say, you have the most vigorous creativity in the world, this is a very amazing thing, so you can become the youngest big director."

Fine, who said foreigners only know how to go straight, they are no worse than domestic people when it comes to complimenting people.

Cao Yang just finished thinking this, and didn't expect the foreigner to go straight to the point.

"Cao, let me say my idea first. After company discussion, we plan to carry out a 1+1 cooperation with you."

Tom Rothman looked at Cao Yang and explained: "We will invest about 50 million in your first movie. If the North American box office exceeds 100 million, or the global exceeds 150 million, the second clause will be automatically activated."

"Is that the so-called +1?" Cao Yang asked.

"Yes, the second one we will invest about 100 million to 150 million, used to create your second super blockbuster."

"Mr. Rothman, I think you misunderstood. I am not seeking Columbia's investment, nor do I want to engage in any 1+1 plan."

Since Tom Rothman went straight to the point, Cao Yang was not polite and refused his proposal directly.

Cao Yang knew that since Tom Rothman said so, there would definitely be follow-up plans and conditions, but negotiation, of course, must first take a good posture in order to better bargain.

"Director, don't rush to refuse, listen to me. First of all, Columbia will do its best to help you get the Oscar Best Film..."

"No, no, Mr. Rothman, *Milk* has nothing to do with me now. You know, I have already given up the box office share.

If you want a good box office, try your best to fight for it. Otherwise, don't care. I have an indifferent attitude. To be honest, Best Film has little impact on me."

Wanting to use an award you must fight for to fool me, how

Tang Mu Luo Si smiled, spread his hands, and said, "Alright, Cao, I know you want Best Director, but to be honest, this is really difficult. Warner has already been working on it for four or five months; they won't give it up easily."

Looking at Cao Yang's calm face, which didn't seem disappointed by his statement about not fighting for Best Director, Tang Mu Luo Si threw out another condition. "Cao, Columbia will strive for as many nominations as possible at the Oscars and will do its utmost to ensure you achieve success at the Golden Globes. Don't worry, we will focus our efforts on getting you Best Director at the Golden Globes."

"Not enough, Mr. Luo Si. The Golden Globes don't mean much to me. You should know I already have a Golden Lion and a Palme d'Or; the Golden Globes' authority is far inferior to them."

Cao Yang said with a smile. When discussing interests with these people, there is no need to be polite; being direct and straightforward actually makes everyone feel more at ease.

"Then what if we add this? When you want to win a Jin Xiong in the future, we will provide the necessary assistance. What do you think? I know those Europeans' ways very well."

"According to their habits, it is basically impossible for an Asian to win a Grand Slam. It will be very difficult for you to win another Jin Xiong. Of course, I am not discriminating against Asians; if it were an American, the treatment would be the same."

Cao Yang hesitated for a moment. To be honest, this point did indeed tempt him.

He also knew that in the short term, it would be very difficult to win another Jin Xiong. Just as Tang Mu Luo Si said, a Grand Slam is very hard to achieve.

"Let's talk about the film we are going to collaborate on first." Tang Mu Luo Si saw Cao Yang deep in thought and spoke up, not forcing Cao Yang to give an answer immediately.

"Which novel does Luo Si value?"

"I want to make 'District 9' the first adapted film."

!

Tang Mu Luo Si said, and he didn't put on any airs, saying directly: "If the first one meets expectations, there are two candidates for the second one."

"This year, 20th Century Fox invested in a disaster film called 'The Day After Tomorrow', which will be released next year. It is said to be somewhat similar to '2012', both being about the end of the world."

Cao Yang understood; in this world, those who can make it big and strong are no fools.

Tang Mu Luo Si's meaning was very clear: if Fox's investment 'The Day After Tomorrow' is a big hit next year, Columbia will definitely invest in '2012'. This is equivalent to using Fox's 'The Day After Tomorrow' to test the waters.

"What if the box office of 'The Day After Tomorrow' isn't good?"

Cao Yang wanted to know which one Columbia would use as a backup for the sake of security.

Tang Mu Luo Si smiled, "If 'The Day After Tomorrow' doesn't meet expectations, I personally would lean towards investing in the series of novels in your second volume."

"'The Hunger Games'?"

To save trouble, Cao Yang had directly adapted the first, second, and third parts of 'The Hunger Games' into three stories, placing them in 'Cao Yang's Fantasy Journey II'.

'District 9' is a story in the third volume.

There are also five stories in total in 'Cao Yang's Fantasy Journey II'.

Cao Yang had thought Tang Mu Luo Si would choose something like 'Inception' or 'The Martian'; he didn't expect him to lean more towards 'The Hunger Games'.

That makes sense; the fan base for 'The Hunger Games' is more obvious.

Furthermore, compared to films like 'Inception' or 'The Martian', which easily require investments of one or two hundred million, 'The Hunger Games' obviously requires less investment and carries less risk.

Discussing cooperation is certainly not something that can be achieved overnight; the specifics of how to cooperate and how to split the profits still need to be discussed further.

(End of chapter)