Chapter 158

In the evening, Cao Yang invited Bei Er Man to dinner, going to the private kitchen restaurant that he and Old Tian often frequented.

Old Tian heard that Cao Yang was going to talk to Bei Er Man about Hollywood matters and insisted on coming along, saying he wanted to broaden his horizons to avoid being scammed by Hollywood people next time.

Cao Yang was a bit skeptical: you're currently flopping even with art films, who would be so blind as to scam you?

If someone in Hollywood really wanted to buy your film rights or invite you to Hollywood to shoot a film, in reality, it would be more like you scamming them.

Old Tian has been pondering how to stimulate actors' acting skills lately, writing papers and asking for advice from the team that follows Cao Yang to shoot films; he probably has itchy hands.

Cheng Jianye had told Cao Yang that Ning Hao is now on very good terms with Old Tian, and the two have very consistent opinions on how to cultivate actors, even the cultivation methods they summarized are rarely similar.

It is said that Old Tian was delighted to see such talent and wants Ning Hao to apply for his graduate program.

Ning Hao was tempted.

Becoming Old Tian's student also means becoming part of Old Situ's lineage.

Of the three and a half recognized major directors in the country, two are Old Situ's students, and the head of the Beijing Film Academy's Directing Department, Xie Xiaojing, is also Old Situ's student.

Moreover, Cao Yang's connections are not limited to Old Situ's lineage; the school administration and those above all value Cao Yang highly and treat him as one of their own.

In the eyes of those art film directors in Europe, Cao Yang's status is no lower than Old Mouzi's.

In Hollywood, that is not something Old Mouzi can compare to.

According to Ning Hao's private analysis, even if Old Tian is a loser, not to mention his status in the film circle, if Xie Xiaojing gets promoted, Old Tian is very likely to become the next head of the Directing Department.

How could Ning Hao not be tempted?

"Hey, I heard that the little Japan's Toei Company talked to China Film Group about 4.5 million dollars, wanting to buy the film rights to your 'Nine-Tailed Fox', and you refused?"

Old Tian bumped Cao Yang during the gap while waiting for the food and asked with some curiosity.

"It wasn't Toei; Toei also bid, but didn't offer that high. This price was offered by Toho, but I called it off."

Cao Yang said casually to Old Tian, his attitude very relaxed, as if 4.5 million dollars wasn't money.

Old Tian pursed his lips, feeling that he could no longer keep up with Cao Yang's train of thought.

Could it be that I am old and can no longer keep up with the thinking of young people?

That is 4.5 million, not little Japan yen, nor South Korea won, it's motherfucking dollars, it's greenbacks!

"What are you thinking?"

Old Tian couldn't help but ask: "4.5 million dollars, converted, that's 37 million. I remember all your film investments combined only total 75 million, right? You've already recouped half of it at once, and you're still not satisfied?"

"What's the rush? I haven't even finished the post-production of my film yet, no need to be so anxious."

Cao Yang saw the waiter bringing the dishes, looked at Old Tian, then looked at Bei Er Man, and decided to make an exception.

"Two bottles of Red Star, the two-tael size."

"Hey, I knew you kid were classy," Old Tian said happily.

"Go away, there's none for you. Bei Er Man and I will have one bottle each; the teacher asked me to supervise you in quitting drinking."

Cao Yang chuckled, "The teacher said you used to be such an insightful person, but it's because of these ten years or so of drinking that you've drunk away all your inspiration, to the point where you can't even direct a film anymore."

"Don't listen to that old man's nonsense."

Old Tian waved his hand, "I just feel I don't have the passion I used to have. Once I regain my passion, you'll see if I don't punch Old Mouzi and kick that old brat Chen Kaige."

"Hey, Old Tian, tell me the truth, is it because the girls you liked all got married that you lost your passion?"

Cao Yang asked in a low voice with a smile: "If you ask me, thinking that they are all married, shouldn't you have even more passion?"

"Get out!"

Old Tian snatched the two bottles of liquor from the waiter's hand and handed one to Bei Er Man.

"Old Bei, white liquor, you should have had it before, can you get used to it?"

"It's alright. When I first started drinking it, it was indeed a bit unusual, too spicy and stimulating, the taste wasn't soft enough. After getting used to it, I actually find it quite good."

Bei Er Man unscrewed the cap, closed his eyes, shook his head, and sniffed it, looking very satisfied.

Old Tian was different; he took a gulp straight from the bottle, smacked his lips, and handed it to Cao Yang with a smile, "Your drink, do you still want it?"

Cao Yang smiled and reached out to take it, about to do something that would surprise Old Tian.

Old Tian chuckled and quickly pulled it back.

Cao Yang picked up some food and explained the previous question to Old Tian while eating.

"For this film, I plan to release it during next year's National Day, so there's no need to rush to sell the rights now."

"So late? I thought you were going to put it in next year's summer vacation."

"It can't be put in the summer vacation; the current market can hardly accommodate two commercial blockbusters at the same time," Cao Yang explained.

Old Tian nodded; he also knew some news, that Old Mouzi's 'House of Flying Daggers' would be released during the summer vacation.

But what Old Tian didn't know was that the main reason Cao Yang didn't put it in the summer vacation was because in August next year, Harvey Weinstein would be releasing 'Hero' on a large scale in North America.

By October, 'Hero' would definitely have finished its run, and the box office would have been tallied. At that time, the box office of 54 million dollars would definitely shock a lot of people. Based on the box office of 'Hero', it would briefly make the market think that Chinese costume blockbusters have potential, which could significantly raise the copyright fee for 'Nine-Tailed Fox'.

Furthermore, there is another aspect: Cao Yang feels he should achieve something at next year's Golden Globes and Oscars, which can also greatly raise his own status, especially his status in Hollywood, which is more conducive to selling copyright fees.

To put it bluntly, Cao Yang just wants to sell more copyright fees in the US, and then he can increase the copyright fees in other places.

"Cao, do you know why Columbia chose 'District 9'?"

Bei Er Man clinked his glass with Old Tian, took a small sip, and asked with a smile.

Cao Yang had thought about this question.

On the surface, 'District 9' is a very interesting alien "invasion" story. Rather than saying they came to invade, it's better to say they came to seek refuge.

But even after coming to Earth, they didn't escape their doom, because they were discriminated against, racially discriminated against!

They were zoned into a piece of land by Earthlings and kept in captivity, insulted at will, beaten and killed at will...

This is one thread; there is another thread that unfolds with the male lead's mutation, which is also very ironic.

!

What is the core of this film? Racial discrimination, racial segregation, genocide.

This is a film that uses aliens to resist racial discrimination.

To put it bluntly, this can actually be classified as an art film.

Since it is the core of an art film, Columbia naturally has confidence in Cao Yang, which is also the reason why they chose 'District 9' for investment first.

"Is it because this is an art film wearing an alien skin?"

"Exactly!"

Bei Er Man said with a smile: "Columbia believes that with such a film, you won't fail."

"Alright, even if they think highly of my novels, they still can't fully trust me."

Cao Yang said with a smile: "However, since I have so many novel copyrights that they value, they can only choose to trust me."

"Therefore, my dear director, it was indeed an incomparably correct choice for you to write down all your ideas and publish them as novels."

Bei Er Man stretched out his arms exaggeratedly, "Just wait, as long as your novel adaptations are successful, you will become the most respected director in the eyes of the Hollywood Seven."

Cao Yang suddenly thought of a question; it seems he hasn't heard the media mention Clint Eastwood's 'Mystic River'.

In the upcoming Oscars, this film helped Sean Penn, who played Cao Yang, win Best Actor, and helped Tim Luo Binsi, who also played Cao Yang, win Best Supporting Actor.

If everything remained unchanged, this film would be the biggest obstacle for Depp to win the Oscar for Best Actor.

"Bei Er Man, why haven't I heard any news about Eastwood's 'Mystic River'?"

Bei Er Man was stunned for a moment, then downed a large gulp of liquor and said very satisfyingly: "It is said that Eastwood was never satisfied with the performances of Sean Penn and Tim Luo Binsi, and privately cursed them both as damn sissies.

Sean Penn, that bad boy's temper, how could he take it? I heard they got into a big fight with Eastwood, and later the film was shelved."

Cao Yang was a bit enlightened. At that time, Sean Penn and Tim Luo Binsi were both candidates for the male lead, and the script was the original script before the changes, and Milk was still a gay man.

After being played, Cao Yang gave Sean Penn and Tim Luo Binsi two immersive experiences at once, causing both of them to be unable to take it and even leaking a large amount of Milk's information.

But the immersive experience was still at work. Is this turning 'Mystic River' into a big drama about two childhood friends turning love into hate?

No wonder Eastwood cursed them both as sissies. It would be strange if this could satisfy Eastwood.

Eastwood doesn't know how to adapt.

If you were to change 'Mystic River' slightly.

Change the part where the childhood friend of the protagonist played by Tim Luo Binsi was unfortunately kidnapped and sexually abused while playing, to them both liking each other.

But due to worldly pressure, the male lead got a girlfriend, married her, and even had a daughter.

The childhood friend played by Tim Luo Binsi held a grudge because of this, and to take revenge on his former lover, the one who betrayed him, he killed the protagonist's daughter.

Another childhood friend who is a policeman peels the cocoon, and as the case becomes clear, he uncovers this old story. Wouldn't that be perfect!

For Hollywood, this is political correctness. If the two dared to express themselves and dared to resist worldly pressure, how could a tragedy happen?

This way, the story would be sublimated at once, much better than suffering abuse in childhood, and it would definitely arouse the sympathy of the gay community.

The two would definitely be able to act passionately, and there would be no awkwardness at all, just like it was real.

Perhaps after it's filmed, 'Mystic River' would be a strong contender for Oscar Best Picture and Best Director, not to mention Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

Eastwood is confused!

And he dared to mock Sean Penn as a sissy to his face. With his foul temper, how could he give you face? Not beating you into the hospital is already holding back.

'Mystic River' was shelved and not filmed, and Cao Yang also breathed a sigh of relief; Depp's Best Actor award is more secure now.

(End of chapter)