Chapter 190

After dinner, President Mandela asked Theron to introduce more of South Africa's features to Cao Yang, to treat Cao Yang well, and to fulfill the duties of a host.

That was the meaning of it.

Theron nodded with a smile and agreed.

On the way back, Yang Ke was still driving.

Theron told Yang Ke an address and then explained to Cao Yang with a smile, "That's where I live."

Cao Yang nodded. In his mind, he thought she wanted Yang Ke to drop her off first; it was late at night, and that was only right—ladies first.

When they arrived, Cao Yang discovered it was a detached courtyard, a three-story building with a garden and a garage.

Out of politeness, Cao Yang got out of the car to open the door for Theron.

"Thank you. This is one of my properties. Sometimes my parents come over to look after it, but they don't live here; they have their own house."

Theron gathered her golden hair and invited him with a smile, "Let's go, Director. It's still early; I'll take you to see my house. It has a lot of character."

Cao Yang thought Yang Ke would wait for him, but he didn't expect Theron to say directly to Yang Ke, "Thank you, sir. I've troubled you today."

Yang Ke nodded and then drove away, regardless of Cao Yang's wishes.

Cao Yang gave a wry smile, always feeling like he had been set up.

"Let's go, Director. I'll take you on a tour."

Theron opened the door, walked over, took Cao Yang's arm, and walked inside.

"Charlize, I think this is a bit inappropriate, isn't it? It's also getting a bit late..."

Cao Yang probed. He didn't know if this was President Mandela's instruction or Theron's own wish, but he didn't like forcing others.

Theron paused and smiled without saying anything.

When they walked into the living room, she gave Cao Yang a light push, making him sit on the sofa, and then she placed one hand on the back of the sofa behind Cao Yang, a bit like a "wall-pin," looking down at Cao Yang.

"Handsome Director, are you afraid?"

"Charlize, if this was President Mandela's instruction, I hope you tell me. I don't like forcing others." Cao Yang looked up at her beautiful face and said.

"Haha, how could you have such an idea? Mr. President Mandela is not that kind of person."

Theron stroked Cao Yang's face with her other hand and said with a smile, "You are a young, handsome, big director, and I have a good impression of you. Aren't these reasons enough? Don't have other ideas; I have a boyfriend."

Uh, after being teased, Cao Yang didn't want to hold back anyway. With you saying that, wouldn't it be even more stimulating?

Cao Yang wrapped his arms around Theron's waist and used a little force to pull her into his arms.

Then, the two began to get to know each other, exploring each other's secrets, and being completely honest with one another.

After a very complex process, they were finally completely open with each other.

"You have a boyfriend?"

"Yes. At a time like this, can you not mention... ah..."

Cao Yang was best at teaching people how to sing.

Whether it was a contralto, a mezzo-soprano, or a soprano, he could make the other person sing melodiously and movingly, with a soaring voice.

"Come, put your hands on the back of the chair..."

After ending the South Africa trip, Cao Yang went to the United States first.

He had to go to Industrial Light & Magic to check on the progress of the special effects and also provide them with some materials.

Industrial Light & Magic is a veteran special effects company, and their efficiency is guaranteed.

The person in charge of this project said that with the complete materials, they would finish all the special effects production by November.

Cao Yang was quite satisfied with the progress. If Columbia wanted to release it during Christmas or New Year's, it should be in time.

The months with high box office in North America are just those few. Under normal circumstances, starting from the first weekend of May, June, July, October, December, and early January—especially during June and July—are the months when blockbusters are clustered.

If Columbia doesn't rush to release it during Christmas, they can only go to June or July of next year and compete with other commercial blockbusters.

If Cao Yang remembers correctly, there are many well-known blockbusters scheduled for next summer.

George Lucas's *Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith*—this has already become a kind of pop culture in the US, and it's very hard for other films to compete.

The sci-fi film *War of the Worlds*, directed by Spielberg and starring Tang Mu Cruise—although the word-of-mouth for this film isn't great, it had over 200 million in North American box office and over 500 million globally, so its competitiveness is still very strong.

There's also *Kingdom of Heaven*, with an investment of 140 million USD. Hmm, this film's North American box office was only a little over 40 million; it flopped very badly.

There's also *Batman Begins*, directed by Nolan and starring Bale. This film had a global box office of over 370 million USD, and the word-of-mouth was also very good.

In addition, there's Michael Bay's *The Island*, which is also a summer release. It was this film, with an investment of 130 million USD, that only had a North American box office of 35 million, almost bankrupting Spielberg's DreamWorks.

Looking at it this way, the summer slot can actually be ventured into, as long as one avoids *Star Wars* and *War of the Worlds*.

Cao Yang kept this in mind. If Columbia doesn't release it this Christmas, he'll pick the "soft persimmons" to squeeze during next summer's slot.

As long as the opponent is chosen well, it's actually easier to increase influence. This time in the US, one of the producers of *District 9*, Columbia's executive director Tang Mu Rothman, seemed even more enthusiastic.

It wasn't just because *Milk* was a big hit, but because of another unrelated film's success that made Tang Mu Rothman value Cao Yang even more.

The disaster film *The Day After Tomorrow*, led by 20th Century Fox, sold a good result of 186 million in North America and was a big hit globally, with nearly 550 million USD.

The success of *The Day After Tomorrow* made Columbia, and Tang Mu Rothman who led the cooperation with Cao Yang, determined to start the filming of *2012*.

However, Cao Yang wasn't in a hurry about this. He didn't have to cooperate with Columbia; the original 1+1 contract was a two-way choice.

The "1" is the currently completed *District 9*, and the "+1" is a choice based on the situation. There was no mandatory requirement, so there was room to talk.

The success of *The Day After Tomorrow* not only made Columbia value *2012* more, but other Hollywood film companies also turned their eyes to this short story.

With a successful example, following the trend to film is a very normal thing.

Back then, Hong Kong cinema was very good at this.

If a film was a big box office hit, Hong Kong directors could film a similar movie in just over ten days.

So much so that blind trend-following caused audiences to develop aesthetic fatigue, and because of the short time, quality was hard to guarantee, resulting in too many bad films.

!

The domestic scene later became the same.

Hollywood is no exception.

It's just that although the Hollywood Big Seven also follow trends, they are real, big investments, and it's to reduce risk...

They call this having a successful precedent, which also saves the step of market research.

Its essence is also just following the trend.

Not just filming movies; in this world, basically whatever the matter, as long as there is a successful example, it will mostly be like this.

During this period, Cao Yang officially signed the contract with Fox Searchlight Pictures for the adaptation rights of *Juno*.

Cao Yang will become the nominal project initiator and will serve as producer, executive producer, and screenwriter, enjoying 20% of the film's global box office and subsequent dividends.

And, together with Fox Searchlight, he will have the final cut of the film.

Only now can he be considered a normal Hollywood producer.

Of course, for this film, he will only provide the script, let the director film according to the script, and then have Cheng Jianye come over to serve as executive producer, representing him with full authority.

He basically won't interfere with the filming process in the middle. After the film is shot, he'll see if Fox Searchlight's editing matches his own wishes. As long as it's filmed according to the script, he figures there won't be much of a problem.

The main purpose of Cheng Jianye as executive producer is to supervise the director and see if he films according to the script.

The normal process in Hollywood is just like this.

Most directors, under the supervision of the producer, just need to film carefully according to the script.

What? The director wants to change the script? The director doesn't want to film according to the script?

What are you thinking? In Hollywood crews, changing directors midway happens from time to time; if they don't listen, they get replaced.

Cheng Jianye didn't come to the US with Cao Yang.

After the filming of *District 9* was completed, he took a portion of the people back to China.

After resting at home for a day, the next day he went to the Youth Film Studio director Hou Ke Ming to report back from leave.

The two also chatted.

Hou Ke Ming teased Cheng Jianye, saying that ever since he started following Cao Yang, he was now busier than himself, the director of the Youth Film Studio, going abroad at every turn, making many people envious.

Cheng Jianye just laughed.

Before, he was just a low-level outreach worker at the Youth Film Studio, and Hou Ke Ming definitely wouldn't have known his name.

But ever since he was chosen by Cao Yang and slowly became part of the fixed team, whether it was status, position, or various titles and benefits, they were all rising rapidly.

Nowadays, he could also joke with Hou Ke Ming and wasn't afraid of this director at all.

"I won't be going on business trips in the short term. Cao Dao is busy with post-production and also has to prepare for the release of *Nine-Tailed Fox*. He won't be starting a new film for the time being, so I don't have to run errands for Cao Dao anymore."

As soon as the words fell, the next day Cheng Jianye came to find Hou Ke Ming again.

"Jianye is here. Sit."

Hou Ke Ming was puzzled to see Cheng Jianye; didn't this guy report back from leave yesterday?

Cheng Jianye laughed, handed Hou Ke Ming a cigarette, lit it for Old Hou, lit one for himself, sat down, and seemed to shake his head and smile helplessly.

This left Hou Ke Ming a bit confused. You say this guy is helpless, but he's smiling happier than ever.

"Sigh, Director Hou, you say I really have a life of toil. I only just came here to report back from leave yesterday, and today I have to ask for leave again."

What kind of life of toil is it that makes you grin from ear to ear?

"There's a Hollywood film. Cao Dao is the project initiator, and also the producer and executive producer. He doesn't have time, so he asked me to be the executive producer, stationed with the crew."

Cheng Jianye looked at Hou Ke Ming, took a puff of his cigarette, and continued: "Cao Dao said, my main task is to supervise the director, to make the director film according to Cao Dao's script. If the director doesn't listen, then replace him with an obedient director."

Afterward, he shook his head and said to Hou Ke Ming: "Director Hou, you say, isn't this making things difficult for people? I haven't even been a producer in China, and suddenly I'm sent to Hollywood by Cao Dao to be a producer."

Get out!

You motherfucker, get out of here, you asshole, just keep showing off!

(End of Chapter)