Chapter 210

As the largest-scale film that China Film Group has participated in investing in so far, and also the first science fiction film, Han Zong's level of importance attached to it is simply unprecedented.

Actually, it's not just Han Zong; the higher-ups also attach great importance to it, specifically issuing documents to all theater chains, requiring them to take good preventive measures and put an end to all forms of piracy entering the market.

According to investigations from various aspects, Cao Yang has already formed his own good reputation, and the public's level of anticipation for this science fiction film of his has already exceeded the anticipation for "Hero" back then.

In view of the fact that Cao Yang's last two films both exceeded 200 million in box office, the higher-ups also want to see if the box office of this film can exceed the "Big Ship" blocking the way in front and break the domestic box office record.

Although this "District 9" also has the participation of a Hollywood film company, and the lead actor is also an American actor, no matter what, the director is a pure Chinese person, and nominally it is also a co-production.

If such a film breaks the "Big Ship's" record, in terms of face and level of acceptance, it is always much better than a "purebred" Hollywood film.

Moreover, for Han Zong, if a film participated in by China Film Group can break the record, the potential benefits will be even greater.

Of course, the Youth Film Studio also has its own ideas. As one of the investors in the co-production and the director's home unit, the Youth Film Studio also holds very high expectations, looking forward to Cao Yang's "District 9" breaking the domestic box office record.

Compared to a behemoth like China Film Group, the Youth Film Studio is undoubtedly much worse off. However, the Youth Film Studio also has its own advantages; it may not have much say in scheduling, but getting various alumni to speak out in support is something it can still do.

Therefore, "District 9" is unprecedented in terms of both scheduling and support in all aspects.

Even at the premiere, Han Zong personally invited many famous domestic film critics and media, giving them generous travel expenses, just to control the public opinion in the first few days after the film's release, fearing that bad voices would spread and affect the box office.

After watching the film, in the words of a famous film critic, Han Zong was overthinking it; this kind of film with depth and layers, which is both entertaining and artistic, is absolutely incomparable to ordinary Hollywood blockbusters.

He stated that even without the travel expenses given by Han Zong, he would absolutely not go against his conscience and give a negative review.

Han Zong just smiled.

Without generous travel expenses, perhaps film critics could give the film a fair evaluation, but what if the opposing side gave travel expenses?

Huayi Company is absolutely capable of doing such things; during the release period of Xiao Gangpao's films, they didn't do less of this kind of thing to smear their opponents.

For this reason, Han Zong even gave Huayi's Boss Wang a warning, both openly and secretly, just fearing they would play tricks behind their backs.

Huayi's Little Boss Wang initially wanted to buy some articles to brush a few bad reviews for "District 9," but after receiving Han Zong's warning, he hesitated a bit.

"A World Without Thieves" had already been released for two weeks, and the box office was still strong. Not putting some eye drops on "District 9" made Little Boss Wang unwilling; he feared that "A World Without Thieves'" box office would be affected too much.

But Han Zong's warning couldn't be ignored, so he went to discuss it with Big Boss Wang.

"What Han Zong said cannot be ignored."

Big Boss Wang waved his hand and said without hesitation.

Currently, Huayi and China Film Group have a very good relationship, and many projects have China Film Group's support behind them; offending Han Zong would be too unwise.

Little Boss Wang frowned, hesitated for a moment, and said: "But 'A World Without Thieves' broke 90 million in just two weeks. Our film has a chance to exceed 'House of Flying Daggers' and become one of the few films in the country to break 150 million."

Seeing his own older brother also frowning, Little Boss Wang continued:

"If Cao Yang's 'District 9' explodes, it will definitely affect 'A World Without Thieves.' Brother, Cao Yang is not an ordinary person; that kid's last two films both exceeded 200 million in box office, and he is even more popular in the country than Feng Xiaogang."

Big Boss Wang only thought for a moment before asking: "Even if 'District 9' explodes, how much box office do you think it can affect?"

"It should affect 10 or 20 million, right?"

Little Boss Wang felt that "District 9" would have at most 100 to 200 million in box office; this film is a different type from "A World Without Thieves," and affecting 10 or 20 million would be the limit.

Big Boss Wang stared at Little Boss Wang and scolded without hesitation: "Stupid, just calculating based on 20 million, how much can we actually get? A little over 6 million! For a mere 6 million, are you sure we want to offend Han Zong and offend China Film Group?"

Seeing Little Boss Wang's thoughtful expression, Big Boss Wang then continued:

"Moreover, film is something no one can guarantee will definitely explode. There are plenty of films by big directors that flopped, and plenty that are critically acclaimed but not commercially successful. Don't treat Cao Yang as a myth; there is no director who can always succeed."

"Okay brother, I know."

Little Boss Wang also figured it out; his brother's words made sense. Cao Yang is not a god, and moreover, he is a director who became famous for art-house films. The probability of him flopping on his first science fiction film is infinitely high.

As someone born and raised here who also received domestic education, how could he understand science fiction films?

The country simply doesn't have such an environment, okay?

Little Boss Wang took back all the means he had prepared before; he wanted to see how Cao Yang, such a domestic filmmaker born and raised here, would shoot a science fiction blockbuster.

Han Zong didn't sleep well all night.

People are like this; they will never be satisfied.

More than two months ago, when "Nine-Tailed Fox" was released, he was nervous and uneasy, full of gains and losses. At that time, he thought that perhaps he would never be this nervous again in his life.

Who knew that after just over two months, he would be nervous and worried again. Even, he felt that this time he was more full of gains and losses than last time, just fearing that the box office of this unprecedentedly large production would not be satisfactory.

At around five in the morning, Cao Yang was awakened in a daze by the ringing of the phone. He struggled to open the arm holding him, moved the leg pressing on him, and was finally able to sit up.

"Who is it, so early, really annoying."

Yu Feihong opened her eyes, yawned, and also sat up.

Her skin was delicate and fair, and although the two apples were not too big, they were still firm and quite attractive.

Cao Yang found his phone, connected, and glanced at Yu Feihong, his gaze mainly focused below the head.

Then, he couldn't help but reach out his other hand.

He couldn't help but knead and massage.

"Hmm..."

"Senior brother, is there any urgent matter so early?"

Han Zong vaguely seemed to hear other sounds, probably heard wrong. He didn't think deeply, just said in a loud voice that couldn't hide his excitement:

"Junior brother, the online box office has already been calculated. Guess, what is the box office of our 'District 9'?"

Yu Feihong's sleepiness disappeared quite a bit. Hearing that it was Han Zong talking about the box office of "District 9," she leaned her ear over.

By the way, she reached out a hand and grabbed Cao Yang's handle.

Let your hand make trouble!

Cao Yang's spirit was lifted.

"Did the box office break 20 million?"

"Haha, junior brother, guess again."

"Could it be... hiss, could it be 22 million?"

Cao Yang hissed; to Han Zong, it sounded like his junior brother was shocked, so he laughed loudly again.

"Wrong, junior brother, it's 24.36 million! And this is just the online box office; there are still some small cities without online connectivity whose box office hasn't been calculated yet. Just wait to be shocked."

Han Zong was truly extremely excited; even if he hadn't slept all night, he was still full of spirit.

This was just one day's box office performance, and it already exceeded the total box office of over 90% of films. Cao Yang is worthy of being Cao Yang; my junior brother is just awesome!

"Uh..."

Cao Yang looked down. Fairy Feihong, who had buried her head, raised her head and deliberately stuck out her tongue.

"Senior brother, congratulations, ah..."

"Haha, junior brother, it should be me congratulating you." "Alright, senior brother, let's hang up the phone quickly and indulge ourselves happily."

Han Zong felt that Cao Yang's words made sense. "That's right, junior brother, I know you are also very excited now, so let's do that. I also need to digest this news and wait for the non-online box office statistics."

Pop!

Cao Yang hurriedly hung up the phone.

However, before he could do anything, Yu Feihong pushed him down and buried her head again.

With such a high box office, of course, he had to celebrate.

Han Zong understood Cao Yang's meaning at the time. After hanging up the phone, he jumped up and down alone in the room, venting fiercely.

Don't say, it really worked; the excited mood calmed down a lot.

The indulgence method Cao Yang mentioned was really good.

Xiao Gangpao also didn't sleep well all night. After watching "District 9" yesterday after the premiere, he had been feeling a bit uneasy in his heart.

As a director, especially a director known for commercial films, Xiao Gangpao had his own criteria for judging whether a film was good or bad.

No matter how you look at it, "District 9" is a qualified science fiction film, plus the humanistic care factor, especially since it's about race, which makes the film appear even more "high-end."

!

"How is it? Did yesterday's box office come out?"

Xiao Gangpao came to Huayi early in the morning and asked Little Boss Wang.

Little Boss Wang's face didn't look good. He glanced at the computer again and confirmed it again before saying: "'District 9's' box office exceeded 26 million!"

Xiao Gangpao's heart skipped a beat; he simply couldn't believe his ears.

"Damn, how much?"

"Yesterday's box office exceeded 26 million!"

Little Boss Wang repeated it again. Even now, he couldn't believe it; this is simply too shocking. That kid Cao Yang's market appeal is truly boundless.

Xiao Gangpao was silent for a while before asking with a toothache: "I'm not asking about 'District 9'; I want to know the box office of our 'A World Without Thieves'."

This was Little Boss Wang's turn to be silent.

Xiao Gangpao repeated the question again, and Little Boss Wang also said with a toothache: "1.28 million."

"Damn, how much?"

Xiao Gangpao's eyes widened; he was really worried for his two big eyeballs, as if they would pop out if he wasn't careful.

"1.28 million."

Little Boss Wang covered half of his face, as if he really had a toothache. It's estimated that his temper had been too high recently, and he needed to find someone to vent his anger later.

Xiao Gangpao sat on the sofa with a thud, his eyes listless, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"1.28 million? How did it become 1.28 million? It was 5.19 million the day before yesterday. Where did my 5.19 million go? How did it drop by 4 million in one day?"

Afterwards, Xiao Gangpao also covered half of his face, as if his teeth were starting to ache too.

Following this trend, whether "A World Without Thieves" can break 150 million is not even the question; whether it can break 100 million is a problem.

"Who says it isn't? It was 5.19 million the day before yesterday. It's simply unreasonable; how can there be such a drop?"

Little Boss Wang sighed. This was only the first day, and the second day's box office might be even higher. Under the siphon effect, whether "A World Without Thieves" can even have 1 million is a problem.

"Cao Yang, this bastard, why did he have to come to my He Sui slot! Before he came, I was invincible in the He Sui slot. This grandson, I'm not finished with him! No, I want to call and scold him, otherwise, I can't swallow this breath."

Xiao Gangpao jumped up directly from the sofa, jumping and cursing. That image, tsk, don't mention it.

"Don't be in a hurry, don't be in a hurry."

Little Boss Wang hurriedly held down Xiao Gangpao, who was like a shrew. He was really afraid that Xiao Gangpao would speak without thinking and call to offend Cao Yang. Wouldn't all his forbearance be in vain?

"Rest assured, this box office is definitely not the norm. Maybe it's because his last film just ended not long ago, and the audience is just supporting him. Maybe those who should watch it have already watched it. It's hard to say if the box office will drop sharply tomorrow."

Little Boss Wang babbled nonsense that even he didn't believe, comforting Xiao Gangpao, who looked very hurt.

"The box office will drop sharply tomorrow?"

"Very likely." Little Boss Wang nodded seriously, his expression looking very real.

Xiao Gangpao breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down.

Maybe he just needed an excuse to calm down.

"Damn Cao Yang!"

Even if Xiao Gangpao looked calm, he couldn't help but curse Cao Yang.

Little Boss Wang nodded in agreement, "You're right."

The release of "District 9's" first-day box office didn't just break Xiao Gangpao's defense.

"How much did you say?"

Zhou Xingxing received a call from Columbia and asked again, a bit unable to believe it.

After confirming the box office data, Zhou Xingxing sat on the sofa, silent for a long time, looking very quiet, which fit his shy personality.

"I said the He Sui slot is not a good slot; we should have withdrawn from this slot."

After a long time, Zhou Xingxing suddenly said.

It seemed that not long ago, he was complaining about being forced to withdraw from the He Sui slot and said a lot of dissatisfied words, but at this moment, looking at his expression, he looked very glad that "Kung Fu" withdrew from the He Sui slot.

The next day, "District 9's" box office came out, shocking the eyes again, with 28.76 million in box office, once again leading the second place, Xiao Gangpao's "A World Without Thieves," by a cliff-like margin.

"'District 9' 28.76 million?" Xiao Gangpao stared with his two big eyeballs and confirmed again.

"Yes."

Little Boss Wang covered half of his face. Toothache, it really hurt this time; he was gasping for air from the pain of speaking.

"'A World Without Thieves' 980,000?"

"Yes."

Little Boss Wang put down the hand covering half of his face, slapped the table fiercely, and said in unison with Xiao Gangpao: "Damn Cao Yang!"

After Zhou Xingxing learned about "District 9's" second-day box office, he couldn't help but give a thumbs up to the technical failure of "Kung Fu." This technical failure really appeared at the right time.

The He Sui slot is really not a damn good slot.

(End of chapter)