Chapter 301: A streak of red

*Inception* is not only showing a streak of red at the domestic box office, but according to Columbia's statistics, in countries where it was released simultaneously globally, it is almost entirely ranked in the top three of the box office charts, and the word-of-mouth is unprecedentedly good.

Especially in North America, it achieved a super result of 98 million dollars over the three days of last weekend, breaking the box office record for non-sequel films.

And this weekend, over the three days, *Inception* once again raked in 64 million in box office, with a drop of only 34%, which is a particularly good drop.

Added to the 63 million in box office earned over the four weekdays, in ten days, *Inception* has already achieved a total box office of 225 million dollars.

*Inception* ranks first on the North American weekend box office chart with a huge advantage, surpassing the second-ranked *Monster House* by 41 million dollars.

*Monster House* is a film produced by Spielberg, and this was its first weekend of release, earning only 23 million in box office.

What's quite interesting is that not only is Spielberg the producer and executive producer of *Monster House*, but Columbia is also one of the major investors.

However, it cannot be said that *Monster House* was affected by *Inception* at the box office; after all, no matter who looks at it, animated films and live-action films are two different battlefields, and there is no competitive relationship.

What's more, with Spielberg's name attached, Columbia wanted to rely on *Inception* and *Monster House* to dominate the box office for live-action films and animated films respectively this summer season.

Well, it can only be said that Columbia's ambition is very large, but unfortunately, *Monster House* is a bit of a letdown.

As for *Superman Returns*, which had a super-super-super large investment, it only had 7.4 million in box office over the three days of the weekend, but the total box office is not bad, currently having achieved a good result of 178 million.

Of course, this is without looking at the production costs.

This film can only rely on time to slowly grind its way to 200 million in box office.

As for breaking even?

Warner Bros. might not care. You think they lost their shirts, but they might have already made a fortune, who knows.

Cao Yang also learned from the data obtained from China Film Group that *Inception* has already broken 400 million dollars in global box office in just ten days. China Film Group has no experience in estimating global box office, but Columbia does.

Columbia conservatively estimates that according to the current trend, *Inception* can reach 900 million dollars in global box office.

After Han Zong learned this data, he remained silent for a long time.

The current exchange rate of the RMB to the US dollar has changed a bit, currently maintaining around 7.98.

Just calculating based on Columbia's conservative estimate of 900 million US dollars, converted, that is 7.182 billion RMB!

What was the total domestic box office last year? A little over 2 billion.

That is to say, the global box office of one of Cao Yang's films is more than three times the total domestic box office.

"The road is long and the burden is heavy!"

After a long while, Han Zong sighed.

These past few days, Ehrmann called, and whether it's Warner Bros. or Disney, they have loosened up, and the negotiations have suddenly become much easier.

This must be the reason for *Inception*'s big sale.

Now Cao Yang is not in a hurry; the ones in a hurry are Warner Bros. and Disney, because with the continued big sale of *Inception*, other Hollywood film companies will definitely move upon hearing the news.

Just like the rumor circulating in Hollywood, scripts of all sizes in Hollywood must first be reviewed by Little Li Zi; only what Little Li Zi picks over will circulate again.

Similarly, with Cao Yang's continuous success, other Hollywood film companies, if they have major projects in hand, will definitely think of finding Cao Yang to direct.

This is Hollywood's "superstition"; not all film companies are Warner Bros.

Any project exceeding 100 million US dollars, except for sequels, which one doesn't need to hire a specialized research company to conduct market research?

Even Warner Bros. just looks "crazy"; it's just that this is their strategy. They have *Harry Potter* in hand, so they don't need other films to make big money.

At least on the books, that's how it is.

Cao Yang was at Gao Yuanyuan's house today. After dinner, he browsed North American websites and information on his computer, mainly looking at things related to *Inception*.

Currently, on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), the website that best represents the opinions of North American film fans and netizens, *Inception* rushed into the top three of the Top 250 as soon as it was released, with 74% of netizens giving it a perfect score of 10.

The current average score is 9.4.

This is a very remarkable achievement.

Although the ranking might drop as more film fans rate it, if it can stabilize in the top ten, it means everyone considers it a classic.

On the Rotten Tomatoes website, which is dominated by film critics, it currently has an 86% approval rating.

The film is defined as a "contemporary action sci-fi film taking place within the structure of consciousness," and in terms of innovation, it is even compared to *The Matrix*, saying that this is a film closer to the "truth" than *The Matrix*.

Cao Yang didn't quite understand this comment. He couldn't figure out what those North American film critics were thinking; why would *Inception* be closer to the truth than *The Matrix*?

He couldn't figure it out.

He flipped through some newspaper and magazine reviews again.

*Empire* magazine stated: *Inception* is enough to be called a philosophical film trilogy along with *The Matrix* and *The Truman Show*. In the entertainment industry, which is considered instant and disposable, Cao Yang brings a brand new world; this is the most meaningful pursuit this summer.

*The Hollywood Reporter* wrote: "This is a film with an incredibly complex structure, but it can bring you a completely convincing dream journey with infinite pleasure. After watching the film, the only price you have to pay is feeling exhausted."

*Variety*'s review wrote: "If films can allow people to share dreams, then Cao Yang is definitely one of Hollywood's most creative dream masters. *Inception* has rich details and intricate plot settings.

He can lead the audience into a labyrinth of the subconscious. He created a surreal world, weaving an illusory facade that mimics reality to lure and confuse us, and it lingers in our minds."

"What are you looking at?"

Gao Yuanyuan came out after showering, hugged Cao Yang from behind, placed her chin on Cao Yang's shoulder, and looked at the English-only webpage on the computer, couldn't help but pout, and said:

"What are you giggling about by yourself? Look at you, you can't even close your mouth."

"Haha, looking at how others are praising me, do you believe it?" Cao Yang patted his leg, signaling Gao Yuanyuan to come over.

Gao Yuanyuan went around the computer chair, sat on Cao Yang's lap, and kissed Cao Yang on the face.

"Believe, of course I believe. Whatever you say is what it is; anyway, I can't understand it."

"Did I look like I couldn't close my mouth just now?"

Cao Yang hugged Gao Yuanyuan, who was wearing a semi-transparent nightgown, and made her change her posture to face him, straddling his legs.

"Do you want to be unable to close your mouth too?"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 302 =====