Chapter 303: The ability to make money

July 28th to July 30th was the third weekend of *Inception*'s release.

This time, before Cao Yang started checking the North American box office, Tang Mu Rothman, the executive director of Columbia, called.

As soon as the call connected, he used a rather exaggerated tone and said: "Oh, my dear director, you finally answered the phone. I haven't seen you for so long; I've missed you so much."

"Tang Mu, don't be like this. Your enthusiasm is a bit hard for me to accept. We are old acquaintances; just say what you have to say, no need for this."

Cao Yang didn't know if Tang Mu Rothman had chosen the time specifically, because due to the time difference, it was 9:30 PM in Jingcheng, which corresponded to 6:30 AM in Los Angeles.

Tang Mu Rothman got up really early; he was thoughtful not to call in the middle of the night here.

"Haha, first tell you some good news: *Inception* earned another 38 million in box office over the three days of the weekend, continuing to hold the championship position on the weekend box office chart. This is already the third consecutive week; congratulations."

Tang Mu Rothman laughed very happily. The three days of last weekend were 64 million; this is already the third week, and the box office drop is still controlled at around 40%, which is very heaven-defying.

This fucking is the super performance brought by high word-of-mouth.

"Added to the box office of the four weekdays, the total box office is already 298 million. It's a pity; it's less than 2 million away from 300 million, a bit regrettable."

Cao Yang smiled. You're laughing heartily while saying it's regrettable, right?

"I should congratulate you, Tang Mu. It was your persistence that led to today's *Inception*. You are the biggest contributor."

Isn't it just commercial mutual blowing? I can do that too.

"Haha... don't, don't, don't say that. You are the biggest contributor; I just provided you with some logistical support, haha..."

Tang Mu Rothman was clearly very pleased with Cao Yang's commercial mutual blowing.

After laughing for a while, Tang Mu Rothman said: "My dear director, do you still remember the 1+1 shooting plan we discussed?"

Cao Yang thought for a moment. At that time, it was Tang Mu Rothman from Columbia who came, wanting to invest in filming two novels from *Cao Yang's Fantasy Journey*, and the first one chosen was *District 9*.

If *District 9* met expectations, they would film another one.

At that time, the second one Columbia and Tang Mu Rothman wanted to film was *2012* or *The Hunger Games*.

However, after *District 9* achieved success, Cao Yang's influence greatly increased, and he grasped the initiative, choosing neither of those two, but *Inception* instead.

"Tang Mu, I remember our 1+1 plan has already been completed, right?"

Cao Yang replied with a smile.

The continued success of *Inception* increased his influence and status once again. There were more companies outside wanting to cooperate, and he had more initiative.

To be realistic, if Columbia wants to cooperate again, they need to show more sincerity.

Two days ago, Ehrmann called, and Warner Bros. and Disney both indicated that they could give a share of the global box office; it's just that the specific numbers are still being negotiated.

In addition, Jason Simmons, the president of Fox Searchlight, also called yesterday, acting as a scout for the parent company, 20th Century Fox. 20th Century Fox also wants to cooperate with Cao Yang.

However, before hanging up, Jason Simmons also said one thing:

Although Fox Searchlight has always been producing and distributing independent films and art films, as long as Cao Yang speaks up, not to mention anything else, he can make the decision on an investment amount of less than 150 million US dollars.

Well, Jason Simmons, this president of Fox Searchlight, also wants to "backstab" the parent company.

The initial investment for *Zhu Nuo* was only 6 million US dollars. Later, seeing the hope of rushing for the Oscars, Jason Simmons decisively made the decision and added 30 million US dollars for promotion and Oscar operations.

In the end, he got his wish and won two major awards: Best Editing and Best Picture.

Until now, *Zhu Nuo* is still showing in North American rural theaters.

Currently, *Zhu Nuo* has already earned 170 million US dollars in box office in North America, and the global box office has reached 290 million US dollars. Because some countries released it late, it might even break 300 million in total global box office in the end.

*Zhu Nuo* won the Oscar for Best Picture, so the subsequent disc rentals and peripherals should also bring in quite a lot of income.

This allowed Fox Searchlight to make too much money from this film and get a taste of the sweetness.

Of course, Cao Yang has a 20% global box office and subsequent share agreement with Fox Searchlight. He also made a big profit from this film, quite a big one.

"Oh, no, my dear director, what 1+1, 1+2, as long as you are willing, Columbia will always be your most loyal and reliable partner, forever."

Tang Mu Rothman said quickly.

Then he skipped this topic and said directly:

"How about this, when are you coming to Los Angeles, or I can go to Jingcheng; let's talk in person. No matter which film from *Cao Yang's Fantasy Journey* you want to film, I will fully support you."

After hanging up Tang Mu Rothman's phone, Cao Yang felt a bit helpless.

He originally wanted to rest for a while and enjoy life properly, but who knew that with the big sale of *Inception* globally, he would receive calls from Hollywood almost every day.

One film selling well might be a coincidence, but with all three films adapted from the novels in *Cao Yang's Fantasy Journey* selling well, the seven major Hollywood studios and some other powerful film companies couldn't sit still.

After *District 9* sold well, maybe some people were still watching, thinking it might be a coincidence.

*Zhu Nuo* sold well, perhaps some people would think it was Fox Searchlight spending money to operate the Oscars that brought the harvest.

*Inception* sold well again, and the word-of-mouth was surprisingly good; this made people unable to sit still.

Conversely, people in Hollywood would analyze it.

The big sale of *District 9* was due to novel content and full creativity; this is the basic condition for a big sale.

The big sale of *Zhu Nuo* had the halo bonus brought by the Oscars, but the film's creativity was very good, the details were touching, and it was a controversial topic; these are the prerequisites for winning awards and selling well.

The creativity of *Inception* goes without saying; it is now elevated to one of the philosophical film trilogies, which is the guarantee for a big box office sale.

Combined, it is Cao Yang's creativity and influence that is the most basic guarantee for a big box office sale.

So now Hollywood is extremely sought after for Cao Yang. Making money, who would go against money? Especially Hollywood, who doesn't like money?

"How much of a share can you get from *Inception*?"

Gao Yuanyuan asked curiously.

These past few days, Cao Yang has been staying at Gao Yuanyuan's place, and Gao Yuanyuan even turned down several activities for this.

Cao Yang thought for a moment and said: "The global box office of this film should reach 900 million. My agreement with Columbia is 13% of the global box office, which means, just counting the box office, I can get about 120 million."

He didn't tell Gao Yuanyuan that he got not only the total box office share but also the subsequent peripheral share, which was also 13%. This is also a not-so-small number and is a long-term income.

"Wow, one film can get a share of 120 million RMB; my man is really amazing."

Gao Yuanyuan's eyes were filled with little stars. It's really amazing to make money as a director.

Cao Yang was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

He patted Gao Yuanyuan's butt and said:

"Who told you it was 120 million RMB? I said US dollars, 120 million US dollars. How could the global box office of *Inception* be only 900 million RMB? It can probably reach 900 million US dollars."

Gao Yuanyuan's little mouth was half-open, then she pushed Cao Yang, took a few steps back, and then ran and jumped directly onto Cao Yang.

Cao Yang was prepared and supported her butt with his hands. Gao Yuanyuan often did this before.

"Cao Yang, if I give birth to a son for you, will your money all be his in the future?"

"Not necessarily; it mainly depends on your performance."

"I'll bite you to death!"

"Biting is fine, but you must not use your teeth..."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 304 =====