Chapter 180: The Embryonic Form of Capital

A second strike against the White Bone Demon?

Isn't that just Xu Xu Xiyuan and Dong Jie!

It seems Zhou Xun and Lu Kuan have a very good relationship...

She recalled that the audition she attended that day for *Love is Not Blind* had not yet yielded results.

The deeply artistic and beautiful woman was calculating how to capture this talented young director.

Having been lonely for a long time, she also wanted to try out his "Golden Cudgel" to see if it was any good...

Mani Fok glanced at Xie Xie Tingfeng beside her; bringing him this time was to make peace with Lu Kuan at the banquet.

The cooperation between Emperor Group and Wenjie has entered a substantive stage, and according to Chairman Li's instructions, no factors that might disrupt unity are allowed to appear.

It was very obvious; it meant Xie and Chen, who had conflicts with Lu Kuan in the past.

"Xie Tingfeng, are you hot?"

Xie Xie Tingfeng smiled indifferently: "It's fine, Mani, if you're cold, I'll give you my jacket."

"It's okay, you keep wearing it, you look very handsome!"

The moment Mani Fok turned her face away, Xie Xie Tingfeng's expression suddenly turned gloomy.

It wasn't that he didn't know the reason for his attendance this time.

He also knew that Lu Kuan was not the man he used to be, so he had already accepted it in his heart.

It was just that Mani Fok's concern just now made him feel a heart-wrenching pain.

Since when did I also need such cautious comfort from others?

Just when the reporters, fans, and even some celebrities thought today's press conference was over, that obscure beautiful host returned to the stage.

"Everyone, please stay calm. If anyone would like afternoon tea, there are tea and snacks prepared for our reporter friends outside the media hall."

"However, I still suggest everyone hold on for a bit. Director Lu is being very generous today and is treating everyone to dinner at the Media Center tonight."

A burst of laughter erupted from the audience; this host was quite good—generous, sharp, and humorous.

You can doubt Lu Kuan's character, but you cannot doubt his vision.

"Alright, let's move to the next segment. Please have Director Lu and the directors signed to Wenjie introduce the film and television projects the company will be launching soon."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ning Hao, Xue Li Xiaolu, and Jiang Wei took the stage one after another.

Lu Kuan took over as host: "Wenjie has a total of four film and television projects starting production in the fourth quarter of 2003."

"Director Ning Hao's *Crazy Racer*, a sister piece to *Crazy Stone*, is invested in by Wenjie and China Film Group, and will be released during the New Year's slot."

"Director Xue Li Xiaolu's *Love is Not Blind*, a youth romance film, is solely funded by Wenjie and is expected to be released on Valentine's Day 2004."

"Director Jiang Wei's TV series *Lurk*, a novel spy drama, is solely funded by Wenjie and is expected to be broadcast during prime time on Travel Channel on New Year's Day next year."

Immediately after, he handed the microphone to the three directors one by one, and everyone briefly described the genre and content of their works.

The most experienced Ning Hao threw out some gimmicks, making the reporters and audience who were fans of *Crazy Stone* cheer with excitement!

If it's produced by Wenjie, it must be a boutique!

Yu Dong, Wang Changtian, and others in the audience all had different expressions.

Yu Dong was already pondering how to secure the distribution rights for these two films, while Wang Changtian had developed a strong interest in the film industry.

Why is everyone breaking their heads to squeeze in? Is this industry really about to enter a golden age?

The person with the greatest psychological fluctuation was none other than Yao Jia; she had originally been invited by Lu Kuan to bring Liu Yan to host the event.

She didn't expect to hear this bad news just as it was about to end.

She wouldn't find it scary whoever took over the Travel Channel, but Lu Kuan...

This ruthless man who turned the new subject matter *Chinese Paladin* into something that almost pierced through the classic IP *My Fair Princess III*, this director who won two major awards at two of the three major European film festivals with two films.

Hunan TV is in danger!

All three directors finished their introductions, and the reporters had almost run out of space on the notepads they brought today.

Liu Yan pretended to have a puzzled tone: "Director Lu, didn't you just say there were four works from Wenjie? This is only three directors?"

Boss Lu looked at her with a smile; this straight man's assistant was doing a good job.

"Little Liu, did you forget that I am also a director? I haven't introduced mine yet!"

Liu Yan covered her mouth and chuckled, yielding the stage back to Lu Kuan.

The insiders in the audience who knew the situation were originally watching the joke happily, but suddenly they all felt something was wrong!

Lu Kuan's work?

Could it be that time when the Cannes awards ceremony ended, Tang Mu Cruise?

Tang Mu Cruise! It's real!

It's not that everyone was slow; it's just that this matter had passed for nearly 4 months.

In these 4 months, Lu Kuan, Emile, and Wenjie (USA) had completed all the preliminary work, just waiting for Lu Kuan to return to the country to decide on the female lead.

Boss Lu looked around, having whetted everyone's appetite.

Of course, except for Han Han Sanping and Mani Fok; China Film Group and Emperor Group had already obtained investment shares due to private deals with Boss Lu.

The scene was silent; all the reporters, celebrities, and guests were waiting for Lu Kuan to reveal the final answer.

"Alright."

"Actually, every time I look in the mirror when I wake up, I think I'm quite handsome, and my buddies and friends around me think so too, right?"

Boss Lu interacted a little with the row where Zhou Xun and Liu Liu Yifei were sitting.

Zhou Xun: "That's right! Handsome!"

Liu Liu Yifei: "Not handsome!"

Everyone laughed.

"I didn't expect that after going to the USA this time, I found that in this world, there is always someone more handsome than the handsome."

"Next, please give a warm round of applause to welcome two Hollywood superstars from the USA!"

"Tang Mu Cruise!"

"Leonardo DiCaprio!"

For a moment, the scene seemed to enter a vacuum; there was not a single sound, only the echo coming from Lu Kuan's microphone.

Immediately after, two big handsome guys were seen smiling and appearing from behind the stage.

Tang Mu Cruise, being the shortest, stood in the middle, with Lu Kuan and Leonardo standing on the left and right. The staff hurriedly cleared the stage and moved three high stools.

Some of the reporters on the scene couldn't help but start swearing.

"F*ck! Is Lu Kuan crazy? Hiring these two to make a movie starts at 40 million US dollars!"

"Brother, I feel like I'm going to be promoted to editor-in-chief; this manuscript is worth a fortune!"

"Stop pushing, damn it! Why do you insist on filming Leonardo's profile? He's a big handsome guy from all 360 degrees!"

It sounded as if the sound of locusts gnawing had erupted on the scene; it was the sound of shutters one after another, and the flashes almost made the media hall as bright as day!

Tang Mu Cruise took the microphone and greeted: "Hi, friends in China, how are you!"

The scene gave a warm response.

Lu Kuan suddenly interjected: "We are missing a translator on the scene, so let's ask Ms. Liu Liu Yifei to guest star."

Boss Lu still had a heart; although little Liu backstabbed him, she had still been working for him for the past two years.

Give the child a chance.

I wonder what he would think if he knew about the existence of the 【slaughter machine】.

Liu Liu Xiaoli looked at Boss Lu with gratitude, knowing that this was creating topics and exposure for her daughter.

It's just a pity for the female lead of *Foreign Land*; I don't know who it will fall to.

Liu Liu Yifei was stunned for a moment, then ran onto the stage excitedly from the side, took the microphone, and stood beside Leonardo.

F*ck!

Lu Kuan's face darkened; how could he forget this.

Leonardo's eyes lit up; he very gentlemanly and gently held a small section of her fingers before letting go, nodding in thanks.

The reporters and guests on the scene feasted their eyes, but the online audience suffered.

The news of Hollywood stars appearing at the Wenjie press conference spread like wildfire, causing a sensation on online media!

The second strike against the White Bone Demon was certainly exciting, but after all, Lu Kuan's fans were still in the minority; these two are different!

Zhuang Xu was also cursing in his office: "This dog thing, causing trouble without saying anything in advance! Damn!"

He grabbed the landline: "Call Li Dacheng from the technical department in for me, hurry!"

At the same time, countless identical curses were erupting all over the country, especially in the Beiping area.

"F*ck! What kind of shitty internet speed is this, it even lagged Leonardo's face!"

"Sina Entertainment, are you capable or not! I'm going to check the blog site next door!"

"Wenjie is really awesome this time. I believe Lu Kuan is innocent; he can go to Hollywood to get foreign mares, so why would he look at these two pieces of trash!"

After Tang Mu and Leonardo finished their greetings, Lu Kuan took back the microphone.

"*Foreign Land* is a sci-fi action film jointly produced by Wenjie, China Film Group, Emperor Group, and United Artists, with Tang Mu Cruise as producer and a total investment of 75 million US dollars." (Note 1)

"The film is adapted from the novel of the same name by our country's famous sci-fi writer Mr. He Xi. It mainly tells the story of the male and female leads and scientists with humanity at heart fighting against cold-blooded rulers and foreign monsters to maintain the survival and evolution order of the human world."

Boss Lu gave a brief introduction to the film, and he wasn't afraid of people going to watch *Foreign Land* and getting spoilers, because the script had undergone major changes compared to the novel.

Everyone couldn't just be called in an uproar; those terrified eyes should be called horrified!

What is the concept of 75 million US dollars? Just compare it with the mainland box office and you'll know.

It's one thing for China Film Group to have a big family, but isn't your Emperor Group always at odds with Lu Kuan!

Why did you come to join in the fun too?

Xie Xie Tingfeng leaned against his seat with his eyes slightly closed in a trace of despair, his throat bobbing.

He had to admit that he had been reckless at the time.

"This film is a co-production. Wenjie is the lead investor, and the main roles will be played by Hollywood and Chinese stars."

"Among them, the male lead role will be played by Mr. Leonardo, and the supporting male roles will be played by Mr. John Travolta and Mr. Gary Oldman."

"There are also two Chinese-descendant roles in the film: a scientist father and a daughter who is a master of ancient Chinese martial arts."

"The father role will be played by Mr. Liang Liang Jiahui from Xiangjiang, and the daughter role..."

Lu Kuan paused as if playing a prank.

"Starting tomorrow, Wenjie will send out invitations to suitable actors. We also welcome everyone to self-recommend. Casting will be completed within a week, and we will head to North America to begin filming!"

The media hall erupted in noise! The sound of discussion was louder than at any previous time.

Because it was no longer just the media and the audience making a ruckus, but also the stars and various guests.

They had already coveted the television station resources controlled by Wenjie; how could they compare this to a 75-million-dollar co-production?

Yao Jia clenched her fists in some helplessness; she had been thinking of returning to the station to discuss with Station Head Ouyang how to target the Travel Satellite TV that was about to rise after acquiring Lu Kuan.

Her hanging heart finally died; with this kind of structure and momentum, even a tiny leak of resources could make Travel Satellite TV rise abruptly—how could they compete?

It would be better to think about what strategic resources the Xiang Station had that Lu Kuan and Wenjie did not, and exchange them to fill each other's needs.

Yu Dong also stared blankly at Boss Lu on stage interacting with the two movie stars.

He had thought that "Drummer" was the peak work for him and Lu Kuan, but he hadn't expected that it was only his own peak; Boss Lu's mountain towered into the clouds.

Zhang Zhang Huijun in the Beijing Film Academy president's office also couldn't control his emotions and slammed the table hard!

"These old thieves, they almost ruined things!"

Xie Xie Xiaojin couldn't stop nodding either; if they had really listened to them and expelled Lu Kuan, the presidents of the Shanghai Theatre Academy and the Central Academy of Drama would probably have already stormed Wenjie by now.

After Wang Wang Xiaolei and Liu Liu Zeyu parted ways, they returned to the company, and as soon as he pushed the door open, he saw Wang Dajun with a dark face.

"What's wrong, brother? Why is your expression so ugly?"

Wang Dajun glanced at him, the curse he wanted to blurt out swallowed back down by force.

Cursing your mother wouldn't that just be cursing my own mother!

Fuck your... no!

Fuck his mother!

Wang Dajun recounted Lu Kuan's introduction to his younger brother, who collapsed onto the sofa and silently lit a cigarette.

"Wang Xiaolei, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; let him be arrogant for a while longer, we need to lie low for now."

"Lie low?"

"Yes! With such a high investment, and it's a sci-fi film, is he guaranteed to succeed?"

"Lu Kuan is just using the scarcity of this film to exchange for resources; Travel Satellite TV, the share reform of the Xi'an Film Studio distribution company—behind it is either Han Han Shanping or Dong Dong Shuangqiang!"

They say the ones who know you best are your enemies.

Scumbags looking at scumbags, they really have a sharp eye for people.

"We must change our strategy now, lie low first, play it steady, and wait for the enemy to make a mistake."

Wang Wang Xiaolei gave a bitter smile: "To be honest, it's not the first or second time we've targeted him in the shadows; him making a mistake?"

"Every time he makes a mistake, it's a trap, and it turns into our own mistake!"

"I still feel a chill when I think of Zhang Zhang Tianshuo in prison; I have to admit he is really too eerie!"

Wang Dajun knew his brother's mentality was collapsing, but isn't that how running a business is? Where would it ever be smooth sailing?

Back in the day, when they took an advertisement for a few thousand yuan, they had to beg everyone they knew, didn't they still make it to where they are today?

"Wang Xiaolei, what has Fan Bingbing been busy with lately?"

"Her? She went to Spain to shoot a photo album; she had Wang Wang Jinhua find her some fashion resources."

"She came back last week; she should be off to shoot the new drama 'Female Prison No. 4'."

"Ask her to have dinner with us tomorrow; I have something to instruct her."

Wang Wang Xiaolei was puzzled: "What?"

"Get her to take down Lu Kuan!"

Suddenly, a burst of exclamation came from the computer screen; it turned out that Leonardo was demonstrating a bit of Chinese martial arts he had just learned on the spot, drawing warm applause.

Liu Yan asked: "Hello Leonardo, may I ask who you learned this martial art from?"

"Lu found the Yuan Yuan Heping team from Xiangjiang for our film, and they have already started training the leads who need action scenes. I am very much looking forward to it, and I am also very curious about Chinese culture!"

Liu Yan threw the question to Lu Kuan again: "Director Lu, may I ask how Tang Mu Cruise chose you as a partner in Cannes?"

The audience was also very curious about this question.

Admittedly, Lu Kuan had made a name for himself in the international film industry with two award-winning films, but compared to established directors like Li An and Wu Wu Yusen who had been in Hollywood for a long time, he was slightly inferior in both box office and reputation.

Not to mention that Tang Mu Cruise and Wu Wu Yusen had a pleasant collaboration experience on "Mission: Impossible 2".

Boss Lu smiled: "I recommended myself; they didn't find me, I took the initiative to find them. Fortunately, Tang Mu has a keen eye for talent, and Leonardo also recognizes my ability and this script!"

Domestic audiences are usually used to directors being humble; they hadn't seen such big-time boasting.

But as Liu Liu Yifei translated his words, everyone clearly saw Tang Mu Cruise and Leonardo nodding in unison.

Did they really approve of Lu Kuan's self-promotion?

Or was it an objective description?

People of this era were generally not that confident, and it was inevitable that they would have some sentiment of hoping foreigners would recognize their country and culture.

Seeing that Lu Kuan could gain the recognition of top actors in Hollywood, their hearts were filled with pride.

Today, Lu's fans on the internet can walk with their heads held high!

Entering the reporter Q&A session, almost all the reporters on the scene raised their hands at the first opportunity, only to lower them in disappointment as Lu Kuan called on others.

"China Film" reporter: "Mr. Tang Mu Cruise, may I ask what talents or traits of Director Lu Kuan, or perhaps what words, moved you to be willing to be the producer of the film?"

Liu Liu Yifei translated in a low voice on the side.

Tang Mu Cruise smiled: "I first watched Lu's 'Thief' in Cannes; the plot twists and the tear-jerking moments shocked me. The media even captured the image of me tearing up at the end."

Good-natured laughter erupted at the scene.

"Later, he found me and introduced the whole project. I was very surprised that a Chinese director could be so proficient in Hollywood film projects; it was incredible."

"Once I read the script, I was conquered by the genius imagination of the Chinese sci-fi writer; I even proposed the request to play the male lead!"

Leonardo on the side interjected: "Tang Mu, shut up."

Everyone understood "shut up," and they burst into laughter before Liu Liu Yifei could translate.

Lu Kuan watched them bullshitting on the side; this was a customary skill of Hollywood stars.

Film marketing is a business in Hollywood; what these top stars say when attending promotions and press conferences, and how they say it, is all supported by teams.

But please don't believe those who say they never use stunt doubles; they definitely use stunt doubles;

Films with car chases will definitely say there was an accident on set and the lead almost lost their life; thriller films will definitely say there were paranormal events on set.

It's all hype.

A very direct reason: all film leads must have high-value insurance, and the completion bond company will send people to the scene; they and the insurance company would absolutely not allow the leads to perform without stunt doubles.

Once an accident happens, it would be a devastating blow to them and the entire project.

These two guys were old hands, singing in harmony to boost Lu Kuan's image.

The second question went to Leonardo.

"Beijing Evening News": "Mr. Leonardo, you have played many roles and have worked with outstanding actresses like Kate Winslet, Claire Danes, and Amy Adams."

"May I ask if you have any preferred Chinese actresses for the female lead in this film?"

Leonardo smiled: "To be honest, I don't know much about Chinese actors. I know Li, I know Zhang Zhang Ziyi, but since China has such an excellent young director like Lu, I think there must be many excellent actresses!"

He suddenly glanced at Liu Liu Yifei beside him.

"For example, this beautiful translator lady, I think she has the talent to be an actress!"

Note 1:

United Artists is the company Tang Mu Cruise took over, because in this life he started his side business early and took over earlier. The extra 5 million dollars is the 5 million dollar increase in Leonardo's salary.

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(End of this chapter)