Chapter 159: The biggest sinkhole in the Chinese film industry

Kadokawa sat in the presidential suite of the Hilton Hotel, tasting the pure sake brought from Hokkaido and indulging in the taste of his hometown.

If a reporter saw the few people in the room, they would be shocked.

The famous director Chen Kaige, Wang Zhongjun, the president of Huayi Brothers, and Dong Ping, the chairman of Poly Huayi.

These three people are all big bosses in the entertainment industry, people who can cover the sky with one hand, and Kadokawa Tatsuhito is not an ordinary person, he is the president of Kadokawa Bookstore in Japan.

Because Chen Kaige filmed this historical masterpiece, the investment required was simply too great. Therefore, at this time, money became an urgent problem to be solved. In the end, Kadokawa Ritsuyan funded Chen Kaige to complete the filming. this movie.

At this moment, Wang Zhongjun of Huayi Brothers and Dong Ping of Poly Huayi are competing for the mainland distribution rights of this film.

At this time, Kadokawa Liyan was obviously unwilling to express his position. Therefore, Chen Kaige's attitude was quite important.

At that moment, Chen Kaige said with a bit of regret: "You two, the investment in my movie alone is hundreds of millions yuan. You bought out the domestic distribution rights for only 8 million yuan. That is not enough." Yes, you are not an outsider. I won’t say much else. I will never agree to eight million."

At this time, Wang Zhongjun thought for a while and said: "Director Chen, I can make a debut of up to 10 million. No matter how many companies I have, it will be difficult for me to explain to the shareholders. Although your film investment is 100 million, don't talk about those If you are fooling people, everyone knows whether the 80 million is enough, not to mention, what we want is the domestic distribution rights, Hong Kong cities, treasure islands, Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States, those international markets are your big head."

At this time, Chen Kaige was just about to say something, but suddenly, Wang Zhongjun's cell phone rang.

After pleading guilty, Wang Zhongjun went out to the corridor to answer the phone. At this time, Wang Zhongjun was still very angry. Who are these people? Don't they know that they are conducting a key negotiation? If we can win the distribution rights of "Jing Ke Assassins the King of Qin", it will be a huge improvement for Huayi Brothers.

However, after taking a look at the phone number, Wang Zhongjun suppressed the anger in his heart. Feng Xiaogang's phone number is a cash cow for Huayi Brothers and cannot be offended.

And if there is nothing important, Feng Xiaogang will never call at this time, because Feng Xiaogang also knows very well that at this time he is competing with the people from Poly Huayi for the distribution rights of "Jing Ke Assassins the King of Qin".

At this time, at Feng Xiaogang's home, Ye Ming was sitting on the sofa watching TV with a very leisurely expression.

Feng Xiaogang still had that wizened smile, covered the phone's mouthpiece and said, "Ye Ming, I hope you didn't lie to me. Mr. Wang's call has been answered, so be careful."

Ye Ming took the phone and said: "Mr. Wang, this is Ye Ming. You haven't taken down [Jing Ke's Assassination of King Qin] yet, have you? Well, it's okay, okay, no matter what, it's still too late. Mr. Wang, If you believe me, don’t buy the distribution rights of this movie. Ten million is just a scam. This movie is not worth the price at all. Whoever buys it will lose. I won’t say anything else. If you If you don’t want the company to go bankrupt, then don’t do it and hang up.”

On the other side of the phone, Wang Zhongjun was a little dumbfounded. Ye Ming actually said that he was calling to persuade him not to win [Jing Ke Assassins the King of Qin]. At this time, Wang Zhongjun's first thought was that Ye Ming was not Poly Huayi's lobbyist, right?

But it's impossible to think about it. What relationship does he have with Poly Huayi? Could it be that Mr. Han Shanping revealed some information?

Think about it, some time ago, Han Shanping called a bunch of directors, producers and so on to allocate the quota of the screening room. At this time, he was taking great care of Ye Ming. Even a fool can see that Han Shanping is on Ye Ming's side. If Ye Ming got any news about this matter, would it be really hard to say?

Thinking of this, Wang Zhongjun felt uneasy. Ye Ming alone was nothing, and he would not care about Ye Ming's opinion.

But if there is Han Shanping, this is really hard to say. Therefore, thinking of this, Wang Zhongjun also made up his mind, 12 million, and he can contribute up to 12 million. With more funds from the company, he will If something went wrong, it would be hard for me to win the movie.

Back in the presidential suite, Dong Ping suddenly said: "Director Chen, my condition is that thirteen million will be used to buy out the distribution rights of [Jing Ke Assassins the King of Qin], plus the premiere at the Great Hall of the People. All costs.”

Hearing this condition, Wang Zhongjun's heart suddenly became as silent as a stone sinking into the sea. There was really no hope. The old guy Dong Ping actually said that he was so ruthless that he would take 13 million.

At that moment, Wang Zhongjun said he quit and left the Hilton Hotel with regret.

After signing the contract, Dong Ping beamed with joy and left with satisfaction. The last time he bought out [If you have anything to say, please tell me] how much did it cost after the box office reached 40 million? It was only 5 million. That's because Zhang Yimou's name is so famous. Otherwise the price is lower.

This time, it is Chen Kaige, who is equally famous, and it is gathered by big names, such as Gong Li, Wang Zhiwen, Zhang Fengyi, Li Xuejian, Zhao Benshan, and other first-line stars. If the box office does not exceed 100 million, I will not be sorry for my hard work.

At this moment, in the presidential suite, Chen Kaige said rather reluctantly: "Mr. Kadokawa, I don't understand why you agreed to such a condition. I want to sell this movie for 20 million yuan." Is it no problem?"

Kadokawa said with regret: "Chen Sang, when it comes to making movies, you are a genius and have nothing to say, but when it comes to distribution, you are a layman. Do you think your film will be popular in China?" How much is the box office?”

Chen Kaige said confidently: "Don't talk about anything else, just for this investment and this cast, I think 70 to 80 million is not a problem. If you are lucky, it is not impossible to exceed 100 million. In the same period, it is not impossible." Even the movie "Crazy Stone" was able to make two leaps with the support of the Radio, Film and Television Bureau. That kind of investment only cost more than one million, and it was not even worthy of giving me a shoe. It can be said that my movie has no rivals. "

Kadokawa Ritsuyan looked at Chen Kaige as if he were an idiot, and suddenly became discouraged, feeling sorry for his misfortune but angry at him.

If Chen Kaige really has this vision, then this international director is not worthy of his reputation. It seems that this will be his last cooperation with him.

Being looked at by Kadokawa Liyan, Chen Kaige said cautiously, "Mr. Kadokawa, what do you mean?"

Kadokawa sighed helplessly and said: "Chen Sang, according to my many years of understanding of the audiences in your country, they still can't understand your movie. This is a high-brow movie. It won’t be very high. If it can be sold, it’s considered good. Thirteen million is always better than nothing.”

This result was a big blow to Chen Kaige.

Wang Zhongjun left the hotel without company at all and rushed directly to Feng Xiaogang's home. At this time, Xu Fan was killing the watermelon. Where were the three of them eating?

Seeing Wang Zhongjun coming, Xu Fan greeted him enthusiastically: "Mr. Wang, come on, come on, have a piece of watermelon."

How could Wang Zhongjun be in the mood to eat watermelon at this moment? At this moment, he sat heavily on the sofa, looking like a defeated rooster, without any hint of joy in his whole person.

After seeing this, Ye Ming joked: "How's it going? Seeing what Mr. Wang means, you didn't win it, right? Then I congratulate you. Otherwise, you will fall into the trap."

Wang Zhongjun stared at Ye Ming and said, "Tell me the truth, why do you have to say that the film will lose money? Isn't it true that only your film can make money?"

In fact, on the way back, Wang Zhongjun suddenly thought of something. Ye Ming also shot a movie and it was screened on the same day. In this case, Ye Ming's motives at this moment are questionable.

Ye Ming laughed loudly and said, "Don't be angry, Mr. Wang. Whether my movie makes money or not is up to the audience. Let me ask Mr. Wang first, have you seen the movie "Jing Ke Assassins the King of Qin"?"

"Nonsense," Wang Zhongjun glared at Ye Ming: "Don't look at why I would bid."

Ye Ming said with a smile: "Then let's watch it. Let me ask you, what's your impression of this movie?"

Wang Zhongjun recalled it and said: "It is a great historical masterpiece with great momentum, excellent production, strong cast, and the director's excellent use of montage techniques. It is worth a lot of money. It's a pity that I didn't get it."

Ye Ming said unceremoniously: "This movie is indeed worth a lot of money, but it does not necessarily mean that the box office of this movie will be good, because it is too advanced. The techniques used by Director Chen are too advanced, so advanced that people can't stand it anymore." If you don’t understand, tell me, what was your final impression after watching this movie?”

impression? At this time, Wang Zhongjun finally recalled it. After watching this movie, it seemed that apart from the grand scenes and the revolving stars, he really had no impression of the rest.

Ye Ming said with certainty: "Look, you can't even express your impression. Mr. Wang, you are a professional. You have been in this business for so long and you still can't understand it. You expect the general audience to understand it?" . You dare to buy out a movie like this, unless you want Huayi Brothers to go bankrupt."

The atmosphere was very awkward. Feng Xiaogang waved his hand and said: "What and what, you kid, you are an alarmist. You are not saying that you think Director Chen's opponent is you, so you can't eat the grapes and say the grapes are sour. Mr. Wang, Don’t worry about it.”

Wang Zhongjun didn't really care, but said with some dissatisfaction: "Actually, it's because that old guy Dong Ping spent 13 million to buy out [Jing Ke Assassinates Qin's forehead]. I planned to pay 1,200." Wan, in the end, there was no competition for Dong Ping." (To be continued)