Huayu: From an ordinary person to a happy director

Chapter 94 Box Office Target
Simply put, he just disliked the fact that he made little money working with Jet Li.

He has a series in hand and wants to find someone to shoot it for low pay.

And it's the kind that is shot in three parts in a row. As long as you know it will be successful, shooting three parts in a row is the most cost-effective.

The Lord of the Rings series has proved that shooting three films in a row has lower costs, locations and props can be reused, and the actors' salaries have not skyrocketed. It is mainly the actors' salaries that increase very quickly for a series starring the same person, and the salary is higher than the market price, because the series cannot be filmed without the starring actor.

So by shooting three films in a row, the main thing they save is the actors' pay.

Shi Lei would feel a little guilty about saving Jet Li's film remuneration, as he liked Jet Li very much in his previous life.

Besides, it’s not certain whether Jet Li is willing or not.

Jet Li also has an agent in Hollywood, and the people behind Jet Li probably don't want to agree.

The original plan was to shoot three movies in a row. Inviting Jet Li might attract strong investment from a major Hollywood company, and it would not save Jet Li's salary, so he was not happy!

Li Lianjie didn't know Shi Lei's thoughts, and said to himself: "I'm not talking about the two Hollywood movies that are about to start shooting, I'm talking about the new movie after shooting these two Hollywood movies."

Shi Lei shook his head and refused: "That won't work either. After I finish these two movies, I plan to make an art film to compete for an Oscar. That film is not suitable for you."

"Is that so? That's a pity." Jet Li was still a little unwilling, but did not continue the discussion. The fourth film would take too long and there were too many variables.

He originally wanted to work with Shi Lei to make an action movie, but now it seems that Shi Lei is not very interested in working with him.

How about organizing the shoot yourself?

For example, "Million Dollar Baby" was organized by Shi Lei, who brought in China Film Group and Hollywood companies to make global box office revenue.

But I haven’t tried being a producer or director!
How about setting up a group in the mainland to test the waters first?
If I can become a qualified producer, I can start a business in Hollywood.

Once this thought came to my mind, I couldn't stop it. If I organized my own group, I could control the film myself. It would be more secure and more profitable than just being an actor.

Li Lianjie's mind became more and more active, and he walked in with excitement.

Shi Lei sent Jet Li in and welcomed the second Hollywood actor, Cheng Long.

As soon as Cheng Long arrived, he held Shi Lei's hand and said, "Director Shi, my Hollywood film Around the World in 80 Days failed last year. You have to help me!"

When a Hollywood blockbuster fails at the box office, it is usually the lead actor and director who are to blame.

Whether it is the leading actor or the director, the pay of both will drop significantly, especially since he is Chinese, his pay will be even more severely pressured.

Not only has the pay been reduced, but there have also been fewer invitations.

There were originally few films that invited Chinese people to act in them, and now there are even fewer.

Shi Lei didn't respond and directly declined: "You still have Rush Hour 3, what are you afraid of."

Cheng Long shook his head and said, "I don't know when Rush Hour 3 can be filmed!"

This is a series, and the third in a series. Both he and Chris Tucker will ask for a lot of money. Their remuneration is likely to be 2000 million US dollars + a share of the global box office.

He even wanted a share of the sales of DVDs and videotapes.

The negotiations are still ongoing and he is really not sure when the filming will start.

"Don't worry, I got the news that New Line is very willing to start Rush Hour 3." Shi Lei revealed a piece of news.

Shuimitao is purchasing the copyright of "Iron Man" from New Line.

Time Warner owns two Hollywood film and television companies, one is New Line Cinema and the other is Warner Bros.

New Line wanted to film Iron Man, but Warner Bros. had the DC Universe, so it couldn't get support from the head office. The filming of Iron Man had never started, which gave Shi Lei an opportunity.

New Line is very willing to sell the film and television rights of "Iron Man" because New Line has a high debt. In the past, New Line persisted until 08 when it was acquired by Warner Bros.

New Line now needs to increase revenue and is very willing to restart "Rush Hour 3".

"Oh? Do you know any inside information?" Cheng Long asked.

"New Line's debt is too high. It needs a successful film to stabilize its creditors. A series is the most suitable." Shi Lei did not hide it. In his previous life, Cheng Long dared to directly ask for 12% of the global box office share. He must have known the news.

Now we just know it earlier.

"Really? Then I know what to do." Cheng Long smiled at Shi Lei and walked straight in.

In addition to Cheng Long and Jet Li, Hollywood stars such as Gong Li and Yang Ziqiong also came.

Shi Lei is also a well-known Hollywood director, and many international stars are willing to give Shi Lei face.

……

The opening ceremony was very simple. The host just said a few words on the stage and then played the film directly.

This was done intentionally by Shi Lei. We are all insiders in the industry, so there is no need to brag about the quality of the film and the difficulties in its filming before the screening.

It’s better to brag after a show than before it.

For people in the industry, quality is the key.

We've all been there, and if you have a hard time making a film, doesn't that mean it's not hard for them?
So there's no need to brag about this.

At the beginning of the film, a pink peach forest appears and eventually turns into the logo of Taolin Film and Television.

……

Two hours later, the film ended and warm applause broke out.

The lights turned on and the creative team came on stage to be interviewed.

"Director Shi, do you think this movie can make over 200 million?"

It was a king bomb at the beginning.

Apart from Hero, no other domestic movie has grossed over 200 million yuan.

"A box office of 200 million has always been my goal." Shi Lei said truthfully.

There was an uproar in the audience. Chasing a 200 million box office sounded fine, but the reporters were good at taking things out of context. They already knew how to report it back, "Director Shi Lei said that the box office of "Sword Rain" could exceed 200 million."

Shi Lei heard the uproar from the audience and smiled slightly. Coming from the future, he certainly knew that his words would be misinterpreted by reporters, but he was already an internationally renowned director. He no longer had to be as cautious as before, fearing that he might say something inappropriate and offend someone.

In the past, if he had dared to say that the box office would reach 200 million, he would have been severely criticized, but not now.

With his current status and position, many people would believe his boasts, and there might even be a small trend of "Shi Lei actually said that this movie can make over 200 million yuan at the box office, it must be good, I have to go and see it."

Can attract some passers-by to watch the movie.

The publicity effect of this kind is actually similar to that of the first science fiction film and the first animated film in China.

If the quality is good, the box office will take off. If the quality is not good, it will be criticized by passers-by.

As the saying goes, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. If the quality is not good, the reputation of the movie will be very bad.

Of course, the reputation of "Sword Rain" is still satisfactory.

(End of this chapter)