Chapter 116 Revealing the news
"Boss, the movie script has been sent to Leonardo. He said he will call you after reading it."

Before Gu Wei returned to China, he explained this matter, and inviting Leonardo to participate was a decision he made after repeated consideration.

Top-notch investment plus top-notch superstars are the guarantee for the box office success of Hollywood blockbusters in the later stages.

On the same day, Gu Wei received a call from Leonardo. The two sides talked for a long time and roughly determined the intention of cooperation.

Gu Wei gave Leonardo two choices.

The first is a salary of 2200 million, which does not include the share of the global box office in the later stage, but there are dividends. (Refer to Leonardo's current film "Blood Diamond", the salary is 2000 million)
The second option is a salary of 1200 million, plus a 5% share of the global box office.

As for the profit sharing ratio, 25% is generally the maximum total profit sharing ratio that major Hollywood film studios are willing to reserve for stars and directors.

Leonardo thought for a moment and decisively chose the latter. The contract will be signed in early August after he finishes filming "Blood Diamond".

...

With the rapid development of the mainland market, the decline of the Hong Kong film industry is visible to the naked eye. The data of the past two years speaks for itself.

Hong Kong Island is still too small, which restricts the development of the film and television industry. In the past, it relied on sucking blood from the mainland and its development was still OK. But now that the mainland is developing rapidly, it can no longer suck blood from it.

Besides, the Hong Kong film style can no longer attract people.

Hong Kong directors, producers and actors rushed to the mainland, which was also the last struggle of Hong Kong films.

“The Banquet”, the recent collaboration between Media Asia and Huayi, is the best proof of this.

Director Jiang Wen is currently filming "The Sun Also Rises", which is also invested by Emperor Entertainment Group, but the film has not been going smoothly since the beginning.

On the one hand, Jiang Wen’s speed in filming movies is too slow. It takes several years to complete a movie from preparation to release.

On the other hand, it is also because of the constant negative news about the movie.

Recently, a netizen named "Dayu Yan" has been posting articles accusing the famous director Jiang Wen of plagiarizing his novel "Smiling Sun" (also known as "Milk Room").

Articles such as "Wow! Big names also plagiarize?" and "Jiang Wen plagiarized Lee Seung-woo's novel" launched a fierce attack on "The Sun", and even posted many similar details in the film and the novel for comparison, in order to prove that Jiang Wen plagiarized.

Emperor Entertainment Group is also a little anxious. The big domestic directors all have their own circles. They finally hooked up with Jiang Wen, but this kind of thing happened.

...

After receiving Gu Wei’s call, Wang Changtian of Guangxian started promoting “Stone” through his activities and radio and television platforms.

The company also arranged a number of talk shows and invited the main creative staff of the crew.

The host in charge of the interview was Xie Nan, who was also the first place winner of last year's "Super Charming Host Show", a selection competition hosted by Guangxian and co-organized by Anhui Province and the Maoren brand.

In the following period of time, the crew of "Stone" was still busy with promotion and appearing on TV shows.

Liu Yifei is busy recording an album, but she also comes to the company from time to time.

On the 20th, Gu Wei received a call from the other side of the ocean.

"Boss, the plan for Interstellar has been completed, and the company's estimated investment cost is set at 200 million US dollars."

On the phone, Reid excitedly reported that this was the company's largest investment so far. Even if half of the share was given out, it would still cost 100 million US dollars.

"Ah."

After Gu Wei hung up the phone, Liu Yifei widened her eyes and stared at him. Liu Yifei heard everything Reid said just now.

"Senior, is this your next movie?"

"Haha, Xixi, get ready. You'll be busy in the second half of the year."

...

The filming of this movie

Han Sanping has been in a bad mood recently.

After the failure of investing in "The Promise", the box office performance of several films invested by the company were also mediocre.

Seeing that Director Yang was about to retire, he couldn't help but become anxious.

"Director Han, Director Gu is here."

The voice of the secretary's report interrupted Han Sanping who was thinking in the office.

After a while, Gu Wei came in and was pulled to the tea table by Han Sanping.

"I've been back for so long, but I haven't seen you come to see me."

"Boss Han, I don't dare to disturb you even if it's nothing."

Gu Wei tasted the tea in front of him and said.

“Any projects?”

Han Sanping instantly perked up.

"There is indeed a project, but I don't know about the funding from China Film Group."

"Funding is not a problem. As long as the project is good, China Film Group can invest in it."

Gu Wei was interrupted by Han Sanping before he could finish his words, which made him a little depressed.

"What project? How much is the investment? Are you directing it?"

Looking at Han Sanping who was impatient in front of him, Gu Wei wanted to laugh. After all, he was such a big leader, where did his usual calmness go?

"A science fiction blockbuster, the budget is tentatively set at 200 million, and I will be directing it myself."

"Two hundred million US dollars?"

Han Sanping's voice suddenly became louder. He had thought that Gu Wei would have a big production next, but he didn't expect the cost to be so high.

Two hundred million US dollars, converted into domestic currency, is more than ten billion, almost catching up with the total box office in the country last year.

“Can it still be RMB?”

Gu Wei said this, and then neither of them spoke. The only sound in the room was the sound of rapid breathing.

"Two hundred million US dollars, it's really a big production."

Han Sanping muttered to himself.

"The actors' salaries are tens of millions of dollars. You get what you pay for."

"Have the roles been decided? Who are they?"

"Leonardo is tentatively confirmed as the male lead, and the others have not yet been confirmed."

“Are you sure you can make money?”

"Boss Han, who can be 100% sure about making a movie? However, Warner Bros. is also quite optimistic about this project. I also confirmed the investment with them before returning to China."

"China Film followed, with a 20% share."

With a gesture, Han Sanping spoke in an affirmative tone.

"A 20% share is 40 million US dollars, which is the cost of another The Promise. Director Han, do we need to hold a meeting to discuss this?"

Speaking of "The Promise", Han Sanping felt depressed again.

"Director Han, I will give China Film at most 10%. Warner Bros. has already confirmed a 20% share. I plan to find a few more companies to reduce the risk for the rest."

Gu Wei directly expressed his thoughts and he also planned to ask for a premium.

Other domestic companies will definitely be interested in collaborating with Hollywood on such a large project.

Han Sanping calmed down, thought for a moment, and said, "It's done. China Film has invested. I will report this to Director Yang."

“When will it start?”

"The earliest it will be is September in the second half of the year, but the preliminary preparations have already begun."

"Director Han, China Film Group can reveal a little about the cooperation."

Gu Wei leaned back on the sofa and continued speaking.

Han Sanping immediately understood his thoughts and nodded slightly.

...

The next day, a piece of news from China Film Corporation caused a sensation in the circle.

China Film Group is about to collaborate with director Gu Wei to start the next new Hollywood movie, with an estimated production cost of US$200 million. Warner will also be involved.

When the news came out, people in the circle couldn't remain calm and started to inquire about it.

"Two hundred million dollars."

“A Hollywood sci-fi blockbuster.”

"Director Gu Wei is directing it himself."

...

Any one of them would be a fatal temptation for them, let alone adding them together.

Gu Wei’s phone was bombarded with calls.

Regardless of whether they knew each other or had worked together before, they all called to ask whether the news was true or not.

"Xixi, do you know about Gu Wei's new movie?" In the villa, Liu Xiaoli saw the news and came to her daughter's room and asked.

"Mom, my senior told me. I was there when Hollywood told him about this."

"The role aspect."

"Senior, please leave it for me."

"Oh, Mom, you're so annoying."

Liu Yifei said this unhappily, a little annoyed by Liu Xiaoli's questions.

"You damn girl."

After hearing her daughter's words, Liu Xiaoli said something, and then the nervous look on her face disappeared, and she felt relieved.

...

The level 96 QQ group, which usually has very few messages, became lively with the message sent by Zhang Ziyi.

"Haozi, is the news about Director Gu's new movie true?"

Zhang Ziyi tagged Qin Hao right away, and her purpose was very direct.

"Oh, a big star has popped up, that's rare."

Hu Jing joked that in fact, most of the students in the class have a good relationship with each other in private, and everyone is maintaining this rare friendship.

Of course, there are some exceptions. Zhang Ziyi was gradually known to the audience thanks to director Zhang Yimou, but she was too ambitious and never satisfied, and she gradually drifted away from director Zhang. This can be seen from the fact that Zhang Ziyi did not participate in "Curse of the Golden Flower".

"Jingjing, how are you doing recently? Let's get together some other day."

Looking at Hu Jing's teasing, Zhang Ziyi didn't care at all. To have come this far, he must have heard all kinds of ridicule.

"There should be such a thing, but I'm not sure, and the director didn't elaborate."

After a long while, Qin Hao replied to the message.

"Haozi, you are a contracted artist of Director Gu's company. Can you help introduce me to him this time?"

Seeing Qin Hao's message, Zhang Ziyi hurriedly asked.

Zhang Ziyi and Gu Wei had met several times and had secretly slipped him notes, but she felt that Gu Wei had no interest in her at all. However, she was determined to seize this opportunity no matter what.

"The director didn't say anything, so I can't ask about it, you know."

Qin Hao declined politely. He was not stupid and would not do anything that was thankless.

...

The same thing was happening in other chat groups at the same time. Not only Qin Hao, but Liu Yifei was also annoyed by calls from many people.

Especially in the Level 02 group, people kept sending messages, tagging her, and asking about this.

"what happened?"

In the villa, Gu Wei looked at Liu Yifei who was pouting and asked.

These days, Liu's mother was not at home because of something, so Gu Wei came directly to Liu Yifei's house when he was free. It would be more perfect if Su Chang was not there as a light bulb.

"It's all because of the movie. My classmates keep asking me about this. It's so annoying."

"Haha, they don't dare to ask Director Gu, so they can only ask you for information."

Su Chang, who was petting a cat, suddenly said something.

At this time, Liu Yifei's cell phone vibrated. She picked it up and saw that it was a call from Huang Xiaoming.

"Take it."

Gu Wei, who was standing nearby, also saw the caller ID and pursed his lips and said.

"Hey, Brother Xiao Ming."

"Yifei, are you busy?"

"I'm not busy. Is there something wrong?"

Liu Yifei turned on the speaker and put her phone on the table.

"Yifei, is the news about Director Gu's new movie true?"

Sure enough, because of the movie, Su Chang suddenly lost interest and continued to stroke the cat.

"Brother Xiao Ming, you're about to join the crew, and you still want to ask about the movie?"

“Haha, that actor doesn’t want to be on the big screen.

Yifei, has Director Gu's movie role been decided yet? "

"Leonardo is the male lead, and the other roles have not been confirmed yet. It depends on the auditions later."

Liu Yifei did not hide it and told it out loud.

After listening to Liu Yifei's words, the other party was silent for a moment, and then said:

"Okay, let's get together when we have time, and invite Director Gu to join us."

After saying that, he hung up the phone.

"Haha, I am dying of laughter. I guess Xiao Ming was a little confused when he heard it was Leonardo."

After the call ended, Liu Yifei laughed out loud, completely disregarding her ladylike image.

On the 23rd, the domestic film "Tengu" was released, and Liu Yifei took Gu Wei to the cinema to watch it.

Starring Fu Dalong, I heard that the film was also screened at Beijing Film Academy. However, looking at the few sparse audience members in the theater, Gu Wei thought the box office performance was imaginable.

This movie is very depressing. After watching it, Liu Yifei was in a bad mood and even ate one bowl less of rice.

Some movies are like this, they can touch the audience's hearts but not their wallets.

...

Gu Wei's actions indeed caused an earthquake in the circle. Not only the actors, but also a large number of film and television companies took action.

Huayi Company is not having a good time at the moment and is still waiting for "Night Banquet" to be released.

"Boss Wang, the news came from China Film Group, and it seems to be true."

In the office, the assistant said to Wang Zhonglei.

"Well, go and make arrangements. We'll go to the premiere of Stone in a couple of days."

"Okay, Mr. Wang."

"Director Gu, is the movie story true? Tell me the truth."

Wang Changtian called Gu Wei and asked directly without any nonsense.

"Is Mr. Wang interested too?"

After hearing this, Wang Changtian was sure that it was most likely true.

"Haha, Director Gu's movies are always guaranteed. Guangguang must not miss such a good opportunity."

Wang Changtian was very concerned about this matter and kept asking for details.

Gu Wei did not give him an answer on the spot, but only said that they would talk face to face in a few days.

In the following days, Huayi, Wanda and Emperor Entertainment Group all called Gu Wei to discuss this matter.

Gu Wei’s replies to them were similar, and they could meet and talk about it when the time comes.

In addition to the film company, Cai Yinong from Tangren Film and Television also inquired privately and mentioned the role, showing that he did not consider himself an outsider at all.

Gu Wei was also very direct. He brought up the issue of premium directly. After the other party listened to his vague response, he changed the subject to other things, seeming a little powerless.

.........

Time passed quickly, and in a blink of an eye it was the 27th, which was the premiere of "Stone".

Near noon, Gu Wei, Liu Yifei, Qin Hao and others got in the car and set off from the company to the designated location.

Compared with the original time and space, the premiere was much larger in scale, and China Film Group booked a cinema and a hotel next to it.

Following Gu Wei's instructions, Ning Hao sent invitations to several major companies in the industry. When they learned that Director Gu Wei would also attend the premiere, they all said they would be there on time.

There were even some people who came without invitations. Gu Wei had anticipated this situation. Those who could come must be given face and not be turned away.

The press conference was held in the hotel lobby, and then everyone moved to the cinema next door to watch the movie.

After arriving at the hotel, the layout outside was very eye-catching. There was a large poster placed at the door with a banner hung on it. There were more than a dozen etiquette ladies standing on both sides of the red carpet, and many reporters had also arrived.

There are also twenty or thirty security personnel outside, mainly to prevent accidents from happening.

Judging from the situation on the scene, it was no worse than the premieres of some big directors. Everyone came to show their support for Gu Wei, and many people came to show their support.

.........

　Please subscribe!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)