Chapter 576: Lao Han's Advice

circle.

Although it is night time now, the place is already bustling with activity.

Countless actors are paying attention to the information online. Everyone is eager to know the reason why Christopher Nolan came. If there is really a cooperation project, will they have a chance?

Celebrities and artists who have no connections are still watching helplessly, while those who have connections have already started to take action.

At the cocktail party, Gu Wei and others were still chatting in the room, and many people outside turned their eyes to Liu Yifei.

"Yifei, does Gu Wei have a project, or did he simply invite Nolan to attend the press conference for "The Wandering Earth"? " Ye Ning came over and asked, holding a glass of wine.

In the mainland circle, apart from Gu Wei, only Han Sanping and Liu Yifei knew the whole story.

Ask Han Sanping?

No one has the courage, and even if they do, the other party won't speak up.

After thinking about it, I decided to simply ask Liu Yifei.

"Yes, Yifei, tell us about it!"

Wang Changtian, Yu Dong and others also asked with envy, and Lu Zheng and others were watching eagerly beside them!
They were all well-known bosses in the industry. Liu Yifei was a little confused by the question. After thinking for a while, she said, "Well, Gu Wei has a script that was favored by Warner and Director Nolan. This time I came here to discuss cooperation."

"Wow!"

There was an uproar at the scene, and everyone looked towards the private room next door with even more intense gazes.

While others were thinking about whether they could get a piece of the pie, Lu Zheng was thinking about whether he could get a role for Jing Tian!
"Yifei, what exactly is the script?"

“What’s the approximate cost?”

"Is it directed by Director Nolan himself?"

"Isn't this nonsense? If Nolan doesn't shoot it himself, why would he come to China?"

The chattering sound started again, asking more and more details, making people feel overwhelmed.

Listening to everyone's questions, Liu Yifei was in a dilemma. She clenched her fists tightly, but after looking at the people around her asking questions, she decided to give up. After all, these people were not Su Chang!
Su Chang: "So you're going to bully me?"

...

in the room.

"Haha."

Hearing Mike's joke, Nolan laughed unkindly, and even Gu Wei felt a little embarrassed.

But what we are discussing is a matter involving hundreds of millions of dollars, and you can't get the meat without being thick-skinned.

"Mike, your information is not accurate. Who said that I rejected the invitation from director Spielberg?" After taking a sip of coffee, Gu Wei held the armrest of the sofa with his left hand and said lightly.

Now it was Mike's turn to lose his composure.

"What?" Mike's tone was full of disbelief. "As far as I know, Adam Ferguson has already found a director and will start the project next year at the latest."

"Gu, you're not really going to stop filming 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes'?" Nolan was a little bit unconvinced. After all, Warner Bros. had invested so much in this film, and both parties had even confirmed the start time.

“NO, Rise of the Planet of the Apes will be launched on time, there is no doubt about that.

But I have also thought of a way for Spielberg and Adam Ferguson, a way to have the best of both worlds. "Gu Wei did not say it directly, after all, the other party had not agreed yet.

"What method?" Nolan became more and more curious.

"This will be kept secret for now. After Spielberg comes over and we both confirm it, we can announce it to the public." Gu Wei announced another big news.

"He's coming too?"

"Yes, Spielberg will arrive in the country tomorrow at the latest." Gu Wei said confidently.

...

"Okay, Gu, I don't care about Spielberg's movements, nor do I care about Adam Ferguson's ideas. I only think about this movie." Mike recovered from his shock and continued to talk about business.

"20% of the investment is not a small amount. Warner Bros. has initially estimated that the investment cost of this film is about million US dollars. If you can accept it, I can guarantee that in addition to the main role, I can give you two additional roles."

Seeing that Gu Wei refused to give in, Mike continued to express Warner's sincerity, meaning that as long as they didn't talk about money, everything else would be fine.

Nolan next to him opened his mouth, but finally held it back.

As a director, Nolan was very disgusted with investors intervening in the selection of roles, but when he heard Mike say that there would be someone other than the protagonist, Nolan was relieved.

In an instant, Gu Wei found that Mike in front of him was a little strange. Perhaps it was not that the other person had changed, but that Gu Wei simply overthought.

Yes, if capitalists don’t talk to you about money, how can they talk about feelings?

"With 40% of the investment, I don't need any role." Gu Wei raised his finger, made a gesture, and said forcefully.

This script was written by Gu Wei himself, and he knows the characters very well. It can be said that "The Martian" is a movie with a strong male lead, and most of the film is a one-man show by the male lead.

The two role slots are indeed very tempting to others, but they are useless to Gu Wei.

Maybe this was an operation specially devised by Warner Bros. for the mainland box office. "This old fox," Gu Wei thought secretly.

To be honest, the data forecasts made by Hollywood on the domestic film market are precisely because our market has great potential in the future, so they are eyeing the domestic film industry. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many collaborations recently.

Movies like "Transformers 4" are eager to package themselves into Chinese movies. Each of these Hollywood production companies is smarter than the last.

Hollywood's growth potential has almost reached the bottom, and they are looking for new growth points. China happens to be one of the biggest growth points. If China's film policies have not been providing corresponding protection, these Hollywood film companies that eat meat without spitting out bones would have already taken over this market.

So Gu Wei thought that he should talk about the share first. After the negotiation, the other party would still take the initiative to offer the role.

"No, that's impossible. Even if I agree, the company's board of directors will not pass this resolution."

"Gu, you have too big an appetite." Mike said with a grim expression.

Before coming, Warner President Richard and Mike had a private conversation, the idea was to keep the share as low as possible.

"Gu has a big appetite, which is well-known in Hollywood."

Universal, 20th Century Fox, Legendary Entertainment, Paramount, DreamWorks: "It's just like you Warners don't have much appetite."

“Only 20% at most.”

“My bottom line is 40%…”

The two sides bargained back and forth, and the scene suddenly became as noisy as a vegetable market.

Mike, who had just been promoted to vice president, refused to give up an inch in terms of market share and argued fiercely with Gu Wei.

"25%, this is my bottom line." Facing Gu Wei's tough attitude, Mike said with a serious expression.

As one of the vice presidents of Warner, Mike is seen as high and mighty by outsiders, but in fact there is also fierce competition within Warner.

This time, Mike snatched this project from Richard Fox, one of the vice presidents, because he had worked with Gu Wei many times.

Ever since Richard Fox last visited the mainland, this old man in his sixties has been promoting the China Market Theory within the company since he returned.

He believes that in the next five years, the Chinese film market will have works with single box office revenues exceeding 400 million or 500 million US dollars, or even higher.

The old man also set up a team at Warner Bros. to study mainland box office market data. Much of the detailed information is more accurate than the statistics from official mainland departments.

This also shows that sometimes the people who understand you best are often outsiders, or enemies.

"30%, this is also my bottom line." Gu Wei said firmly.

"Well, it seems that it is not easy for us to reach a cooperation." Mike shrugged his shoulders, and then said in a relaxed tone: "I will report your conditions to the board of directors. As for whether they will agree, that is unknown."

"Of course, Mike, business is business. Now let's enjoy this rare gathering. Many people outside want to meet you." Hearing this, Gu Wei stood up and said.

Then he walked out of the room with the other person, as if the argument just now had never happened.

"The day after tomorrow, I will hold a small screening of my work The Wandering Earth. I hope to invite you to join me."

The few people talked as they walked, and when they entered the cocktail party, Gu Wei extended an invitation to them.

"no problem."

Seeing Gu Wei and others coming out, many bosses at the scene immediately rushed up to them, their eyes full of inquiring expressions.

Han Sanping seized the opportunity, winked at Gu Wei, and the two of them found a corner with few people.

"No agreement?"

"Well, at least we haven't reached an agreement on it yet. There's a big gap between the requirements of both parties. A cooperation project worth hundreds of millions of dollars can't be finalized in a few words." Gu Wei did not hide anything from the other party.

"Hundreds of millions of dollars?" Han Sanping's eyes suddenly lit up. Although he didn't know the specific project, judging from the cost, it was definitely a Hollywood A-level production.

"What about the Central Shadow?"

"Mr. Han, you are about to step down, why are you still concerned about this?" Gu Wei said unhappily.

"I have resigned, but China Film Group is still here!" Han Sanping rolled his eyes and retorted.

"Besides, didn't you want to approve the film quota last time? Everything was easy when I was here, but if I'm gone, who knows whether the next chairman will be easy to talk to." Han Sanping said earnestly.

"Mr. Han, I think even if you are gone, it will be fine because of your face." Gu Wei said with a smile.

"Nonsense, one or two will definitely be fine, but what about more?
As the saying goes, the county magistrate is not as good as the current manager. He is in that position and is responsible for this area. Sooner or later, we will have to cooperate with him.”

"The two brothers from Huayi and Bo Na have been going to China Film Group quite often recently. Everyone knows exactly what they are planning."

“Anyway, no matter whether the cooperation can be concluded or not, I definitely won’t have the chance to get involved, so I might as well take this opportunity to get in touch with the other party.

Look, Hollywood A-level blockbusters cost hundreds of millions of dollars to make. For you, this favor is just a little less money, but for them, it is a clear political achievement. "

I have to say that although Han Sanping was a bit nagging, he was indeed thinking about Gu Wei.

"Okay, okay, Mr. Han, I have to admit that you are awesome. You're still worrying about things even after retirement, and you're always going around in circles." Gu Wei was made to laugh by Han Sanping.

"This is called doing your job. You have no time to rest until you step down.

Although you are young, you know everything. I can't help but worry about you."

Seeing the sly smile on Gu Wei's lips, Han Sanping realized that he had said too much. He had watched this person grow up together. Maybe this time he invited him to come to China to discuss cooperation just to show off to certain people.

"Haha, Old Han, you look strong and healthy, how can you tell that you are old? I am still waiting for you to retire and come to work in the company." Gu Wei said jokingly.

"Get lost, what are you dreaming about! I'm the chairman of a state-owned enterprise, and I'm working for you. You're dreaming!!"

.........

(End of this chapter)