Chapter 106: The Profit Sharing
In early March, Columbia Pictures President Amy Paschal came to Beijing and, accompanied by Columbia China President Zhou Lixian, visited Jiang Heng at iQiyi, Youku and Tencent Pictures.

The main purpose of Pascal's visit was to discuss the profit distribution of "Pacific Rim" and to follow up on the preparations for "Pacific Rim 2".

In terms of box office, the global total box office of "Pacific Rim" reached 9.39 million US dollars, which was lower than the 9.74 million of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", ranking second in the 2001 global box office list.

In the North American market alone, "Pacific Rim" achieved $3.49 million, far surpassing "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" with $3.17 million, becoming the annual box office champion in the North American market.

In Japan, Pacific Rim grossed 283 billion yen (about $2.32 million), surpassing Titanic and just below Spirited Away at 316 billion yen.

In mainland China, the film's box office revenue exceeded 6 million yuan, set at 6.25 million RMB, which converts to US dollars to about 7500 million US dollars.

In Hong Kong, it surpassed "Shaolin Soccer" and earned 6700 million Hong Kong dollars (858 million US dollars). In Taiwan, it won 1.86 million New Taiwan dollars (538 million US dollars).

"Pacific Rim" grossed a total of $2001 million in the world's three major film markets in 6.69.

In the other several box office markets, "Pacific Rim" also performed well, basically ranking in the top ten of the annual box office, and accumulating box office revenue of 1.43 million US dollars.

Therefore, the total box office share added up to a staggering $8.12 million.

The revenue share that belongs to producers and distributors is difficult to calculate because the share ratios vary from country to country.

For example, in North America, "Pacific Rim" basically enjoys the treatment of a Hollywood blockbuster, with a box office share of 50%, which means it can get $1.745 million.

But in mainland China, the film company's share of the box office revenue is about 33% of the total box office, about 2500 million US dollars.

In Japan, South Korea and Western Europe, the revenue share is basically the same as that of Hollywood blockbusters, which is about 40%.

The final calculated distributable box office revenue was $3.61 million. After deducting the distribution costs and adding $1700 million in copyright buyout income, the final calculated distributable income was $3.49 million.

Jiang Heng’s investment accounted for half, taking US$1.745 million.

The director received $500 million in salary, plus $5000 million saved by using a "super microcomputer" for special effects.

The movie "Pacific Rim" alone earned him $2.295 million.

Calculated at the current exchange rate, that's 18.9 billion RMB, enough to spend on retirement right now!

As for Columbia and China Film, they also made a lot of money.

After a long process of financial statistics, calculations and transfers, it was not until late March that the three companies producing Pacific Rim pocketed their respective profits.

To this end, China Film Group held a grand "celebration banquet" to congratulate the three companies on their pleasant cooperation.

At the banquet, Pascal raised his glass to toast Jiang Heng.

"Director Jiang, I never thought you could create such a successful film. There is a tradition in Hollywood that profitable films should be made until they are no longer profitable. Aren't you in any hurry to make a sequel?"

Jiang Heng laughed, "I also want to release the second part as soon as possible, but you know that my filming schedule is full. I'm afraid I won't be able to prepare for the second part in the next two years!"

Pascal lamented, "That's such a pity. Our cooperation is so good, why don't we deepen it? The Matrix 2 will definitely make money without us, but for those mythological themes that have not been tested by the market, they can definitely bring us along!"

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "Mythology-themed films are mostly Chinese, and they are shot in the mainland. The market is mainly China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. It's hard to say about Europe and the United States!"

Pascal said: "But your previous film, The Devil's Land (Lion's Camel Ridge), was really popular with American audiences!"

Jiang Heng smiled bitterly: "The original novel of that movie is very exciting, and the adapted plot and special effects are top-notch. As for the subsequent mythological story, it's hard to say!" Pascal looked a little embarrassed when he heard this.

Han Sanping tried to smooth things over, "Ms. Amy, in fact, in addition to Director Jiang Heng, we also have other famous directors in China, and the blockbusters they made are also very good."

"Oh, who else?"

"Director Chen Kaige!"

"Chen, oh, I've heard of him. The movie Farewell My Concubine won a big award!"

"He is currently filming a fantasy blockbuster. Although it is already in the process of filming, if Columbia is willing to participate, it can fund the special effects production and publicity!"

"Oh, I'm still looking forward to Director Chen's special effects blockbuster!" Pascal said with a smile.

Columbia China President Zhou Lixian looked hesitant. She wanted to speak but was afraid of offending people, but if she didn't say anything, she was also afraid that the boss would agree to something.

Then he whispered, "Go to the bathroom!"

Although Pascal had drunk a lot of wine, he was not yet confused.

He stood up and greeted her with a smile, then went to the bathroom with Zhou Lixian.

"What's wrong, Zhou, do you have something to tell me?"

"Yes, don't cooperate with Chen, he is not reliable!"

"No, reliable?"

"Yes, in 98, he invested more than million yuan in the film "The Emperor and the Assassin", but it only made more than million yuan at the box office, which made the producer lose a lot of money!"

“So miserable?” Pascal was also shocked. Is this the level of the best director in mainland China?
In Hollywood, if we only talk about commercial achievements, it won't even be ranked!

"Yes, but everyone here believes that he is a famous director, and many people in China Film also believe in him. If we invest the money we have worked so hard to earn in such a person, we might lose it again!"

Zhou Lixian pays more attention to box office results. She is not interested in directors like Chen Kaige, but she admires Jiang Heng and Zhou Xingxing.

Originally in history, it was she who represented Columbia Pictures and participated in the production of "Kung Fu", and finally came to the conclusion that Stephen Chow was really a "very difficult to deal with" person.

Pascal naturally appreciates commercial directors more, but Jiang Heng no longer needs Columbia and tends to cut down on cooperation.

The most important purpose of her visit this time was to strengthen cooperation with Jiang Heng, and she also wanted to discover other Chinese directors.

"Besides Chen and Jiang Heng, who do you think can cooperate?"

"At present, it seems that there are only Zhang Yimou and Zhou Xingxing. Zhang's film "Hero" is in post-production and he is looking for overseas distributors. Zhou Xingxing has received investment from Jiang Heng and is also making a blockbuster."

Pascal laughed, "So, China is entering the era of blockbusters!"

"Yes, driven by Director Jiang Heng, the Chinese-language film market has recovered in recent years. The audience and box office are increasing year by year, and the number of investors has also increased!"

(End of this chapter)