Chapter 223 Director Jiang is floating
The most famous label for Liu Wei Qiang is "Young and Dangerous". When the Hong Kong film market was in decline, he made six "Young and Dangerous" series movies plus a prequel.

They also used the original crew of "Young and Dangerous" to shoot a movie called "Feng Yun Xiong Ba Tian Xia". The movie has a total of 550 special effects shots and is 40 minutes long. The effect presented is a significant improvement compared to previous martial arts films. This film was also called "a new stage of martial arts films" by Hong Kong film critics.

Unfortunately, the budget was severely cut when filming "Chinese Hero", and the popular superstar Aaron Kwok was missing. In addition, Hong Kong was hit by the financial crisis, and the box office was not very ideal. Liu Weiqiang's career in special effects movies came to an end there.

Although Jiang Heng set a successful example in the past two years, there was also Chen Kaige's previous experience.

Whether in Hong Kong or the mainland, there are still very few people who dare to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in special effects blockbusters, and naturally Liu Weiqiang is not one of them.

But he is not idle and is still active in the film market.

The "Infernal Affairs" trilogy produced by Hong Kong U-Teng Films was co-directed by Liu Weiqiang and Mai Zhaohui.

He also filmed "Initial D" and directed the Korean movie "Daisy", both of which achieved good box office and response.

At this moment, he was on the set of "Daisy", watching Jeon Ji-hyun's performance through the monitor.

Suddenly I felt the phone in my pocket vibrate, I took it out and saw that it was Wang Jing calling.

In 95, he co-founded the "Best Partner Film Production Company" with Wang Jing and Wen Juan, and became a partner.

I thought that Wang Jing must be calling about something important, but I decided to wait until this shot was finished before returning the call.

During the call, he learned that Chen Guofu, who was originally in Colombia, was looking for him. It seemed that he was asked to direct a special effects blockbuster with huge investment.

Wang Jing said in an envious tone: "There are many wealthy bosses in the mainland now. Maybe they can attract tens of millions of dollars of investment for you. If you can surpass Jiang Heng in one go, it will be amazing!"

Liu Weiqiang said: "How is it possible? I dare not even think about it!"

When they called Chen Guofu, the latter said that Huayi was going to jointly produce "Investiture of the Gods" with several film and television companies and invest 100 million US dollars to shoot "Investiture of the Gods". The goal was to surpass Jiang Heng, and they wanted to invite him to direct.

When Liu Weiqiang heard this, his breathing paused and he instantly became nervous.

One hundred million US dollars, eight hundred million RMB!

If he really had so much money, he might be able to make a special effects blockbuster that could rival Jiang Heng's works. After all, with the example of "Feng Yun Xiong Ba Tian Xia", Liu Wei Qiang is still confident.

He immediately expressed his willingness to accept Huayi Company's invitation.

However, the Korean movie "Daisy" is currently under intense filming and it will take at least more than a month to be completed.

Chen Guofu said it was no problem and he would go to South Korea with Wang Zhonglei in a few days.

A few days later, Wang Zhonglei, Chen Guofu, and representatives from several major mainland companies such as Shanghai Film Group and Ningxia Film Group went to South Korea to discuss the project of "Investiture of the Gods" with Liu Weiqiang, and they quickly reached an agreement.

After returning to China, Huayi Company held a press conference in early September, announcing that it would invest 9 million US dollars to shoot "Investiture of the Gods" and invite Liu Weiqiang to direct the film. It is expected that the box office in mainland China will reach million and the total box office worldwide will reach at least million US dollars.

As soon as the news came out, it instantly shocked the Chinese film industry.

Major media outlets reported on the incident, and countless reporters called iQiyi, Youku and Tencent Video, wanting to interview Jiang Heng and ask him what he thought.

In the office, Jiang Heng looked at Du Huan and Li Xiaoping in front of him, "Why are you asking me this?"

"Um, haven't you already included The Investiture of the Gods in your filming plans?"

Jiang Heng smiled, "Investiture of the Gods belongs to the Chinese people, and I don't have the exclusive copyright to it, so whoever wants to film it can do so!" "But they filmed it before us, and the investment was so huge?"

Du Huan thought, what if they film it very well, but the audience doesn’t recognize our film in the future?
Jiang Heng understood his thoughts and said calmly: "It depends on their filming results. If it's just average, don't pay attention to it. If they say it's really good, at worst, when we shoot it, we can upgrade the special effects. The visual effect will definitely be different if it costs 300 million or 500 million US dollars!"

Li Xiaoping smacked her lips when she heard this. "Three or five hundred million US dollars? This is too risky. Director Jiang, the company is about to go public. Such a large investment will definitely affect the stock issuance!"

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "It's OK, you can use the investment in the name of Hong Kong Youteng Films!"

Du Huan and Li Xiaoping looked at each other in bewilderment when they heard this, not knowing how to dissuade them for a moment.

With an investment of three or five hundred million U.S. dollars, how much box office revenue is needed to make a profit?

Although you won't necessarily lose money, the risk is simply too great.

But thinking about Jiang Heng's ability, if he really used 300 million US dollars to make a movie, how good would the effect be? Li Xiaoping couldn't help but imagine it.

Du Huan is more practical. "It shouldn't come to that. Chen Kaige has failed, and Zhang Yimou and Feng Xiaogang's blockbusters are not that good. Liu Weiqiang may not be successful, and it may not affect our filming plan."

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "So, there's no need to worry about what will happen next. Just do your current work well. How is the preparation for Zhu Xian going?"

Du Huan said: "The costumes and props have been made according to your requirements. The shooting location in Hengdian is also ready. The actors are all here, and we can start shooting immediately!"

"Okay, then let's just gather in Hengdian and hold the new film press conference there. All the major media outlets will definitely be here by this time anyway!"

After the small meeting, Du Huan and Li Xiaoping left Jiang Heng's office together. They looked at each other and saw the helplessness in each other's eyes.

Du Huan asked, "Would you like to sit in my office for a while?"

"it is good!"

Arriving at Du Huan's office, Li Xiaoping sat down, sighed and said, "Tell me, Director Jiang is a little...!"

"Drifting?"

Li Xiaoping nodded repeatedly, "There are more and more good movies in the mainland market now. It's hard for Director Jiang's movies to dominate the market. It would be good if the new movie can make 600 or 700 million yuan at the box office. The overseas market is ever-changing, and there are too many factors that can affect us. If we lose money by mistake, it won't just be a matter of one movie!"

Du Huan nodded. "Once the reputation is ruined, the audience will no longer blindly trust the quality of Director Jiang's films like before. The impact will be huge!"

"Persuade me again?"

Du Huan smiled bitterly, "Do you think Director Jiang is someone who listens to advice?"

Li Xiaoping was speechless, "What should I do then?"

"Let's take it one step at a time. Apart from believing in his strength, do we have any other choice now?"

Li Xiaoping said, "Let's see how Liu Weiqiang's "Investiture of the Gods" turns out. If it's really good and Director Jiang insists on increasing the investment, I will definitely stop him!"

Du Huan smiled bitterly and said nothing. He actually wanted to stop them, but he was afraid that Jiang Heng would fire him in anger, so he called Li Xiaoping.

What would you do if you lost three or five hundred million U.S. dollars?

Besides, how can you guarantee that audiences in the European and American markets will go and watch it?
Based on the current film content and technology, it might be a bit difficult!
(End of this chapter)