In the blink of an eye, it is June, and it is time for the annual summer season warm-up.

This year's summer season is a little special. Jiang Heng is involved, but it is not a special effects blockbuster like in the past.

It just happened to be a martial arts epic with many action stars making cameo appearances, which made the production and publicity companies of several blockbusters released at the same time depressed.

I want to compete, but I feel I can't win. I'm just hiding from it, but I'm still a little unwilling.

After all, there are only a few days of prime screening time during the schedule. If all of them avoid "New Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber", it will undoubtedly intensify the competition among other films.

For this reason, these production and publicity companies are really racking their brains over the choice of film release dates.

It's still okay for those jointly produced by one or two companies, but for "The Crossing Part 1", which was jointly produced by Xiaoma Pentium, Lay's Pictures, China Film, Huayi and other companies, they have to hold a meeting every time to discuss issues such as release date, publicity and promotion, and it can't be resolved in one go.

For example, the first part of "The Crossing" was originally scheduled to be released during the Spring Festival of 13. However, due to various disagreements, the progress of the film was delayed and had to be postponed to the summer of 13.

As a result, representatives of several companies started arguing again over the specific release date.

Xiao Ma Pentium, Lay's Films and Huayi Company all prefer to release their films in late July, because this is when students have just had their holidays and have not spent much money, so they are more likely to want and be able to watch movies.

If we wait until August, it is inevitable that some students will not be willing to spend money to go to the cinema because they have already watched several movies.

The reason is simple. The audience has limited money. The audience who can watch all the popular movies in a period is still a minority. Whoever gets there first will have a greater advantage. Otherwise, Jiang Heng would not have to dominate the first half of the summer season every year.

But China Film Corporation believes that although "New Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" is not a special effects blockbuster directed by Jiang Heng, it is a movie he starred in after several years, and countless fans are looking forward to it!
With the support of action actors from the entire Chinese entertainment industry, the audience will get their money's worth just by going to the cinema and counting the "stars"!
It is a foregone conclusion that the film will be a big hit!
Of course, because it is a martial arts film, the film’s market prospects in North America, Europe, Japan and South Korea are unpredictable.

Maybe because of Jiang Heng's starring role, it achieved good box office, but it is also possible that it "failed".

That's just the "unclear prospects" of the overseas market. It seems that it is still difficult to compete in the mainland at the moment.

Xiaoma Pentium Company did not agree with the analysis of the China Film representative, which led to many disagreements between the two parties and the final release date could not be decided for a long time.

But the other blockbusters have already found their own "positions" early on.

For example, "One Step Away" directed by Jiang Wen was scheduled to be released in early August.

He is naturally quite confident in his film, but this confidence is based on the film's art and connotation.

In terms of box office performance, Jiang Wen himself admitted that he was no match for Jiang Heng, so it wouldn't be a loss of face for him to stay away when the film was released.

The two films were released more than three weeks apart, so the impact on the box office can be said to be minimal.

The "Legend of the Gods" produced by the Xiang family is scheduled to be released in mid-August.

Although this movie spent a lot of money on special effects and has a strong star lineup, when looking at Jiang Heng's previous works and then at what they produced themselves, the Xiang couple really don't have that much confidence.

There was no comparison in the previous life, but Jiang Heng set up an insurmountable benchmark, making it difficult not to compare.

In addition, there is "Mojin: The Lost Legend" produced by iQiyi, Youku and Tencent Pictures. The male lead is Han Tong, the female lead is Liu Yifei, and Fatty Wang is played by Huang Bo. The director is Guo Fan.

Although the film was not directed by Jiang Heng, it was an excellent choice in terms of investment, original novel, director, cast and special effects.

The market was very optimistic about the film and it was finally scheduled to be released in mid-August, which made Mr. Xiang, who was once a big name in the Hong Kong film industry, worried.

Even the "substitute" works produced by iQiyi, Youku and Tencent Video are so difficult to beat, so how much pressure would it be to face the special effects blockbuster directed by Jiang Heng!
In addition to those that are highly favored by the market, there are many works that seem to have popped up temporarily.

For example, "The Secret: Dwelling in Fuchun Mountains" produced and released by Beijing Paige Taihe and China Film Group Corporation, really seemed to have fallen from the sky. A film that had hardly been heard of or promoted before is suddenly about to be released.

The premiere of the new film will be held in early June, and an invitation letter has been sent to Jiang Heng through China Film Corporation.

In the chairman's office of iQiyi, Youku and Tencent Video, Jiang Heng looked at the invitation in his hand and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Speaking of Director Sun, does he have no judgment at all about the true quality of his own films?

If that's true, it's quite a skill!

Jing Tian, ​​who was standing by, saw Jiang Heng not knowing whether to laugh or cry, and asked in surprise, "Are you so conflicted? I see there are a lot of big-name stars in this movie!"

Jiang Heng said: "What's the use of having many big-name stars? The movie has to be good!"

"Not good?" Jing Tian didn't understand why Jiang Heng was so sure.

"This Director Sun, have you ever heard of his name before?"

Da Tiantian shook her head back and forth, "I've never heard of it!"

"That's it. I have no experience in filming movies before, but I'm going to make a blockbuster right away. There's a high probability that I'll get ripped off!"

"But it was your first time filming a movie, and it was a success!"

"Yeah, so I'm a one-in-a-million genius!"

Da Tiantian smiled upon hearing this and nodded in agreement, "Indeed, I have never seen anyone more talented than you in the field of film!"

Jiang Heng said modestly: "That's not the case. I'm just better at making money. As for the artistic quality of the films, there is still a certain gap between me and those big directors!"

"It's already amazing that I can make movies that the audience likes and make a lot of money at the same time!"

Jiang Heng smiled, "I really didn't realize that you are getting better and better at praising people!"

Da Tiantian said with a matter-of-fact expression, "That's how it is!"

Jiang Heng became more and more happy, and shook the invitation in his hand, "Then do you want to see how bad this movie is?"

Jing Tian was puzzled, "It's a bad movie, but you still want to watch it?"

Jiang Heng smiled, "The more bad movies the audience sees, the better they will think my works are!"

Jing Tian was speechless for a while, and snorted, "I find that you are really becoming more and more treacherous!"

Jiang Heng said: "People will change as they get older!"

A few days later, the premiere of "The Secret: Dwelling in Fuchun Mountain" was held. Jiang Heng and Jing Tian attended the premiere together. However, the film company did not play the main film, but only released some clips and highlights.

Jiang Heng secretly said: "It seems that you guys still know how bad your filming is!"

When asked by a media reporter what he thought of the film's box office prospects, Jiang Heng smiled and said, "I won't comment on it because I haven't seen the feature film. I also always believe that gold and silver cups are not as good as the audience's word of mouth. You will know when the film is released!"

The film director Sun Jianjun had a rather ugly expression, but Jiang Heng simply ignored him. The reason he came here was, firstly, to find something interesting to do when he was bored. Secondly, a senior executive from China Film invited him repeatedly and said that Jiang Heng didn't need to help with the promotion, and that he just needed to show up.

Speaking of China Film Corporation, it is really a company full of hidden talents, with too many capable and well-connected people.

While Jiang Heng was making friends with Han Sanping, he also had to build good relationships with other people.

Some people may not be able to accomplish things, but they are very capable of doing bad things.

Not to mention that there are many commercial collaborations between China Film, iQiyi, Youku and Tencent Video, such as theater chains, digital shooting bases, and development of amusement parks around film and television. Face must be given, but not to the so-called "Director Sun".

After the premiere, Andy came over and asked if they wanted to go out for a drink together. Jiang Heng naturally wouldn't refuse, so Da Tiantian tactfully left first.

The two chose a barbecue restaurant with private rooms. After they sat down and ordered their meals, Jiang Heng asked, "Why did you decide to take on this film?"

Hua Zi was a little surprised, "You think this movie is not good?"

Jiang Heng smiled, "Does this even need to be said?"

Hua Zai said helplessly: "I have been very busy, and I didn't think much about it when Mr. Han San called to invite me. You also know that he has helped me a lot, so I can't refuse!"

Jiang Heng nodded slightly. In this circle, one often has to consider the ways of the world. He knew how bad "Dwelling in the Mountains and Rivers" was, but he still came, didn't he?
Of course, he came here purely to make up the numbers, and his name could be written as a guest in reports about the film's promotion.

Andy Lau is the genuine leading actor, and he has a certain responsibility for the fact that the film is so bad, which is also an important reason why he can't "carry the box office".

People like Jackie Chan and Stephen Chow have "dominance" at the box office in the genre films they are good at.

Comedies starring Wang Baoqiang and later Shen Teng are usually funny.

This is not the case with Andy Lau. He has acted in too many films, and too many of them are bad. The audience cannot judge the quality of his next film based on past experience.

But Andy is a senior after all and is quite dedicated to his work, so Jiang Heng didn't say anything too harsh, but just advised him to be more careful in choosing films.

Hua Zai smiled bitterly, "There's nothing I can do. I have to repay my debt of gratitude, right? They have helped me many times, and then they make a small request. It's hard to refuse!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "You take these things too seriously!"

Hua Zai said: "I can't help it. I have average talent. I have achieved what I have today through hard work, dedication and many friends. I can't change it anymore!"

After a pause, he continued, "Actually, I also want to act in a good movie, but I just don't have the opportunity! If Director Jiang has a suitable role, you might as well consider me. A discount on the pay is not a problem!"

Jiang Heng raised his glass and took a sip of wine, then nodded slightly and said, "No problem, we all came from Hong Kong, and if there's a suitable role, we'll definitely think of you!"

Liu Dehua hurriedly thanked him, and then smiled and said, "You are not the kind of person who makes promises carelessly. If you can say that, you must have some ideas in mind, right?"

Jiang Heng said: "Not entirely! We invited Bao Qie to work with us on an action film before, but the idea changed and ended up making a martial arts movie. He didn't have a suitable role in the film, so he didn't get to act in it!"

Liu Dehua laughed: "No matter what, you invested in "One Man's Martial Arts" and let him experience the feeling of being a master in the film!"

Jiang Heng laughed and talked about Hua Zai's role again, "Here's what I think. In the next few years, we will be filming the sequels of "Legend of the Little Soldier" and "The Three-Body Problem". If there is a suitable role in them, you will be given priority!"

Liu Dehua's eyes lit up. These two were both extremely classic science fiction movies. The first one won the global box office champion in film history, and its record has not been broken to this day.

The second one is a classic among science fiction movies. Many netizens commented that after watching this movie, they found that those Hollywood science fiction blockbusters with "fist-and-flesh" are simply unbearable to watch!

It is like the war between humans and ants. They can use water, fire, or wipe it directly with paper, but they cannot use extremely advanced technology to change themselves to the size of ants and then fight with weapons.

As for movies like "The Three-Body Problem", Liu Dehua also likes it very much. He couldn't help but say: "Is it Luo Ji? It can't be Yun Tianming, who just plays the brain!"

After saying this, Liu Dehua laughed and raised his glass to Jiang Heng.

"We definitely can't just let you play the role of the brain, you still have a lot of scenes!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Dehua knew that he had a chance to play Luo Ji, but Jiang Heng was still hesitant and had not yet decided on the final candidate.

“No matter how big or small the role is, I will play it with all my heart!”

Jiang Heng laughed, "It's not just me, the entire entertainment industry knows this!"

In the following days, "The Secret: Dwelling in Fuchun Mountains" was released, and it turned out to be a terrible movie, the kind that was extremely bad.

As the lead actor, Andy Lau was badly criticized, and even Jiang Heng was criticized online. It was said in the publicity that Director Jiang attended the premiere of this film, so I thought the film wouldn't be too bad!

Immediately, one of Jiang Heng’s fans posted what he said at the premiere, saying that Director Jiang attended the premiere out of “social etiquette” and that he did not recommend everyone to watch the film.

Netizens responded that they really believed too much in the brand of "Director Jiang" and felt that anything with his participation would definitely be good.

This actually sparked a lot of discussion among netizens, some saying: "It's mainly because Director Jiang has too few works to watch, so those who are related to him will subconsciously want to support him!"

“Two blockbusters a year is not enough?”

"When Jackie Chan, Stephen Chow, and Jet Li were popular, they made six or seven movies a year!"

"The quality is different, okay, big brother!"

"But having said that, The New Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber is really amazing. I watched the trailer several times. Director Jiang's fighting skills are so cool!"

When one netizen responded to this post, his excitement almost overflowed from the words.

"Director Jiang's Kung Fu has always been very strong, okay? He can really hold his own against Billy Chow!"

"It would be great if he could make more kung fu movies!"

"You must be joking. He is a big boss, how could he endure such suffering? Jackie Chan and Jet Li, both of them are covered in wounds!"

"I heard that there are only 6,600 tickets for this premiere. With so many celebrities in attendance, it would be a great deal if we could grab one!"

"Don't even think about it, it will be sold out in an instant, so I should save some money and buy it from a scalper!"

“I hate scalpers…!”

Amid the anticipation of many movie fans, the premiere tickets for "The New Legend of the Condor Heroes" were sold out in the blink of an eye as netizens had guessed, the moment they went on sale online.

The scalpers were bidding higher and higher, and the reason was simple: the king is invincible, this might be the first and last martial arts blockbuster starring Jiang Heng in his life, if you don’t watch it, you will never have the chance again!”

(End of this chapter)