Chapter 69 Everyone Wants to Cooperate
Influenced by Hong Kong films and TV dramas, young people in mainland China once viewed Hong Kong artists as very friendly.

Only when media information became more developed did we realize that many of the people and things involved were questionable.

Jiang Heng couldn't say anything about Zhou Runfa.

I just feel that when he was called "box office poison" back then, it was John Woo's "A Better Tomorrow" that made him popular again.

Later on, he caused a controversy over quitting the role in Red Cliff, which was a bit disgraceful.

So much so that many years later, when asked about this past event, Wu Yusen still felt resentful about it.

Of course, he and Wu Yusen didn’t have much of a relationship, he just regarded Zhou as an ordinary Hong Kong artist and didn’t look at him through a “filter”.

But Chow Yun-fat couldn't stand it. He had been in the Hong Kong film industry for so many years, and every junior who met him was respectful.

Furthermore, what he said to Jiang Heng just now was full of praise and even compliments.

But Jiang Heng treated him like that, how could this be tolerated?
"Director Jiang, you are a young talent. Your films are getting better and better. But as the old saying goes, if you walk by the river often, you will get your feet wet. Special effects blockbusters require huge investments. If the box office fails, the entire company will lose everything!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "It's okay, I have a lot of money, I'm not afraid of losing!"

Zhou Runfa was choked by these words and didn't know how to refute for a moment.

On the other hand, Zhang Ziyi's eyes were shining.

"Director Jiang, have you been writing a script recently?"

Jiang Heng nodded, "Yes, we are going to make a movie with Columbia Company!"

Zhang Ziyi's eyes became brighter and brighter. "What type of heroine is this?"

Jiang Heng said: "Still thinking about it!"

Li An suddenly said, "The two companies are working together to make this movie, so the investment must be huge!"

"It's at least 2011 million US dollars!" The original "Pacific Rim" was filmed in . Taking into account factors such as actors' salaries and inflation over the past ten years, Jiang Heng gave a rough estimate of the production cost.

But Zhou Runfa and Zhang Ziyi were both stunned. One hundred million US dollars, or less?

For a moment, I was filled with thousands of thoughts.

Chow Yun-fat was a first-tier star in Hong Kong, but has been stuck in the second and third tier in Hollywood. He first starred in two low-budget films, and then he had the opportunity to star in the big production "Anna and the King". This film required a considerable investment, more than 90 million US dollars!
Unfortunately, the box office performance was not good, with only over 30 million in North America and just over 100 million worldwide. The production company suffered heavy losses, and it is estimated that no big productions will be looking for him in the future.

If I could star in Jiang Heng's film... all great directors have tempers, and he is so young, why should I be like him!
Zhou Runfa was very upset, but said that Zhang Ziyi had already set her eyes on the heroine of Jiang Heng's new film.

It would have been fine if I didn’t have the chance before, but now that I have the opportunity to visit Jiang Heng’s home, I will never miss it.

"Director Jiang, let's exchange contact information. I will be in the United States for the time being. We can go out for dinner together when we have time!" Zhang Ziyi said.

There was nothing wrong with what he said, and Jiang Heng couldn't refuse, so he exchanged numbers.

Zhou Runfa also took the opportunity to leave his phone number, as if the unpleasantness just now had never happened.

Jiang Heng generously invited him to dinner, and said with a smile: "Since you are here to see me, I have to host you!"

He immediately drove a few people out for a big meal, during which they talked about the box office performance of "Lion Camel Ridge" in various regions, and all his words were full of praise.

The next day, Jiang Heng left the villa and went to live in New York.

During this period, Pascal called and told him the film's release date, which was set for July 7.

Jiang Heng recalled the box office charts for 2000 and found that none of the films released that day were comparable, which made him feel relieved. After staying in New York for a while and cooperating with Li An to promote Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Jiang Heng returned to China.

However, Han Sanping learned on the phone that Jiang Heng was going to co-produce a blockbuster with Columbia Company, and he could no longer sit still.

If it weren't for his special status, he would have wanted to fly to the United States, but he could only urge her over the phone.

Upon learning of Jiang Heng's flight, they sent a special car to pick him up.

"Hello Director Jiang, President Han is attending an important meeting and cannot come, so he asked me to pick you up!" After saying this, the driver came over to help with the luggage.

Jiang Heng had met him before, and he was not reserved. He got into the car and asked casually, "How is your CEO Han these days?"

The driver smiled and said, "Well, that's good. I've been looking forward to Director Jiang's return. He said he wanted to hold a celebration party for you!"

During the time Jiang Heng went to the United States, the box office of "Lion Camel Ridge" in mainland China has exceeded 400 million and is heading towards 450 million!

With the key extension, there is still hope of achieving it.

Of course, 500 million is out of the question.

The China of this era is far from being comparable to that of twenty years later.

"Director Han wants to open it for me?"

"Well, I heard that's what the higher-ups meant. The box office performance of Lion Camel Ridge has boosted the mainland film market and produced positive results..."

The car soon arrived at China Film Studio, and Han Sanping and a group of executives came to the door to greet them. "Director Jiang, thank you for your hard work!"

Jiang Heng hurriedly said: "Why is this such a big deal?"

A senior executive said: "Director Jiang, the box office of your film is one-third of last year's total. You are a great contributor to Chinese-language films. You deserve it, you deserve it!"

After a few polite greetings, the group went upstairs.

Han Sanping and Jiang Heng still held a small meeting first.

In the big office, Han Sanping poured tea and said slowly: "I went to a meeting in the department. The leader said that the movie "Lion Camel Ridge" is good. It has a third of last year's box office. Many theaters made money because of this movie and avoided closing down this summer. They can pay salaries and avoid layoffs, which maintains social stability...!"

Jiang Heng felt guilty after hearing this, and quickly said, "Tell the leader that I will definitely continue to make good movies and strive to make greater contributions!"

Han Sanping waved his hand, "Not only that, you've also seen the mainland box office of Lion Camel Ridge. 4.5 million is still a good number, and you'll get about million."

Jiang Heng couldn't help but take a breath when he heard this and became more cautious.

"What does Mr. Han mean?"

Han Sanping smiled and said, "It's not what I meant. I just heard something. Well, the country intends to change the current film company screening system and is preparing to reform the theater chain system."

Jiang Heng was overjoyed when he heard this.

If you want to become a truly influential movie mogul, it's not enough to just be able to make movies, you also have to take control of the theaters.

Jiang Heng naturally would not miss this opportunity, but he could not be too enthusiastic, lest he would have no room for bargaining.

"This is a good thing. I'm not short of money. I can take all the 1.5 million box office revenue!"

Han Sanping was delighted when he heard this. "I feel relieved when you say that! You don't know that those projection companies concealed the box office and stole...!"

(End of this chapter)