mesbooks Chapter 108 I Want the Foreigners Dead!!
Chapter 108 I Want the Foreigners Dead!!
Time flies, and it's already March.
It seems like just yesterday, but actually only a few days have passed.
Gu Heng sometimes felt like his life was on fast-forward.
But for the entire film industry, these past few days have felt like an eternity. The first thing they do every morning is check how much box office "Lost in Thailand" has raked in.
6300 million in half a month!
This data is like a mountain, suffocating other films that were still struggling to survive in theaters at the same time.
People in the industry are already numb to it and no longer jealous.
Because of this momentum, breaking 100 million is a sure thing.
There's only one question now: how far can Gu Heng, this dark horse, go?
Meanwhile, Ning Hao was also busy.
The second installment in his crazy series, "Crazy Racer," has also launched a vigorous promotional campaign.
This publicity, however, caused an uproar in the media.
It's important to know that March and April are traditionally the off-season for domestic films, or a period of refuge for them.
Why?
Because these past two months have been dominated by Hollywood blockbusters!
Look at that movie schedule, it's all foreign faces.
Seven imported blockbusters lined up like a queue at the gate, each eyeing the lucrative mainland market with predatory intent.
Which domestic director would dare to stand up to this at this time?
Isn't that like an old man eating poison, tired of living?
But Vision Entertainment did exactly that.
The media exclaimed in surprise:
"Wait, Vision, what are you trying to do?"
"Xu Sanduo just took down 007, and now Blackie is going to challenge the Seven Greats of Hollywood?"
Gu Heng was extremely arrogant about this during an internal company meeting.
"What are you afraid of! We're playing against the elite!"
I want foreigners dead!!
Although many people criticized Ning Hao for being arrogant and conceited after these words were spread, they certainly garnered him a lot of attention.
However, before Gu Heng's bold words could even take effect, a shocking piece of gossip suddenly broke out in the industry, completely overshadowing Vision Entertainment.
Huayi Brothers held a press conference to officially announce its collaboration with Hollywood to produce the Sino-US co-production blockbuster "The Forbidden Kingdom"!
Of course, that's not the point.
The key point is that this film will bring together two kung fu superstars, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, in a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration!
The news sent shockwaves through the entire industry.
Across mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, any actor with even a little bit of fame is green with envy.
Those are Cheng Long and Li Lianjie!
Although everyone knows that, apart from those two big names, most other people who go on these co-productions will likely just be high-level background figures.
But so what?
As long as you can show your face, even if it's just playing a minor role, your value will skyrocket.
In no time, the threshold of Huayi Company was almost worn down by the crowds.
Especially those two Bingbings.
It's said that within Huayi, they practically beat the dog's brain out of its head.
The various power struggles and factionalisms are no less intense than those in "War and Beauty".
Gu Heng watched the news, looking every bit like a bystander.
"Tsk tsk tsk, these people, they overthink things."
"Do they really think those two Mr. Wangs from Huayi are philanthropists?"
In these co-productions, Hollywood holds the majority of the casting power, while Huayi Brothers only retains a portion of it.
There's not even enough meat for our two great gods in the family, yet outsiders want to drink the soup?
Dream on!
Gu Heng was watching the play when the characters from the play came knocking on his door.
In the afternoon, a discreet Mercedes-Benz pulled up in front of the Vision Entertainment building.
"Xiaoli, Liu Qianqian, have some tea."
Gu Heng poured tea for the mother and daughter in front of him with a smile.
Liu Yifei wore a simple white down jacket today, with no makeup, but her beauty is still striking. However, her eyes weren't very friendly, and she glared at Gu Heng with a pout.
She was clearly still bothered by Gu Heng calling her by her nickname.
Gu Heng knew perfectly well why the mother and daughter had come.
Those two brothers from Huayi are really out of their minds, trying to sign Liu Yifei.
Liu Xiaoli was no pushover either.
When these two get together, it's like a thousand-year-old fox playing with a ghost story.
They're all scheming.
In her past life, Liu Xiaoli and Huayi Brothers were just fooling each other. After filming the movie, she turned her back on them and refused to sign a contract.
This was a masterful scheme to get something for nothing, which infuriated Wang Zhongjun.
The consequence was that Huayi Brothers mobilized all its resources to boycott Liu Yifei across the entire industry.
It's only because this girl has a lot of health, a strong family background, and a really striking face. If it were any other female celebrity, she would have been completely forgotten by now, and the grass on her grave would be three meters high.
"Little Gu, your aunt has come today to ask you for a favor."
"You said it, and I'll do whatever it takes if I can."
Gu Heng chuckled inwardly, but his words were sweet.
"You've probably heard about Huayi's 'The Forbidden Kingdom' project."
"Sissi really likes the character of Golden Swallow, but Huayi's stance is..."
"You want to sign the contract, right?" Gu Heng finished the sentence for her.
"That's right." Liu Xiaoli snorted coldly. "That Wang Zhonglei was implying in his words that if we don't sign a contract, the role is out of the question."
"So what do you mean?"
"I want you to help me make a decision."
Gu Heng touched his nose and glanced at Liu Yifei, who was sitting quietly to the side drinking tea and occasionally winking at him.
"Sister, you're confused too."
Gu Heng put down his teacup. "Although Huayi Brothers put together this film, who is the real financial backer?"
"Lionsgate, and capital from Hollywood."
"Then that settles it?"
Gu Heng shrugged, looking at him like he was an idiot. "Huayi is just a local power. When it comes to international projects like this, they have to be mindful of how the other side treats them."
"Don't bother arguing with that old fox Wang Zhongjun. Just go through the public relations channels in the US."
"This..." Liu Xiaoli hesitated, "Will it work?"
"Why not?" Gu Heng pointed to Liu Yifei, who was peeling an orange beside him. "Liu Yifei filmed 'Fearless' with Li Lianjie before, so she's made an appearance there. She has quite a fan base!"
"As long as the investors and directors there are convinced that Sisi can make money for them and bring in box office revenue, what does Huayi's opinion matter?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiaoli suddenly understood.
Yes!
How could I have been intimidated by Wang Zhongjun's air of being a domestic tycoon?
This is a co-production, not a one-man show by Huayi Brothers!
Once things are settled with Hollywood, Wang Zhongjun will have to swallow his anger no matter how unhappy he is!
"You're the one with the quick thinking!" Liu Xiaoli beamed, looking at Gu Heng as if he were a god of wealth.
Two weeks later, news broke from the audition for "The Forbidden Kingdom".
Hollywood director Rob Minkoff raved about Liu Yifei, saying she was exactly the Golden Swallow he envisioned.
Lionsgate immediately decided to take Liu Yifei!
It is said that on that day in Huayi's office, Wang Zhonglei's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and he even smashed two cups.
The fisherman originally intended to use this piece of meat to lure Liu Yifei, but the fish ate the bait instead of taking the hook and even splashed water all over his face.
Who the hell can I complain to about this?
The night the news broke, Gu Heng's phone rang.
As soon as the call connected, Yang Mi's chattering voice came from the other end.
"Hey! Gu Heng! Confess honestly, was it you who suggested that Xixi get that role?"
"Wow, you're pretty well-informed." Gu Heng moved his phone away a bit; this girl's intuition is getting more and more accurate.
"Tch! Don't even try! I know what you're up to the moment you stick your butt out!" Yang Mi snorted.
"Miss Yang, please use polite language."
"Hehehe!!"
The two chatted sweetly for a while before hanging up the phone.
……
A few days later, Ning Hao held a promotional event for "Racing".
Gu Heng, as an investor, also went to the scene.
As soon as I entered the lounge, I saw the Wang brothers, Zhongjun and Zhonglei, sitting there smoking.
Upon seeing Gu Heng, Wang Zhongjun couldn't help but pour out his grievances.
"Oh dear, Brother Gu, you have no idea how impolite Hollywood companies are!"
"Shouldn't we have discussed this casting process beforehand? They just gave it to us like that, what do they take Huayi for?"
Wang Zhonglei, standing to the side, also looked indignant: "Exactly! That's so damn unethical!"
Gu Heng looked at the two of them, barely suppressing his laughter, and solemnly echoed:
"Exactly! That's outrageous! They're completely disregarding Chinese filmmakers!"
"Mr. Wang, if we get the chance in the future, we must teach them a lesson!"
But inside, he was overjoyed.