Chapter 143 Painted Skin and the Next Movie

China Film Group, Office of the Vice Chairman.

Wu Yuan and Director Han sat opposite each other in the familiar reception area.

Both of them were holding a cup of tea and sipping it.

"Huh." He breathed a comfortable sigh and put down the teacup first.

"Director Wu, "Your Name" must have a box office of more than one billion yuan in Asia, right?"

"This is even better than "Heroes"!"

Dong Han's eyes were full of shock.

How much investment does "Hero" cost?

$30 million!

How much investment does "Your Name" cost?

Sixty million yuan! (Including mainland publicity and distribution costs)

The investment difference was nearly four times, but it achieved almost the same or even better box office returns!

How could this not surprise Director Han?

Yes, he has indeed seen the best-selling romance film in the world.

For example, that giant ship took in $1 billion in global box office, and even Hollywood itself was frightened.

But he really never thought that a Chinese love movie could kill people in both China and Japan!

The results that the Japanese market has exploded are simply exaggerated.

"Haha, good luck." Wu Yuan said modestly with a cheerful smile.

Compared with the exaggerated performance of the dream anime "Your Name", which had a box office of over 10 billion yen in 28 days and a total box office of 25 billion yen, the results of the live-action version of "Your Name" are really nothing.

It can only be said that it is a "foreign" movie after all, and it is not an anime movie. The acceptance level of Japanese movie fans is still not that high.

"Director Wu, you are really amazing." Director Han, who has been shocked by Wu Yuan's film scores many times, was still a little scared this time.

"Among domestic commercial film directors, you are the best at selling box office."

"Even Wu Baige can't compare to you."

"Chinese Films is truly a blessing to have such a talented director like you."

Director Han sighed and patted his belly.

As the leader of the mainland film industry (the chairman is basically semi-retired), Director Han is naturally worried about the development of the mainland film industry.

In this era of economic theory, if the film industry wants to do well, it must also perform well at the box office.

To produce a "Hero", Zhang Yimou is not enough!

Previously, Wu Yuan did not make commercial films in China, but he was very worried.

Now with "Your Name", the real king of Chinese commercial films has returned to his homeland, and Director Han is certainly happy to see it happen.

What makes him even more happy is that Wu Yuan not only makes movies by himself, he also runs a company and brings other directors to make commercial films together.

"Director Zhang's "If Love" has been scheduled for this year's Chinese Valentine's Day."

"The filming of "The Butterfly Effect" produced by your company has also started.

"Director Wu, for the prosperity of the mainland film industry, half of the military medals must be given to Zhang Yimou, and the other half must be given to you!"

Faced with the sudden compliment from Director Han, Wu Yuan was a little uncomfortable.

If you show your courtesy for nothing, you are either committing adultery or stealing!

He put down the tea cup in his hand and said with a strange expression: "Director Han, we are all old acquaintances. If you have anything to do, just tell me directly and don't flatter me here."

"Haha." There was no trace of the embarrassment on Mr. Han's face, and he still said in an admiring tone: "How can I be flattering?"

"It's all the truth!"

"Go out and ask any China Film employees. In their hearts, the Chinese film industry cannot live without you!"

Wu Yuan chuckled, raised his fingers and counted unmoved: "We can't live without Zhang Yimou, we can't live without Chen Kaige, we can't live without Feng Xiaogang, we can't live without Jiang Wen, right?"

"Hey, Jiang Wen doesn't need to be there." Han Dong interrupted.

The two looked at each other and laughed in unison.

Jiang Wen, who has been banned from directing for five years, really can't make sense without a few words of ridicule.

"Okay, no more joking." Han Dong looked serious and started talking about business.

"I'm here to see you. In addition to congratulating you, there are indeed some things I want to talk to you about in person."

Standing up and taking a script from the desk, Director Han placed it on the table in front of the two of them.

"I've read the script of "Painted Skin" and it's really interesting."

"We at China Film Group also want to participate in investment."

"The premise is that this movie must be directed by you yourself."

Director Han sighed, "That director named Wu Shishan is your senior brother, right?"

"A new director, even if he is currently filming "The Butterfly Effect" of yours, can't he immediately become the director of such a big project?"

"Director Wu, this is 150 million, not 15 million. Even if it is 15 million, we cannot use such a director!"

Director Han looked at Wu Yuan with sincere eyes and persuaded him earnestly: "How can any director make such a big production right away?"

"Even you, the most talented director in China, not only filmed "The Night the Comet Came" in the Mainland, but also filmed "Juno" in Hollywood, and then "The Embalmer", and only then did "Pirates of the Caribbean" ” and “Your Name”?

"You ask him, a newcomer, to shoot "The Butterfly Effect" with an investment of only 10 to 20 million, and then to shoot "Painted Skin" with an investment of 150 million. Isn't this a joke?"

"Even if you are the producer, the risk is too great."

The script for "Painted Skin" was sent to China Film Studio by Light and Shadow Times last month.

The reason why he was sent to China Film Group was because Wu Yuan wanted to work with China Film Group on this project.

The company made a preliminary project budget for "Painted Skin". If they want to make this movie a masterpiece, then 15 million US dollars is not enough.

At least 150 million RMB, or about 17 million US dollars, must be invested to make this movie.

Of course, with so much money invested, the final effect will be better than the original "Painted Skin".

150 million is not a small amount of money. Although Wu Yuan knows that this movie will definitely make money, he can't make ends meet for the time being.

30 million was invested in "Chinese Paladin" and 60 million was invested in "Your Name".

Even if the domestic share of "Your Name" can be received this year, it will only be more than 70 million. With the profit of "Chinese Paladin", it will be about 130-140 million.

As for "If Love" and "The Butterfly Effect", the return money of these two movies will have to wait until 2005.

The settlement of the overseas share of "Your Name" will not be received in large quantities until 2005.

Wu Yuan, who only has more than 100 million yuan in his hands, really can't spend all his money on "Painted Skin". He has other projects to prepare.

So he wants to pull China Film Group to do this project together. China Film Group now has a lot of money.

At the beginning, when Han Dong saw the script, he was very excited!

Wu Yuan is finally going to make a blockbuster!

For a big director like him, it would be a waste of his talent if he doesn't make a blockbuster!

After reading the script of "Painted Skin", he was very satisfied with it.

The Chinese people's own fantasy movie, and the person who wrote the script is Wu Yuan who filmed "Pirates of the Caribbean". This is definitely a high-quality project!

This is much more reliable than Chen Kaige's "The Promise".

Without hesitation, Han Dong wanted to agree to participate in the investment.

Until he learned that Wu Yuan did not plan to shoot this movie himself, but found a senior brother from Beijing Film Academy to shoot it.

Isn't this nonsense?

Zhang Yimou's "Hero", if another director is filmed, will anyone dare to invest?

If Chen Kaige's "The Promise" is shot by a different director, will anyone dare to invest?

For blockbusters like this prepared by big directors, investors never come for the script or the cast, but for the director himself.

If Wu Yuan hadn't shot the "Painted Skin" project, it would not be a hot commodity, but a poisonous bun.

"Director Wu, if you were to shoot this "Painted Skin", we at China Film would follow you without blinking an eye. You tell me the number, and I will immediately arrange for the financial department to pay."

"But if that Wu Ershan were to shoot it, then I can only say that this cooperation may not be able to go on."

No matter how friendly he usually behaves, Director Han is the man called "Mountain Eagle" by Zhang Weiping after all.

When faced with such a principled issue, he will not give in.

Looking at Director Han's serious expression and feeling his "Mountain Eagle" aura, Wu Yuan sighed in his heart.

He did take it for granted.

He knew that Wu Ershan was a material for making fantasy movies, but others didn't know, and the public didn't know either.

It is indeed very risky to let such a newcomer shoot such a big production. Even with Wu Yuan's endorsement, it is possible to lose money.

Even going overseas is a big problem.

Dongbao is willing to cooperate with Wu Yuan and fully distribute his movies, but it may not be willing to fully distribute the movies of the Light and Shadow Era.

"I thought too simply." Wu Yuan nodded and admitted his mistake.

Director Han smiled immediately, and the solemn atmosphere in the office was swept away.

"Then Director Wu, have you changed your mind? Do you want to shoot "Painted Skin" yourself?" Director Han said excitedly: "This script is still very good."

"The cost is 150 million, but I imagine that if it is released in Asia, it can get a box office of more than 10 billion!"

"Just relying on your influence in Japan, this story is an oriental fantasy story, and the Japanese market will definitely accept it!"

Wu Yuan's "Your Name" has achieved a viewing craze and exaggerated box office results in Japan, which gave Director Han great confidence.

In his opinion, Wu Yuan, who now has the two major markets in China and Japan, will not lose money in any movie he shoots.

For other domestic directors, the risk of loss is very high for a movie with an investment of more than 100 million yuan. No one dares to shoot it except Zhang Yimou.

But for Wu Yuan, who has the Japanese market as a backup, the risk of a movie with an investment of more than 100 million yuan is not big at all.

Who said that the current Japanese film market is ten times that of the mainland!

"If I shoot it myself, the time will be a bit tight." Wu Yuan sighed and said hesitantly: "I have a Hollywood movie "Rush Hour 3" to shoot in the second half of this year, and I also have a plan to shoot an art film next year."

"Pirates of the Caribbean 2" is expected to start shooting next year."

"If I want to shoot "Painted Skin" myself, I'm afraid I won't be able to find time to shoot that art film." Wu Yuan said melancholy.

"Art film?" Han Dong was a little surprised. Wu Yuan is a big director of commercial films with box office revenues of hundreds of millions of dollars. Why does he still shoot art films?

Now the domestic market is paying more and more attention to commercial films. In terms of art films, although there are film funds to support them, the degree of attention is not as high as before.

"Yes, I want to make a movie that explores love." Wu Yuan spread his hands.

It is precisely because he knows that the influence of art films in the domestic film industry is declining that he wants to make art films.

For a director, the authoritative art film festival awards are the greatest recognition for them.

This is just like the dream of actors to win the Best Actor and Best Actress.

As a director, Wu Yuan also wants to win the Best Film and Best Director awards in Berlin, Cannes and Venice.

But he knows that after 2010, the influence of the three major European awards will become smaller and smaller in China, and Chinese people will gradually pay less attention to these art awards.

After 2015, even if you win the Best Actor or Best Film award in the three major European awards, it will not make any splash in China.

As a human being, you will have vanity.

Wu Yuan certainly does not want to win the award but no one appreciates it.

So he wants to win the awards of the three major European film festivals as soon as possible.

The earlier these awards are won, the greater the influence, and the higher the blessing to his own status and achievements.

Look at Zhang Yimou, who won the Golden Lion and Golden Bear in the 1980s and 1990s. Since then, he has firmly sat on the chair of the first director in China.

Even if Wu Yuan's career box office now far exceeds that of director Yimou, he dare not say that he is a better director than Zhang Yimou.

The public's impression of him is also "the king of commercial films", the most popular director in China, but not the best director.

For Chinese art films, Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige are still the best.

Art is superior to business, which is recognized by film practitioners around the world.

Then Wu Yuan must naturally work hard on artistic achievements and cannot be satisfied with commercial box office.

Now he has "Pirates of the Caribbean" with a box office of 720 million US dollars in Hollywood, and "Your Name" has swept the box office charts of various countries in Asia.

In a short period of time, his achievements in commercial box office are already high enough, and it is time to work hard on artistic achievements.

"I made a script." Wu Yuan said calmly: "It tells the love story between a pair of retired music teachers in their seventies."

"In this movie, I used aging, disease and death, the three things that humans fear most, to make the ultimate consideration and test of love."

"This will be a very meaningful movie."

Wu Yuan stared at Mr. Han's eyes with a sharp gaze, "I plan to use this movie to compete for the Palme d'Or."

"Seriously?" Mr. Han's expression also became serious.

He also reacted.

Any director with aspirations will make the European Big Three his lifelong goal.

Wu Yuan is of course also a director with aspirations. It is normal for him to make such an art film, and it has nothing to do with the good sales of his commercial films.

"Both the male and female protagonists are over 70 years old?"

"This condition is very harsh. Can you find suitable actors?" Han Dong asked with some concern.

"I already have a goal." Wu Yuan said in a relaxed tone: "We in China still have no shortage of such old actors."

"For the male lead, I want to find Mr. You Benchang to play."

"He is 71 years old this year, the age is just right, and his acting skills are also impeccable."

"For the female lead, I want to ask Ms. Wu Yanshu. I have worked with her twice, and I believe she can do this movie."

Han Dong nodded in approval.

You Benchang and Wu Yanshu are both old actors who have performed in dramas and plays for a lifetime. There is really no need to worry about their acting skills. Their image and age are also suitable.

"What is the name of this movie?" Han Dong asked curiously.

"Love!" Wu Yuan smiled slightly: "Love."

"The eternal topic of mankind."