Chapter 363: Sino-US Cooperation Is a Double Success

"Twilight"

This is the cash cow that Wu Yuan had set his sights on for a long time.

When the physical novel of "Twilight" was released and sold well, the Hollywood Big Six looked down on this kind of teenage idol book and thought that it would not sell well if adapted into a movie, so Guangshidai easily won the film adaptation rights of this best-selling novel and subsequent sequels.

However, Wu Yuan kept delaying the filming from 2004 to early 2008, which allowed John to find the three main actors, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner, to start filming.

The filming started in February 2008 and was successfully completed at the end of April. After half a year of special effects, the film was quickly scheduled for the Christmas season on December 28.

"Daniel, the original novel of this movie is very popular, so I plan to hold a premiere. Do you want to attend?"

Faced with John's invitation, Wu Yuan was very interested, but after thinking about it, he still refused: "Sorry, John, I may not have time to attend the premiere."

"I have important things to do in China, and I am very busy."

"But I believe that even if I can't attend the premiere, this movie will definitely sell well and create a box office result that will make you very satisfied."

"I hope so." John sighed on the other end of the phone: "This is 37 million US dollars. Although the company can afford to lose money now, I don't want to see the result of losing money."

"No." Wu Yuan said confidently.

At the end of 2008, most audiences have just contributed a sum of money to "007 Quantum of Solace". The industry expects that the North American film market will usher in a box office vacuum in the next month.

But surprisingly, a vampire movie "Twilight: Twilight" starring two young actors who were not famous enough, fooled girls under 25 years old (75% of the audiences were female, and 55% were under 25 years old).

With a cost of 37 million US dollars, it finally earned nearly 200 million US dollars in North American box office and 350 million US dollars in global box office, which shocked countless people in the industry.

Ranked 8th in North American box office in 2008.

Ranked 4th in opening weekend box office in 2008.

Ranked 5th in PG-13 movie box office in 2008.

Ranked 2nd in movie history with the largest share of weekend box office in Friday opening box office.

Ranked 6th in movie history with the highest box office in November opening week.

Ranked 9th in movie history with the highest box office in holiday opening week.

No one could have imagined that a vampire idol drama starring three unknown young actors could actually take down so many box office records.

Even John doesn't think that "Twilight" will achieve any outstanding results.

Perhaps with the support of the original fans, this movie can earn tens of millions of dollars locally and barely break 100 million in the global box office, which is John's highest expectation.

I believe that when "Twilight" is released, the box office results will give John a big surprise.

"John, have the sequel contracts of Christine and others been signed?" Wu Yuan asked again worriedly.

"Of course, according to your request, three more sequels have been signed in one go."

"That's good, the rest of the work is up to you."

"I will return to the United States in May next year, and then we will discuss the next plan of Light Era."

"World War Z can be prepared."

After smiling and giving a few instructions, Wu Yuan hung up the phone and looked up to see Li Xiaoping's curious eyes.

"Director Wu, your film company in Hollywood is doing very well."

Li Xiaoping asked in a strange tone: "I wonder if there is any opportunity for Light and Shadow Times to cooperate with brother companies?"

"Now many domestic film companies are making Sino-US co-productions, such as Huayi's "The Forbidden Kingdom."

"Tianyao Culture and HMW are cooperating to make a nearly 100 million US dollar investment in "Double Blade."

"China Film seems to be cooperating with Hollywood to prepare for co-productions."

"We here at Light and Shadow Times should not lag behind and try Sino-US co-productions."

"If we can cooperate with Director Wu in Light and Shadow Times in Hollywood, it would be the most suitable."

In the past two years, the mainland film industry has been co-producing, not only with Hong Kong Island, but also with Hollywood.

Although most co-production projects are very grand in the early stage, with various publicity, signing ceremonies, and launching ceremonies, there is no news when the real shooting starts.

For example, the Sino-US co-production "Journey to the West" and the example of "Double Blade" mentioned by Li Xiaoping just now.

When the news of "Double Edge" was released, it was said to be the largest co-production in the history of the Chinese and American film industries.

The chief producer is David Zucker, who is known as one of the ten most profitable producers and directors in Hollywood history.

The chief director of this blockbuster "Double Edge" is Rob Kashilin, the director and screenwriter of "The Mummy 3".

The actor is locked in "007" Pierce Brosnan, and Jet Li will play with him.

Rob Kashilin even came to the mainland many times to accept media interviews, and held a grand signing ceremony, as if everything for this movie is ready and will start shooting next month.

John Robinson, CEO of Hollywood Productions (HMW), William Frederick Fey and Vincent Newman, president and producer of Legendary Pictures, Mike Pesser, professor of the School of Film at the University of Southern California, and Hollywood actors Billy Zane and Brett Morgan...

These people also came to Beijing, Hangzhou, Hengdian and other places to inspect the location of the movie "Double Blade".

However, after the grand and exciting inspection and preparation period, it took 15 years. Until Wu Yuan woke up from his dream, he did not see the first Sino-US co-production movie in history really start shooting.

Wu Yuan had no interest in the so-called "Sino-US co-production".

But seeing Li Xiaoping's hopeful eyes, he couldn't refuse. After all, co-production is now a trend. Unless you are a "time traveler" like him who knows the future development, there is no reason to refuse to develop co-production.

The enthusiasm for co-production in the mainland was extinguished after everyone suffered losses for three to five years.

Li Xiaoping wants to make a co-production with Light Era, which is better than co-production with other Hollywood film companies.

At least family members will not cheat family members.

After thinking about it, Wu Yuan thought of a movie that is very suitable for co-production.

Before, he planned to let Light Era make it by itself, but now he can take it out and let Light Era participate in it, so that Li Xiaoping can satisfy her desire to go overseas.

"Light Era has a project called "The Karate Kid" and it is expected that Cheng Long will be invited to star in it. When the time comes, I will talk to John and let Light Era participate in the investment and production."

"The Karate Kid" is a high-quality project with a global box office of more than 300 million US dollars. If Light Era can be listed as a producer in this movie, it will have a good effect on the overall value-added of the company.

Its effect is much better than the effect that "The Forbidden Kingdom" brought to Huayi!

"It just so happens that The Karate Kid is expected to be released in 2010, and by then Light and Shadow Times should have been listed."

"Then we can boost the stock price and stimulate the lower-level market!"

Li Xiaoping smiled until her eyes narrowed into slits, and nodded happily: "Okay, thank you Boss!" (End of this chapter)