At the Beijing Airport, Chenglong and his party got into the Brilliant Era nanny car and set off for the Shangri-La Hotel.
Recalling the verbal agreement he made with Chu Xuan and Liu Yifei at the Beijing Film Festival last year, Chenglong thought it was all very interesting.
Originally, the type of film he considered cooperating with was generally an action film, coupled with his unique comedy elements, but unexpectedly, Tang Jili rejected it.
Tang Ji is right. Whether it’s his pure action elements, the mixed police and gangster elements, or the gunfight elements supplemented with seasonings, these things are all leftovers from overseas games. Is there any hope?
To conquer overseas movie fans with this type of movie is to somewhat underestimate the aesthetic level of foreigners.
Tang Jili was his golden partner for decades and sent him to Hollywood in one fell swoop. Tang Jili's advice had a great influence on him. Therefore, he gave up the idea of going back to the old path and followed Tang Jili's advice.
Suggestions for science fiction films put forward in the journal.
"Domestic science fiction is a blank market, and foreign science fiction is very popular. If you want to return to the top, you may be able to take this new route for you. While complying with the global market trend, it can also give your overseas fans something fresh.
I feel that the probability of success is at least much higher than following your old path."
These were Tang Jili's original words. After careful consideration, he believed deeply and completely accepted Tang Jili's suggestion to create a science fiction film tailored for him.
On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, he had a meal at Chu Xuan's house. After everyone chatted together, he originally thought that the final science fiction would be similar to Hollywood-style science fiction.
Either dig into the special effects, dig into the characters, or dig into the scenes...
He had expected and expected this, and wanted to see what story his old friend could come up with.
But what he didn't expect was that when he and Chu Xuan received an email from Tang Jili some time ago, he was surprised by the story and setting.
Even though he has been famous in Hollywood for many years and has seen so many movies of all kinds from his perspective, the story structure and setting of the story in Tang Ji also made him use the word "amazing".
He believes that the science fiction story and setting constructed in Tang Ji are brand new even in Hollywood, and it is a completely innovative theme even in Hollywood.
And science fiction? It’s all about imagination and creativity.
At that moment, he seemed to see the hope of making a comeback in Hollywood and was very excited.
Therefore, he specially rescheduled the next schedule with the crew of "The King of Kung Fu" and took time to come to Beijing.
Although Chu Xuan and Chu Xuan talked on the phone some time ago, Chu Xuan also expressed that he and Liu Yifei liked the story very much, but it was related to the cooperation of a blockbuster movie, so it would be better to meet and chat in person.
Moreover, according to Tang Jili's budget, the initial investment of 150 million negotiated during the Chinese New Year does not seem to be enough, and this needs to be negotiated again.
Because of this, Mr. Du from Yinghuang also came with him.
"Brother."
In the private room of Shangri-La Hotel, the waiter waiting at the door opened the door. As soon as Chenglong looked inside, he heard a familiar voice.
"Xuan Zai."
Chenglong smiled broadly and gave Chu Xuan a bear hug.
"Director Tang, Mr. Du."
Chu Xuan and Chenglong separated and greeted Tang Jili and Mr. Du respectively.
The two of them smiled and nodded, shook hands with Chu Xuan and said hello back, then followed Chu Xuan and Chenglong into the box.
There were three other people in the box, Wang Jinhua, Liu Yi and Han Sanping.
The two parties exchanged pleasantries and then sat down on their chairs.
The waiter poured tea for everyone. Wang Jinhua, Han Sanping, and Mr. Du chatted with each other. Tang Jili also talked to Liu Yi. Chenglong turned his head and looked at Chu Xuan next to him: "Qianxi went to the United States for further study?"
"Make preparations for further study in advance." Chu Xuan said.
Chenglong nodded and joked: "Every time I see you two together, you are alone this time. I haven't gotten used to it yet."
Chu Xuan reached out and moved the turntable on the round table, grabbing a handful of melon seeds in his hand: "Brother, you are not the first person to say this. After Sissi went to the United States, every friend said this when they saw me."
Chenglong also reached out and grabbed a handful of melon seeds: "This shows that your existence at the same time is so deeply rooted in everyone's eyes."
Chu Xuan smiled slightly, cracked the melon seeds and did not answer.
The waiter poured tea for everyone who had just arrived, then quietly left and closed the door.
Chenglong cracked the melon seeds, crossed his legs, and then said, "What do you think of the story?"
"Very good, Director Tang's mind is blown." Chu Xuan praised without hesitation.
Hearing this, Tang Jili stopped communicating with Liu Yi, and Wang Jinhua, Han Sanping and Mr. Du also stopped talking.
"Then what do you like most about this story?" Tang Jili asked with a smile.
"They all like it." Chu Xuan said. Tang Ji thought he was flattering, so he added: "Director Tang, really, this is a very novel story, including the setting."
"Indeed, it's very novel." Han Sanping agreed, taking a sip of tea from the cup.
This film is a planned cooperation project between Bright Times and Yinghuang. If it can reach the level of overseas release, Yinghuang has the channels and resources for overseas release, so it does not require much help from him and China Film.
Logically speaking, there is no need for him to participate in today's dinner.
However, some time ago, I received news from Chu Xuan and Wang Jinhua that the investment budget was estimated to be insufficient.
If this project is confirmed for cooperation, in order to strengthen the level of film production and ensure subsequent overseas distribution and promotion, both parties have the idea of letting China Film Group be the third investor and producer.
Therefore, he came to this dinner party today.
When they got together to talk about science fiction at Chu Xuan's house during the Chinese New Year, he had the same idea as Cheng Long, thinking that the story constructed in Tang Ji would be similar to existing Hollywood science fiction at best.
But after seeing the email sent to him from Chu Xuan, he also felt surprised.
The science fiction story in Tang Ji is a very novel subject.
"Tell me about it." Wang Jinhua crossed his hands on the table, looked at Chu Xuan on the left, Han Sanping on the right, and then looked at Tang Jili opposite.
There are many things in the company, and with Chu Xuan handling this aspect, she can feel free to deal with other things.
Therefore, she still doesn't know what the story in Tang Ji is about. She only knows that Chu Xuan repeatedly said yes when he mentioned it in the office.
When she came to this dinner party today and heard compliments from both Chu Xuan and Han Sanping, she became curious.
Before the food was served, she also wanted to know more about it.
"Sister, listen carefully. If you can't think straight, you may not understand." Chu Xuan put the melon seeds in his hand on the table, clapped his hands to clean up the melon seed crumbs, and prepared to give a lecture to Wang Jinhua.
Hearing what Chu Xuan said, everyone present couldn't help but feel happy, but Chu Xuan told the truth. This story was just told by words. If you don't understand the logical relationship clearly, you may not understand it.
"Come on, tell me." Wang Jinhua looked at Chu Xuan cheerfully: "Sister, there is no problem with logic."
Chu Xuan smiled slightly, lowering his eyebrows and stroking his thoughts.
The people present either cracked melon seeds and ate peanuts and fruits, or picked up cups of tea, or crossed their legs and crossed their arms. They all fell silent and were ready to listen to Chu Xuan's story.
After a while, Chu Xuan raised his eyebrows and said: "The story takes place in 2030, but the starting point of the story is in the late Ming and early Qing years in 1640."
"Ah?" Wang Jinhua was slightly surprised, then smiled: "So magical? Such a long time span? And it involves ancient times?"
Chu Xuan said: "After all, it is science fiction, so the historical background must be roughly fictionalized."
Wang Jinhua nodded and signaled Chu Xuan to continue.
"In 1640, an alien civilization came to our planet, but it was invisible. After learning from our human civilization, it began to quietly enslave humans and became the puppet and labor force of the alien civilization. Until now in 2030
Time and space.”
Current time and space?...Wang Jinhua raised her eyebrows and nodded slowly.
"During this period, in order to curb the development of humankind, alien civilization caused humankind's technology to break down and regress, staying in the ancient times without guns."
Humans are ancient civilizations? Since aliens have the ability to cause human technology to break down and stop, does that mean that alien civilizations are super technological civilizations?
In other words, ancient civilization VS technological civilization?
If this is the case, then this idea is really a bit big. Wang Jinhua was greatly surprised by the novelty, and gradually became more interested.
"Also during this period, in order to further curb the development of the remaining human beings and improve their own technological development, the alien civilization occupied and monopolized all the world's energy and mineral resources, etc., and during this period, it enslaved the human resistance and
The remaining human beings were massacred and destroyed as soon as they were discovered."
"So, as of now in 2030, except for N technological steel cities built by alien civilizations that imitated ancient times, most of the rest of the world is wasteland."
"Wasteland?" Wang Jinhua blinked.
The word wasteland was new, but she also knew that it was related to the theme of the end of the world.
Moreover, she got the word "resistance army" from Chu Xuan's mouth, which allowed her to roughly guess the main line of the story.
"Science fiction apocalyptic theme?" she said.
"For the remaining humans, this background is equivalent to the end of the world." Chu Xuan said: "But it is not limited to this. The place where humans live is an apocalyptic wasteland, and the cities of alien civilizations are technological, but they are not us.
This kind of modern technology is the technology of alien civilization."
"Such a background setting is a bit like Hollywood cyberpunk."
"But this cyberpunk is not foreign cyberpunk, it is a kind of cyberpunk from China."
"Because the remaining level of human science and technology is ancient, and it is ancient China, so it is mixed with certain elements of Chinese culture."
"For example, the way of fighting, swords, guns, sticks and halberds, etc."
Wang Jinhua was stunned, raised his left hand to support his chin, and asked doubtfully: "A fight with technological civilization with swords, guns, clubs and halberds?"
If someone else has a gun and you use a knife, gun, stick and halberd, can you win the fight?
Or is this movie defined by Tang Jili as a purely enjoyable movie?
Seeing Wang Jinhua's expression, Tang Jili understood the doubts in her heart and said eloquently: "Aliens have wisdom, and we humans also have wisdom. After hundreds of years, we can always steal something from our teachers."
"The swords, guns, clubs and halberds Chu Xuan mentioned are not ordinary swords, guns, clubs and halberds, they are similar to..."
Tang Jili thought about it, trying to figure out how to explain it.
Chenglong cracked a melon seed and took over the conversation: "Superman, Spider-Man, you know? In Old Tang's setting, getting a weapon is like Superman. It is very powerful, which is equivalent to getting super powers."
"Oh~ I kind of understand." Wang Jinhua nodded slowly, but the next moment she had doubts: "Then human civilization can create such powerful weapons to fight against aliens, then why are they still living in the wasteland? Is this the setting?
What is the problem?"
Chu Xuan looked at Wang Jinhua: "In an environment where life is at stake for hundreds of years, any intelligent individual will only think about how to save his life and resist. How can he have the energy to improve his own living standards? Who knows when that day will come?
If you're going to be killed by aliens at any moment, what's the use of doing things that have nothing to do with defense or attack?"
Seeing that Wang Jinhua was still a little puzzled, Chu Xuan continued to explain: "To put it simply, the direction of human science and technology has been led astray by alien civilizations. As a result, human beings' living standards are still stuck in ancient times, but their level of cold weapons is very powerful. Otherwise,
All of them have been wiped out by alien civilization long ago.”
"Only cold weapons?" Wang Jinhua raised her eyebrows.
Chenglong swept the melon seed shells on the table into the trash can with his hands and said: "The starting point of the story is in ancient times. The ancient fighting methods were mainly cold weapons. People at that time learned some smelting and manufacturing techniques from alien civilizations.
, in order to resist alien civilization, he forged his own cold weapons to become more powerful, and then slowly spread them to this day."
"But human beings are deeply invaded by alien civilizations. In this case, everyone saves their lives immediately. Who cares about the development of daily life, so as of today in the story line, human beings' living standards are still at the ancient stage.
.”
Chenglong looked at Wang Jinhua: "This logic is correct."
In order for Wang Jinhua to understand more clearly, Tang Ji added: "You know the Lord of the Rings, the Middle-earth world in it is like the Middle Ages in Europe and America, and the weapons of the people in it are also swords and bows.
But they all have some magic, and the human combat settings in my story are similar to those in The Lord of the Rings."
Wang Jinhua nodded thoughtfully: "I seem to understand somewhat."
After a pause, she took a sip of tea and said: "In other words, this story is an action movie with elements such as science fiction, wasteland, and cyberpunk. The fighting method is more like ancient Chinese cold weapon kung fu."
"That's understandable." Chu Xuan nodded.
"What about aliens? Use laser guns?" Wang Jinhua asked curiously.
Tang Jili smiled and shook his head: "The scene of cold weapons and high-tech weapons fighting is too strange. I denied it at the beginning. Aliens have alien fighting methods, which are also close-quarters. It's just that
The technological equipment is very high-end and it’s difficult to explain clearly in words. You should understand it when you go back to the company and read the content of Xiaoxuan’s email.”
"Okay." Wang Jinhua nodded. Tang Ji had already said so, so she didn't ask any more questions about this topic.
She looked at Chu Xuan and changed the topic: "I understand the background and the main elements. What is the main line? You said that you would not understand it if you can't turn your brain around, but I haven't felt it yet."
Everyone couldn't help laughing when they heard Wang Jinhua's joking remarks.
Chu Xuan couldn't help but laugh as he picked up the tea cup and took a sip of tea, then put down the tea cup and said: "In 2030, the resistance army received news that an alien civilization created a device that can travel through time and space, and they want to travel back to the past time and space to kill Chenglong.
Brother."
"Brother Chenglong is the leader of the resistance. He has been fighting guerrilla warfare against alien civilization. The alien civilization has been unable to find him, so it started like this."
"The process is that Sissi, Brother Chenglong and I traveled back to the past with the people of the alien civilization, stopped this conspiracy, and changed our identities, so that the three of us became the ones who helped the alien civilization create space-time devices.
of conscious puppet labor.”
"As a result, we ended up stealing the space-time device."
"Then, when we return to the present time and space, we take energy weapons and travel to the past again, that is, 1640. We want to use powerful weapons to kill the alien civilization that has just arrived, thereby changing the future."
"The result is that the leader of the alien civilization was only seriously injured."
"Then, we return to the present time and space, because we have changed the past. Hundreds of years later, the alien leader in the present time and space is facing death due to serious injuries at that time, but he can be cured in the future, so we are ready to launch a general attack.
"
"The result was that millions of humans rushed towards the huge city where the alien leader was."
"For this reason, Director Tang named this story "The Enemy at the City"."
"The troops are approaching the city?" Wang Jinhua's lips gradually turned up, and her smile grew thicker: "It's interesting. I have never heard of such a story structure, and I have never seen it before. It's so fresh."
Han Sanping nodded slightly and said to Wang Jinhua: "Coupled with the background of the story, the contrast between human living standards and combat levels, and the combination of our kung fu movements, I think all the elements of Director Tang's story are perfect from beginning to end.
It’s brand new, it’s something that’s not available in the film and television industry now, and there’s no such subject matter in the world.”
Chenglong nodded: "So when I saw this story structure, I was also surprised. This is equivalent to creating a new story framework."
"Is this amazing?" Tang Jili said at the right time, with a smile in his tone: "This is the first wasteland version. I am also thinking about a technological development version and a future world version. Where is this?"
"Still a series of movies?!" Chu Xuan said in surprise that Tang Jili actually had this idea. This was really something he didn't expect.
"Hidden so deeply? I didn't even know." Chenglong pointed at Tang Jili.
After hearing what Tang Jili said, everyone looked at Tang Jili with curiosity, wanting to hear Tang Jili's thoughts.
At this time, there was a knock on the door, a waiter opened the door, and everyone temporarily stopped communicating.
