289, mountains and rivers, sun and moon last forever, brotherhood remains unchanged
A movie with an investment of US$800,000 and a box office revenue of US$25 million alone is enough to cause a huge sensation in Hollywood.
Even if the star of this movie is a man with an oriental face!
All the film production companies are lamenting that Warner has found a treasure this time!
They are all professionals, so they naturally understand the meaning contained in this.
Everyone knows that movies similar to Li Xiaolong's type are destined to be movies with low investment and high returns.
As long as the audience does not get tired of this type of movie, then this type of movie will always have a fixed audience market.
But other film companies also understand that in the face of such a filmmaker who has great potential to become a treasure trove, Warner Pictures will definitely hold it firmly in its hands and prevent other film companies from getting involved.
So in Hollywood at this time, many major film companies made no other moves after envying Warner.
However, among them, there are also some film companies that want to try.
Some will take the initiative to contact Li Xiaolong, some will contact Xiangjiang Jiahe, where Li Xiaolong is located, and there are even some film companies who want to explore their local North American film actors of this type.
But the film company that contacted Li Xiaolong or Golden Harvest already knew that Li Xiaolong had signed a contract with Warner Bros.
However, there are always more solutions than problems, and some companies still want to see if there are other opportunities.
Among them is Twentieth Century Fox Pictures, one of the eight major film companies in Hollywood!
Twentieth Century Fox Pictures was established in 1915 by founder William Fox, but at that time it was not called Twentieth Century Fox Pictures, but Fox Film Company!
But the founder did not really make Fox Film Company bigger, and was even kicked out of the company in the end!
In 1930, facing a federal antitrust investigation (due to the 1929 MGM acquisition), William Fox lost control of the studio.
In 1936, Fox himself went bankrupt.
In 1941, Fox was sentenced to one year in prison for bribing a judge during the bankruptcy liquidation process.
After being paroled in 1943, he had become a Hollywood outcast.
He died in 1952, and no one in the film industry came to attend his funeral.
Therefore, this person is called a tragic figure by later generations.
Although Fox himself has been squeezed out of the company, his name has remained.
In 1932, former United Artists president Joseph Schenke and Warner Bros. producer Daryl Zanuck co-founded Twentieth Century Pictures.
In 1935, Twentieth Century Film Company acquired Fox Film Company, which was on the verge of bankruptcy, and established Twentieth Century Fox Film Company.
Later, 20th Century Fox Film Company discovered movie stars such as North American sweetheart Shirley Temple and the "Brazilian Bomb" Carmen Miranda.
Between 1939 and 1945, 20th Century Fox Film Company became the most profitable film company in Hollywood. The representative works of this period include "Gentleman's Agreement", "Boomerang", "The Legend of the Dragon", etc. Among them, "
"Gentleman's Agreement" won the Best Picture Award at the 20th Academy Awards.
In 1950, Fox's "Pretty Woman" was a big hit at the Oscars. It received a total of 14 nominations, setting a record for the most Oscar nominations for a single film. It was not caught up until "Titanic", also produced by Fox, 47 years later.
tied this record.
Then 20th Century Fox Film Company found a real star who laid golden eggs, Marilyn Monroe!
In just 53 years, this actress filmed three blockbuster movies for 20th Century Fox Film Company: "The Big Tide," "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and "The Golden Turtle."
The historical law that prosperity must inevitably decline also applies to 20th Century Fox!
First, in 1956, Zanuck, who only loved beauty but not the country, quit 20th Century Fox. Then producer Buddy Adler took over as the head of Fox. However, he died less than a year after taking office.
, and then Skouras took office. This tough guy who had often clashed with Zanuck in the past purged Fox's management, and then the company began to become difficult to operate.
In 1958, Fox bet on a historical-themed movie with a budget of US$2 million, which would later become the famous "Cleopatra."
Can you imagine that in 1958, a movie with a budget of US$2 million cost US$44 million when it was finally produced?
"Cleopatra" is such a movie!
Because the movie was too expensive and Kuras was stubborn, the board of directors of Twentieth Century Fox had no choice but to bring Zanuck back to take charge of Twentieth Century Fox.
After Zanuck took over again, he immediately closed the studio, laid off almost everyone, and urged "Cleopatra" to complete post-production work as soon as possible.
However, the box office of this movie in North America was only 48 million U.S. dollars, which almost caused 20th Century Fox to go bankrupt!
What got Fox back on track was the release of "The Sound of Music" in 1965. The film broke the box office record at the time, reaching an astonishing $159 million!
Subsequently, Fox filmed "Planet of the Apes", a movie with an investment of US$5.8 million, which ultimately earned US$32.6 million in box office revenue in North America!
Immediately afterwards, 20th Century Fox made another mistake. It invested US$25 million to film the musical "I Love Matchmaker" and ended up losing more than US$10 million!
Since then, Twentieth Century Fox has once again embarked on the path of losing money. Coupled with the competition between the father and son Zanuck and Richard, Twentieth Century Fox is now heavily in debt. In 1970, Zanuck
He even wanted to fire his son, but was kicked out by 20th Century Fox again.
The current president of 20th Century Fox is Alan Hirschfeld.
Faced with the company's current predicament, Allen urgently needs fresh blood to revive Twentieth Century Fox, or at least to save Twentieth Century Fox from its current predicament.
When people are in trouble, they always think of various ways to help themselves get out of the predicament at hand.
Hirschfeld is no exception.
What makes him different from other film company CEOs is that after discovering Li Xiaolong's "Enter the Dragon", it did not give up on Li Xiaolong because of the existence of Warner Bros.
Instead, they sent people from the company to investigate Li Xiaolong, investigate Li Xiaolong's situation in Hong Kong, and especially investigate the black and white image that appeared in the least well-known of the four major producers of the movie "Enter the Dragon."
At this time in Allen's office.
Rozier of Twentieth Century Fox, who was responsible for investigating the black-and-white images, had not yet returned, and Allen was talking to Alan Ladd Jr., now the head of production at Twentieth Century Fox.
And looking at Allen's expression, it's obviously not very good.
"What's going on with George? Are you just asking him to do those miscellaneous things after taking the company's money?"
Ladd said seriously: "Mr. Hirschfeld, please believe me, George's "Star Wars" will definitely be an epoch-making movie. I am very optimistic about this movie!"
Allen snorted coldly: "I believe you, but Hollywood doesn't believe in science fiction movies, and those vampires on Wall Street don't believe in science fiction movies either!"
Hollywood science fiction movies, which became popular around 2,000 years ago, were not recognized by the audience at this time. Although there was the success of "Planet of the Apes", according to the current technical level, the pictures of science fiction movies are indeed not enough to watch, plus other movies
The company has also produced some sci-fi films that followed the trend, but all of them failed!
In addition, during this period, with the success of "The Godfather" in Hollywood, Hollywood film companies paid more attention to movies similar to "The Godfather", as well as campus movies.
Anyway, science fiction movies are not popular in this era.
Just last year, Alan Ladd Jr., who had just taken over as the production director of 20th Century Fox, took over a science fiction film project from Universal Pictures.
The name of this science fiction movie is "Star Wars"!
The director's name is George Lucas!
Just like when the movie "Cleopatra" started, George Lucas proposed to 20th Century Fox that the movie needed a production budget of $3 million!
But not long after the two parties signed the contract, George Lucas increased the production cost to US$8 million!
This is not over yet. After 20th Century Fox paid part of the production costs in advance, George Lucas did not start filming "Star Wars". Instead, he founded a company called Industrial Light and Magic on the grounds that the current technology was not up to par.
special effects company.
Until now, 20th Century Fox has not even seen a hair of the "Star Wars" movie.
It can be seen with the naked eye that the final production cost of this movie will definitely increase.
If Alan Ladd Jr. was not very optimistic about this project, Fox would have stopped the project long ago!
After all, Fox's financial situation is not good now. It is on the verge of bankruptcy and cannot repay bank loans. Many banks, including Chase Bank, are pressing hard on it.
Alan Ladd Jr. hurriedly said: "Mr. Hirschfeld, we should believe in George's ability. After all, he has successfully directed "North American Style Painting" before, and this movie was the North American box office champion last year!"
Before George Lucas filmed "Star Wars", he also directed a movie "North American Graffiti" produced by Universal Pictures to make a living.
However, before the movie was released, Universal executives were not optimistic about the movie, so they rejected George Lucas's application for "Star Wars" before the movie was released.
This project fell into the hands of Alan Ladd Jr. At that time, Alan Ladd was very optimistic about this project. In addition, after the movie "North American Style Painting" was released, it directly dominated the North American box office list last year.
First.
This allowed Fox to finally approve George Lucas's "Star Wars" project.
If George Lucas could honestly start filming after receiving the funds, the current situation would not be the same.
It's a pity that George Lucas is not a normal person after all, but a genius. Generally speaking, genius' ideas are always difficult for ordinary people to understand.
So now the "Star Wars" project has become a worry for Fox.
"You'd better make this movie truly what you call an epoch-making work, otherwise, both of you and I will have to pack up and go home!"
Allen preached angrily.
Now this project is not only a worry for Fox, but also a psoriasis that cannot be shaken off. Other film companies have seen that this is a money-burning project that does not seem to be successful, even if Fox wants to package it and sell it.
, may not be successful.
Just when little Alan Ladd was helpless, there was a knock on Alan Hirschfield's office, and a white man in his thirties walked in.
Upon seeing this, little Alan Ladd stood up and left, preparing to have a good chat with George Lucas. He believed in George Lucas, but he should also let others believe in him. That movie of his was really
Can't delay any longer!
"Rozier, how is the investigation going?"
Rozier said: "It has been found out that Black and White is a very powerful film company in Hong Kong, second only to Shaw Brothers, and the boss behind this company is a super rich man with a net worth of more than 100 million US dollars.
.....”
After hearing this, Alan Hirschfield was stunned. He didn't care even if Black and White was the second largest film company in Hong Kong. Although Fox was facing many difficulties now, a skinny camel was bigger than a horse.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! But as a billionaire, he cannot care less.
Rozier continued: "According to our investigation, the reason why the other party was able to participate in Li Xiaolong's movie is because he and Li Xiaolong are very good friends.
In addition, we have also investigated that Warner Bros. is very dissatisfied with Chu Huan’s black and white video being involved in the investment of Li Xiaolong’s next movie.
The movie "Enter the Dragon" is jointly invested by Hollywood Warner Bros. Pictures, Hong Kong's Golden Harvest Films, Concord Pictures, and Black and White Pictures.
As for Li Xiaolong's next Hollywood movie, the name of the black and white film will disappear among the investors.
We believe that this is definitely not a voluntary withdrawal of black and white images, because everyone knows that Li Xiaolong's next movie is definitely likely to continue to be a hit.
Obviously, Black and White Image itself will not take the initiative to give up the profits this time, so there is only one possibility. Black and White Image is jointly kicked out by Warner Bros. Pictures, Golden Harvest Films, and Concord Films.
So where will the relationship between friends Chu Huan and Li Xiaolong go with the breakdown of this cooperation?"
Based on just one rumor, "Oriental Daily" wrote a report of several hundred words.
Immediately, major newspapers in Xiangjiang also reported this incident as the most exciting news in Xiangjiang in recent times.
Some newspapers said: Chu Huan was greedy and wanted to take a larger investment share in Li Xiaolong's next movie, but was eliminated by Warner Bros. Pictures, Golden Harvest Pictures, and Concord Pictures.
Some newspapers said: Li Xiaolong is ungrateful. In the past, it was with the support of Chu Huan's Shanhai Cinema that his movies were able to break box office records in Hong Kong. Now that Li Xiaolong has opened up in Hollywood, Chu Huan will be replaced.
Kick it away!
The two kinds of discussions became very popular and even caused some fights between fans of Chu Huan and Li Xiaolong.
Yes, Chu Huan also has his own fans.
Although he is not from the entertainment industry, Chu Huan's legendary life experience still makes many young people in Hong Kong regard Chu Huan as their life idol.
Everyone hopes that one day they can become like Chu Huan, marry Bai Fumei, and reach the pinnacle of life!
A football field in Lantian.
Two gangs are confronting each other.
"Damn it, Chu Huan is such an insatiable person, but you guys still worship him. It's a shame. If you don't say Chu Huan is a bad guy today, I'll beat your butts until you pee!"
"Fart, it's obviously Li Xiaolong who is ungrateful. Besides, even if Li Xiaolong's movie is a big hit in Hollywood, so what? Can it be compared with Mr. Huan's net worth? Is Mr. Huan willing to let people stab his spine for that little money?
"
The two gangs quarreled with each other like this, and soon the quarrel turned into a group fight!
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! This situation often happens in various districts in Hong Kong.
The scene of Tan and Zhang's struggle for hegemony in later generations was staged in advance, but the two male protagonists changed from Tan Yonglin and Zhang Guoyuan to Chu Huan and Li Xiaolong!
Scenes like this were naturally published in various newspapers.
Soon this matter changed from a group discussion between two people to a big discussion in Hong Kong.
Jiahu Building!
Chu Huan looked at the newspaper in his hand and felt that this matter was a bit magical. Isn't this a typical example of the emperor not being anxious and the eunuch being anxious?
As for whether to invest in Li Xiaolong's next movie, Chu Huan has not yet reached a conclusion, but Black and White Pictures has been negotiating with Warner Bros.
It turned out to be good now. The matter had not yet been decided, and those people outside actually started fighting first.
"Boss, there are a lot of reporters outside now, and they all want to ask you for an exclusive interview about this matter!"
Xu Yi stood opposite Chu Huan and preached with a look of helplessness.
There are a lot of things going on in the company right now, especially things at the toy factory, which makes people feel so busy that they hit the back of their heads, but as a result, such a piece of news came out.
"Don't pay attention to them, let them wait!"
Chu Huan naturally had no time to deal with those reporters.
Xu Yi could only express his understanding.
At this time, the phone in Chu Huan's office rang, and Chu Huan signaled that Xu Yi could go out.
After Xu Yi went out, Chu Huan answered the phone and it was Li Xiaolong calling.
Obviously, there are so many reporters on Chu Huan's side, and they must be indispensable on Li Xiaolong's side.
"Ah Huan, should we jointly hold a press conference on this matter?"
In fact, Chu Huan was not greatly affected by this matter. After all, Chu Huan was not from the entertainment industry and did not need any works to make these people pay for it.
But Li Xiaolong is different. If he wears the title of ungrateful on his head, it will be very detrimental to his development in Hong Kong.
Chu Huan smiled and said: "Brother Long, do you think the two of us can clarify this matter by holding a joint press conference?"
Li Xiaolong said helplessly: "It can always achieve a certain effect!"
To be honest, Chu Huan doesn't have much hope for this type of clarification conference.
Again, people are always willing to believe what they want to believe.
Even if Chu Huan and Li Xiaolong hold a press conference, many people will interpret it as a show.
Chu Huan said: "Okay, do you have anything to do tonight?"
Li Xiaolong said: "No, what's wrong?"
Chu Huan smiled and said, "Let's have a meal together!"
Li Xiaolong's tone immediately increased, "No problem!"
Since Chu Huan despises statements, he naturally has a better way. The most direct way to break the news of the two's disagreement is for the two to have a private gathering of friends known.
After all, a public clarification will feel like a show, but a private gathering will not!
Chu Huan naturally wanted to keep such news to his own people.
So Chu Huan called Gu Chengxi's office number.
There are also reporters from "Zhenbao" downstairs in Jiahu Building, but Gu Chengxi definitely doesn't need to cover this kind of thing in person.
Gu Chengxi soon understood what Chu Huan meant and said with a smile: "No problem, I will arrange this matter immediately!"
Chu Huan nodded, agreed to go to the apartment to find Gu Chengxi after eating with Li Xiaolong, and hung up the phone!
That night, Chu Huan and Li Xiaolong appeared at Yong Ji together.
In a private room!
Li Xiaolong said with some shame: "Ah Huan, I'm so sorry, I can't help you with this matter!"
To this day, Li Xiaolong still feels ashamed that he cannot help Chu Huan in this matter!
Chu Huan smiled nonchalantly and said, "What's the point of apologizing? You're not to blame for the incident. It's Jiahe and Warner Brothers who are causing trouble!"
Li Xiaolong thought of what Zou Wenhuai had said to him before, and said helplessly: "Actually, Mr. Zou's side... ugh!"
In the end, Li Xiaolong didn't know what to say about Zou Wenhuai.
Chu Huan smiled and said, "Don't worry about investing in your new movie. Leave this matter to Black and White Pictures to talk to Warner Brothers!"
Li Xiaolong stars in the movie, and he will also be the director and screenwriter of the movie. But the thing is like this, even if he wears multiple hats, he still has no say in this matter!
"Ah Huan, I have decided that after the contract with Warner ends, you and I will set up our own film company in Hollywood, right?"
Li Xiaolong suddenly said firmly: "It's just the two of us!"
Well, this sounds a bit ambiguous, but Chu Huan understood what Li Xiaolong meant and said with a smile: "Okay!"
After dinner, the photo of the two of them hugging each other, talking and laughing appeared in "True News" the next day!
"Mountains and rivers, the sun and the moon last forever, and brotherhood remains unchanged!" - "True Report"!
On this day, "True News" was sold like crazy again.
Chu Huan naturally also saw this report, "It seems that this matter should be suppressed!"
Xu Yi stood aside and nodded, saying: "Just look at tomorrow's newspaper and you will know if there will be fans of you, boss, and fans of Li Xiaolong."
After hearing this, Chu Huan burst out laughing and said, "You are one of those people who just watch the fun and don't take it too seriously!"
Xu Yi chuckled.
"Okay, let Fatty Fang take care of the rest. We still have to focus on the next thing about Toy City." Chu Huan said to Xu Yi.
Xu Yidao: "People from the secretarial team and the operations team are following up on this matter!"
"Um!"
The phone in Chu Huan's office rang again. After Xu Yi answered the call, he handed the phone to Chu Huan: "It's a foreign lady. She said she is the boss of Hollywood's Apex Pictures. She has something to discuss with you, boss!"