Chapter 214: The Sun Sets Too Quickly
Li Chen didn't have time to deal with the matters of ghost blows out the light.
Since he had already decided to support Cao Guowei,
he wouldn't do nothing for so long.
As early as when Cao Guowei's poison pill plan repelled Shanda,
Li Chen began acquiring Sina's shares in the secondary market.
As Shanda sold off, Li Chen, through Rongchen Film and Television and his personal capacity, slowly bought in.
None of this could be hidden from Cao Guowei, the head of Sina.
But Cao Guowei also didn't expose it.
Firstly, the shares Li Chen held, distributed between Rongchen Film and Television and his personal identity, had not reached the level requiring a public disclosure.
Secondly, Li Chen had hinted to him early on that his investment in Sina was a way of paving the way for Cao Guowei.
If one day Cao Guowei made up his mind, he only needed to say the word.
He would definitely fully support Cao Guowei in truly taking over Sina.
The popularity of the thieves led various cinema chains to actively request an extension of the first-run screening period.
After three weeks of release, the domestic box office strongly surpassed the 300 million mark, reaching 335 million yuan.
It was only over 20 million short of that old broken ship.
Meanwhile, in North America, as the number of screening cinemas increased to 2,590, the box office also exceeded 300 million US dollars.
The global box office was 490 million US dollars, just a step away from 500 million.
This result was unexpected by both the distributor, Warner Brothers,
and the various domestic investors.
Han Sanping and Ren Zhonglun were greatly encouraged.
They contacted Li Chen and Richard from Warner, insisting that a celebration banquet must be held on a grand scale.
Both Hollywood and China must have one!
Let the actors make a trip to both sides.
The big bosses of their investment parties would not go to Hollywood.
Richard voluntarily expressed his willingness to run back and forth.
"It's already over 300 million?" Wang Zhonglei was still somewhat incredulous.
It was difficult for Hollywood blockbusters starring Chinese movie stars with exceptional box office appeal like Jackie Chan and Jet Li to break 100 million in China.
A Sino-American co-production forcefully broke 300 million.
And it even made most cinema chains strongly request an extension of the first-run screening period.
This phenomenon seemed to have only been seen before with Hero.
Feng Xiaogang drooped his head, shrugging his eyebrows: "It's not surprising, the investment cost is there, with handsome men and beautiful women."
"The two women are Hollywood's golden-haired beauties, and there's also that Italian Earth Flower."
"Naturally, they are more attractive to young people than Jackie Chan and Jet Li, those two old men."
"The story is also pretty good."
Feng Xiaogang said words that were not from his heart, his mouth full of bitterness.
He was still ambitiously striving to enter the 200 million club.
Over there, Li Chen had already firmly sat on the throne of a 300 million director.
Wang Zhonglei also heard Feng Xiaogang's dejection.
"Xiaogang, I have confidence in assembly!"
"We gave up on the Oscar precisely for the box office."
"Now, with assembly as the opening film of Busan, it will definitely receive attention from many parties!"
"Moreover, in terms of release schedule, besides the warlords, no one can compete with us."
Wang Zhonglei looked full of confidence; he had to be, otherwise, if Feng Xiaogang lost confidence,
how would Huayi Brothers compete with Li Chen in the future?
Hearing Wang Zhonglei say this, Feng Xiaogang nodded.
He put on a brave face: "I really hope Li Chen can come to the New Year Film Season this year to stir things up."
"assembly has the strength to win the championship of the New Year Film Season!"
Wang Zhonglei laughed heartily, stood up, walked to Feng Xiaogang's side, and patted his shoulder.
"That's right! This is the Feng Xiaogang I know!"
Feng Xiaogang awkwardly tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Yang Mi's Wang Zhaojun and Director Jiang's the sun also rises premiered on the same day.
Yang Mi was also uneasy; she was now afraid of being criticized.
"Senior, are you watching Wang Zhaojun?"
Li Chen picked up his cell phone and glanced at it; a QQ avatar was flashing, a message from Yang Mi.
Li Chen found it quite amusing: "I'm watching, you're acting well!"
Yang Mi immediately replied: "What are you talking about, Senior! I haven't even appeared yet!"
Li Chen shrugged and didn't reply to Yang Mi's string of questions anymore.
Director Jiang, on the other side, was greatly hit.
Judging from the pre-sale box office data, the box office for the sun also rises was a bit dismal.
the thieves had been out for three weeks, but the attendance rate of the sun also rises still couldn't compare.
Director Jiang knew very well that cinema chains wouldn't give special treatment just because of his name.
If the box office wasn't strong, the screening schedule would still be cut.
Zhou Yun held Director Jiang's hand, feeling her husband's hand was cold.
"I'm fine, I didn't expect Li Chen's jinx to actually come true!" Director Jiang said with a forced smile, trying to appear relaxed.
"I'm afraid Boss Yang will be disappointed; your and my brother's money won't be repaid anytime soon!"
Zhou Yun chided: "What are you saying! When did I ever say I wanted you to repay it?"
"We are husband and wife; what's mine is yours."
"Even your brother's money is our shared debt as husband and wife!"
Director Jiang felt deeply touched, and he held Zhou Yun's hand back: "Don't worry, it's just a movie; who can guarantee to only make money and not lose it?"
"No, I forgot about that beast Li Chen; he's not human, we don't compare ourselves to him!"
Zhou Yun smiled and gently hit Director Jiang: "What are you saying? Director Li even left you a message, saying you can find him if you need investment for your next film."
Director Jiang suddenly realized: "I only understand his words now; that's what he meant!"
"After all this, he never thought highly of the sun also rises from beginning to end!"
Zhou Yun smiled: "What did you think?"
As they were talking, General Manager Yu's call came in.
"Director Jiang, the attendance rate is too low, it's too far from our expectations."
"My suggestion is to increase a few roadshows and programs in the next few days."
"You should also participate to boost the buzz and increase topics of discussion." General Manager Yu got straight to the point.
General Manager Yu was also anxious; all the film and digital copies he had prepared were completely useless.
Director Jiang glanced at Zhou Yun and smiled bitterly.
Zhou Yun took over the conversation: "You arrange it, General Manager Yu; Lao Jiang and I will definitely cooperate fully."
Director Jiang was indeed very cooperative with the promotion.
Although he had repeatedly claimed that he didn't care about the box office,
his frequent appearances on magazine covers and interviews with reporters in the past two days gave him away.
General Manager Yu even revealed to the media the twists and turns of the sun also rises.
How could Director Jiang, forced to become an investor, not care about the box office?
Regarding the netizens' comments about not understanding it,
Director Jiang stubbornly maintained that it was definitely not his own problem.
He replied to netizens in front of the media: "If you don't understand it, watch it twice, and you'll understand."
Netizens were not to be trifled with.
"Who's so full they'd go to the cinema to watch the sun also rises twice? It's not the thieves!"
"Waiting for Director Jiang to finish his passionate rant!"
"Given Director Jiang's stubbornness, I choose to go see it on Tuesday for half price."
"the sun also rises, and after eating, you still have to poop!"
Director Jiang's cooperation still did not bring any improvement to the box office.
The first weekend's three days didn't even reach 6 million.
Many cinema chains had already started adjusting their screening schedules.
If there was still no improvement on the first day of the National Day holiday the next day,
it was estimated that the sun also rises would never rise again.
"Brother, has your mouth been blessed?"
On the phone, Director Jiang's voice still showed no sign of disappointment, still laughing heartily.
Li Chen didn't spare his feelings either.
"If I really had been blessed, I wouldn't have overestimated it at 50 million!"
Director Jiang paused for two seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter: "You're right, damn it."
"At this rate, even 20 million will be difficult!"
Li Chen thought to himself, you finally have some idea.
In his previous life, the box office for the sun also rises also didn't exceed 20 million.
Moreover, now the thieves was also standing in the way.