Chapter 150 Cooperation among the Five Major Companies

Hearing Liu Zhou's words, the others immediately became alert.

What they said just now might be half true and half false, but they really didn't dare to think about letting these two top domestic directors work together.

They all knew very well that kings should not meet each other.

Just like during Hong Kong’s most glorious period, Cheng Long, Jet Li, Chow Yun-fat and Stephen Chow, Hong Kong’s top superstars, never collaborated with each other. This is the reason.

Just now, maybe Zhang Weiping was too concerned and confused, and didn't understand the key point.

But now, Liu Zhou actually took the initiative to speak up and said that the two of them could cooperate.

Han Shanping was the most excited among them. He smiled and said:

"Oh, what's your idea? Tell me quickly."

Liu Zhou saw that the others were looking at him with anticipation and curiosity, and he said slowly:

“After watching Director Zhang’s film ‘Hero’, I deeply understood Director Zhang’s outstanding ability in scheduling large scenes.

But I think relatively few people in China know about the history of the late Warring States period.

If we were to ask which period of history everyone knows best, it would be the Three Kingdoms! "

"Director Liu means to film a historical story of the Three Kingdoms?" Chen Guofu asked.

“Yes, there were so many epic stories during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, and because of the famous novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, most people in China are familiar with the stories of the characters in this period of history.

If we film the story of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it will definitely be a big hit.”

Han Shanping couldn't help but think about it, and said tentatively:
"Liu Zhou, do you want to film The Burning of Red Cliff?"

"Yes, this story is the most exciting in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It is also the biggest scene in the whole book and the one that everyone is most familiar with.

So I think this story is very suitable for filming and is also very suitable for Director Zhang."

Hearing the affirmative answer, Han Shanping couldn't help but smile.

In fact, he also had such an idea, and even had an idea of ​​who would be the director, Wu Baige, who had just returned from Hollywood.

He also wanted to contact poet Chen formally after his work "The Promise" was on the right track.

I didn't expect that Liu Zhou and I would have the same idea.

Now that the project is directed by Zhang Yimou, and with the addition of Liu Zhou, it couldn't be better.

After listening to this, Chen Guofu clapped his hands and said:
"That makes sense! I think what Mr. Liu said is absolutely right, but I wonder if Director Zhang is interested?"

Facing the looks from everyone, Zhang Yimou was a little confused and said:
"Uh, isn't this too hasty?"

In fact, Zhang Yimou really wanted to say, I just want to ask Liu Zhou to write a script!

And because "House of Flying Daggers" was criticized so heavily, he wanted to return to his old ways and make an art film to restore his reputation.

But unexpectedly, a few people seemed to have arranged everything for me in just a few words.

At this time Jiang Zhiqiang also said:

"There is no such thing as rushing. It's not like we're going to start shooting right now, and many good movies were made in a hurry."

Seeing Lao Mouzi frowning in thought, Liu Zhou smiled and said to Zhang Weiping:

"Mr. Zhang, what do you think of this project? We are all very optimistic about it!"

Zhang Weiping frowned even deeper when he saw Han Shanping and the others looking at him intently.

At this time, they obviously all knew their own little thoughts.

Although he is stubborn, he is not stupid.

These people are either his important partners or giants in the film and television industry. If they continue to hide Zhang Yimou, they may incur public anger.

It would be fine if we offended other people, but if we offended these people at the same time, New Picture would have a hard time in the future.

Zhang Weiping gritted his teeth and said:

"I also think this project is good. I think I can give it a try."

After hearing what Zhang Weiping said, Han Shanping and the others relaxed their expressions. Chen Guofu struck while the iron was hot and said:
"In that case, Director Zhang, how about we just make it a deal?"

Columbia and Zhang Yimou have been working together for several years, and the two are familiar with each other, so they speak more directly.

Zhang Yimou couldn't help but glance at Zhang Weiping, and saw that he nodded slightly, and seemed to have made up his mind, and said:
"Since the CEOs think so highly of me, there is no reason for me, Zhang Yimou, to refuse. I will accept this project."

"Okay! Now is not a good time to discuss things. How about we find a time in a few days so that we can discuss it carefully?"

"What Liu Zhou said is right. How about the day after tomorrow? Let's finalize this project as soon as possible. This is a big project and it will take a long time to prepare."

Everyone had no objection to Han Shanping's proposal and agreed to discuss the matter in Han Shanping's office the day after tomorrow.

No one expected that there would be an unexpected surprise at this celebration party, so except for Zhang Weiping, everyone looked very relaxed and couldn't help chatting.

"Mr. Liu, when will your movie shot in Hollywood be released?"

"It's not clear yet. Lionsgate is in charge of the distribution, and the post-production has not been completed yet."

"If there is an opportunity, you can cooperate with us in Colombia."

"Are you talking about the Asian branch or the Hollywood headquarters?"

"Anything works!"

"Does Mr. Chen have a say over Columbia's Hollywood headquarters?"

"If your movie does well in the United States, then my words will carry more weight."

Liu Zhou understood that, in the final analysis, it was all about performance and strength.

But Liu Zhou did not reject Chen Guofu's goodwill. With many options in Hollywood, he could go further.

"No problem. I will definitely work with Mr. Chen if I have the chance in the future."

The few of them chatted for a while, and the celebration party came to an end.

The main creators of the film needed to take a group photo, so they also walked out of the private room.

When the people outside saw a few people coming out talking and laughing, the entire banquet hall couldn't help but become a little quiet.

Zeng Li, who was chatting with Andy Lau at this time, immediately walked to Liu Zhou.

Liu Zhou did not avoid suspicion and introduced Zeng Li to Chen Guofu and Jiang Zhiqiang with a smile, and joked that they could consider Zeng Li more if there were suitable roles in the future.

Zhang Ziyi, who was standing in the center of the stage, almost bit her teeth when she saw this scene.

The smug mood just now disappeared without a trace.

I worked so hard and took so much trouble to get in touch with those people, but now Zeng Li did it easily.

Damn, there's no point in working so hard, it's better to find a good man who is rich and powerful!
It was not until Jin Chengwu asked her to take a photo that Zhang Ziyi came back to her senses, smiled again, and walked towards the film's main creators.

After taking the group photo, the celebration banquet officially ended.

At this time Liu Zhou also found Liu Dehua and said:
"Brother Hua, congratulations, another movie is a big hit!"

This year can indeed be said to be Andy Lau's most glorious year.

At the beginning of the year, the blockbuster movie "The Blade of the Dragon" was released and grossed 200 million yuan.

Now there is another movie called "House of Flying Daggers". Although it has a bad reputation, its box office of 1.5 million is real, ranking third on the box office list of Chinese domestic films.

At the end of the year, there was another movie called "A World Without Thieves", which also had a box office of over 100 million yuan.

In addition, in Hong Kong, his starring films "Magic Kitchen" and "Dragon and Phoenix" also ranked in the top ten of Hong Kong's annual box office list. This momentum may only be comparable to Ge Youke in 2011.

At that time, he also had three blockbuster films released, "The Orphan of Zhao", "If You Are the One 2" and "Let the Bullets Fly", and the box office of the latter two was even more impressive.

Because of Liu Zhou, Liu Dehua's popularity may not be much higher, after all, he was already very popular before.

But in the eyes of those people in the production companies, Andy Lau is now a hot commodity and much more popular than before.

"Thank you. How's Hollywood?"

"It's just so-so. It's quite xenophobic over there. It's hard for us Chinese to survive there."

"I've experienced this before. I tried to break into Hollywood a few years ago, but failed. I'm thinking I can try again through you."

"Take your time. I don't even know if I can gain a foothold there."

"I believe you can do it. You are so talented that you can shine in Hollywood."

"Then I thank you for your kind words."

Just now, Liu Zhou saw that there were a lot of people standing next to Liu Dehua, so he didn't disturb him. Now he came here specifically to congratulate him. After all, the two of them have a very good personal relationship.

After talking to Andy Lau, Liu Zhou and Zeng Li left.

Originally, after attending the celebration banquet, Liu Zhou was planning to go to Hong Kong to see how Zhong Lifang was doing.

But now that they have to discuss the big project of "Red Cliff", Liu Zhou can only postpone it for a while.

Zeng Li left for South Korea the next day as the film "Daisy" was about to start shooting.

On the third day after the celebration banquet, Liu Zhou, Jiang Zhiqiang, Chen Guofu, Zhang Weiping and Zhang Yimou arrived at China Film Corporation one after another.

Some employees of China Film Group knew several of them. When they saw them gathered at China Film Group for the first time today, they immediately thought that there must be a big project to discuss.

Otherwise, how could it be possible for these industry leaders to come forward in person?

Some people immediately told the news to some familiar people in the circle.

This is why they say there are no secrets in the entertainment industry.

The few people may have just sat down in Han Shanping's office, but undercurrents have already begun to surge in the circle.

Han Shanping's office is very large. After everyone arrived, they didn't chat any more but got straight to the point.

The first thing everyone agrees on is that this movie should be made into a blockbuster.

At this time, Zhang Weiping's mentality also changed. Since he couldn't stop it, he would take the initiative to join.

He just didn't believe that Zhang Yimou was lured away because of a movie.

So Zhang Weiping was very active at this time:
"I think the Battle of Red Cliff is a big plot of the Three Kingdoms, and it is difficult to fully explain it in one movie. I think it would be better to divide it into two parts."

"I think it's possible. If it's divided into two parts, it can sell more at the box office and the pressure to make a profit will be less."

"Mr. Jiang, I think we can earn more profit, haha." Liu Zhou said with a smile.

"Mr. Liu, are you so sure that this project can make money?"
"Of course, if they still lose money despite our support, it only means that we are not suitable for cooperation."

"So Mr. Liu thinks it's inappropriate to make it into two parts?"

"No, I think this is appropriate."

If you want to tell the story of the Burning of Red Cliff well, one movie is a little short, but two movies are a little too long.

However, his current identity is no longer a director, but an investor, and he certainly hopes to make it into two parts.

"I thought Mr. Liu disagreed."

Once the general direction is determined, the next most important thing is the script.

This is also what Zhang Yimou is least good at.

Originally, several people wanted Liu Zhou to write the script, and Zhang Yimou nodded in agreement. He felt that Liu Zhou's script "Xiu Chun Dao" was very well written.

But Liu Zhou knew his own limitations and refused.

Don’t think that it’s easy to write a script just because you have a story prototype. In fact, it’s more difficult to write.

This is going to be made into a movie, so it's impossible to copy it exactly. While keeping the main plot unchanged, we must add some tense and attractive content.

Everyone is very familiar with this, and everyone can see any flaws.

Drawing a ghost is the easiest, but drawing a chicken that we see every day is the most difficult.

Although Liu Zhou refused, he recommended several people:
The two main screenwriters of the 94 version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms are Du Jiafu and Zhu Xiaoguang.

Liu Heping is a well-known historical screenwriter, including the screenwriters of "The Ming Dynasty 1566" and "The Yongzheng Dynasty".

Lu Wei, the screenwriter of "Farewell My Concubine" and "To Live".

It is worth mentioning that Lu Wei was also one of the screenwriters of "Red Cliff" in the original time and space. However, according to him, his script had long been abandoned by Wu Baige, and a large part of the final product was not written by him.

As for the reason why he was abandoned, Lu Wei himself wanted to explore the pressure and inner thoughts of Zhou Yu and other soldiers of the Eastern Wu under the war and the situation at that time. The theme was to not fear violence and to fight for beliefs and independence.

Wu Baige, on the other hand, advocates peace wholeheartedly and pays special attention to Xiao Qiao's role.

Not only did Meng Meng stand up, but in the end, Xiao Qiao was also allowed to lurk beside Cao Cao as an undercover agent. From the battle between the two major power groups in the world, it became a gangster boss snatching a girl...

Several people had no objection to Liu Zhou's recommendation. They were all well-known screenwriters in the industry. Perhaps Du Jiafu and Zhu Xiaoguang were a little too old.

But Liu Zhou didn't intend to let them participate deeply, he just wanted them to keep track.

The main creative work still needs to be done by Liu Heping and Lu Wei.

The former is responsible for shaping the power struggles and the sense of historical weight, while the latter explores the inner world and glory of the characters within the framework of the historical plot.

After the script is finalized, the most important thing left is investment.

No one cares about the investment amount, but rather the investment share.

Anyone who is not a fool can see that this movie has a promising future.

This is not the time to be reserved, as one point less could mean millions less in profit.

No one is short of money, and everyone wants to get a bigger share.

Because Zhang Weiping held Zhang Yimou in his hands, he spoke particularly loudly and managed to get a 22% investment share just by talking.

As a giant in the mainland film and television industry, China Film Corporation was able to make such a blockbuster much more smoothly with its support, so China Film Corporation also took 22% of the box office.

Because Liu Zhou was the initiator of the project and was also arranged to be the general producer of the film, he got a 20% share.

As for Jiang Zhiqiang, he was required to be responsible for overseas distribution, and Emperor Entertainment Group also took a 20% share.

The only person who might be hurt is Chen Guofu, as his previous financial advantage is useless here.

The funds were the least valuable at this time, so Colombia only received 16 percent of the investment share.

If it weren't for the Columbia brand, Liu Zhou would have kicked him out directly.

Because the approximate budget has not yet been made, the investment amount is still uncertain.

But the specific investment amount is not important, everyone will follow.

Jiang Zhiqiang also wanted to finalize the cast, but Liu Zhou felt that there was no need to rush and it would not be too late to finalize the actors after the script was out.

It took a total of three days of discussion before the general framework was finalized.

(End of this chapter)