Chapter 192 We Need Our Own International Superstar
Chapter 192 We Need Our Own International Superstar
Wang Hao’s new project “Source Code” was announced to the public in December, but a month later, the Columbia headquarters called him.
With such a slow response speed, it is no wonder that this old Hollywood production company has gradually declined.
However, despite his complaints, Wang Hao still gave Howard Bruno a detailed introduction to "Source Code".
After listening to Wang Hao's general narration, Bruno was very satisfied with the whole story and had great trust in Wang Hao as a director.
However, he expressed his concerns about the project's choice of casting all Asians.
Whether in the past, present or future, there are very few films in North American Hollywood with an all-Asian cast that can achieve good results.
Even Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon won by relying on unique Asian elements and the fame brought by awards.
It's an urban science fiction film with a Chinese male lead and a Korean female lead. The risk of this kind of movie being released in the North American market is even greater than that of a movie like "Wushuang" with two male leads, one Chinese and one Western.
Even if Wang Hao is the director of this movie, it is no exception.
Columbia had no confidence in this, and Howard Bruno also tried to persuade Wang Hao to change the project to the same model as his previous film "Wushuang", using a more stable configuration of a white male protagonist and an Asian female protagonist, while setting the story overseas.
However, Wang Hao rejected this suggestion.
The reason why he shoots science fiction movies in this era when the entertainment industry has not yet developed is not to develop China's own film industrialization technology and cultivate a group of film talents who can compete with Hollywood?
If we move closer to Hollywood and use white actors, what is the point of this plan? It is just to help Hollywood.
It should be noted that the confrontation in film and television culture has never been just a confrontation in behind-the-scenes teams, special effects technology, script design, distribution and marketing, but also includes the confrontation between stars on the front stage.
The reason why Hollywood culture is so prosperous is not only because of its own strength, but also because of its ability to promote actors to the world.
Only Hollywood can cultivate international superstars!
This concept can be said to be engraved in the minds of countless people around the world.
Because of this, countless people working in the entertainment industry around the world are like moths to a flame, madly wanting to enter Hollywood and taking pride in being able to gain a foothold there.
Wang Hao knew this very well. Before him, there were Cheng Long, Li Lianjie, Chow Yun-fat, and Li An. After him, there were Li Binbin, Liu Yifei, and Zhang Ziyi...
If Wang Hao really changes "Source Code" according to Howard Bruno's suggestion, he might be able to send one or more female stars to Hollywood.
But what's the use of that?
If Chinese science fiction films want to rise and be exported to the world, do they still need to rely on foreign actors?
This can be seen from the French director Luc Besson. Even if he wants to revitalize French films, and even if many of his films use Jean Reno as the leading actor, he still cannot revitalize his own country's films by relying on Hollywood.
Our ancestors said it well: it is better to rely on yourself than to rely on others.
So we need to have our own international superstars, and we also need to have the ability to cultivate international superstars.
Wang Hao has never been a short-sighted person. The fact that he is willing to spend money and time to develop film industrialization technologies that other people and companies are unwilling to get involved in is enough to show how ambitious and far-sighted he is in the film and television industry.
Therefore, he rejected Howard Bruno's suggestion without hesitation. Of course, he would not confront the other party head-on and expose his ambitions, but instead found an appropriate reason.
"Mr. Bruno, I'm sorry, I have a whole plan for the film project, and I'm sure you can sense that from The Unparalleled.
The Source Code project is also part of my plan, and it involves subsequent project design, and its content cannot be changed. "
After listening to Wang Hao's explanation, Howard Bruno could only shrug his shoulders helplessly and apologize. As one of the main persons in charge of a major Hollywood production company, he had seen countless young and pretentious directors like Wang Hao.
So he also understood how stubborn these people were about the so-called creative freedom.
A stubborn director often means risk, which is exactly what big companies hate.
What Howard Bruno didn't expect was that although Wang Hao rejected his suggestion on the "Source Code" project, he immediately proposed another project on the phone.
"Hey, Mr. Bruno, I have another project, I wonder if you are interested?"
"What project?"
Howard Bruno asked curiously.
"It's a spin-off movie of 'The Invincible Swordsman'. I wonder if you still remember the real identity of Liam Neeson in the movie, the retired special police officer from Hong Kong."
"Of course I remember, Wang, is the new project about him?" Howard Bruno replied.
"That's right, Mr. Bruno."
Wang Hao nodded on the phone.
"The new project is about a retired special police officer played by Liam Neeson. His daughter was abducted by a gang while traveling in France, so the old special police officer came out of retirement to fight against the entire black forces in Paris."
"Oh, King, this story sounds very exciting. So this is the revenge of an old father?"
Howard Bruno shouted and seemed very interested.
"If Liam Neeson is cast as the lead actor, maybe Columbia will consider joining in."
"Of course Liam Neeson will be the lead actor. If you are interested, I can email you the script and project plan later."
Wang Hao's answer made Howard Bruno very satisfied.
"Hey, dear Wang, of course we are interested. Please send us the information. Columbia will review it as quickly as possible. Your achievements are worth it."
"Then I'll wait for your good news."
After hanging up the phone, Wang Hao sat in his boss chair and breathed a sigh of relief.
At least with "Taken" as bait, Columbia should be able to get its share of the box office revenue for "The Invincibles" soon.
With this money, the balance of the various production software and new equipment purchased in Hollywood can be settled smoothly.
This will not only greatly ease the company's financial pressure, but the excess box office revenue can also be reinvested in the "Taken" project, making Galaxy Interactive Entertainment's overseas development smoother.
(End of this chapter)