Chapter 268: Intercepting Universal Studios?
Chapter 268: Intercepting Universal Studios? (Updated)
"Universal Studios?!"
Both Lu Zheng and Jing Tian were surprised after hearing what Wang Hao said.
As the only two globally renowned film and television entertainment theme parks in the world, Universal Studios and Disneyland are must-visit locations for many film and television fans.
However, there is only one Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan, in Asia today.
And now Wang Hao actually said that there is a Universal Studios project in Shangjing City.
What he said was not wrong. There is indeed a Universal Studios project in Shangjing now.
Although Universal Studios Shangjing was not officially opened until 2021, as early as around 2000, the management of Shangjing City believed that if the city wanted to develop entertainment and tourism, introducing large-scale theme parks from abroad would be the most effective way.
In 2001, after China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), negotiations on Universal Studios Shanghai began in full swing.
A high-level delegation from Universal Studios Theme Park also signed a "Joint Venture Agreement" with the Shangjing Municipal Government in October of that year, during which time a large amount of market research and planning was conducted.
By the end of 2002, the feasibility study of the Universal Studios theme park had been completed, and the project proposal was submitted to the National Development and Reform Commission of China the following year. However, due to the country's macro-control policies, the project approval process was temporarily slowed down.
And this delay lasted for five years.
It was not until this year, that is, in 2008, that the Shangjing Municipal Government remembered this project again and decided to make Universal Studios a key project to drive economic development and structural adjustment and upgrading of the tourism industry in the "post-Olympic era", and once again reported it to senior leaders.
Of course, not many people know about this.
So after Wang Hao said this, Lu Zheng and Jing Tian finally understood what was going on.
“But since the Shangjing Municipal Government has already reported it to the higher authorities, what is the point of our and Wanda’s ideas?
Mr. Wang, are you planning to get involved and invest in this project?"
Lu Zheng asked with some confusion.
Wang Hao shook his head.
"No, but I think maybe we can try to snatch the Universal Studios project."
"How is this possible?!" Lu Zheng's tone suddenly rose eight octaves.
Although there are often jokes like "Grandpa, I want this" on the Internet in later generations, when it comes to projects involving overseas capital, sometimes the so-called political and business relations are not that useful.
Otherwise, why didn’t the so-called “grandfather” bring Nvidia over?
The same is true for the Universal Studios Shanghai project.
“Universal is a world-renowned film and television group, and Universal Studios is an amusement park that is on par with Disney.
Since a project of this magnitude has already been reported, I'm afraid we won't be able to intervene or even intercept it with our connections, right?"
Lu Zheng showed an embarrassment on his face. Although he had some connections, these connections were not strong enough to directly interfere with and influence the entire Shangjing Municipal Government.
However, when Wang Hao looked at him, a meaningful smile appeared on his face.
"But what if this project is not approved?"
"How can this be?"
"Nothing is impossible." Wang Hao answered straightforwardly.
With his memories from later life, he knew that even though the Universal Studios project had been reported to the Shangjing Municipal Government again, and preparations had been made for the site selection, relocation, land, etc. for next year, it was still stopped again.
"Shangjing is different from the Magic City after all, Boss Lu, I believe you should have some political acumen."
Wang Hao's words made Lu Zheng silent. Only Jing Tian, who was standing aside, was very confused after hearing this incoherent sentence.
"Brother Wang, Shangjing is different from Modu. What does it have to do with whether Universal Studios is built or not?"
The little girl took the initiative to move her body and head closer, and the fresh fragrance of the girl immediately rushed into Wang Hao's nose.
"Of course it is related," Wang Hao looked at her and smiled, "The Magic City itself is positioned as an international metropolis, so building a Disney park is nothing."
"But Shangjing is different. It is the capital of the entire China and a place where history, politics, technology, and culture converge.
In such a prime place, we Chinese don’t even have our own theme park, and we have to introduce foreign projects. What does this mean?
To put it nicely, this is the introduction of advanced foreign experience. To put it bluntly, this is cultural invasion and the failure of our film, television, culture and entertainment industries!
Just because of this impact, Universal Pictures' projects will not be able to go smoothly."
Wang Hao's words were not false or exaggerated.
In 2009, the Universal Studios project was actually asked to conduct further research.
According to rumors, the reason why it was not passed was that the higher authorities hoped that the Shangjing Municipal Government would conduct in-depth research from the perspective of cultural strategic security, and it was estimated that the scale of investment would be reduced and more Chinese elements would be added to this project.
At the same time, some industry insiders also stated that the project failed to pass mainly because "everyone recognizes the economic benefits, but considering the social benefits may not be good enough."
For this reason, the Shanghai Universal Studios project had to wait for another five years. It was not until 2014 that the project finally received official approval from China's higher authorities.
Then came another two years of in-depth research and design. In 2016, after many hardships, Universal Studios Shanghai finally received major good news and officially broke ground.
So for Wang Hao and his team, this is an important opportunity to intercept Universal Studios.
"But since the higher-ups don't agree, what's the point of us intervening? Can you, Mr. Wang, push this project forward and get the higher-ups to agree?"
Lu Zheng, who had come to his senses, asked with some excitement. Although he had been saying it was impossible before, a large project like Universal Studios worth tens of millions is a goose that lays golden eggs, and it is hard not to be excited.
However, Wang Hao shook his head and said, "How can I be that capable?"
As he said this, he looked at Lu Zheng.
“When I said we wanted to intercept Universal Studios’ project, I didn’t mean that I wanted to participate in it, but that I wanted to squeeze out Universal Studios and do a similar project on our own.
Since this is our own Chinese project, we don’t have to worry about cultural strategic security and social effects.”
Want to build an amusement park project yourself?
Lu Zheng felt more and more that Wang Hao was crazy today.
"No, Director Wang, do you think the Universal Studios project is too simple?
Well, even if the country does not approve Universal Studios, but you want to replace it, how do you solve the funding problem? You have to know that a large project like Universal Studios starts with billions of dollars, and the overall investment is tens of billions.
Even if the government is willing to invest in the company and the bank is willing to lend, we still have to invest some of our own money. This is not a small amount and the risk is huge!"
"That's why I asked you, are you familiar with Mr. Wang from Wanda?"
Wang Hao's words made Lu Zheng roll his eyes.
"Such a large project, worth tens of billions of dollars, can it be persuaded just by connections?"
"But if you don't ask them, how do you know they are not interested?" Wang Hao asked a question that left Lu Zheng speechless.
Indeed, as a well-known domestic real estate developer, Wanda might really be interested if it had the opportunity to snatch the Universal Studios project.
"But this...but..."
Wang Hao looked at Lu Zheng who was hesitating, smiled and added:
"And I didn't say we were going to benchmark Universal Studios from the beginning. Building a house or doing a project is not like that. We start with the first phase, then the second phase, and then the third phase, and we do it step by step."
"Then the Shangjing Municipal Government will agree. After all, Universal Studios is an internationally renowned project. You are making it just like those small amusement parks down there. It can't be compared!"
"What if we add the Sony Pictures brand?" Wang Hao's words silenced Lu Zhenggan again.
No, what does this have to do with Sony Pictures?
Looking at Lu Zheng who was full of doubts, Wang Hao then told him his entire plan.
It turns out that Wang Hao's so-called interception of Universal Studios was not to build an entertainment complex project like the other party.
He almost first chose the place in Universal Studios, and fenced off a piece of land to build a large-scale film and television production base with various advanced equipment for his own science fiction film project "Galaxy Cinematic Universe".
Then they will use this film and television production base to introduce overseas Hollywood film projects, invite those film crews to come here to shoot movies, and expand this film and television production base into a modern film and television production industrial park.
After this industrial park is established, they will gradually add various entertainment, hotel, transportation, education, shopping, residential and other supporting facilities in the surrounding area, just like Universal Pictures built its own Photography City into Universal Studios, and build a [Galaxy Movie Metropolis] belonging to China.
As for the Sony Pictures he mentioned, on the one hand, Wang Hao introduced Hollywood film projects to China by relying on his relationship with Sony Pictures.
On the other hand, when the time comes to build entertainment facilities, they may also be able to cooperate with Sony Pictures.
After all, this Hollywood film and television company does not have its own film and television theme park, but it also has some well-known film and television IPs under its name.
At least with the participation of Sony Pictures, one of the six major Hollywood studios, it is enough to compete with Universal Studios in the Shangjing Municipal Government.
After explaining this plan, Lu Zheng couldn't calm down for a long time.
Wang Hao didn't rush him. He just drank the wine by himself and waited patiently.
In fact, the reason why he said all this to Lu Zheng today was not because he was attracted by the star-studded Three Melons and Two Dates, but because of Wanda, who could be contacted behind the other party.
In its previous life, Wanda Pictures spent more than 2013 billion Chinese yuan around 500 to invest and build the world's largest film and television industry base - Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis - in Qingdao West Coast Economic Zone.
This film and television base project covers an area of 376 million square meters and has a total construction area of 540 million square meters. It has multiple functional areas including a film and television industry park, convention and exhibition center, Wanda City, hotel cluster, yacht center, international hospital, and bar street.
The famous Chinese science fiction film "The Wandering Earth" was filmed and produced there. In addition, films like "Assassination of Novelist", "The Lone Moon", and "Fengshen Trilogy" also have the presence of Oriental Movie Metropolis.
The inspiration for Wang Hao's "Galaxy Cinema City" which belongs to Galaxy Pictures comes from this.
However, Wanda’s future investment in the Oriental Movie Metropolis project is actually just operating its Wanda International Cultural Tourism City project under the guise of building the “Oriental Hollywood”.
The film and television production is just a gimmick. Wanda’s real purpose is to use the name of cultural tourism to acquire large tracts of land for real estate development.
But Wang Hao is different. He really wants to build this core base for China's film and television production.
So instead of letting Wanda come up with this project three or four years later, it would be better for him to start working in this direction now.
As for whether this [Galaxy Film City] project can be completed, Wang Hao is not worried.
Even if he can't snatch the project site of Universal Studios, he can always build his own modern film and television production base in other places around Shangjing. The only difference is that the name won't be as famous as Universal Studios.
At this time, Lu Zheng had completely digested what Wang Hao said, and looked up at him with admiration.
"Boss Wang, Director Wang, you have really devoted all your energy to China's film industry!"
He sighed, and then said:
“But your plan is too big, and we at Starlight need to consider it carefully.
Of course, don't worry, I will definitely convey the matter about this project to Wanda's President Wang!"
With Lu Zheng's guarantee, Wang Hao knew that his plan would definitely be delivered to Wanda Lao Wang.
As for what to do next? Just wait patiently.
Wang Hao didn’t have to wait too long. After he and Lu Zheng had dinner that night, on the morning of the third day, Wang Hao received a call from Wanda Group.
The person who called was Mr. Wang's secretary. This year, Mr. Wang of Wanda ranked 160th on the "Hurun Rich List" with a net worth of 20 billion yuan. Given his status in the industry, it was impossible for him to call Wang Hao, a junior.
However, the secretary who called was very polite. He first confirmed Wang Hao's identity, and then made an appointment with him to meet with his boss.
Yes, at the end of September this year, Wanda Group just moved into its new headquarters in Chaoyang District, Shangjing, so if Wang Hao wanted to meet Lao Wang, he didn’t have to fly to Dalian specifically.
The two met in the same star-rated hotel where Wang Hao and Lu Zheng had dinner last time, except that the private room was more luxurious.
As for the people who were there, they were naturally the star-studded Lu Zheng and Jing Tian.
The atmosphere at the table was pretty good. Although Wang Hao and Wang Jianlin didn't know each other, with Lu Zheng's acquaintance acting as a bridge, the two sides had a very pleasant communication.
At least Wang Jianlin specifically said that he really liked "Source Code" directed by Wang Hao, and also asked some questions about the Easter eggs in the movie.
It can be seen that he has really watched Wang Hao's movies.
When the atmosphere of the banquet reached its most harmonious level, Wang Hao once again talked about his [Galaxy Film City] plan.
(End of this chapter)