Chapter 483: 20 billion in 40 days, aiming for 50 billion! An invitation from Marvel blockbusters!

Chapter 483: 20 billion in 40 days, aiming for 50 billion! An invitation from Marvel blockbusters!

"Director Zhou, I'm back!"

In mid-November, Lu Yang and Zhao Liying both returned to Zhou Qing Pictures.

It’s nothing, the filming of "Assassination of Novelist" directed by Lu Yang has been completed.

Counting the time, "Assassination of Novelist" started filming in June, and Lu Yang filmed for more than 6 months.

I have to say that the progress is indeed a bit slow.

Of course, then again, this slowness is compared with Zhou Qing's efficiency.

A film like "Assassination of Novelist", which combines modern and ancient costume casts, as well as special effects and fighting scenes, is indeed a bit more troublesome.

More than 5 months is considered a normal progress.

"Now that the film has been shot, let's do the post-production well and try to get the finished film out as soon as possible."

After chatting with Lu Yang for a while, Zhou Qing said to Lu Yang as a matter of course.

Although the cost of "Assassination of Novelist" is a little higher, it is still a movie with a box office of 10 billion yuan.

Zhou Qing actually takes it very seriously.

"Director Zhou, this is what I was going to say."

Lu Yang straightened his face at this time, and began to talk seriously with Zhou Qing about the later events of "Assassination of Novelist".

In fact, before coming to Zhou Qing, Lu Yang had already conducted a special assessment.

If you want to complete the post-production of "Assassination of Novelist" seriously, it will take two and a half years!
Why does it take so long?
Of course it’s because of the special effects.

There are actually quite a lot of special effects shots in "Assassination of Novelist", especially in ancient dramas.

Whether it is the protagonist’s “living armor” or the big boss, the red-haired demon, etc., they are all quite troublesome.

Luyang’s requirements are quite high, so the production cycle is relatively longer.

But this was just the answer Lu Yang got himself.

But Lu Yang knew very well that Zhou Qing's "The Wandering Earth" and "Life of Pi" were both serious visual effects blockbusters with far more special effects shots.

But it only took less than a year.

Under such circumstances, Lu Yang found it a little hard to accept the two-and-a-half-year cycle of "Assassination of Novelist".

So this time, Lu Yang came specifically to Zhou Qing to learn from him.

"A two-and-a-half-year cycle? That's really too slow."

After listening to Lu Yang's explanation of the relevant situation, Zhou Qing frowned slightly.

Not to mention Lu Yang, he could not accept such a long production cycle.

But think about the special effects in "Assassination of Novelist", well, the domestic team is indeed a bit slow in production.

To be honest, the situation of "Assassination of Novelist" is different from that of "The Wandering Earth", but is somewhat similar to "Life of Pi".

Special effects are required to outline a lifelike biological individual, and even the smallest details must stand up to scrutiny.

This kind of special effect is indeed the most troublesome one.

In terms of the level of Chinese entertainment, there is indeed some gap between it and Hollywood.

So after some brief consideration, Zhou Qing happily made a decision.

Take the post-production of "Assassination of Novelist" to Hollywood.

Anyway, I already have a film company in Hollywood, so this is not a problem at all.

"Luyang..."

Zhou Qing then told Lu Yang his thoughts.

Lu Yang agreed immediately without any hesitation.

As a director, being able to make my films more refined and take them to the next level is exactly what I want.

"Director Yang."

After the two parties reached an agreement, Zhou Qing contacted Director Yang immediately without any further ado.

Instruct the other party to let Crown Pictures fully support and cooperate with Lu Yang's work.

Although "Assassination of Novelist" has nothing to do with Crown Pictures, who can blame them for having the same boss?
Director Yang didn't hesitate at all and immediately promised that he would complete the task.

"By the way, Director Zhou, it seems like you haven't taken on many foreign films, right?"

After discussing the matter of "Assassination of Novelist", Director Yang suddenly mentioned this point.

"Why, is there a movie you want me to direct?"

Zhou Qing asked Director Yang curiously.

Zhou Qing actually didn't tell Director Yang explicitly that he would not take any external films.

However, Zhou Qing is not only a top director but also a top screenwriter, and he also owns two film companies.

In other words, the script and funds, the two most important things for a director, are both in place.

Because of this, Zhou Qing really never considered shooting foreign films.

He couldn't even make his own film.

Director Yang knew about this situation, but he still spoke to Zhou Qing.

This means that the film that Zhou Qing was asked to shoot must be extraordinary.

Zhou Qing's interest was piqued.

"I don't know how many invitations Crown Pictures receives every year, all of which invite you, Director Zhou, to direct. I know your habits, Director Zhou, and I turn them all down."

"But for this one, I think I need to ask for your opinion first."

"It's an invitation from Marvel."

Marvel?

I have to say, Zhou Qing really felt a little surprised.

He never imagined that one day Marvel would ask him to make a movie.

To know my reputation in Hollywood, my main reputation is as an art film director.

After all, Zhou Qing made a name for himself in Hollywood through two Oscar-winning films.

But Marvel's movies are authentic popcorn movies and superhero blockbusters.

To say the least, a movie like this is not worthy of an Oscar-winning director.

So no matter how you look at it, I am not a very suitable candidate.

But on second thought, yes, this is indeed Marvel's style.

They did find some Oscar-winning directors to make movies.

For example, Li An has filmed "The Hulk" and Zhao Ting has also filmed "Eternals".

Zhou Qing never thought that after these two Oscar-winning directors, Marvel would find him again.

But what is Marvel looking for me to shoot this time?

"They plan to invite you, Director Zhou, to shoot Shang-Chi, a movie about an Asian superhero. The main actors are basically all Asian. If the director is also Asian..."

Director Yang's voice continued to sound, giving Zhou Qing further explanation.

Shang-Chi?
It has to be said that this did surprise Zhou Qing a bit. He didn't expect Marvel would ask him to shoot this movie.

However, after listening to Director Yang's explanation, Zhou Qing suddenly realized that Marvel was planning to create an "all-Asian cast superhero movie."

Perhaps it was because of the popularity of the all-Asian cast in Crazy Rich Asians, or perhaps, it was an attempt to replicate the success of the all-black cast in Black Panther.

Regardless of the reason, the purpose is not difficult to guess. It must be to catch the entire Asian community in one fell swoop.

What could inspire more enthusiasm among the Asian community than a superhero movie with an all-Asian cast?
All I can say is that Marvel’s little calculations really worked out.

But unfortunately, Zhou Qing had no intention of taking on such a movie.

As a director who has won all three major films in Europe and twice won the Oscar, why is he making a Marvel superhero movie?
That's a real drop in price!

Not to mention, movies like "Shang-Chi".

"Forget it. There's no way I'm going to take this movie." Zhou Qing said to Director Yang without thinking.

"Understood, Director Zhou."

Director Yang naturally had no objection and just faithfully carried out Zhou Qing's orders.

"By the way, has the 'Instant Universe' been activated?"

After talking about Shang-Chi, Zhou Qing thought of another important thing and asked Director Yang again in a serious tone.

"According to your instructions, the project has been approved, Director Zhou."

Director Yang responded immediately.

As mentioned before, Zhou Qing is also eyeing the movie "Blink of the Universe".

This film is actually similar to Crazy Rich Asians, both of which focus on the Asian community.

Although it is not an all-Asian cast, the main characters are all Asian.

It can be considered an Asian film.

In addition, the box office was a huge success and swept the Oscars. As a reborn person, Zhou Qing naturally could not miss it.

I've been eyeing it for a long time.

Even the female lead was arranged for Liu Yifei.

That’s right, “Blink of an Eye” is the Oscar-winning movie that Zhou Qing prepared for Liu Yifei.

Then the problem is coming.

Zhou Qing doesn't have time to shoot this movie in the short term, so why should Director Yang start the project so early?
It’s very simple, just take up a spot.

In case "Blink of an Entire Universe" is produced by its original team again, it would be a waste of time and effort.

Although Zhou Qing wrote the script of "The Universe in a Moment" early on and registered the copyright.

But in order to be on the safe side, Zhou Qing felt it would be safer to take some other actions.

Given Crown Pictures’ current status in Hollywood, and given Zhou Qing’s current status in Hollywood.

As long as the film project is approved, it will definitely attract the attention of the entire industry.

After all, the new film produced by Crown Pictures and directed and written by Director Zhou is definitely a blockbuster film project in Hollywood.

By then everyone in the industry will surely know about it, so the possibility of the original team producing this movie again will be even smaller, right?

"I see."

Zhou Qing finally felt relieved after hearing Director Yang's answer.

I explained some relevant matters to the other party and then ended the call.

I started to continue to be busy with the preparatory work for "Changjin Lake".

Of course, at the same time, I have been keeping an eye on the various data of "The Wandering Earth".

To be honest, the box office performance of this movie is much better than that of "The Martian".

Zhou Qing clearly remembers that when "The Martian" was released, it took 17 days to break the 30 billion mark.

But what about "The Wandering Earth"?

It broke 20 billion in just 40 days, and the total box office reached 42 billion!
The entire release period has only just completed two-thirds.

At this point, there is no doubt in the entire industry that the total box office of "The Wandering Earth" will definitely exceed 50 billion.

The first live-action movie in the history of Chinese entertainment to break 50 billion is about to be released.

Director Zhou Qing is about to create a new record.

Even if "Nezha: The Devil Child Comes into the World" is included, it cannot stop the pace of "The Wandering Earth".

Because things are really obvious, the total box office of "The Wandering Earth" will definitely surpass that of "Nezha"!

"Isn't Qingzi too fierce? Too fierce!"

Ning Hao was shocked and felt very uncomfortable at the same time.

He even subconsciously revealed a bitter smile on his face.

There is no other reason. "Crazy Alien" directed by Ning Hao has almost the same opening as "The Wandering Earth".

One had a first-day box office of 4.1 million yuan, and the other had a first-day box office of 4.2 million yuan, there is almost no difference.

However, the subsequent trends of the two are completely different.

"Crazy Alien" only grossed 22 billion yuan at the box office until its release.

However, "The Wandering Earth" has only been released for two-thirds of the time, and the total box office has exceeded 40 billion.

It’s 20 billion more than “Crazy Alien”!
I have to say that this gap is too big!

Ning Hao really couldn't hold it anymore.

"It's stable. It's stable now."

Zhou Qing was in such a good mood.

"The Wandering Earth" has reached this point in the theaters, and the situation has become extremely clear. There is no doubt that it will break 50 billion.

After all, the film earned 20 billion yuan at the box office in the first 42 days, and there are still 10 days left. How difficult would it be to earn 8 million yuan at the box office?
It's stable.

This time it is completely stable.

Zhou Qing couldn't help but reveal a satisfied smile on his face.

However, what made Zhou Qing laugh and clap his hands was not just the box office success of "The Wandering Earth", but also another thing.

whats the matter?
Jiaozi came to Zhou Qing Pictures and clearly expressed his wishes to Zhou Qing.

The other party plans to start developing "Nezha 2"!
"Director Jiaozi, are you sure you don't want to take a break for a while?"

Zhou Qing couldn't help but sigh in his heart, this Jiaozi is also a workaholic.

You have to know that the first part of "Nezha" was only released in August, and now it is only mid-to-late November.

All in all, more than three months have passed!

Zhou Qing couldn't have imagined that Jiaozi couldn't hold back so quickly.

"No need. I feel uncomfortable if I stay one more day. Even when I sleep in bed, the story of Nezha keeps flashing in my mind."

“I can’t wait to realize those ideas!”

Jiaozi's eyes were shining, and he spoke to Zhou Qing in high spirits.

Seeing Jiaozi's look, Zhou Qing also understood Jiaozi's thoughts a little.

Yes, the first part of "Nezha" grossed 50 billion yuan at the box office, shocking the entire film industry.

Jiaozi naturally can't wait to arrange the second part to continue to dazzle the eyes of people in the circle.

You know, success is something that can be addictive.

In this situation, how could Zhou Qing have the nerve to discourage Jiaozi's enthusiasm?

If the other party wants to start a fight, then let’s start a fight.

"Okay then. I'll get someone to approve the project later. Just focus on writing your script. You don't have to worry about other things."

Then Zhou Qing had no reason to hesitate. He waved his hand and decided to fully support Jiaozi's work.

Jiaozi was overjoyed when he heard this. He felt that his whole body was filled with strength and he couldn't wait to get to work.

"By the way, Director Zhou, I also want to invest in the second film of Nezha."

However, Jiaozi paused again, considered his words, and made such a request to Zhou Qing.

Although Zhou Qing was very supportive in the first part of "Nezha", he took the initiative to give Jiaozi a share of the profits.

But even so, it's not as good as being a producer.

It would have been fine if there was no money in the first part, but in the second part there was some money, so of course Jiaozi had some ideas.

"Of course there's no problem."

Zhou Qing didn't hesitate and agreed immediately. (End of this chapter)