The next day, news related to the premiere of "Hurricane Rescue" appeared on the entertainment pages of major media in Hong Kong.
Regarding the movie itself, those film critics adhere to professional ethics and basically brush it off.
There is really nothing to write about. There are not 100 Hong Kong films like this where good guys defeat bad guys and justice triumphs over evil. There have been 80 of them.
Even if Flowers is filmed, many of the plots can be found in previous old movies.
The only things that are really worth writing about are Zhang Chu's fighting scenes in the movie, and those dangerous scenes in which he fights for his life.
Hong Kong audiences who have already developed an appetite for Cheng Long's movies will find it difficult to accept another superhero of the same style. However, the emergence of Zhang Chu has filled the gap left by Cheng Long after he entered Hollywood.
"It's all here."
Chen Lan came to the living room with a large stack of newspapers and placed them in front of Xiang Huaqiang.
"so much?"
Xiang Huaqiang showed a hint of surprise.
Chen Lan smiled and said, "Do you think the money is wasted?"
Xiang Huaqiang also laughed and picked up a newspaper. The picture accompanying the relevant news was the scene of Zhang Chu jumping from the helicopter.
The photos were provided to the media by Yongsheng.
"Has the box office data not come out yet?"
"We have to wait a little longer. Things are always slow in Jiahe."
Xiang Huaqiang nodded: "How was the conversation with those two ghost guys?"
The market targeted by the movie "Taken" from the beginning was Europe and the United States.
Yesterday's premiere, Yongsheng also specially invited people from the American Columbia Company.
"He didn't let up. He was rambling here and there, and not a single sentence got to the point."
"We are not in a hurry. We will wait and see. As long as the box office does not fall behind in the first week, then it will be their turn to beg us."
When Chen Lan heard this, she couldn't help but be surprised: "You are so confident in this film."
Xiang Huaqiang shook his head: "I have confidence in that person."
Zhang Chu!
"I have never seen the finished film before, and it shocked me yesterday. Do you think... is it possible for Zhang Chu to replace Cheng Long?"
Xiang Huaqiang put down the newspaper: "Mrs. Xiang, you are too petty. I have placed such a big bet on him, not just because I hope he can replace Cheng Long."
Chen Lan was even more surprised when he heard this.
"Is it possible that he can become the new Bruce Lee?"
"Does Bruce Lee have what he has?"
If Xiang Huaqiang's words were heard by Bruce Lee believers all over the world, they would probably implicate Zhang Chu and get him blackmailed.
As the first Chinese to enter Hollywood with his fists, Bruce Lee was not only a kung fu star, but also a spiritual symbol.
Especially after his unexpected death, he was even more legendary.
"Just wait and see! Zhang Chu's future has no upper limit. We are lucky to get the first bonus."
Although Chen Lan is also very optimistic about Zhang Chu, she is not as confident as Xiang Huaqiang.
"Let's take a look at the data first. There are so many people involved this time. If it doesn't meet expectations, the sequel will..."
In order for "Hurricane Rescue" to get off to a good start, Xiang Huaqiang worked hard this time.
It just so happens that Jiahe has no major productions in October.
Yesterday, all Golden Harvest and Shaw Brothers theaters in Hong Kong screened "The Rescue" for three consecutive shows starting at 6 o'clock.
If, as Chen Lan said, the box office results cannot meet expectations, Zou Wenhuai and Shao Laoliu will definitely not continue to play with them. It is certain to reduce the number of films and shorten the screening period.
"Where's Zhang Chu?"
"He went to meet Liu Weiqiang, and the drama seems to be about to start filming."
Just as he was talking, Chen Lan's phone rang.
"Hey, it's me, how much?"
Chen Lan's voice suddenly rose in pitch, startling Xiang Huaqiang who was reading the newspaper.
He has never seen Chen Lan act so out of control.
Although Chen Lan has always acted in a fickle manner, she has always been calm when encountering major events. This is her consistent style of acting.
"Okay, I understand, I will tell Mr. Xiang."
After saying that, he put down his phone.
"What's wrong? Is the data out?"
Chen Lan nodded slowly.
"How much? It can't be too bad!"
Although Xiang Huaqiang's tone sounded careless, in fact, his heart was already in his throat.
"The Legend of Shushan" suffered serious losses. If "Hurricane Rescue" hits the market again, Yongsheng will really not be able to sustain its brand.
"3.5 million."
"How many?"
Even Xiang Huaqiang couldn't remain calm at this moment.
With a box office of 3.5 million Hong Kong dollars in a single day, which was the last movie to achieve a box office of HK$3 million in a single day?
No!
What about this year’s box office rankings?
The first place among foreigners is "Shaolin Soccer" directed and starred by Zhou Xingchi. The box office exceeded 60 million in two and a half months of release. The second place is "Slimming Man and Woman" also directed by To Qifeng and produced by Yongsheng, starring Liu Dehua and Zheng Xiuwen. The box office was 40 million, and the third place was "The Secret Agent" starring Cheng Long, with a box office of 30 million.
Further down the line is "Zhong Wu Yan" produced by Yong Sheng and directed by To Qi Feng, but this movie lost money, with a box office of only 27 million.
"Taken" can reach a box office of 3.5 million in a single day. Although it is brought about by increasing the number of films, if it continues at this time, it may break the 60 million box office record of "Shaolin Soccer" and become this year's box office record. champion.
It also ranks first in the box office rankings of Hong Kong film history.
The temptation is too great.
"Where's the attendance?"
Chen Lan couldn't suppress her excitement at this moment. Who doesn't want to be the first?
That will go down in history. Regardless of whether the record will be broken in the future, as long as it has appeared in that position, it will be remembered forever.
"I'm asking now."
Chen Lan quickly picked up the phone, found a number and dialed it.
While waiting for the other party to connect, I kept walking around the room, so excited that I didn't know where to put my hands.
"Hey, May, I just forgot to ask you, how is the attendance rate? Oh! Okay, I understand."
After hanging up the phone, Chen Lan waited for a while before speaking hard to Xiang Hua.
"97%. Moreover, this is because United Cinemas added midnight screenings. Otherwise, the attendance rate for only three consecutive screenings would be 100%."
call……
Xiang Huaqiang took a deep breath and was about to speak when his cell phone rang.
People from theater companies.
Looking at Xiang Huaqiang's mouth shape, Chen Lan knew the other party's identity.
"Hey! Mr. Gao, what can I do for you?"
In order to get more film schedules, Xiang Huaqiang had to put in good words.
The situation is different now. As the saying goes, the situation is changing between offense and defense. The box office data of "Hurricane Rescue" on the first day gave Xiang Huaqiang a strong capital.
"How to say?"
After half an hour, Chen Lan couldn't wait to ask when Xiang Huaqiang put down his phone.
"Continue to increase the number of films scheduled, and at the same time Jiahe hopes to obtain the agency rights for this film in Japan."
Chen Lan couldn't help frowning when he heard this: "Jiahe is too greedy, isn't it? The agency rights of Baodao and Southeast Asia have been given to them, and now even Japan wants it."
"Just give it to him if you want."
Chen Lan was puzzled: "Why? Although the ticket warehouse in Japan is not as good as that in North America, after all..."
"We can't reach over there yet."
Hearing this, Chen Lan was also a little frustrated.
Xiang Huaqiang is right, let alone Japan, even if it is a treasure island so close, Yongsheng's hand still cannot reach it.
In the Hong Kong film industry, the largest non-local film company is actually Golden Harvest.
All films that want to be exported to the outside world must be manipulated by Jiahe.
Back then, Xinyi City didn’t believe in evil. What was the result?
Now he is no longer as brave as he used to be.
"This time the advantage is given to them."
"What if Jiahe also wants to have agency rights in Europe and North America?"
When Xiang Huaqiang heard this, his eyes suddenly became sharp.
"We in the Xiang family are not easy to bully. Within the rules, we act according to the rules. But if things go beyond the rules, it depends on whether they can play with it or not."
When Chen Lan heard this, she breathed a sigh of relief. Faced with huge benefits, she was unwilling to let go.
"The most important thing now is Zhang Chu. As long as our cooperation can continue, Yongsheng may not be able to surpass Jiahe in the future. Back then, Zou Wenhuai could rely on Bruce Lee to fight against Shao Laoliu, and now I can rely on Zhang Chu to fight against Zou Wenhuai."
Chen Lan heard this and said: "You mean to give Zhang Chu a salary increase for the next movie?"
"An increase in salary is a must. We can't be stingy in terms of interests, and don't lose big because of small things. However, we can't lose emotional investment. He is a man of temperament, and he can't be tied up by profits alone."
"Azuo?"
Xiang Huaqiang nodded: "I have been talking about apprenticeship. Although Zhang Chu is willing to give advice to Zuo, there is no formal apprenticeship ceremony after all. When we find an opportunity, we will make it up with great fanfare."
"This is a good thing! I will arrange it."
"Also, please pay attention. Zhang Chu is in Xiangjiang. No matter what happens, we will solve it."
This requires the use of some extraordinary means.
Xiang Huaqiang naturally has other ways to solve many problems that cannot be solved through normal channels.
"Also, hurry up and collect the script. Let Robert Kamen hurry up. At the end of the year, I want to see the second script of this film. This time I want a real big cast."
The investment of 70 million can no longer satisfy Xiang Huaqiang's ambition. If he wants to truly enter the European and American markets, there must be no ambiguity in terms of production costs.
Chen Lan was a little surprised: "So urgent?"
Xiang Huaqiang said: "There's no hurry. We don't have to wait until this film is finished. I believe there will be investors from Hollywood looking for Zhang Chu."
"It's just a movie, it shouldn't be so fast, right?"
"Why not? This "Taken" is completely in the mold of a Hollywood commercial film. Whether Zhang Chu can adapt to Hollywood will be determined by watching this movie."
As a filmmaker, Xiang Huaqiang has a very unique vision.
Chen Lan thought that she was incomparable in this aspect. Since Xiang Huaqiang said so, she just had to do it.
"Are you going to let people keep an eye on you at the cinema?"
Xiang Huaqiang knew what Chen Lan was worried about.
"It's not necessary. They don't dare to play tricks on us."
