Due to the concentrated release of so many excellent films, this year's summer season was unprecedentedly popular. In July and August, the total box office of the domestic film market exceeded 20 billion, setting a new record for summer season box office in history.
The filmmakers cheered and the audience was very satisfied.
Many people feel that the impact of the epidemic on the industry has completely passed, and the future of domestic films is extremely bright.
In September, the heat of the summer movie season had just faded a little, and the movies scheduled to be released during the National Day holiday began to be promoted in full swing again.
Ever since patriotic movies became a hit, the National Day period has become increasingly important.
In 2019, "My People, My Country" sold well during the National Day holiday, followed by "My Hometown and I" and "My Fathers and I" which achieved impressive box office results during the National Day holiday in the next two years.
At the same time, "The Battle at Lake Changjin" was released during the National Day holiday in 2021, with a total box office of 6.4 billion yuan, breaking the box office record for domestic films at the time.
The fact that a domestic box office champion was born during this period also proves the box office potential of the National Day period, making film companies in the industry pay more attention to this period.
Xiangyang is a prosperous city in the Tang Dynasty.
The filming of [Joy of Life 3] has just started.
".Have you seen the online discussions about the movies released during the National Day holiday these days?"
During the lunch break, Gu Wei and Jing Tian ate and chatted in the RV.
"No, what did you say?"
Gu Wei picked up a piece of soft fried pork tenderloin and put it in his mouth, and asked casually.
Since the company didn't have any movies released during the National Day holiday, he didn't pay attention to it.
"The fourth installment of the Ex-Files series, Early Marriage, directed by Tian Yusheng, is scheduled to be released on the 28th of this month.
Because of the huge box office success of "Ex-Files 3", this movie is currently very popular, and the main creators have also started to do road shows to promote it."
"That's great." Gu Wei nodded, probably guessing what Jing Tian was going to say.
“Not good
Although "Ex-Files 4" is very popular now, it is not a positive popularity.
The third film was starring you and Ni Ni, but the fourth film was starring Han Geng and Liu Yase. Many fans were dissatisfied and there was a lot of opposition online.
Gu Wei took a bite of the food and took a sip of the drink on the table.
“There’s nothing we can do about this.
Huayi has contacted me many times, but I no longer want to star in the "Ex" series of movies.
After "Ex-Files 3" took 2.3 billion at the box office, the "Ex-Files" series became a popular IP. It is impossible for Huayi and director Tian Yusheng to stop filming just because I don't star in it.
[Ex-Files 4] still has to be filmed. If I don't act in it, someone else will.
As for whether the audience is satisfied or not, that is not my decision.”
"I feel like Han Geng's version of [Ex-Files 4] is going to fail, as there are too many negative voices online.
And I saw the movie poster, and his image is not very good, fat and greasy."
"Han Geng starred in the first season of [Ex-Files], so it's not a big deal for him to play the male lead in the fourth season. It just connects the plot and character relationships of the first season, which makes sense."
If Gu Wei doesn't star in the movie, he has nothing to do with it. He doesn't care whether it sells well or loses money.
The discussion about "Ex-Files 4: Marry Young" was much greater than Gu Wei had imagined. During the roadshow of "Ex-Files", many reporters and audiences asked why they did not continue to work with Gu Wei.
Tian Yusheng looked innocent. Did he not want to work with Gu Wei? It was because Gu Wei looked down on the "Ex-Files" series of movies and was unwilling to star in them.
[Hua Yi] communicated with [Wei Ming Tian Xia] several times, asking for higher pay and giving up more investment shares. As long as Gu Wei came to act, they would agree to any conditions and showed their sincerity. But Gu Wei just didn't want to act anymore, and they had no choice.
"Before filming Ex 4, we had a conversation with Gu Wei, but he declined our invitation due to schedule and personal career considerations.
But please rest assured, Ex 4 will still uphold the style of the series, focusing on and discussing the emotional issues between men and women in the city."
"The 'early marriage' in the name doesn't mean actual marriage.
As they grow older, Yu Fei and Meng Yun have reached a crossroads in their marriage, so we take this opportunity to explore what kind of mentality we need to have when we reach middle age and when marriage comes.
No one was satisfied with Tian Yusheng's answer, but things had already come to this point, and there was nothing Gu Wei could do if he didn't want to play the role of a fan.
Han Geng from the creative team has always been embarrassed.
When Tian Yusheng first approached him to act in "Ex-Files 4", he was a little hesitant, mainly because the third part was praised too highly by Gu Wei. He also considered that his role in the fourth part would be compared and fans of the series would be dissatisfied.
But his career development in recent years has indeed been quite poor. To say that it is lukewarm is an understatement. If he doesn't produce any more works, he will become outdated. So he gritted his teeth and took the job.
He also made a lot of efforts to make a good movie.
In [Ex-Files 4], "Meng Yun" is a middle-aged uncle with a beer belly. In order to better fit the role, Han Geng deliberately gained 15 kilograms, and his performance during the filming also made Tian Yusheng very satisfied.
A reporter asked him if he felt any pressure in taking on this role?
Han Geng smiled a little reluctantly: "Of course there is pressure, after all, the box office performance of "Ex-Files 3" is too good.
But I have tried my best to perform and interpret the role, and I will not regret it no matter what the result is."
Huayi, Mr. Wang and Mr. Wang are also talking about "Ex-Files 4".
“The company has been working very hard on promotions recently, but public opinion about the film is still not very good.
I’m afraid it will have an impact on the box office after the movie is released.” Wang Zhonglei said with some concern.
The president, sitting behind his desk, was calmer, his fingers crossed over his chest: "The influence of public opinion is inevitable, but being black or red is still red, and being discussed is better than being unknown.
What I am more worried about is that after the movie is released, Han Geng’s performance will not satisfy the audience.
By then, as word of mouth spreads, the box office will definitely be greatly affected."
Wang Zhonglei nodded in agreement, then grumbled, "Gu Wei is truly incredible! With the box office success of Ex 3 and the popularity of the series, it would easily net him 20 to 30 billion at the box office if he were to star in it.
We have made such big concessions and almost wanted to give him most of the profits, but he still refused to do it.
If you can't even make money, why pretend to be an artist?
His movie "Extraction" is just a popcorn action movie!"
Wang Zhongjun raised his hand and said, "There's no point in saying this.
If Gu Wei doesn't want to act, we can't force him to do so.
It's good that he quits, as it will free the series from his influence.
The box office of "Ex-Files 4" may not be as good, but we don't have to share too much of the profits."
What Wang Zhongjun said seemed to make some sense, but he knew that these words were more of self-consolation.
Even an elementary school student can figure out which is more and which is less, half of one hundred or eighty percent of fifty.
Moreover, without Gu Wei, it is hard to say whether the box office revenue can remain at 50%.
On September 26, Gu Wei took leave from the crew.
This time he will first go to Shanghai to attend the premiere of "The Volunteer Army: The Heroic Soldiers Attack".
Then fly to France to visit Nazha.
There are rumors that Gu Wei and Chen Kai are not on good terms, but in fact their relationship is indeed average.
Of course, the main reason was that Director Chen had some doubts in his heart, and Gu Wei didn't take him seriously at all.
The main reason I came to attend the premiere of "Volunteer Army" was to repay a favor.
When "Extraction" was released three months ago, Director Chen brought his family to congratulate him. As a token of reciprocity, Gu Wei naturally had to show up for the premiere of "The Volunteer Army".
The premiere of [The Volunteer Army: Heroes Attack] was very grand, with many celebrities and artists present, but Gu Wei still caused quite a stir when he appeared.
Director Chen went out to greet them personally.
"Mr. Gu, thank you for your support!"
"Director Chen, congratulations on the movie's release, and I wish it a huge box office success!"
"Thanks."
After a few pleasantries, Brother Chen Kai left to do other things, and Wu Jing, who was also at the scene, came over.
"Sure, I didn't expect you to come today."
"Director Chen came to my movie's premiere, so how could I not show up at his movie premiere?
There are also actors from my company in this movie, so it’s not unusual for a boss to come and show some support.”
Gu Wei was referring to Zhang Songwen and Xiao Yang, both of whom appeared in "Volunteer Army".
"Wu Xiuquan" played by Zhang Songwen is the main character.
"Haha, me too. I've been invited, so I'd rather not come."
Wu Jing laughed out loud, then said in a low voice:
"I heard that Director Chen was holding his breath while filming 'Volunteer Army.' This time, he was the one who had the final say on everything in the crew. He wanted to prove himself."
Gu Wei glanced at him and said, "Where did you hear that gossip? How could such a big director be so stingy?"
“Everyone knows this, but no one talks about it out of respect.
Besides, there is nothing wrong with Director Kai wanting to make a good work to prove himself.
His status and level are there, and everyone believes in his ability.
That’s why China Film Group and Bona Film Group were willing to invest in the Volunteer Army.”
Gu Wei said generously, "Originally, the disagreement between us and Director Chen was just about work, there was no real conflict. I hope his film 'The Volunteer Army' can be as popular as 'The Battle at Lake Changjin'."
Wu Jing nodded in agreement.
“It’s too difficult to catch up with or surpass [Changjin Lake].
But with this kind of subject matter and these famous actors, it's very possible for the film to gross 300 to 400 million yuan."
“Then it depends on how the movie goes.”
The two parts of "Changjin Lake" were able to have a box office of 10 billion. In addition to the plot, it was also inseparable from the box office appeal of Gu Wei and Wu Jing.
[Volunteer Army] Although it is star-studded with Huang Xiaoming, Zhang Ziyi, Zhu Yawen, Xiao Yang and others, its box office appeal is far behind that of Gu Wei and Wu Jing.
The two chatted about the popular domestic films this year. Wu Jing mentioned the summer blockbuster "Exodus" and looked at Gu Wei with envy.
"I guess Hollywood has a lot of projects looking for you right now, right?"
“A lot. Ever since the July fires in North America, I’ve received many invitations from Hollywood film companies.
Do you remember what I said to you as a joke?
"Which one?" Wu Jing looked confused.
Gu Wei laughed and said, "Didn't I joke before that when I become famous, Warner Bros. might ask me to play Superman?
They actually contacted me.”
Wu Jing opened his eyes wide: "Really?
Inviting you to play Superman?
DC's Superman?"
Gu Wei nodded: "It's the Superman with a cape and pants worn outside.
The Superman from Man of Steel!"
“Isn’t Coco Superman Henry Cavill?
The image of Superman he created in Man of Steel, Justice League, and Batman v Superman is very good, and it fits the image of Superman in the hearts of comic fans very well."
Knowing that Gu Wei would not joke with him, Wu Jing was indeed a little shocked.
"There's nothing I can do about it, because the few DC Superman movies directed by Zack didn't make any money.
Warner Bros. is planning to reboot the Superman IP."
“Then I can’t ask you to act.
I'm not saying you can't act well, it's mainly because he's a yellow-skinned Superman, and movie and comic book fans will go crazy!"
Gu Wei laughed and said, "According to what Warner said, Superman is an alien, so he doesn't necessarily have to be white.
Besides, my skin is naturally fair, and my facial features are three-dimensional and have some Western characteristics. As long as I gain some muscle, I will be suitable to play Superman.
This is also very much in line with Hollywood's trend of open and diversified development.
LGBT, politically correct belongs to"
"You answered?"
Gu Wei shrugged: "Of course not.
Warner Bros. is simply jealous of my popularity and box office appeal. I don't think playing Superman is a good choice.
To be honest, the script they gave me wasn’t very good.”
"Fortunately, this matter was not reported, otherwise it would be a huge news.
By the way, let's go out for a drink after the premiere?"
Wu Jing invited.
Gu Wei thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I have a flight tomorrow morning and I have nothing to do tonight, so I'll stay with you for a while."
The two chatted for a while, and the premiere ceremony of "Volunteer Army" officially began.
There will still be interviews, interactions, games and other activities, and finally a movie screening.
[Volunteer Army: Heroes Strikes Back] is a bit long at 141 minutes, and the premiere lasted more than 3 hours.
"How does it feel?"
After the premiere, Wu Jing came out of the scene and asked.
"It's a great film. Director Chen is indeed a great director. The film sticks closely to the theme of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, with a group portrait of the characters.
You can see the reactions and choices of people at all levels and in all aspects of life at this critical historical turning point.
Several leaders, commanders, army chiefs, and ordinary soldiers, the stories of each of them drive the film forward.
I particularly like the part where the New China delegation led by Zhang Songwen appears at the UN Security Council for the first time. It is very exciting!
However, there is also a problem with shooting group portraits in this way, that is, the story is too scattered, so the film is a bit scattered in terms of character portrayal and fails to focus on the core characters. "
Having said this, Gu Wei hesitated for two seconds.
“Also, Chen Feiyu’s role has a little more scenes.
There's nothing wrong with Director Chen praising his own son in a film, but it still somewhat undermines the overall flow of the plot."
Wu Jing nodded in agreement after hearing Gu Wei's evaluation.
Having worked with Gu Wei for so many years, he admires Gu Wei's vision very much.
He felt that Gu Wei's ability to discern the strengths and weaknesses of a film was unmatched in the Chinese entertainment industry. He could always accurately identify the strengths and weaknesses of a film, and why it was a hit or a box office failure. (End of this chapter)
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