"Brother Li, what's going on?"

While listening to "Unforgettable Tonight" and the constant ringing of red envelope notifications on Qin Tiantian's phone, Lu Ban called Li Zijian to confirm.

"It's like this. The weather station has detected that the wind and snow are getting stronger. From tonight to tomorrow, most areas of the country will have a severe snowstorm, so an alert has been issued. Our theater chain has received a notice to postpone all movies. Other shopping malls and hotels will probably be notified one after another as well."

Li Zijian's voice was a little hoarse, obviously he did not get enough rest. On the other end of the phone, the voices of his wife and children came. They were unaware of the current situation and were still laughing and talking happily.

"However, this postponement may not be that simple. Some foreign cooperating theaters have also stopped operating major films. If you want to release the film on time, it seems that there is no hope at the moment."

After hearing Li Zijian's words, Lu Ban was silent for a moment.

"I'll think about the countermeasures and call you back later. By the way, Brother Li, Happy Chinese New Year."

"...Well, Happy Chinese New Year."

Li Zijian hung up the phone and returned to the living room.

"Why, are you still on the phone with that little girl so late at night?"

My wife teased.

"Lu Ban, about his movie, the movie may not be released on the first day of the new year."

Li Zijian replied.

"Ah? Wouldn't that mean a lot of money lost?"

Her wife also became worried.

"He usually splits the revenue normally. If the film cannot be released, he will indeed lose a lot of money. This time the special effects are so good, and there are also publicity and promotion expenses. He may even lose money."

Li Zijian made a rough calculation in his mind and concluded that Lu Ban would lose at least hundreds of millions in this move.

However, while feeling sympathy for Lu Ban, Li Zijian changed his mind and realized that Lu Ban had earned billions from his previous movies, so even if he suffered a huge loss this time, it would only be a small loss.

For a moment he felt that the clown was actually himself.

"Postponing the screening usually means waiting for the next schedule. The consumption and rights disputes in the meantime are troublesome enough. I don't know how he will deal with it."

Li Zijian also felt a headache. Cinemas are an important source of income for Jiangcheng Industry. If the heavy snow continues, the commercial plazas under Jiangcheng Industry will also be affected. The Spring Festival is the best time for revenue. Now that everyone cannot go out, the industry is expected to suffer huge losses.

The bigger problem is yet to come.

Compared to these, whether the movie can be released on time is no longer the point.

Just then, Li Zijian's phone rang.

He saw it was Lu Ban calling, so he answered the call immediately and went to the balcony where the windows were closed and only the wind and snow could be heard knocking against the windows.

The balcony was a little cold, but Li Zijian was very nervous. He didn't know what measures Lu Ban would choose, but after thinking about it carefully, there was no other way except to postpone it. With only this option, he felt relieved.

"How about it? If it's postponed, I will communicate directly with the person in charge of the theater chain. Our time zone is earlier, so there won't be any problems with early screenings. It's just about compensation for pre-sold tickets..."

Li Zijian started talking a lot, but Lu Ban quickly interrupted him.

"Brother Li, I have decided not to postpone the release."

Lu Ban said firmly.

"Right? We can refund the tickets, or keep them until after the movie comes out. We should be able to afford it... Wait, what did you say?"

Li Zijian said a few words before coming back to his senses.

“No postponement of the release.”

Lu Ban repeated the sentence again.

"But the cinemas will definitely not open, and I don't think the audience will go out to shop, which will cause a lot of trouble!"

Li Zijian had never encountered such a situation, so he didn't know what Lu Ban was thinking.

"I know you may have invested a lot of money in this movie, but a delay does not mean it won't be released. We can still make money. We have to get through this first and don't act impulsively."

He tried to persuade him, fearing that Lu Ban was a young man who was holding back his anger and was planning to make some big news or something.

"Brother Li, calm down."

Lu Ban instead started to persuade Li Zijian.

"Fuck, I'm calm. You're the one who should be calm. Even if we don't discuss the money issue, it's snowing so hard. If you let others go to the cinema, what if something happens during the show? You can't ignore other people."

Li Zijian shouted, and even his wife leaned over and looked around timidly.

"Don't worry, audiences don't have to go out to the cinema."

Lu Ban replied.

"ah?"

Li Zijian was totally confused.

"Brother Li, please help me contact the TV station and major video websites to find a time to broadcast it tomorrow, and broadcast it simultaneously on the entire network and TV stations."

Lu Ban’s words completely shut down Li Zijian’s brain.

TV station?

Video website?

Simultaneous broadcast?

What is this person talking about?

I know every word, so why can’t I understand them when they are put together?

"You... calm down, don't be impulsive. Do you want me to go to your place now? I should be there in half an hour by car."

Li Zijian's mind started to work.

Movies that were originally scheduled to be released in theaters were instead broadcast on TV stations and video websites, which is a much more serious problem than postponement.

First of all, each cinema has spent money on the movie. After the free screening, these pre-sale tickets will definitely be refunded, and the subsequent revenue of the movie will definitely be greatly reduced, especially for a big-budget movie like Lu Ban's, which means that tens of billions of industry revenue will be lost.

Secondly, after this happened, Lu Ban would definitely have to compensate those theaters, which would be another huge expense. Moreover, those theaters might not agree, and it would be difficult to reach a deal in such a short time.

Finally, with such a short time, the video websites are fine, but the TV stations may not have time to broadcast Lu Ban's film. In Li Zijian's opinion, if Lu Ban's plan can be realized, it will definitely be a miracle, and more than one.

"Brother Li, I have a clear mind. I think now is the best time to do this. You don't have to worry about the money. As long as we can ensure that the movie is released tomorrow, it will be fine."

Lu Ban talked to Li Zijian for a while, and only hung up the phone when it was almost time.

His idea is simple.

The purpose of making my own movies is to let more people see them and change their worldview and cognition.

In this situation, in this doomsday-like situation with snow and wind everywhere, this movie will definitely bring everyone a deeper feeling.

It is precisely because human beings are in distress that they need movies that face disasters even more.

Therefore, Lu Ban does not need to make money or anything. As long as it can be played on TV stations and video websites, most people can see the movie. It can be regarded as Lu Ban's Spring Festival gift to everyone who is trapped in the snow and wind.

At three o'clock in the morning, on Weibo, forums, official websites of major cinemas, and social media, the news that "Doomsday" would cancel its theatrical release and be released on television and video websites on the first day of the Lunar New Year was announced.

There was an uproar.