Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 317 Wild Rose

When filming the second and third installments of "The Pirate King", Wu Yuchen had already brought the UFO special effects team into the crew for training.

Special effects technology isn't just about computer-generated post-production; the actual filming process is also crucial. This includes aspects like sampling information, framing, lighting, camera movement, background projection compositing, blue-green screens, masking, camera speed adjustment, motion control techniques, tracking points, and camera focus. These are all essential considerations during special effects filming. Without going through these processes, many post-production special effects simply cannot be achieved.

These are precisely the areas where China's special effects industry lacks experience. If Wu Yuchen hadn't achieved his current status, outsiders like him would never have had the opportunity to learn on-site.

Therefore, after filming the entire "Pirate King" movie, the UFO special effects technicians really learned a lot. Of course, they still need to go back and practice to digest all of this.

Now, the production of "Kung Fu Panda" has given Wu Yuchen another opportunity to learn from Chinese animation.

In fact, the history of Chinese animation is not short. As early as the 1920s, the "Shu Zhendong Chinese Typewriter" pioneered Chinese animation.

In the 40s, the Wan brothers produced Asia's first feature-length animated film, *Princess Iron Fan*, which had a significant impact across Asia. Osamu Tezuka, the director of the Japanese animated film *Astro Boy* and a pioneer of Japanese animation and manga, abandoned his medical studies after watching this film and decided to pursue animation.

After the establishment of New China Animation Film Studio, the Shanghai Animation Film Studio created a glorious period for Chinese animation, producing many classic animations.

"Ma Liang and His Magic Paintbrush" won first prize at the 8th Venice National Children's Film Festival in 1956. Later works such as the traditional animation "The Proud General" and the paper-cut animation "Pigsy Eating Melon" have amazed audiences internationally.

The groundbreaking ink-wash animation "Little Tadpoles Looking for Their Mother" won six awards at home and abroad, including the 17th Cannes International Film Festival. Later, animation master Hayao Miyazaki was greatly impressed after watching it, praising it as a perfect work of ink-wash art in every frame, and he could hardly believe that it was a work from China in the 1960s.

The 1964 film "Havoc in Heaven" was distributed in more than 40 countries around the world, won numerous awards, and amazed the American animation industry.

During this period, Chinese animation, if not world-leading, was certainly among the best, and truly far ahead of its time.

However, in the decades that followed, although there were excellent works such as "Nezha Conquers the Dragon King" and "Snow Child", it can be said that the level of Chinese animation has been stagnant for 40 years without any progress.

In these 40 years, Japan's animation industry has undergone a dramatic transformation, leaping from a minor player to a global leader and even achieving a counterattack against China. How many children today still watch domestically produced animation? Almost every one of them wants to watch Japanese animation.

The reasons for this are, of course, multifaceted. But we can't just stop developing because of this, can we? Many industries in China are developing rapidly, but the animation industry is lagging far behind. Wu Yuchen feels he has the opportunity to support the Chinese animation industry.

DreamWorks wants to conduct research in China and film a Kung Fu Panda movie with Chinese elements. Wouldn't it be reasonable for me to send some people to communicate with you, offer suggestions, and help each other out?
Therefore, Wu Yuchen was particularly enthusiastic about this matter and even offered to write a script for him, just to do Katzenberg a favor so that they could help each other in the future.

"Jeffrey, where are you at now?" Wu Yuchen asked.

"We are still in the concept stage. We want to incorporate popular elements such as Chinese kung fu, Chinese pandas, and Chinese scenery into this animation."

"OK, just like I thought. I've got an idea. How about calling it 'Kung Fu Panda'?"

"My God! You already have an idea?! Kung Fu Panda, that's a fantastic name! I can't wait to see your script!"

Wu, thank you so much! I have a feeling that with your help, "Kung Fu Panda" will be a global phenomenon!

After returning home, Wu Yuchen called Zhu Yongde, the CEO of Shanghai Film Group.

He was, after all, a novice in the field, and it was definitely beyond his ability to organize animation talent on his own in a short period of time. The first place that came to mind was Shanghai Animation Film Studio. And now, Shanghai Animation Film Studio is a subsidiary holding company of Shanghai Film Group.

"An opportunity to learn and exchange ideas with DreamWorks? Director Wu, are you serious?" Zhu Yongde was quite surprised when he received Wu Yuchen's call. He didn't expect Wu Yuchen to have such extensive connections in Hollywood.

“That’s right, Mr. Zhu. This is a rare opportunity. Shanghai Animation Film Studio has always been the leading animation studio in China, and you guys were the first people I thought of.”

"Thank you so much, Director Wu! We definitely won't miss this opportunity you've secured for us! Don't worry, we'll definitely organize our team and get ready!"

"Ideally, you should be able to communicate in English without any problems."

"Of course! There are plenty of young people at the Shanghai Fine Arts Institute who speak good English! We certainly won't let Director Wu down!"

After hanging up the phone, Wu Yuchen sighed softly. He wouldn't actually benefit much from this, since it wasn't about training talent for his own company. However, since he had the resources, he figured he'd help as much as he could.

There's no rush with "Kung Fu Panda." After all, DreamWorks is still in the concept stage. They can take their time writing the script. Let them go to China for research first. Both Shanghai Animation Film Studio and Miracle Films can provide excellent hospitality.

In late May, "The Day After Tomorrow" was released. This disaster film is considered a masterpiece among disaster movies, and the image of the frozen Statue of Liberty has become a classic, paying homage to by many later films. Even ten years later, the special effects technology and visual effects of that time far surpassed those of today, but almost nothing can compare to it, including "2012".

In contrast to the extreme cold storm depicted in the movie "The Day After Tomorrow," this film actually boosted the box office in the North American market, achieving a respectable $7000 million in its opening weekend.

This put "Troy," which was released the following week, on high alert. Unfortunately, Brad Pitt couldn't carry the box office; the $4562 million opening weekend was unsatisfactory for a big-budget production with a budget of $1.8 million.

Seeing the newspaper articles where film critics used the "Achilles' heel" reference from *Troy* to describe the film's failure, Anne Hathaway exclaimed happily, "Honey, is *Troy* doomed?"

It's not that Anne Hathaway is gloating, but her film, *The Princess Diaries*, is set to be released next week. The worse *Troy* fares at the box office, the less impact it will have on *The Princess Diaries*. Therefore, Anne Hathaway probably wishes *Troy* would die!
But Wu Yuchen shook his head after reading the newspaper: "These film critics are going to misjudge this time~" "Hmm? You mean 'Troy' will continue to rise in popularity?" Anne Hathaway immediately asked with concern.

Wu Yuchen smiled at her: "Don't worry, Annie, 'Troy' won't have much staying power in North America and won't have a big impact on you. What I mean is, it might do very well overseas."

In Wu Yuchen's memory, "Troy" only grossed $130 million in North America, but its overseas box office exploded, reaching $360 million, almost three times that of North America, which saved Brad Pitt's popularity and allowed him to maintain his status as an A-list star.

However, this is also the countdown to the end of epic movies. From now on, epic movies will become huge money-losers and will never regain the glory of Gladiator.

At this moment, Anne Hathaway walked up to Wu Yuchen, hugged his arm, and asked eagerly, "Darling, you'll come to my premiere, right?"

Wu Yuchen stroked her cheek and said with a smile, "That depends on how well my little Annie performs tonight~"

A week later, Wu Yuchen attended the premiere of "The Princess Diaries," accompanied by Tobey Maguire, who, along with Anne Hathaway, played a couple in "Spider-Man." However, Anne Hathaway clung to Wu Yuchen intimately throughout the event, completely ignoring Spider-Man.

Unlike her previous life when she was a nobody, Anne Hathaway is now a household name in North America thanks to "Spider-Man." As a result, the resources given to "The Princess Diaries" in terms of publicity and the audience attracted are much higher than in her previous life.

The Princess Diaries grossed 3642 million in its opening weekend, surpassing Troy's 2365 million in its second weekend to take the top spot at the box office!
Anne Hathaway was overjoyed, after all, "The Princess Diaries" only cost 28 million to make, and with a box office of 3642 million in its opening weekend, it is very likely to break 100 million at the box office!

Moreover, "The Princess Diaries" helped her successfully shed the "Spider Woman" title previously given to her by the media, and now some media outlets are praising her as a new generation of "Audrey Hepburn"-style princess!
Looking at the title in the newspaper, Wu Yuchen couldn't help but smile. The "Audrey Hepburn"-like princess he had personally nurtured gave him a sense of pride in raising her. Moreover, the contrast in how this little princess behaved when she was with him brought him a unique kind of pleasure.

A week later, Wu Yuchen attended the movie premiere again.

"Wu, thank you so much for coming!" Hugh Jackman said, shaking Wu Yuchen's hand in welcome.

"Don't be so polite, Xiu. I'd love to see you, the Witcher, make a name for yourself!" Wu Yuchen replied with a smile.

After all, Hugh Jackman and Wu Yuchen have a long-standing relationship. They have collaborated since Wu Yuchen first entered Hollywood and even filmed the Pirate King trilogy. Therefore, Wu Yuchen naturally had to attend Wu Yuchen's performance in Van Helsing.

"Director Wu, it's an honor to have you here. I've always admired you!" Kate Beckinsale, the English rose, said, shaking Wu Yuchen's hand.

Kate Beckinsale was the lead actress in *Pearl Harbor*, and she certainly looked stunning in it. However, *Pearl Harbor* was utterly defeated by *The Pirates of the Caribbean*, leaving it with a lingering sense of failure. But this hasn't dampened her enthusiasm for Wu Yuchen at all.

Wu Yuchen held her hand and felt her little finger gently scratch his palm. He thought to himself, "This is another seductive slut who's eyeing me!"

However, Wu Yuchen maintained his smile and said meaningfully, "I'm also very happy to spend the night with such a beautiful woman like you~"

Kate Beckinsale's smile widened as she led him inside. Once seated, she simply sat down next to Wu Yuchen and began chatting happily with him, without any regard for propriety.

After watching the movie "Van Helsing" for a while, Wu Yuchen realized it was similar to his previous life and knew it wouldn't change its fate of being a box office flop. With an investment of 160 million, a North American box office of 120 million, and overseas box office of 170 million, plus the money spent on marketing and distribution, it lost at least 50 to 60 million.

Many Chinese viewers probably thought the movie was pretty good and didn't understand why it flopped. That's because many Chinese viewers haven't encountered vampires and werewolves before, and the big-budget monster special effects made it seem novel.

However, the constant stream of big-budget Hollywood productions in recent years has made North American audiences accustomed to them, and "Van Helsing" failed to break free from the old formula of vampires and werewolves. It revived those classic monster images but failed to make them truly terrifying. Furthermore, the story was weak, with the background of the three villains' meeting unclear, which is why North American audiences didn't buy it.

Just as thoughts were racing through Wu Yuchen's mind, he felt a small hand touch his thigh in the darkness. Wu Yuchen immediately knew who it belonged to. This English rose, was she trying something wild?

Wu Yuchen was certainly not one to sit idly by and wait for death. He naturally had to launch a counterattack against his enemies and extend his reach as well...

That night, on the luxurious king-size bed in the hotel, Wu Yuchen patted the shapely buttocks of this English rose and said with a smile, "You're not even paying attention to the opening day box office anymore?"

Kate gasped, "Yes, Wu, you're so captivating, I can't wait!"

Wu Yuchen smiled, knowing full well that the other party was deliberately trying to please him.

Just then, Kate's phone rang, and Wu Yuchen laughed, "Aha, it must be the opening weekend box office figures!"

As he spoke, Wu Yuchen reached for Kate's phone from the bedside table and held it to her ear, saying, "Kate, don't you want to know?"

Kate, sensing that Wu Yuchen showed no sign of stopping, spat out, "Damn it! You're such a bad thing!"

However, she still held the phone and pressed the answer button: "Hmm, oh! Uh, it's nothing, is it 1952 million? Hmm, um... um, I'll be on time tomorrow, hmm!"

After she hung up the phone, she coquettishly cursed at Wu Yuchen, "Fuck you!"

Wu Yuchen got even more excited and laughed loudly: "Then I'll grant your request!"

(End of this chapter)