Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 241: Take down "Hero"! But it didn't cost a penny!

Ma Xun's words about the Hongmen Banquet were probably a joke.

But another 20% are hints.

I, Ma Xun, am not that easy to bully.

I believe Zhang Weiping can hear it, after all, everyone was really not familiar with it before.

It's normal to be defensive.

But after meeting Boss Zhang, Ma Xun became much less guarded.

"Brother! As soon as I heard your accent, I knew we were from the same hometown."

"Yes, it is indeed a fellow villager."

"Then you are here today!"

"What do you mean?"

"Let's have a little barbecue!"

"This is good! This is good!"

I don’t know how Zhang Weiping found it, but he actually discovered a Northeastern clay oven barbecue restaurant in Beijing.

Well, to be more precise, this clay oven is Shenyang barbecue.

As the name suggests, it is a clay stove in the shape of an inverted cone, with charcoal fire inside and a wire mesh on top.

The meat is cut and then grilled on the wire mesh.

The more authentic the clay oven barbecue is, the darker the wire mesh will be.

Another feature is the seasoning.

Mainly sesame paste, white sugar...!
You read it right, these are the main ones.

Chopped green onions and coriander are just auxiliary ingredients, and add a little soy sauce and white vinegar.

This seasoning is rarely found outside Shencheng.

In fact, Zhang Weiping is from Shandong, but he grew up in Shenyang, so he speaks in Northeastern dialect and behaves in the same way.

He would definitely admit that he is from Northeast China.

Of course Ma Xun also knew that Boss Zhang was also from the Beijing circle.

However, the most important thing right now is this barbecue.

The stove and condiments are ready, but where’s the meat?

The meat of the barbecue is definitely the main dish. If the meat is not served, how can you barbecue?

It’s like Ma Xun is discussing something with Zhang Weiping. If Zhang Yimou is not there, how can they discuss it?
But Ma Xun was not in a hurry. He just chatted with Zhang Weiping about things in his hometown.

Soon, Zhang Yimou appeared.

"Sorry, there's a traffic jam on the road."

The appearance of Zhang Yimou added more meat to the clay oven barbecue.

This should be the first time that Ma Xun has officially met Zhang Yimou since he traveled through time.

Zhang Weiping began the introduction.

"Teacher Zhang, I have long admired you."

"Mr. Ma, you are so polite."

The two exchanged pleasantries, which were somewhat hypocritical.

But what’s interesting is that the meat also came up.

There was a sizzling sound, and the beef made a cheerful sound when it was put onto the wire mesh on the clay stove.

Zhang Yimou seemed a little uncomfortable with this taste, and Ma Xun noticed a small detail that the director had a frown on his face.

Probably, it has something to do with the fact that Zhang Weiping and Zhang Yimou did not come together.

I still hold the same opinion as before, Zhang Weiping is just a stupid and bootlicking boss.

He really loves Zhang Yimou too deeply.

Of course Ma Xun would not interfere in their affairs, but this time of eating barbecue was definitely not just about eating barbecue.

Everyone ate and drank, and talked about all sorts of random topics.

Until Zhang Weiping finally couldn't help it and started talking about movies.

"Brother Ma, my previous phone call was really rash, but there is indeed one thing I am not clear about."

"Brother Zhang, please speak."

"It's the movie 'Happy Times', why is it that it's not selling well?"

In fact, the reason they were able to have this barbecue this time was because of this incident.

Ma Xun was naturally prepared, but he had no interest in answering this question.

"The movie 'Happy Times' is pretty good. I've actually watched it. Teacher Zhang, in terms of your skills, I don't think you've regressed."

This sounded good, but Zhang Yimou didn't know how to respond.

Because Zhang Weiping’s question...I just hope you can give me some advice.

But there was no substance in what Ma Xun said.

So, Zhang Weiping spoke up for Zhang Yimou again, "Brother, we all know that you have the most ideas in this circle, so please give us some advice."

This is not subtle at all.

Ma Xun laughed, "My suggestion is very simple. Teacher Zhang, you should not continue to make these small art films. With your fame and appeal, you should make blockbusters!"

Blockbuster?

Zhang Weiping and Zhang Yimou also understood.

No wonder Ma Xun didn’t say anything bad about “Happy Times”, because if he did, he would have to give suggestions.

But now, he simply took a high-profile approach.

When making a blockbuster, a problem inevitably arises.

Zhang Weiping can’t do it alone; he needs to find many sponsors to invest in big movies.

Just look at the films that Zhang Weiping and Zhang Yimou have collaborated on so far.

"Talk It Over Nicely", "Happy Times".

Just talking about these two films alone, the maximum revenue is 10 million.

Even though the casts of these two films are very top-notch, the pay of our domestic actors is not high.

Uncle Benshan probably did it for his friend (Yimou) and fellow villager (Weiping), so he probably didn’t ask for much money.

So, comprehensively speaking.

This is all small production!
It looks like a strong lineup, but in fact it is nothing.

There is also a movie called "Not One Less", but this one is even better, as all the actors are real rural children.

Ma Xun took another bite of meat and looked at Zhang Yimou with a smile, "Teacher Zhang, let me say something unpleasant. Are you very envious of Director Chen?"

This Director Chen is definitely not referring to Sister Qing.

When Zhang Yimou heard this, he was shocked.

This Ma Xun is so awesome!
Because his words seemed to be trying to sow discord!
I envy Director Chen, isn’t it because he made a blockbuster movie?

The movie "The Emperor and the Assassin" had an investment of 1997 million in 7000, which is crazy.

Zhang Yimou has not yet had the opportunity to direct such a large-scale production.

So, is this responsibility yours, Zhang Weiping?

play off!

Absolute provocation!
Zhang Yimou was alert, but Ma Xun's statement...

Fortunately, Zhang Weiping came to the rescue again, "Brother, what you said makes sense. It is me, the investor, who has restricted Mr. Yimou's performance."

What a bootlicker investor!

Ma Xun laughed secretly in his heart, but this was indeed the relationship status between Zhang Weiping and Zhang Yimou.

Zhang Weiping really supported Zhang Yimou too much, and this was just the beginning, he continued to support him for more than ten years.

But there was no smile on Ma Xun's face, and he suddenly changed the subject.

"Brother, that's not what I meant. I saw a report before. After Director Chen's "The Assassination of Qin" was released, you, Mr. Zhang, once said in an interview that you really liked the story of General Fan in the play, right?"

Fan Yuqi, offer your head?

So, is this big production that Ma Xun is talking about...

Zhang Yimou smiled and nodded, "I didn't expect Mr. Ma to still remember this matter, haha... I did say it."

Of course, Ma Xun remembered it very clearly, and it was because of this story that a movie was made.

But when Ma Xun said this, Zhang Weiping also understood.

"We're also going to shoot 'The Assassination of Qin'?"

Obviously, this investor was unaware of the internal dynamics of Zhang Yimou's team.

In fact, Zhang Weiping probably doesn't know as well as Ma Xun what script Zhang Yimou has prepared now.

"I do want to film this story, but if I were to film it, it probably wouldn't be called "The Assassination of Qin"."

Zhang Yimou said so.

Ma Xun actually knew it clearly in his mind, "I read a report two years ago that Teacher Zhang seemed to want to make a movie similar to Rashomon."

After hearing this, Zhang Yimou was even more shocked, "Mr. Ma, you have a good memory!"

Yes, Zhang Yimou did say that before.

Rashomon is the masterpiece of Zhang Yimou's idol Akira Kurosawa, and this movie redefined the word "Rashomon". Originally, Rashomon referred to a city gate in the Edo period, but after this movie, the three words Rashomon have a special meaning.

That is: when an event is told by multiple people from multiple perspectives, the truth of the event becomes confusing.

This is also the common meaning of "Rashomon" nowadays.

One movie changed the meaning of a word. Kurosawa is really amazing.

But now, the assassination of Qin Shi Huang, Rashomon, and Fan Yuqi's offering of his head are all connected together.

What kind of movie could it be?

Zhang Yimou had no choice but to say, "My two screenwriter friends are writing the script. They have been writing it for about three years, but it seems to be a little lacking in story."

Ma Xun took over the conversation, "What's the difference?"

"That is to say, the assassination of Qin must have failed, but does the assassin have to sacrifice his head?"

"No."

"Ah? Mr. Ma, what do you want to offer? If not, there is no way to get close to the King of Qin."

Hearing this, Ma Xun laughed and said, "Just present your weapons. Ancient assassins regarded weapons as their lives.

The assassin who can finally get close to the King of Qin must hand over the weapons of other assassins, and the King of Qin will personally meet him."

After hearing this, Zhang Yimou was enlightened!
"Mr. Ma! That's great! Oh my! I made it! Haha... I made it with this movie!"

Laughing loudly, acting like a madman.

What an obsessed director.

Isn't this movie revealing?
Ma Xun had already confirmed that this was the one, and only Zhang Weiping was confused.

"Teacher Zhang, what movie is it?"

"Hero! Just call it Hero!"

Zhang Yimou hasn't forgotten to eat some meat.

Then, Zhang Yimou began to talk about the movie "Hero".

Ma Xun knew the content without even listening, because he knew the content of the movie very well!
The movie "Hero" opened the era of blockbuster movies in China!
After this movie, the Chinese film market officially emerged from its trough.

And Ma Xun remembered that this movie made many people hate him.

This group of people madly abused this movie and even tried to brainwash us Chinese.

They have indeed achieved certain results.

It's just that the public's memory has been slightly tampered with.

According to these "people", the movie "Hero" flopped at the box office and had a very bad reputation in China.

Ma Xun could swear to God that these guys were just making things up!
They are just trying to confuse the public. They have bad intentions and don't want more Chinese people to see this excellent blockbuster!
In fact, a few data are the best evidence.

"Hero" is actually the highest-grossing film in the history of our Chinese film market.

After this movie was released in 2002, it earned 2.5 million yuan at the domestic box office!

Looking back upon it from later times, 2.5 million did not seem like a lot, as our domestic films have since had box office revenues of over billion.

However, 2.5 million in 2002 was 25% of the annual box office!

In the history of Chinese cinema, no other film has ever had such a high share of the box office.

Even "Titanic" is not acceptable, because it took this movie about two years to reach its box office of 3 million.

Such a movie with such a high box office share would definitely have a great reputation in 2002!
A simple thought will make it clear that if this movie "Hero" had not received rave reviews, it would have set off a cultural wave that year.

Then there is no possibility of getting 2.5 million at the box office!

Look at "My Sassy Girl" that Ma Xun made this time. He basically used all the means, but in the end he only made more than 5000 million.

Ma Xun remembered very clearly the so-called bad reputation of the film "Hero".

It was only after the film was released in the United States in 2004 that all sorts of messed up and vicious reviews began to appear on the Internet.

It is certain that they have a special purpose.

Perhaps that’s because Time magazine ranked Hero number one among the top ten movies of the year in 2004.

Therefore, those colonial pigs and dogs, public intellectuals and big Vs couldn't help but fire all kinds of criticisms at this film.

It should be said that what these guys did has produced certain results.

About twenty years later, in the era of short videos, Ma Xun saw many UP anchors using the same remarks as those public intellectuals.

There are widespread rumors that "Hero" failed at the domestic box office and had a bad reputation.

But this is absolutely false.

All we can say is that after more than 20 years, the memories of many people have indeed been tampered with.

Time is really amazing.

Let’s get back to the present.

Ma Xun is sure that if the current Zhang Yimou could meet the Zhang Yimou who made "Half River Green" 20 years later, the two of them would definitely have a fight.

Now, "Hero" has been proposed by Zhang Yimou.

So, how much investment does this blockbuster have?

"Probably..." Zhang Weiping hesitated, but still said what he was thinking, "At least one hundred million should be invested."

This number is his limit at the moment.

Zhang Yimou also said that it was about the same.

But Ma Xun has a different opinion!

"Who will play the assassin?"

Zhang Yimou and Zhang Weiping both shook their heads, saying they hadn't made up their minds yet.

Ma Xun gave some advice, "Jet Li is good!"

Well, that’s the original answer.

The two nodded.

Ma Xun then said: "But, Jet Li's salary is now 1000 million US dollars."

When this number came out, both of them were shocked.

"This investment..." Yes, if we had asked Jet Li for help, this investment would not be good enough!

Ma Xun laughed and said, "I estimate that the investment in the movie Hero is at least 200 million!"

You are much more awesome than Zhang Weiping!
Wait a minute, if that's the case...

Zhang Yimou was delighted. He couldn't wait to ask, "Is Mr. Ma interested too?"

"Of course!" Ma Xun came here just for this movie!

Do you really think I like eating barbecue with you two old men?
If I want to eat it, I'll also find two beautiful female stars to accompany it.

I won’t say that anymore.

How much does Kema Xun invest?

Zhang Weiping asked: "Mr. Ma, your investment..."

Ma Xun interrupted directly: "Give me the overseas distribution rights, I can be responsible for the other 100 million, but I want at least half of the domestic box office share!"

Take so much?
Zhang Weiping frowned, but Zhang Yimou was happy over there.

"Okay! It's settled!"

Two splits?

Fortunately, Zhang Weiping had no choice but to agree.

That's the deal, then.

Is Ma Xun looking for overseas funds?

No, it’s not just about looking for overseas funds. His plan is to take half of the domestic box office share of "Hero" without spending a penny himself!
How can it be!

But, for Ma Xun, it was too simple.

After the barbecue, Ma Xun called Ge Luming directly.

"Mr. Ge, there is a movie now. The director is Zhang Yimou, the male lead is Jet Li, and the other main characters are Chiu Wai and Maggie Cheung..."

"Ah? What movie? Our Columbia Company must have invested in it!"

"Don't worry, I can only give you the North American copyright, but our mainland China copyright..."

"I'll give you everything in mainland China! Isn't that what we did before? You tell me how much you want for this movie!"

Ge Luming is really smart.

That’s right, if names like Zhang Yimou and Jet Li are mentioned, Ge Luming will definitely take the bait!

Moreover, the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" that he collaborated with Ma Xun before has now grossed nearly 200 million US dollars!

Ge Luming now absolutely trusts Ma Xun.

As for our domestic Chinese box office, they don’t want it, they only want overseas copyrights. This is actually what happened with the later film "Heroes of Heaven and Earth".

Ma Xun thought about it carefully and realized that I am much kinder than the Wang brothers!
"Heroes of Heaven and Earth" caused Columbia Pictures to lose a lot of money.

And this "Hero" is one of the top ten movies of 2004!
So, Ma Xun pondered for a moment and then gave a number.

"$1300 million."

"We'll give it to you! It's no big deal!"

1300 million US dollars is almost 1 million RMB now, which is for a big Hollywood company.

It's just the investment for a low-budget movie.

(End of this chapter)