Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 118 We only make suggestions, Wu Chen has the final say
China Film International Conference Hall, 4 p.m.

A few rays of sunlight slanted in through the gaps in the heavy curtains, creating patterns of light and shadow on the wooden floor.

At this moment, everyone in the hall looked at Wu Chen.

The Beijing News reporter was called to his feet and asked:

"Director Wu, you're the director and screenwriter of this film, and one of the project's largest investors. This kind of multi-tasking is extremely rare in Sino-US co-productions. Aren't you afraid that the pressure will be too great and affect your creativity?"

Wu Chen paused for a moment before answering concisely and forcefully: "Of course I'm afraid. But I'm even more afraid of others deciding how to film this story for me."

Creation is a very personal thing, and if I don’t polish it myself, it won’t be something I want to talk about.”

Han Sanping and the others nodded slightly when they heard this.

Then a Sina Entertainment reporter in his thirties stood up, looked at Wu Chen, and asked with a smile:
"Director Wu, you're so young and yet you're able to collaborate with China Film Group, Lionsgate, and Blumhouse Films. Many people call you a 'genius who emerged out of nowhere.' What do you think of this title?"

Wu Chen smiled and said in a relaxed tone, "I just discussed the issue of talent with my friends a few days ago.

I personally think the word genius is a bit too romantic.

This world belongs to the talented, to the serious, and especially to those who study seriously in their talented fields.

I’m working very hard to move into the latter.”

"Director Wu, you are both the director and the screenwriter. What kind of story does this $50 million project tell?"

Wu Chen smiled lightly, his eyes swept across the crowd, and he said lightly: "This is a story about a magic crime."

As soon as the words were spoken, there was a moment of stunned silence in the meeting hall, and then the discussion started again.

"Magical crime?"

"What crime?"

"Is it a suspense film? An action film? Or a crime film?"

Reporters raised their hands and asked
"Director Wu, why did you choose this story?"

“Where did this inspiration come from?”

“Will you activate domestic actors?”

"Director Wu, would you work with international movie stars like Cheng Long and Li Lianjie from Hong Kong?"

"."

At this moment, the host walked back to the center of the stage with a smile and gently waved his hand, interrupting the chaotic rhythm:
"Everyone is very enthusiastic. We will save the questions for the fourth session. I believe Director Wu will answer everyone's questions one by one."

The noise from the audience gradually subsided.

The host paused, then changed the subject, his tone tinged with anticipation:

"Now, I know everyone is most concerned about one question: what kind of movie is Director Wu going to make this time? What kind of A-level production is this?"

The lights changed and slowly focused on the side of the stage, where there was an exhibition board that was always covered with a huge red curtain.

The host raised his voice:
"Please welcome Mr. Michael Burns, COO of Lionsgate, Mr. Jason Blum, founder of Blumhouse Films, Mr. Han Sanping, General Manager of China Film Group, and Director and Screenwriter Wu Chen of Obsidian Pictures, to unveil the true face of this mysterious project!"

Michael, Jason, Han Sanping and Wu Chen stood up in turn, and the host counted down loudly.

The lights gathered from all directions in the center and focused on the huge curtain.

"Three, two, one, please unveil!"

Two people, each holding a corner, simultaneously grabbed the edge of the curtain and gently tugged.

In an instant, the red curtain flew up.

As the curtain fell, a giant key visual material of the movie appeared before everyone's eyes——

On a black background, a line of bold English and Chinese characters stood out:

"Now You See Me!"

The font is like a metal plaque on a magic stage, sharp and dazzling. The English letters are interspersed with dark patterns such as playing cards, banknotes, and dice, revealing an atmosphere of mystery, fraud, and illusion.

And below the main title, a line of eye-catching metal-engraved characters suddenly caught the eye: $50,000,000!

Reporters took photos and videos one after another. Some thought setting up a camera was too troublesome, so they just took a blurry photo with their mobile phone and sent it back via MMS to seize the opportunity.

"The atmosphere is quite lively." Han Sanping looked at the scene happily and couldn't help grinning.

It has to be a big production. Throwing it down is like throwing a cannonball into the water, creating countless waves.

At the event, questions were swirling around, with the most pressing concern being the casting of Now You See Me. Han Sanping and Michael Burns each said, "We trust Wu Chen. We generally don't interfere with roles, we only make suggestions. Wu Chen has the final say." This instantly sent the press conference spiraling out of control.

The host kept coordinating the rhythm, but still couldn't stop the high emotions of the reporters on the scene.

At 5:30 in the afternoon, the host finally came on stage again and announced that the press conference had ended successfully.

At this time, as the news spread to the backstage of major media, various newsletters and on-site quick reports had already been sent out.
Wu Chen confirmed to direct the $50 million A-level production "Now You See Me!"

[China Film Group enters a new phase, with Chinese directors taking the lead in Hollywood projects!]

[Blum House + Lionsgate + China Film Group + Wu Chen: China's most explosive project of 2005 emerges!]

[The cast details for "Now You See Me" are unknown, but it is reported that Wu Chen will personally confirm the cast!]

【.】

The film industry was immediately in an uproar.

Some people in the industry even found it hard to believe: Wu Chen, a young director who had just made two films, actually jumped directly into the Hollywood A-level camp, and came in with Chinese and American funds and international distribution channels.

In a film and television base in the eastern suburbs of Beijing, the conference room was filled with smoke.

Zhang Yi was sitting at the end of a long table, holding a stack of "Olympic Plan" materials in his hand. When he heard the news from the team's discussion, his expression was distracted and there seemed to be something in his mind between his brows.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yi picked up the phone, walked out the door, held onto the railing, and called Mu Deyuan directly, sighing, "Old Mu, your student is incredible."

Mu Deyuan also learned the news from the press conference at this time, but he couldn't suppress the pride on his face: "Yeah, remember what I said to you in "House of Flying Daggers"?

I didn't brag to you at the beginning, Wu Chen might be no worse than you in the future."

Mu Deyuan didn't continue boasting after saying this. Instead, he asked, "Are you preparing for the competition to be the director of the Olympic Games?"

"Yeah!" Zhang Yi responded softly.

"Don't make any mistakes this time. If you need me for anything, just let me know."

"Don't worry, if I really need your help, I can still not speak."

Zhang Yi smiled and hung up the phone. At this time, Zhang Weiping came over, lit a cigarette, and said in a sour tone:
"I don't know what Han Sanping was thinking. He gave a $50 million production to a newcomer who had only made two films?"

A scene like today's, with this kind of news buzz, should theoretically belong to him and Zhang Yi.

Zhang Weiping glanced at Zhang Yi's team in the conference room preparing the Olympic plan and felt a little dissatisfied.

We have already wasted half a year making an art film this year, and now we are working on a plan for the Olympics. When will we be able to make money?
Then the corners of his mouth drooped slightly: "We must start the big production this year, otherwise there will be no new pictures next year."

Zhang Yi did not respond, but just said "hmm" lightly.

Just as the atmosphere became tense, Zhang Yi's cell phone suddenly rang.

He looked down at the screen and saw the caller ID: Zhang Ziyi.

He hadn't intended to answer it, but the phone rang insistently a second time.

Finally, he pressed the answer button.

"Director Zhang, we haven't contacted each other for a long time. What have you been busy with recently?" Zhang Ziyi's gentle voice came from the other end of the phone, with a hint of familiarity.

Zhang Yi casually responded: "I'm preparing some things. I've been a bit busy lately."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, which was nothing special, but when Zhang Ziyi mentioned Wu Chen, Zhang Yi immediately understood.

The conversation then turned even quieter. He didn't want to talk any more, so he found an excuse and quickly ended the call.

After hanging up, Zhang Weiping whispered, "Zhang Ziyi is at least somewhat helpful in the overseas market. Why are you so cold?"

Zhang Yimou didn't even raise her eyelids: "There are people overseas who are more suitable than her."

Zhang Weiping was stunned for a moment, then he understood who he was talking about.

Gong Li.

There was silence for a few seconds.

It was he who instigated the relationship between Gong Li and Zhang Yi. To be honest, he didn't want Zhang Yi and Gong Li to have too much involvement anymore. What would he do if the other party took Zhang Yi away and cooperated with a Hollywood company to make a movie?
At this time, Zhang Ziyi also hung up the phone in annoyance, her mood was in turmoil.

A $50 million production is a true A-level international co-production, and is not comparable to the entry-level B-level projects that Huayi Brothers used to show off.

The problem was that she couldn't find a suitable breakthrough to contact Wu Chen.

Without knowing the person well, having no introducer, and no suitable excuse, if one rashly contacts other people, like Zhang Yi, he will be rejected before he even opens his mouth.

(End of this chapter)