Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 85 Reaching Cooperation
"Director Chen, the people from Warner Bros. are here."

Inside the company, Luxen knocked on the door and came in.

"it is good."

Chen Shou put down the script in his hand and followed Lu Sen to the conference room.

A large number of people came from Warner Bros., including executives, producers, and two siblings who looked somewhat alike.

After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Shou knew the brother and sister very well. Two years ago, the older brother had transformed into the older sister, changing from Larry to Lana, while the younger brother was named Andy.

The two brothers were once very famous in Hollywood and were also science fiction film directors. Now they are siblings, and it is unknown whether they will become sisters in the future, after all, Americans are just too confused about gender.

“Director Chen, you probably know why we’re here. We want to buy the rights to two of your films,” said producer Grant.

Hollywood film production is producer-centric, so producers have a lot of power and control almost the entire film, followed by directors.

Commercial directors are often more like tools; they only need to follow the script to shoot.

However, commercially successful directors who can generate wealth are still very valuable, such as Chen Shouzhe.

"Which two?"

“Gravity and The Matrix,” Grant said.

“I have to admit that Hollywood’s investment capabilities are all the same. When I went to Columbia yesterday, they also wanted to buy these two scripts,” Chen Shouzhe said.

Upon hearing Chen Shou's words, the expressions of the people opposite him changed. The two siblings looked at each other, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, since they had been eyeing one of the scripts for a long time.

"Did it sell?" Grant asked, taking a deep breath.

"No," Chen Shou shook his head.

"call!"

Chen Shouzhe and Lu Sen both heard a sigh of relief.

"Director Chen, could you sell us the copyright?" Grant asked.

“I’m sorry, I never sell copyrights. If you want to buy my copyrights, you should have investigated me at Columbia, Mr. Grant. I’m a straightforward person, so let’s not beat around the bush. If Warner Bros. wants the script, they have to do it my way,” Chen Shou said.

"Director Chen, Warner Bros. is a major Hollywood studio..."

“I know it’s a big company, but my projects never lack money. Even without Warner, I have to meet with Fox this afternoon, and they are also very interested in the script,” Chen Shouzhe said.

Among the five major and three minor Hollywood studios, Warner Bros. is one of the five major studios and is indeed stronger and more powerful than Columbia Pictures. However, Fox is also one of the five major studios. Capital is profit-driven, and Chen Shouzhe has already shown the big Hollywood studios his money-making ability through three films.

He's already qualified to sit at the table and share steak with these people. If they don't want to, unless the entire Hollywood unites to blacklist him, he still has ways to break them down from within. After all, nobody turns down money.

Grant used his Warner Bros. identity to try and intimidate others, and Warner Bros. was indeed very powerful, but Chen Shou was able to ignore him.

So he interrupted the other person without hesitation, showing a very firm stance.

Grant's face turned grim as Chen Shouzhe interrupted him, and he stared intently at Chen Shouzhe.

"Is Director Chen not planning to relinquish the publishing rights?"

“I am very willing to work with Warner Bros., including with two excellent directors, provided that Warner Bros. respects me. I do not feel any respect from you, Mr. Grant. Your behavior just now made me feel that you are discriminating against me and giving me orders in a condescending tone.”

Grant took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed, saying, "I am very sorry, Director Chen. I was too rash. I apologize for my behavior just now."

"The purchase of the script rights can only be done according to the cooperation method between me and Columbia. Otherwise, there is no point in talking. I can't possibly give you the rights to such an excellent film. After all, I also have my own film and television company."

"Is Director Chen absolutely certain that he can make money?"

"If you can't, why are you here?"

“We acknowledge that the script is excellent, but Warner Bros. has always been an independent producer.”

“Nothing is static, wouldn’t you agree, Ms. Lana?”

"I think so!!" Lana said, shrugging. There was nothing wrong with her going from being a man to a woman.

“We’re willing to spend ten million dollars to buy the rights to both movies,” Grant said, still determined.

"I'm sorry, but my movie only cost $50,000 to make, yet it brought me $400 million at the box office. I feel I deserve more."

The negotiations stalled. Grant hadn't expected Chen to be so stubborn and refuse to let go, unlike any other Asian he had ever met.

Every Asian person who saw him bowed and scraped before him, and did whatever he said.

He never imagined anyone would dare to defy him like this. In his view, you should be happy to give away the scripts that Warner Bros. has their eye on.

He hadn't expected it to be so difficult; he hadn't even made any contingency plans beforehand.

Chen Shou picked up his coffee and started drinking it, as did Grant and the others.

"Time is almost up. I have to meet with people from Fox this afternoon. You can go back and discuss it."

Grant left with his men, glancing back at the small company. He never imagined that one of Hollywood's Big Five would one day be the one being turned away.

“What should Grant do now?” Lana asked.

"Go back and have a meeting to decide. Those damn yellow-skinned monkeys, and those damn Fox." In the afternoon, Chen Shou went to Fox. This company is very powerful; Cameron's legendary movie was produced by Fox.

When Chen Shouzhe arrived at their company, he was received. Compared to Warner's attitude, Fox's was much better. However, they did not accept Chen Shouzhe's cooperation proposal and said they would consider it.

Chen Shouzhe didn't care, since he didn't really need it anyway, and if things didn't work out, he could just continue cooperating with Colombia.

However, during his visit to Fox, he saw a cat.

An overweight orange cat.

This is Fox's mascot.

"Animated film?"

Chen Shouzhe suddenly had an idea.

He originally planned to stay in the United States for a while, but now it seems he has a new idea and wants to return to China as soon as possible.

“Lusen, you should talk to Warner. We’re going back the day after tomorrow. If they haven’t made a decision, then don’t bring it up again. Also, tell them my conditions. If they can accept them, great; if not, there will be other opportunities to cooperate in the future,” Chen Shou said.

"Ok."

Luxen shrugged, inwardly admiring Chen Shouzhe for daring to be so tough on Warner Bros.

"This batch of equipment will arrive next month. Money is flowing out like water." Chen Shouzhe has already spent a portion of the money he received from "The Day After Tomorrow," mainly on purchasing equipment, and has left some to keep the company running.

He gradually channeled the company's money back into China and used it to buy various equipment.

Little Dream is like his toy room; he constantly buys new toys from outside to fill it up.

The next day, Warner met with the same people who were rumored to be there before.

"Director Chen, is it really impossible to sell it directly?"

"I'm sorry, no. If you've come with that intention, I can only say we can cooperate again next time," Chen Shou said, spreading his hands.

"Okay, you win. We'll allow you to invest and retain a certain percentage of the copyright revenue. The Matrix will be directed by Lana and Andy, and if the conditions for Gravity are met, you can direct it yourself." Warner Bros. finally compromised.

"Believe me, you won't regret this collaboration," Chen Shou said.

“I must say, you’re a genius. Lana and Andy have both been urging me to make this film,” Grant said.

“That’s because I’m good enough,” Chen Shou said.

"I don't see a trace of Eastern humility in you."

"I don't need to be modest, because I can bring you wealth."

"So I believe in your talent, Chen, and I hope you can bring wealth to Warner."

After both parties signed the contract, Chen Shouzhe hired two lawyers to handle the contract issues for a long time.

However, Warner Bros. did not know that "The Matrix" could be made into several films. He had only sold the first one so far. If the first one was successful, then Chen Shouzhe could control Warner Bros. for the second and third films. If Warner Bros. did not agree, according to the terms of the contract he signed, Warner Bros. would only be doing the work for Chen Shouzhe.

On the day the contract was signed, Warner Bros. hadn't made a move yet, but Columbia was already ready.

[Reprinted from The Hollywood Reporter: Chinese-American director Chen Shouzhe has once again partnered with Columbia Pictures for the disaster film "The Impossible," with Chen Shouzhe as screenwriter and Roland Roland as director. This is reportedly their third collaboration.]

Domestic film and television companies could only watch all this with envy and resentment, cursing and swearing.

"He really only releases one film a year. He has already established himself overseas, so it's useless for him to be targeted domestically."

"We're not satisfied with what we eat domestically; we want to eat what we eat abroad too."

"A third disaster movie? The first two made a fortune, and now they're making another one?"

"No wonder he is so fearless and can still do very well abroad."

"It seems like it won't be a co-production."

Why make it a co-production?

Compared to the complaints from industry insiders, ordinary viewers are very much looking forward to it, especially since "The Day After Tomorrow" has not yet been released in China. The special effects of "2012" showed them what a blockbuster special effects movie is, and they have been eagerly anticipating "The Day After Tomorrow". Many reviews can be found on foreign websites, all saying that it is an absolutely excellent movie.

"Damn, another disaster movie is coming."

"One film a year, so we probably won't see it until next year."

"I'm just waiting for 'The Day After Tomorrow' to be released. I was so excited by the special effects of '2012' that I watched it twice in 3D."

"2012 is the best disaster movie in my opinion."

"I heard that The Day After Tomorrow is rated even higher than 2012."

"I just want to know when it will be released."

"Director Chen is amazing! Another blockbuster to watch. When will 'The Martian' be released?"

"Looking forward to the same."

(End of this chapter)