Chapter 217: Sino-US co-production, recruited by the country
On October 10, the 20th day of the release of "Those Years", the domestic box office exceeded 31.98 billion yuan. The overseas box office also performed well, reaching 7.34 million in total, and the global total box office totaled 39.32 billion.

After twenty days of release, the daily box office of "Those Years" has reached 30 million per day. There is still a month of release period left, which is completely a slow process. At this time, "Those Years" can already open the champagne, and not just at the halftime.

According to predictions, when "Those Years" is released, the domestic box office is expected to exceed 38 billion, and the overseas box office is expected to exceed 10 billion. As for whether it can break 50 billion, it is still unknown, but it is obvious that "Those Years" has already locked in the championship throne of domestic films in 2022 in advance.

Even without counting the overseas box office, it still topped the box office.

Yan Gou'er has become the object of envy of many female stars. She has accumulated a considerable number of fans in Tyrande, Neon, and Peninsula. She has become one of the few female stars who have gone global in the past decade and has gained international fame.

At this time, news came from Tianying Group:
Tianying Group will spend 1.6 million US dollars to join hands with two well-known Hollywood film giants, Dream Pictures and Universal Pictures, to jointly create a China-Serbia co-production film.

Tianying Group is the leader and decision-maker in the Tianxia film industry, while Hollywood's Magic Pictures and WorldStar Pictures are giants in the international film industry, with strong production capabilities, rich IP resources and global distribution networks.

The cooperation between the two parties will be a powerful alliance, aimed at jointly creating film works with international influence and market competitiveness.

As soon as this news came out, the industry was shaken again.

First, Cheng Cheng's "Those Years" reaped the global box office, and the overseas box office is expected to exceed 10 billion. Then, Tianying Group and Hollywood co-produced a Sino-US film, and it was a big-budget, big production with a cost of 1.6 million US dollars. It seemed that the market suddenly improved!
The entire domestic entertainment industry instantly got wind of the news, and both directors and actors were scrambling to get involved.

But anyone with a discerning eye knows that for this Sino-US co-production, whether it is the director or the actors, Tianying Group will definitely choose the best of the best and will absolutely not choose unknown people. It is impossible to soar to the top through this opportunity.

On October 10, news came out again that representatives from Dream Pictures and Universal Star Pictures had arrived in Tianxia and completed the first round of negotiations with Tianying Group.

According to reliable sources, Dream Pictures and Universal Star Pictures' requirements for the director are:
He must be a well-known director with international reputation and experience in big-budget productions.

For a time, candidates such as Lu Zhuofeng, Gong Guangming, Tang Ping, Cheng Cheng, and Qiao Yuguo became the focus of heated discussion.

Cheng Cheng, in particular, was mentioned the most times by netizens. Although he has no experience in producing big-budget movies, he has experience in producing big-budget TV series. "The Legend of Sword and Fairy 4.5" cost million yuan.

On October 10, with the continuous unearthing of information and the interview statements of the leaders of Tianying Group, the directors for this Sino-Serbian co-production were narrowed down to Lü Zhuofeng, Gong Guangming and Cheng Cheng.

The comment section for Sung Cheng was immediately flooded with comments, with some netizens calling on him to strike while the iron is hot and conquer the European and American markets again. The actors of Shinhwa Company were also very excited, because if Sung Cheng became a director, then they could also participate in it naturally.

No one can resist the US$1.6 million Sino-US co-production project.

On October 10, Tianying Group officially announced the Sino-US co-production project and officially selected directors and actors in Tianxia.

Jiang Wang was very excited and called Cheng Cheng:

"Xiaocheng, good news! Good news! The specific list has not been officially announced yet, but I have heard that the top leader of Tianying Group is very keen on you to take charge of this project! Although some people also recommend Lu Zhuofeng, you are the most competitive. I will make sure you are selected by making arrangements."

Cheng Cheng said "Oh" and said, "But I'm not interested."

Cheng Cheng was directing the master in the company to post "Toilet Usage Tips" in the bathroom. These were some very common and warm reminders such as "No upside-down pooping", "No sleeping in the toilet", "Water will only come out after turning the faucet once", etc.

Jiang Wang was stunned: "Why?"

Cheng Cheng: "Because I think it's boring."

"Don't be so boring!" Jiang Wang advised him, "Xiaocheng, this cooperation is a powerful combination of Tianying Group and two Hollywood film giants. The scale and influence of the project are unprecedented! This level of cross-cultural communication and learning will undoubtedly have immeasurable value in enhancing your international reputation and broadening your career path. And most importantly, after this battle, we can completely suppress Quanzhou Pictures. Are you really willing to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?"

Cheng Cheng: “I do.”

Jiang Wang: "What?"

Cheng Cheng: "I am willing to give up my life for you, I am willing to give up my life for you~"

Jiang Wang was full of questions: ???
He asked uncertainly: "Are you singing?"

Cheng Cheng: "Yeah, there are so many people who want me to sing for them but I can't. Just be happy, Uncle Jiang. I'll hang up now if I have nothing else to do."

"Hey, don't~"

Before Jiang Wang could finish his words, Cheng Cheng hung up the phone with a beep.

Looking at the hung up phone interface, Jiang Wang was speechless:

The good thing about this little psychopath is that his behavioral logic is completely unpredictable and uncontrollable. His mental state every second is a blind box and you never know what will come out in the next second.

On the other side, after the master posted the "Toilet Usage Tips", Cheng Cheng turned on the faucet according to the instructions and found that water was actually flowing out. He immediately breathed a sigh of relief:

This solves the problem of employees not being able to wash their hands when going to the toilet because they don't know how to turn on the faucet.

As for Sino-US co-production?

Cheng Cheng didn't want to give it any picture.

It’s not like he hasn’t seen Sino-US co-productions before.

How bad was the previous version of "The Great Wall"?
It would be better for him to believe that Qin Shi Huang is still alive than to believe that China and the United States can cooperate.

But what is coming cannot be avoided.

The next day, he was invited to Tianying Group, accompanied by Jiang Wang.

After arriving at Tianying Group, Cheng Cheng saw Lu Zhuofeng. He and the people from Quanzhou Pictures were also there. Both sides knew what the other was here for, and the atmosphere immediately became tense.

Cheng Cheng walked in front of Lu Zhuofeng. The people from Quanzhou Pictures didn’t know what Cheng Cheng wanted to do, so Zhao Wenliang protected Lu Zhuofeng.

Although Jiang Wang was afraid that Cheng Cheng would cause trouble, he still stood by Cheng Cheng.

Lu Zhuofeng stood up with a smile, pushed Zhao Wenliang away, and said, "Wenliang, it's okay."

He looked at Cheng Cheng and said, "It's been a while since we last met. Congratulations on the success of "Those Years". It has set a great example for Tianxia filmmakers."

Cheng Cheng nodded: "You are right, I did do that."

Lu Zhuofeng shook his head and laughed, feeling that Cheng Cheng still had the same style and hadn't changed at all.

He said, "Shall we go over and talk?"

Cheng Cheng: “Okay.”

The two walked to the window in the corridor, but there was no one there.

Cheng Cheng asked, "Are you going to compete for this project?"

Lu Zhuofeng nodded: "Yes, what about you? You want it too? If you want it, I'll give it to you."

Cheng Cheng shook his head: "I don't want it."

Lu Zhuofeng was surprised: "Why? This opportunity is very helpful to you right now! You should strike while the iron is hot."

Cheng Cheng said: "I am not very optimistic about this project. It is a $1.6 million production. Even if we are the director, how much say do we have? If we cannot have the say, it is better not to have it."

Lu Zhuofeng suddenly realized: "So that's what you think. Indeed, your works are all directed, written, and edited by you. You are the kind of person who is unwilling to hand over the right to speak. But I am different. I have made mental preparations."

Cheng Cheng asked: "What kind of psychological preparation?"

Lu Zhuofeng: "When shooting a Hollywood blockbuster like this, and this project initiated by Dream Pictures and Universal Star Pictures, we must respect Hollywood's rules of the game and play by their rules."

Cheng Cheng: "Do you have to take the photo?"

Lu Zhuofeng: "If you don't answer, I will."

He smiled bitterly and said, "You were right to scold me, saying that I was a dragon slayer who eventually became an evil dragon. That's right, it's because I lost my direction that I became a tyrant in Tianxia. After being awakened by your scolding, I know it's time for me to challenge something new. If I succeed this time, more people from Hollywood will come to Tianxia, ​​which is a very meaningful thing."

Cheng Cheng looked at him without saying anything.

Lu Zhuofeng patted Cheng Cheng on the shoulder and said with a smile:
"We can say that we have become friends after fighting, and we can forget our grudges with a smile, right? If I succeed this time, it's all thanks to you scolding me. If I fail, and my reputation is ruined, it's also my retribution."

"Also, I've always wanted to apologize to you and Wen Lian. This time, if you don't want to take the call, I'll take it. I'll give the female lead role to Wen Lian..."

While Cheng Cheng and Lu Zhuofeng were chatting, Jiang Wang and Quan Rifeng, the president of Quanzhou Pictures, also came into contact.

Jiang Wang sat there, smiling but not really smiling:

"All-China Federation of Trade Unions, what a coincidence. It seems that we are not only competitors in the market, but also in this Sino-US co-production project, we will have a head-on confrontation."

The corner of Quan Rifeng's mouth curled up into an equally meaningful smile:

"Mr. Jiang, this is a rare opportunity. Not everyone can seize the opportunity of a Sino-US co-production. Quanzhou has been working hard in the film industry and has accumulated rich experience. It is not something that can be matched by a few films of someone else."

Jiang Wang said faintly: "Yes, the experience of failure is also experience."

"You——" Quan Rifeng was furious, "Don't get carried away just because you made one or two movies!"

Jiang Wang said calmly: "Wrong, it's three. The total of the three is over 10 billion."

Upon hearing this, Quan Rifeng became so angry that his face turned blue.

This is a killer.

He suppressed his anger and said, "Then let's all try our best to see who has the last laugh."

Zhao Wenliang on the side did not participate in the confrontation between Jiang Wang and Quan Rifeng. He just watched Cheng Cheng and Lu Zhuofeng talking. Seeing the smile on Lu Zhuofeng's face and his action of slapping Cheng Cheng, he became jealous.

Soon, Zhai Ji, the secretary of Tianying's boss, walked in.

Jiang Wang and Quan Rifeng immediately straightened their backs and looked at him expectantly.

"Secretary Zhai! Is President Meng done with his work?"

"Secretary Zhai, can we go in now?"

Zhai Ji smiled and said, "Okay, Mr. Meng, please invite Director Cheng Cheng in first. Where is Director Cheng Cheng?"

Quan Rifeng's face instantly fell, while Jiang Wang's face was full of joy. He pointed and said, "There!"

He understood the significance of President Du inviting Cheng Cheng in first, which meant that Cheng Cheng was his first choice.

Jiang Wang found Cheng Cheng, and before the two of them went in, he said:

"Xiao Cheng, we must seize this opportunity. This opportunity belongs to either us or Quanzhou Pictures. We can't let that bastard get too carried away!"

After entering the office, Cheng Cheng met Tianying's CEO, Meng Hai. Meng Hai was a very friendly person. He first shook hands with Cheng Cheng and praised him, then said:
"Xiaocheng, you should have heard about the Sino-US co-production project. If you haven't, President Jiang should have told you. You have experience in simultaneous releases in four countries, and you are also the most successful director of the younger generation. You know what young audiences like to watch. This project is best suited for you, and I hope you will be in charge."

Meng Hai had an attitude of ordering someone to do something, and he didn't even consider the possibility that Cheng Cheng would refuse.

Jiang Wang winked at Cheng Cheng frantically.

But Cheng Cheng seemed to be unable to read the air and said, "Boss Meng, I want to take a look at the script first."

Meng Hai was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Sure, of course."

He handed a thick stack of scripts to Cheng Cheng to read.

Cheng Cheng took it and quickly flipped through it.

The movie has two male protagonists and one female protagonist.

One of the male protagonists is white, and the plot of the movie mainly revolves around him.

It tells the story of the ancient times of Tianxia, ​​when the demons, immortals, humans and monsters co-existed in the Central Plains. The human race was not as powerful as the demons, as detached as the immortals, or as strange as the monsters. They just lingered on in this world, trying to survive in the cracks.

One day, the second male lead Qiangshi and the female lead Washeng went out hunting, but accidentally ran into the demons. When they were about to be killed, a blond and blue-eyed man suddenly fell from the sky. This was the male lead, Guro Russo.

Guluo fell from the sky, crushed the demons to death, accidentally saved Qiangshi and Washeng, but he himself fell into a coma.

Qiangshi and Washeng brought Guluo back to the tribe and took good care of him. Because of Guluo's unusual appearance, the people in the tribe disliked him, but Washeng secretly fell in love with him.

After waking up, Guluo found that he had traveled back to ancient times. It turned out that he was not a contemporary person, but a modern person. He particularly liked Eastern culture. As soon as he asked Washeng, he knew the era he was in.

He had read this unknown history in an ancient book. He did not expect that the ancient book was actually true, and the demons, immortals, and monsters were all true! Knowing the miserable situation of the human race, Gu Luo planned to stand up.

He asked Washeng if he knew a person named Yuguo, because he read in ancient books that it was this person named Yuguo who led the human race to wipe out the demons and monsters, blocked the passage from human to immortal, and returned the world to mankind.

Washeng said he didn't know. Then, Guluo, Qiangshi and Washeng embarked on an adventure to find the Jade Kingdom.

During this process, the three of them experienced a series of adventures and their feelings blossomed. Guluo and Washeng fell in love with each other, but Qiangshi had always liked Washeng but could not get her. During a chase with the demon tribe, Qiangshi sacrificed himself to allow Guluo and Washeng to escape. Before his death, Qiangshi asked Guluo to take good care of Washeng.

Finally, Guluo discovered that he was Yuguo, the legendary savior. Yuguo was the transliteration of Guluo's name in the demon language.

In the final battle, Guluo saved the human race. He traveled back in time and found that the contents of the ancient books had been increased. He appeared in the ancient books, and Wa Sheng was pregnant with her son, who became the king of the human race. However, Wa Sheng could not wait for him and died of depression at the age of forty.

Cheng Cheng finished reading it, pinching his nose.

After reading it, Meng Hai looked at him expectantly and asked, "How is it?"

Cheng Cheng bluntly said: "This is shit."

Meng Hai's expression changed immediately.

Jiang Wangze was horrified.

Meng Hai said in a dignified manner: "Director Xiaocheng, this is a script written by the top screenwriters hired by Dream Pictures and Universal Star Pictures. Is it that bad?"

Cheng Cheng said, "Mr. Meng, you should find someone else. I can't do it. This script is full of evil intentions. First of all, it's the same old story of a white man saving a yellow woman. Don't you get tired of this type of story? I'm tired of it. Oh, that's not the case. This drama is also innovative. It lets a yellow man serve as a tool and make sacrifices for their love, which adds some interest and play."

Meng Hai retorted: "Director Xiaocheng, I don't agree with your point of view. I think you should not stay at this narrow level of racial pairing."

"Secondly," Cheng Cheng ignored what he said and continued, "Let a white man change our history, have a child with the heroine, and become the king of the human race. What does this mean? Are the white people trying to secretly express that they are our ancestors?"

Jiang Wang pulled Cheng Cheng and said, "That's enough. You've talked too much."

He was afraid of angering Meng Hai, so he apologized repeatedly: "Mr. Meng, Director Xiaocheng is like this. He can't control his mouth. Please don't mind it."

Meng Hai said in a deep voice: "I don't mind. I know who Director Xiaocheng is, but I think Director Xiaocheng has over-interpreted it."

Cheng Cheng: "But this is my interpretation. I can't shoot this script. I'm afraid that if I shoot it, I will be infamous forever. And it's not just me who doesn't want to shoot it. I also advise you, Mr. Meng, not to shoot this script. This is what Westerners like to watch. They like to be the savior of the world. The people of any country are in dire straits and need them to save them. They enjoy the admiration of women of all races.

But this is definitely not what the Tianxia people like.”

Meng Hai's face turned cold:

“Director Xiaocheng, I hope you know that as filmmakers, we shoulder the responsibility of conveying diverse cultures, and cross-international cultural exchanges are one of them.

It is undeniable that this script was indeed created to cater to the tastes of Western audiences, but at the same time, it can also promote our Tianxia culture around the world and take advantage of the situation.

We must first solve the problem of whether it exists and whether it looks good, and then solve the problem of exporting values. Wasn’t it the same for us and Yeongdo back then?

Director Xiaocheng, I hope you can broaden your horizons and open up your horizons. I am very optimistic about you. I still hope you can take over this project."

Cheng Cheng said: "If you want me to take over, that's fine, but I have conditions."

Meng Hai: "What conditions?"

Cheng Cheng: "First, I want to change the script, and I want to change it drastically. Second, I want absolute rights to direct, cast, and edit."

Meng Hai: "You mean you want all your power?"

Cheng Cheng said, as if he was the one who was waiting for you to go offline.
"Isn't it good for me to make a fortune with Dream Pictures and Universal Star Pictures and take Tianxia Films to the world?"

If Meng Hai agrees to let him change the script, he can use the story structure of "The First Part of Investiture of the Gods", make one or two characters foreigners, and then use the "One-time Work Enhancement Function Book" to improve the quality of the script. He should be able to make a movie with a score of about 8, and the box office should not be a problem.

Meng Hai refused directly: "Impossible, don't even think about it."

He had no way to negotiate the conditions proposed by Cheng Cheng with Dream Pictures and Universal Pictures because they were too excessive and Hollywood would never give up the dominant position.

Cheng Cheng said: "Then there is nothing we can do."

He felt sorry for Meng Hai.

Tsk tsk tsk, you can't grasp such a good opportunity to gain fame and fortune~
-

After leaving the office, Jiang Wang was still complaining:
"Okay, you shouldn't have spoken to Mr. Meng like that. He's the director of Tianying Group and has a lot of power. If you offend him, we'll suffer the consequences. If he makes a fuss about us, we'll be in big trouble."

Cheng Cheng said: "I am like this. If I am unhappy, I will speak out. I never waste my energy. If he doesn't like me, he can kill me at any time. It doesn't matter. If I don't have movies to shoot, I can write novels and sing."

"Hey!" Jiang Wang hurriedly stopped him, "What are you talking about? You can't stop making the movie."

Cheng Cheng said: "Don't worry, when this crappy movie is released and he gets scolded, he will know that what I said today was right."

After Cheng Cheng and Jiang Wang came out, Lu Zhuofeng, Zhao Wenliang and Quan Rifeng were invited in again.

Jiang Wang said: "Let's go, I don't want to see Quan Rifeng's smug face."

Cheng Cheng shook his head: "Let's wait for them to come out."

This wait lasted for more than half an hour.

When he came out, Quan Rifeng was indeed extremely proud, and it showed on his face.

"Boss Jiang, let me tell you, this project belongs to us."

"Hey!"

This made Jiang Wang angry. If Cheng Cheng didn't want it, how could it be their turn?
Now they are feeling proud instead.

This grandson!
Cheng Cheng asked Lu Zhuofeng: "Did you take this project?"

Lu Zhuofeng nodded.

Cheng Cheng: "I really have to answer it."

Lu Zhuofeng's expression was also somewhat bitter. He said, "I will try my best to tell a good Tianxia story."

"Then I wish you success." After saying that, Cheng Cheng did not stay any longer, called Jiang Wang and was about to leave.

Lu Zhuofeng: "What about Wen Lian?"

Cheng Cheng: "You'd better not call her. Let's talk about it later when there is a good project."

Lu Zhuofeng nodded: "Okay then."

Looking at the backs of Cheng Cheng and Jiang Wang leaving, Quan Rifeng wanted to go a step further and taunt them a few times, but was stopped by Lu Zhuofeng:
"Quanzong, please stop talking~"

Firstly, he was afraid that Cheng Cheng would go crazy and beat people on the spot.

Second, I feel ashamed. This is a project that Cheng Cheng doesn't like. What is there for you to brag about? Isn't it embarrassing?
-

Walking into the elevator, Jiang Wang was still a little indignant:
"It makes me angry to see how proud Quan Rifeng is. What a jerk! I just can't stand him being like this! It's as if he won against us, but it's not because we didn't ask for this opportunity that it got their turn."

"Don't worry, he will pay for it, and..." Cheng Cheng said, "Why does the Sino-US co-production have to be led by Tianying?"

Jiang Wang looked at him suddenly, thought of a possibility, swallowed his saliva, and said:
"What do you mean?"

Cheng Cheng: "We can also do a Sino-US co-production ourselves. The script is already ready and I have already chosen the leading actors."

Jiang Wang: "Who?"

Cheng Cheng: "Your daughter."

Jiang Wang exclaimed: "Nannan."

Cheng Cheng: “Yes.”

Speaking of this, Jiang Wang suddenly felt less sleepy. He grabbed Cheng Cheng's shoulders and asked impatiently:
“So when are we going to shoot?”

Cheng Cheng said, "Don't worry. It will take at least a year for their movie to be released from filming to release. We can wait until Jiang Nan is done with his work and then shoot next year, just in time for their release."

Jiang Wang said uncertainly: "You mean..."

"Yes." Cheng Cheng's eyes were filled with confusion. "Let them see what a true Sino-US co-production is."

(End of this chapter)