Chapter 226 Investing in Lost in Thailand, "Forced" To Eat Alone

Hengdian, hotel box

Wei Yang met a bald man with a simple face but shrewd eyes. It was his senior from Shanghai Theatre Academy, Xu Zheng, and Liu Yiwei was with him.

This comedian, who once hosted "Everyday Diet" on CCTV, is also a familiar comedian, but he is more of a behind-the-scenes director, planner, screenwriter, producer, etc.

Xu Zheng once starred in "Love Call Transfer", and he was the screenwriter and planner, and the two were quite close.

He did not participate much in the "Lost in Thailand" project, but he helped Xu Zheng a lot.

Wei Yang and Xu Zheng have never met, but he and Liu Yiwei filmed "The Founding of a Party" together, so they are nodding acquaintances.

Although they are just nodding acquaintances, they are also acquaintances. At least they have something to talk about. In addition, Wei and Xu are brothers from the same school, and they are both smart people. They can get "familiar" with each other in a few words.

"Brother, I won't say any more nonsense. I'm busy over there. Can you take a look at the script?"

"Okay, Mr. Wei."

Wei Yang called him "brother" to give Xu Zheng face and to show his approachability, but it doesn't mean Xu Zheng can really treat him as a younger brother.

Xu Zheng took out the script and handed it to Wei Yang with both hands. Wei Yang saw that it was a complete script and knew what was going on.

It seems that this guy has hit a lot of walls and is seizing every opportunity to strive for investment.

"You guys eat, I'll take a look."

Wei Yang invited the two to eat and flipped through the script himself. The finished film in his impression was slightly different, but the overall plot structure was the same.

He was watching it seriously, but Xu Zheng had no intention of picking up his chopsticks. He just looked at it eagerly with expectation in his eyes.

The script of "Lost in Thailand" was derived from "Lost on Journey" starring Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang last year.

The cost of that movie was only 7 million, and the final box office was 37.3 million. The box office share alone nearly doubled. Add to that the other miscellaneous income, and put aside the cost, it is estimated that it can make a small eight-digit profit.

This is very good. Movie projects are more risky than TV projects. There are many projects that lose money. Only projects that can make money are good.

In addition to making money, the good reputation of this movie has attracted a lot of attention to Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang.

So Xu Zheng wanted to make a sequel. No one would refuse such a profitable business, but the problem was that Xu Zheng wanted to be a director himself.

Xu Zheng is not Zhao and Xu Cainu. He has a sponsor behind him. His fame and status are here. Being a director is a gimmick and can increase exposure.

Although he has some works in recent years and his achievements are not bad, his image is limited. He is a powerful actor. His status can only be said to be between the first and second lines. His popularity and popularity are even far inferior to some popular second-line actors and actresses.

In this case, Xu Zheng wrote and directed the movie himself, and there was almost no publicity gimmick. He was a newcomer, so he was naturally not favored as a director.

Before this, the original production company of "Lost on Journey" and many companies such as Huayi and Xiaoma Pentium had rejected him.

Xu Zheng spent a lot of time and finally won the copyright of the sequel, and then found Guangguang. Boss Wang was not optimistic about him, so he recommended him to Wei Yang.

If Wei Yang rejected him again, Xu Zheng would not be in a desperate situation, but the project could basically be shelved.

Wei Yang knew the plot a long time ago, and he was a screenwriter. He read the script very quickly and put it down in a few minutes. Xu Zheng, who didn't know the inside story, felt cold in his heart.

So fast, not optimistic?

Wei Yang saw the faces of Xu Zheng and Liu Yiwei, but didn't explain. It was better to scare them, so that it would be easier to negotiate.

He smiled and invited Xu Zheng and Liu Yiwei to eat, and personally picked up dishes for them, but they didn't have the appetite, especially Xu Zheng, who was simply chewing wax.

He couldn't hold on for less than five minutes and couldn't help asking Wei Yang about his opinion on the script.

Wei Yang pondered for a moment: "The script is not bad, but..."

Xu Zheng smiled bitterly: "It's also the director's problem."

"That's right."

Wei Yang also pointed out the reason why other bosses were unwilling to invest money. The scale of "Lost in Thailand" is much stronger than the first one, and it will be filmed abroad, and the cost must be at least 30 million.

What kind of concept is this? "Lost in Thailand" must have at least 100 million box office to make a profit.

The first "Lost on Journey" had a box office of less than 40 million. Who can guarantee that the second one can break 100 million, not to mention using a new director.

The bosses of these film and television companies are all the kind of people who don't want to see the rabbit, and they may consider replacing a beautiful female star, but Xu Zheng is a bald guy, and he has a lot of money to burn, so he threw tens of millions to him to practice...

"I understand."

Xu Zheng looked gloomy. He was used to being hit before, so he was not very disappointed. He was ready to say a few polite words and leave, but Wei Yang couldn't help asking.

"Excuse me, have you ever thought of letting other directors come?"

"Mr. Li from Xiaoma and Mr. Wang from Guangguang have both suggested this, but it may be because of my personality, or it may be because I have been rejected all the time, so I held my breath and wanted to prove myself. If Lost in Thailand cannot be filmed for the time being, I will keep it, but I will not let others film it."

Xu Zheng probably gave up on Wei Yang and said some of his true feelings.

Wei Yang nodded, and he could roughly understand.

No matter what happened to Xu Zheng later, he was an early drama actor, and now he has been pursuing to be a director, so he is still a little noble in his heart.

His current status is not bad, he has no shortage of plays and money, but this dream of being a director has been denied for so long, and Lost in Thailand has become a knot in his heart, and he will not give in easily.

"...Thank you, Mr. Wei, for your hospitality. Since you are busy, we will not delay you..."

After Xu Zheng made his promise, he and Liu Yiwei were about to leave, but Wei Yang raised his hand to stop them. The latter smiled.

"Why are you in such a hurry? I didn't say I wouldn't invest."

"?"

Xu Zheng looked at the most outstanding junior brother in recent years in Shanghai Theatre Academy in astonishment, his eyes full of surprise and disbelief: "You mean..."

"Yes, your project is risky, but I think it's within the controllable range and you can take the risk."

Wei Yang asked Xu Zheng to sit down, and then put forward his requirements concisely and clearly: "The production team and the team must include our Blue Whale people. In addition to you and Wang Baoqiang, I hope you can invite Huang Bo to join the starring role."

The original villain actor in the script of "Lost in Thailand" was planned to be the squirrel Wang Xun, and Wei Yang was very straightforward.

"He is not famous enough. You and Wang Baoqiang are the ones who will cover him. If you want to achieve the variable, you have to invite a comedy star. You and Huang Bo have a tacit understanding and are recognized by the audience. He is the best candidate."

"But this is a villain, he may not be willing."

Xu Zheng was a little embarrassed. Huang Bo has developed rapidly in recent years and is one of the most powerful movie stars in the mainland. He can't be invited just like that.

"That's your problem, senior brother. I only care about the cast that satisfies me. At most, I will give you some support in terms of salary."

Wei Yang is an investor. He only makes demands and doesn't care how you get the actors. If you can't get them, I won't invest money.

If I have to worry about everything, what kind of party A am I?

Wei Yang knows what kind of person Xu Zheng is, and he doesn't plan to win him over. He just wants to do business in a fair manner and make money through cooperation. He is not in the mood to be a warm-hearted big boss to coax him.

Even so, in the eyes of Xu Zheng and the others, Wei Yang's conditions are already very loose. At least no one else has even given Xu Zheng this opportunity.

So, Xu Zheng gritted his teeth and made a promise: "No problem, I will definitely bring Huang Bo to you."

Liu Yiwei raised another difficult question at the side: "You have also read the script, and I want to have a surprise egg at the end. Bingbing, can you come forward to coordinate it?"

Wei Yang frowned: "Haven't you filmed with her before?"

Liu Yiwei and Xu Zheng have collaborated with many actresses in "Love Call Transfer", one of whom is Fan Xiaopang. They are still friends, otherwise the original version would not have invited her.

"It's been several years, and we don't know if it will succeed. You have more face."

Fan Xiaopang's status is not the same as it was a few years ago. Although he is also a good person, Xu Zheng and his friends are not sure whether he will give face.

But it's easy to deal with Wei Yang. Not to mention the scandals and personal relationships between the two, his status and position in the circle are much better than the two of them coming forward.

"I'll try."

Boss Wei didn't guarantee it, but Xu Zheng and his friends knew it was stable. It was a one-day guest appearance at most. They didn't believe that Wei Yang couldn't handle it.

At this point, the cooperation was basically tentatively planned. Xu Zheng got Huang Bo to participate in the performance, and then the budget and share division were discussed.

Wei Yang took the initiative to pick up the cup and changed his address: "Director Xu, I wish us a happy cooperation."

Xu Zheng was moved by the word "Director Xu". He was both excited and grateful. He held the cup with both hands and lowered the rim of the cup: "Thank you, Mr. Wei, for your support."

After the meal, Xu Zheng left Hengdian first, ready to win Huang Bo, and then go through the details with Wei Yang's team.

Wei Yang took out his phone and contacted Lao Wang of Guangguang. The latter was a little surprised to hear that Wei Yang had invested in this project.

"Didn't I tell you? There are risks. Just meet and get rid of it."

Boss Wang was not optimistic about this project at first, but because Liu Yiwei had worked with him before, he said that he would introduce it to Wei Yang, but in fact he was politely refusing.

He had discussed with Wei Yang before that if he was not optimistic, he could just refuse. Wei Yang had no friendship with Liu and Xu, so it was easier for him to refuse.

This kind of routine is often used in the circle. It does not hurt face and may even lead to a cooperation. Some bosses who are on good terms often share what they have with each other.

If a close friend comes to Boss Wei to invest in the future, Wei Yang is not optimistic about the project and does not want to throw money in vain, but he cannot bear to refuse directly, he can help "match" Boss Wang of Guangguang.

"I know, but I think there is still a way out. Boss Wang, do you want to add a share?"

Wei Yang took the initiative to invite him. He does not mind eating alone, but after all, this project was matched by Lao Wang. If "Lost in Thailand" becomes a hit, people will inevitably have some ideas.

Boss Wang was skeptical: "Do you really think there is a way out?"

"I dare not say more. I think it should not be a problem to get back the investment. There is a chance to make a small profit."

Wei Yang did not say that "Lost in Thailand" might break 1 billion+. If he did, Boss Wang would probably think he was hysterical.

According to normal market estimates, even if this movie goes well, the box office will probably be 100 to 300 million.

After all, the original cast of the comedy version of "Wulin Wai Zhuan" earlier this year only earned 180 million yuan, and last year's "Da Xiao Jiang Hu" with Zhao Benshan and his apprentices and many Hong Kong and Taiwan comedians earned 150 million yuan at the box office.

Even if Huang Bo is added to "Lost in Thailand", the lineup is not much better than the previous ones, and 100 to 300 million yuan is already an optimistic estimate.

Not to mention Boss Wang, any senior film expert would make this judgment.

But the key is that some movies cannot be calculated by common sense...

Wei Yang deeply agrees with this principle, but Boss Wang did not tie it to "Lost in Thailand".

Hearing that there is only hope of making a profit, he is not interested. Guangguang has also spread its stall quite a lot in the past two years, and this movie is not bad.

Besides, Boss Wang was thinking about Blue Whale/Wei Yang's first movie and wanted to see if he could participate. If he invested in Lost in Thailand now, he was afraid that Wei Yang would use this to stall him later.

"Boss Wang, I have already invited you. Don't blame me if this movie makes money later."

"Haha, the more you make, the happier I am for you. But I also made an agreement with you that if this movie loses money, don't blame me for helping you."

Boss Wang didn't take this to heart and even passed on the blame in advance. Wei Yang didn't say anything more.

Anyway, he had already finished speaking, and if the other party didn't respond, he couldn't blame him for eating alone...