Chapter 278 Let Me Take the Risk!

In fact, the promotion of "Embroidered Spring Blade" in North America has already been done. And waiting for Wu Yuchen to come is to let him take the crew to a TV show. TV has been the most important channel for North American promotion in recent years.

In fact, Jiang Qinqin thought too much. Even if she was on the show, the host was basically chatting with Wu Yuchen. If Wu Yuchen hadn't led the topic to them, they might not want to talk to them. Who do you think you are in America?

Of course, they still performed on the show in the end. One was to let Jiang Qinqin dance, wearing the ancient costumes that she brought specially, which was quite pleasing to the eye, but the most cheering thing for the audience was the fight performance between Wu Jing and Zhao Wenzhuo.

That's right, it was a performance. They had practiced the routines in advance, and it looked pretty good when they fought. That's the meaning of bringing them here.

"Wu Yuchen's Chinese Kung Fu masterpiece "Knife of the Assassin" is coming to North America!"

"Wu Yuchen's most anticipated Chinese costume Kung Fu movie - "Knife of the Assassin"!"

Without exception, Wu Yuchen's name is also the main promotion, and of course, the popular element of Chinese Kung Fu must be mentioned.

In fact, "Knife of the Assassin" should be considered a martial arts movie, but if you talk about martial arts with the North American audience, they don't understand. They only know Chinese Kung Fu, and they are unfamiliar with Chinese martial arts. Therefore, the slogan of Chinese Kung Fu is used uniformly during the promotion.

This time, the opening theaters are also given about 2,600, which is already a great honor for Wu Yuchen. When "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" won the Oscar, the number of theaters that opened the movie was only more than 2,000. This is naturally because the theaters saw the box office results of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" last year, and they are willing to give more opportunities to Chinese Kung Fu movies this time.

9.35 million on Friday, 13.62 million on Saturday, and 10.54 million on Sunday. Blade of the Assassin took 33.51 million in the first three days of the weekend, and also won the weekly box office championship.

This result may be much worse than Wu Yuchen's previous "Pirate King", but in fact, with 2,600 theaters opening, and it is a foreign language film, it can get a box office result of 33.51 million, which is very good. Even Wu Yuchen himself is very satisfied. You know, the first week box office of "Rush Hour" was just over 33 million.

It can only be said that North American audiences in recent years really like the element of Chinese Kung Fu, and Wu Yuchen himself has a certain box office appeal.

"Wu Yuchen's Chinese Kung Fu film "The Blade of the Assassin" won the weekly box office championship!"

"The Blade of the Assassin created the best performance of Asian films in North America. This is the power of "Kung Fu"!"

"Obviously, this is a powerful blow from China and Wu Yuchen. Chinese Kung Fu is well-deserved!"

"The Blade of the Assassin is a martial arts film that represents this century."

After the box office of the first weekend was released, the media naturally followed up with the publicity. This also attracted many viewers who are interested in the mysterious oriental culture and Chinese Kung Fu. The box office of "The Blade of the Assassin" in the second week of 7 days was 41.23 million, and the total box office after 10 days of release was 74.74 million.

After the results of "The Blade of the Assassin" came out, the happiest people were naturally the crew of "The Blade of the Assassin". After winning the weekly box office championship for two consecutive weeks, Jiang Qinqin also enjoyed the glory of Hollywood and felt that this trip to Hollywood was not in vain.

At the same time, many people in China are happy, such as Jiang Zhiqiang, the investor of "Hero". Seeing that "Knife of the Assassin" has created better results than "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and seeing that Chinese martial arts movies are so popular in North America, he is naturally very happy, which means that "Hero" will also rise!

Wu Yuchen himself is relatively calm. To be honest, the North American box office of "Knife of the Assassin" has basically no impact on him. After all, he has achieved many dazzling box office results in Hollywood before. "Knife of the Assassin", a foreign language film, obviously cannot make more money than his local films. Even if the box office of "Knife of the Assassin" is poor, it actually has no impact on his personal status in Hollywood.

So his initial expectation for "Knife of the Assassin" is that the box office will exceed 100 million, and it does not have to be higher than "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". Now it seems that this goal can be achieved.

In addition to the publicity work, Wu Yuchen also took Jiang Qinqin to play and stroll around America. Jiang Wen also went to visit various friends. Today he visited old Martin, and tomorrow he went to Quentin to drink and brag. He had a very comfortable life. In this turmoil, October passed.

At the airport, Jiang Qinqin hugged Wu Yuchen, stood on tiptoes and kissed him on the face again: "I'm going back, you should take care of yourself and don't be too tired here~"

Wu Yuchen smiled and said: "This month we will start to compete for the Oscars. You will definitely be tired, but your husband has experience, don't worry!"

Jiang Qinqin pinched her pink jade hands: "Then I wish my husband success in the Oscars!"

The publicity work for "The Sword of the Assassin" has been almost done, so the publicity trip of Jiang Qinqin and other leading actors has come to an end. Everyone still has work and arrangements in China. For example, Jiang Qinqin still has film and television dramas waiting for her. It's good to be able to stay here for so long.

After Wu Yuchen returned from the airport, he also came to DreamWorks. After seeing him, Spielberg took the initiative to smile and said: "Wu, congratulations, you have brought another wonderful and successful Chinese Kung Fu movie!"

Wu Yuchen smiled and said: "Thank you, Steven. But I think you asked me to come today, it should not be to congratulate me specifically, right?"

Spielberg led Wu Yuchen to sit down. The relationship between the two was already very familiar, so he did not keep it a secret: "I want to talk to you about "Pirate King"."

Wu Yuchen's heart moved when he heard this, and then asked: "Our Captain Jack took the initiative to contact you?"

Half a year ago, before Wu Yuchen left Hollywood, he specifically talked to Spielberg about "Pirate King". Facing Johnny Depp, who asked for a big mouth, he first ignored him. The two sides are competing in patience to see who can't help it first.

Anyway, their producers just want to express an attitude. We value you Johnny Depp, but you can't ask for a sky-high price. The requirements must be within a reasonable range.

Spielberg smiled and nodded: "Recently, Depp's agent contacted me and wanted to restart the negotiations on the sequel to "Pirate King."

"What are his conditions?"

"20+10."

Wu Yuchen smiled when he heard this. He would never agree to the 20+20 he had asked for. Now 20 million plus 10% of the North American box office? Finally, he was willing to talk properly.

Wu Yuchen nodded and said, "We can negotiate with them, but this time the negotiation is not for one, but for two films."

"I know. That's why I want to ask for your opinion. What do you think about the salary for Depp for these two films?"

Wu Yuchen did not hesitate: "It's just a principle. Give him cash as much as possible instead of a share of the box office."

Spielberg asked Wu Yuchen again: "Wu, are you sure? To be honest, this is not a normal salary strategy in Hollywood."

In Hollywood, in order to reduce the risk of the project, producers generally prefer to give actors a certain share of the box office to offset the cash cost expenditure.

"Steven, I said I have confidence in the sequel of "Pirate King". Don't you believe me?"

Spielberg shook his head: "Wu, it's not that I don't believe you. I definitely believe that "Pirate King 2" can be successful, but the third one is a bit far away. I think we need to consider its risks."

Movies like "Pirate King" that are very successful in the first place usually launch sequels, because the producers know that even if the sequel is not well made, the audience will go to the cinema to pay for it because of the reputation and impression of the first one. Therefore, although many sequels are bad movies, they are very profitable.

But when it comes to the third one, it's hard to say. Now Wu Yuchen wants to shoot the second and third two movies in a row. Without knowing the situation of the second one, it is impossible to predict what the market will think of the third movie.

Therefore, in Spielberg's opinion, he can agree to let Wu Yuchen shoot two movies in a row, which is already a trust in him and a risky behavior, but the third movie should reduce the cash cost as much as possible to reduce the risk.

Wu Yuchen listened to Spielberg's words, turned it over in his mind, and understood his idea. He had the experience of his previous life, of course he knew that the "Pirate King" trilogy would be a huge success, but from Spielberg's perspective, this was a prudent move for a businessman.

"Okay, okay! Steven, I understand your concerns, in this case..."

Wu Yuchen looked at Spielberg with a sincere look: "Then let me take all the risks! I won't take a penny of director's salary for the third part, all of it will be exchanged for me in box office share!"

Spielberg opened his mouth, not expecting Wu Yuchen to make this decision. But seeing that Wu Yuchen didn't look like he was joking, he asked him again: "Wu, are you sure?"

"Of course! This is my own work, I am using practical actions to show my determination and confidence in it!"

To be honest, Spielberg was a little infected by Wu Yuchen's attitude, wondering whether to take risks. But after thinking about it, DreamWorks still had to take a safe path. Even the Jurassic Park series he created has a worse reputation and a worse performance.

Spielberg nodded and said, "Okay, I understand what you mean. We will have a meeting with Depp. And regarding your personal director's salary, you can also let your agent get involved."

Now Wu Yuchen and Spielberg are talking about the general direction. In fact, whether it is Wu Yuchen's director contract or Depp's actor contract, there will be many rights and obligations, which are estimated to be more than dozens of pages. These need to be confirmed by the agents and lawyers of several parties bit by bit.

After Wu Yuchen and Spielberg talked about "Pirate King" for a while, he smiled and said, "Steven, I will start to strive for an Oscar this month."

Spielberg also smiled: "Well, I am looking forward to your new movie~"

Wu Yuchen's expression turned serious:

"You must know that during World War II, our Chinese people, like you Jews, were persecuted by the Axis fascists. This time I brought a movie about China's resistance during World War II. I hope you can come and attend!"

The smile on Spielberg's face also disappeared, and he became solemn: "Wu, the fascists and Natchi are our common enemies. Wu, don't worry, I will definitely support you at the premiere with my friends!"

Spielberg had expected that Wu Yuchen would make a movie during World War II. After all, the two had talked about this topic half a year ago. To be honest, he was also curious about what kind of movie Wu Yuchen would make. There are too few Chinese resistance movies in the world.

Wu Yuchen smiled: "Thank you, Steven!"

He is trying to win the voice of some Jews through Spielberg, especially since Spielberg himself has made "Schindler's List", and his influence in this regard is still not small.

But Spielberg alone may not be enough, after all, there are still strong enemies this year!

Wu Yuchen did have other preparations, but it was not necessary to bring them all out at once. He had to take it step by step and wait until he was nominated.

Not long after Wu Yuchen left DreamWorks, Warner came to him again. Half a year ago, Warner had discussed with Wu Yuchen about restarting superheroes, but Wu Yuchen talked to them about the possibility of the "Batman" trilogy.

In the past six months, he also created the script of the "Batman" trilogy, and sent it to Warner when he first arrived in America.

Warner also had a heated discussion about the "Batman" dark trilogy created by Wu Yuchen, and held many large and small meetings, and then came to him again today.

Wu Yuchen received the Warner duo leisurely: "How is it, Mag?"

"Director Wu, to be honest, we at Warner have a lot of controversy about your plan to reshape Batman."

"Controversy?" Wu Yuchen asked back.

"Because Batman has been stereotyped in the minds of many audiences, he is an omnipotent superhero facing all kinds of criminals. We are not sure whether the audience will like it if we pull him down from the altar and reshape Batman's life."

Wu Yuchen laughed: "It doesn't matter. If you Warner is unwilling to choose this plan, then just pretend that this thing never happened."

"No, Director Wu, this does not mean that we Warner are not tempted. We still want to cooperate with you, but the risk is a bit high. The salary you proposed before is really a bit high! Can you..."

Wu Yuchen thought that it was waiting for him here. Nolan, who was not very famous in his previous life, could persuade Warner, which means that Warner must be interested in the Dark Trilogy of "Batman". It is impossible that he, a more influential and appealing director, will not be able to do so now.

Warner is just trying to bargain with him, right? But he knows the other party's trump card and knows that the other party actually wants to shoot, so he doesn't intend to be fooled.

"No, no, no, Mag, there's nothing to talk about! I created this project, I know its value, it will bring Batman back to life! Think about how much profit Batman will bring to Warner, I don't want more!"

Wu Yuchen refused to give in. He couldn't get the full copyright share, but he didn't plan to let go of the 20% global box office share. He couldn't let the Hollywood capitalists get away with it!