Chapter 352 Not That Simple

The story of a retired agent who kills all over the world in order to save his daughter...

That's right, what Wu Yuchen is talking about is "Taken", which starred Liam Neeson in its previous life. The cost was only 25 million, but the box office was 10 times higher. A typical low-cost and high-profit movie has become a hit series.

Although the return ratio of "Escape" is very high, to be honest, Wu Yuchen himself will not shoot a movie like this again. It doesn't mean much to him either.

So what if the return ratio is 10 times? The total box office is only over 200 million. It would be a step backward for him to shoot this thing. But just because he doesn’t take pictures doesn’t mean he’s unwilling to invest.

After hearing this, Cheng Long couldn't help but said in surprise: "Am I playing a retired agent?"

Wu Yuchen nodded: "Yes."

In "Taken", the male protagonist is a retired agent, and we originally wanted to find a middle-aged man to play the role. And it should be said that the 51-year-old Jackie Chan is just right to play this role.

Wu Baige also asked: "Director Wu, what is the style of this movie?"

Although Wu Baige is willing to cooperate with Cheng Long, he is also a little worried. After all, Cheng Long's personal style is very obvious. If it is shot according to the kung fu comedy style, he will have a headache. This is not his area of ​​expertise at all, and even In that case, Wu Baige simply became a puppet director, and he must have completely listened to Cheng Long on set.

Cheng Long was also very concerned about this issue and couldn't help but look at Wu Yuchen.

Wu Yuchen smiled: "The fierce action fights and gun battles, punches to the flesh, crisp and clean, the whole movie has a cold style. Regarding this, I hope it can be closer to "The Bourne Supremacy"."

Wu Baige couldn't help but feel happy when he heard Wu Yuchen said that "The Rescue" is not in the style of a kung fu comedy, but an action scene plus gunfights. This is exactly what he is good at!

Hearing what Wu Yuchen said, Cheng Long was stunned for a moment, and then hurriedly asked: "Director Wu, does this sound very different from my style?"

Cheng Long's personal style is very obvious, that is, Kung Fu comedy style.

Wu Yuchen looked at Cheng Long and said: "Brother Long, didn't you say you wanted to transform? This "Hurricane Rescue" must be different from your previous style. Doesn't this meet your requirements?"

Cheng Long showed some hesitation when he heard this, and then said: "Director Wu, I am now over 50 years old. When I talk about transformation, I probably want to try to transform into literary and opera. In fact, I think my acting skills are pretty good..."

Cheng Long was not joking, he really thought so now and wanted to turn to literary and opera. Moreover, Cheng Long has always been pursuing awards.

From the beginning of the first Hong Kong Island Film Awards, he has been very eager to be recognized by the Hong Kong Film Awards at home. In my previous life, I even made an image-subverting literary film "Shinjuku Incident" specifically for this reason, but it was of no use and didn't even get a nomination for Best Actor.

Even in 2014, Cheng Long, who was already 60 years old and had been in the industry for 43 years, had been nominated 10 times, and then humbly shouted on the Academy Awards stage: Please consider me.

However, it was not until 10 years later that the Oscars awarded him a Lifetime Achievement Award, expressing their full recognition of him, but Brother Long still did not win the favor of the Hong Kong Film Awards.

Now, Cheng Long suffered failure in Hollywood and returned to the Chinese film industry. Although he is still following the commercial film route, he has actually considered turning to literary drama. "New Police Story" is an attempt. Cheng Long, who has never been defeated, began to appear in the film. Kneeling down to beg for mercy and the collapse of his heroic image were all his attempts.

During this period, Er Dongsheng also came to him and asked if he was interested in participating in a purely literary drama "Shinjuku Incident" to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. This also made Cheng Long consider it.

Wu Yuchen smiled after hearing Cheng Long's words:

"Brother Long, of course I believe in your acting skills. But many judges are biased, especially against your kung fu comedy, and you, Cheng Long, have become a symbol and are too impressive. You want to pursue awards I understand, but it’s really not that easy for you.”

Then Wu Yuchen said: "Actually, you are just 50 years old. I think Brother Long, you are still in good health, and there is no problem in filming action scenes."

Wu Yuchen is not worried that Cheng Long will not be able to film. Thinking about his previous life, Cheng Long acted in "The Showdown" when he was 63 years old. In order to seek justice for his daughter, he embarked on the road of revenge against a terrorist organization alone. He is now only 51 years old. Jackie Chan has no problem fighting.

Cheng Long thought about Wu Yuchen's words and felt very entangled in his heart. It is impossible for him to give up action scenes completely. He just feels that as he grows older, he starts to reduce action scenes.

Besides, this is Hollywood! This is an opportunity to cooperate with Wu Yuchen. Many people can't ask for it. He must give it a try.

"Director Wu, since this is the project initiated by you, it cannot be wrong. I have no problem with it!"

Wu Yuchen smiled and said: "Okay, I will send the script to you two later!"

Afterwards, the three of them had a romantic chat while drinking afternoon tea.

The reason why Wu Yuchen joined forces to work on "Hurricane Rescue" this time is that this project is indeed profitable. On the other hand, it was also a way to repay a favor. Whether it was Wu Baige helping him win the Palme d'Or this time, or asking Cheng Long for a role before, it was all repaid.

After all, who should I look for to act? It's fine if it's not suitable, but the movie "Escape" is indeed suitable for Cheng Long. He is famous all over the world and gives people the impression of a tough guy.

As for Wu Baige, if nothing happens and he honestly follows his own requirements and script, it shouldn't be a big problem.

"Honey, are you really not going back?" Jiang Qinqin asked reluctantly in Wu Yuchen's arms.

Wu Yuchen touched her cheek: "It's not like you don't know that the "Batman" crew is still waiting for me over there. I can't just leave them alone, right?"

Then Wu Yuchen laughed and said: "Okay, this time you can go back holding the Golden Palm and enjoy the scenery~"

Jiang Qinqin just hummed softly, holding Wu Yuchen in her hands and reluctant to let go.

Wu Yuchen did not stay in Cannes for too long and returned to London. The filming of the scene here was actually almost finished. After checking for omissions and filling in the gaps, Wu Yuchen flew to the United States with the crew.

Regarding the matter of "Hurricane Rescue", Wu Yuchen did not have too much control in the future. Instead, he handed it over to Hollywood's Miracle Pictures and asked them to contact Cheng Long and Wu Baige to discuss the details. He himself devoted all his energy to "Hurricane Rescue". On the set of "Batman".

Half a month later, Chicago.

"Pass!"

Hearing Wu Yuchen's voice, the crew breathed a sigh of relief. What I just shot was a set of car chase scenes, mainly shot on Lower Wacker Avenue south of the Chicago River, and received unprecedented support from the city of Chicago. In order to film the crazy car chase scene, several blocks of the city were temporarily closed.

After filming this car chase scene, the Batmobile scenes in "Batman" were almost finished, which also put Wu Yuchen in a good mood.

At this time, Wu Yuchen also saw Sean, a producer from Miracle Pictures who had been waiting for him. Wu Yuchen smiled at him: "Sean, do you have anything to do with "Hurricane Rescue"?"

For "Hurricane Rescue", Wu Yuchen asked Sean to be the producer. When I came to see Wu Yuchen this time, there must be something relevant to discuss.

Sean walked up to Wu Yuchen and said: "Boss, I really have something to tell you. Regarding "Taken", the actor Jack Chen and the director John Wu must be them?"

"Huh?" Wu Yuchen was surprised when he heard this. It seemed that something really happened.

However, he did not answer, but asked: "Is there any problem between the two of them?"

Sean nodded and said: "Their salary is too high! According to you, "Escue" is only a small-cost production. But if they were hired, the cost of the entire movie would be less than 50 million. This It’s no longer a small cost.”

"50 million?" Wu Yuchen couldn't help but be surprised after hearing this.

"Yes, Jack Chen's agent asked for 20 million U.S. dollars, and John Wu's agent also proposed a remuneration of 10 million U.S. dollars. Their total remuneration alone is 30 million U.S. dollars."

Wu Yuchen frowned immediately after hearing this: "Didn't you discuss the price?"

Sean spread his hands: "Let's talk. Jack Chen's agent said that his salary for "Rush Hour 3" was 20 million plus 15%, so 20 million is the price he deserves. John Wu's agent also thinks that His clients have produced "Mission: Impossible 2" and "Face/Off", and the salary cannot be less than 10 million."

When Wu Yuchen heard this, he couldn't help but feel a big trepidation in his heart. Don't Cheng Long and Wu Baige have any points of their own?

Yes, both of them could earn 20 million when they were at their peak. But don’t look at what you two are doing in Hollywood now?

Cheng Long's "Around the World in Eighty Days" has suffered such losses, but your "Rush Hour 3" is a series that can make you want so much!

And Wu Baige, Cheng Long still has "Rush Hour 3" hanging around, but you've been throwing money at the street one after another, and now you still want 10 million?

Then Wu Yuchen said: "Continue to talk to their agent. The film cost must be controlled below 35 million, and we will not accept the proposed dividend conditions."

In Wu Yuchen's view, this has given him a lot of room for negotiation. You must know that the cost of "Hurricane Rescue" in the previous life was only 25 million, and I increased it by 10 million, which is already a big increase.

Sean made an embarrassed expression, and then said: "Boss, this may be a bit difficult. It is difficult for these Hollywood stars who have received high salaries to see their salaries drop significantly. Many people would rather not accept the film than to reduce their salary. "Remuneration."

Wu Yuchen also knew this. Many Hollywood stars are indeed like this. Few are willing to reduce their pay, and of course their agents are indispensable to interfere in the middle. However, there is one exception, that is, if the film is a literary film and there is hope of winning awards, many actors are willing to take a salary cut.

Then Wu Yuchen thought about Cheng Long's salary in his previous life. When this guy was filming "The King of Kung Fu", as supporting actors, he and Jet Li each received US$10 million in salary.

In "Kung Fu Dream", he starred as the second male lead and received US$10 million plus a 5% share of the global box office. As a result, the global box office was US$360 million. Cheng Long earned 18 million US dollars from the 5% share. That is a total income of 28 million.

This is the case when Cheng Long is playing a supporting role. If he were the absolute protagonist, he would definitely want more. For example, in "British Showdown", Cheng Long received US$20 million. Just like he is now offering a salary of 20 million.

But there was no way that Wu Yuchen would agree to this price. Originally, making the film "Taken" was equivalent to him taking the two of them for fun, and it was like Director Wu helping two Hollywood down-and-outs, but you two still offered me such a high price!

This also made Wu Yuchen realize that it was not so easy to promote this cooperation. He wanted to use "Taken" to lead the two, but the two of them might not realize it at all.

Wu Yuchen directly said to Sean: "Jack Chen 12 million, John Wu 4 million, just negotiate at this price! Don't worry, if you can't reach an agreement, just put it aside."

Compared to the total salary of 6 million for Liam Neeson and director in his previous life, Wu Yuchen was already willing to pay 11 million more.

For this kind of thing, he would never call the two of them directly to discuss it. The company represented his attitude, so let them negotiate, anyway, he would not offer a price if they couldn't reach an agreement!

Sean also understood Wu Yuchen's attitude: "Okay, boss."

After Wu Baige came back from Cannes, he spent most of the month studying the script of "Taken". To be honest, he didn't think the script was so exquisite. It was just a very simple and typical commercial action script, just fighting all the way, which was far inferior to his "Face/Off".

However, this was Wu Yuchen's script after all. Even if he felt it was ordinary, he wouldn't say it. He still fantasized about working with Cheng Long and then returning to Hollywood!

However, he waited and waited, but there was no news about the deal for "Taken". He also learned about the relevant situation from his agent: "John, the offer given to you by "Taken" is too low. I think it is an insult to you!"

Wu Baige realized that the two sides had not reached an agreement on his salary. He couldn't help asking: "How much?"

"The other party is only willing to give 4 million!"

Wu Baige was also stunned when he heard this. When he first arrived in Hollywood 10 years ago, his first film salary was 2 million, followed by 5 million, 10 million, 20 million and dividends...

And now, the salary for this film is only 4 million, which is indeed... too low! Although Wu Baige has fallen twice, it is not so bad that he will be beaten back to the time when he first came to Hollywood!

This made Wu Baige a little anxious, but he really valued this opportunity. Even if he thought the script was ordinary, it was the only opportunity he could get from Hollywood at present!

Wu Baige thought about it, although he knew it was not good to call Wu Yuchen directly, after all, it involved talking about money, it was better to let the agent and the company come, and he would hurt his feelings and face if he talked directly with the other party, but he still called Wu Yuchen:

"Director Wu, yes, I really hope to achieve this cooperation. My salary can be reduced to 5 million, and the rest can be converted into dividends..."