The struggles of a failed college entrance exam candidate in Hong Kong entertainment

Chapter 008 Intercepting the Deal: Testing the Waters

Su Nan briefly recounted some everyday events, which Guan Zhilin listened to with a mixture of confusion and awe.

After a few polite exchanges, Sister Guan laughed and said, "Brother Nan, it seems we'll have to wait a while longer for the money laundering operation to start."

"However, recently Director Du and Director Wang have been planning a film as a retirement gift for Old Wang."

"The male lead is played by Hua Ge. If you're interested, I can help you get him a role."

"It's still the assistant director who does the errands."

Su Nan was overjoyed. Was this the first installment of the "Heaven Has Feelings" series?

This retirement gift project didn't do very well at the box office, only grossing HK$1290 million in Hong Kong Island.

But that was definitely the period when Andy Lau was known as the king of bad movies.

One of her most classic representative works also made Wu Qianlian a huge star.

The low box office is mainly due to a variety of factors, such as release date and marketing.

The release date was during the summer season, but the competition was fierce, as it was besieged by several films by Stephen Chow.

The true value of this film lies in its future critical reception and the possibility of two sequels.

After thanking her, Su Nan asked curiously, "Sister Zhi, why don't you try out for the lead role?"

Rosamund Kwan was speechless. "Director To insists on finding something fresh, new faces."

"And my image is now tied to villainous supporting roles and mistresses of powerful men, which has ruined my image."

"If it weren't for Sanmao's movie, how could I possibly be the female lead?"

Su Nan nodded and said no more. "I'm also planning a script."

"It's hard to say when the script will be released, but once the project starts, we'll definitely reserve a spot for you, Sister Zhi."

He wasn't referring to the live-action version of "Monkey King: Hero Is Back".

This big special effect will have to wait several years.

Putting aside the super IP of Monkey King, Su Nan considered it for a long time and finally decided to give it a try with "Kung Fu".

It's the version written and directed by Stephen Chow, where Fire Cloud Cthulhu holds bullets between his fingers!

You say it's immoral to steal someone else's thunder? Su Nan is planning to invite Stephen Chow to be the male lead.

The only problem is that Ah Xing doesn't have the freedom to choose which films to take; he signed a 10-film contract with Wan Neng.

Even if "God of Gamblers" becomes a hit, companies outside the industry that want to cast Stephen Chow as the male lead will have to first approach this all-powerful second landlord.

Later, Li Xiuxian sold the remaining parts of the contract to Xiang Jiayongsheng.

If they had just cast Stephen Chow as the male lead, there wouldn't have been any ethical dilemma of stealing the role.

What Su Nan is most eager for is the martial arts-related lottery after the movie becomes a huge hit.

This is the most glorious period for Hong Kong's film industry, with too many blockbusters.

In the realm of martial arts and martial arts films, let alone Stephen Chow's Deer and the Cauldron series, Tsui Hark's Wong Fei-hung series, New Dragon Gate Inn, and the sequel to Swordsman, etc.

Even the monster city is actually not bad.

The emergence of numerous wildly popular classic films and television series is nothing short of a brutal and fierce battle.

Stephen Chow can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars for each film he makes, and the landlords take a considerable commission.

He has now saved nearly HK$300 million in his first pot of gold, including the HK$100 million he borrowed from Ma Wangtao for the second time.

Hijacking one of the films first shouldn't be a big problem.

The rest is up to me to work on the script and learn directing skills, and start filming when the time is right.

Even if this version of Kung Fu is a direct copy of the original, the special effects? Well, they're just typical Hong Kong-style martial arts special effects these days.

It's comparable to other films like Swordsman (The Swordsman) and A Chinese Ghost Story series.

We had no choice but to lower the standards a bit; we'll try our best to make the most of the traditional methods and techniques.

To reiterate, Jurassic Park 1 in 93 only had 60 CGI shots throughout the entire film.

Most of them are traditional models, mechanical props, and miniature models.

If Su Nan were to make a comedic film like "The Proud Wanderer" or "Once Upon a Time in China," Xu Jinglei would probably have already come up with some ideas.

The special effects in the new Legend of the Condor Heroes starring Rosamund Kwan are also quite good.

Even though the new Legend of the Condor Heroes was released in 93, the order of production was that Benny Chan had already filmed A Moment of Romance, which was about to start filming.

Lao Xu became the producer and let Benny Chan direct the new Legend of the Condor Heroes, fulfilling his martial arts dream.

This tells us that the copyrights of the numerous martial arts IPs that have recently emerged may have already been hoarded.

After much deliberation, flying between South Korea and Moscow, Su Nan finally decided to test the waters with (Kung Fu).

Even if he snatches a contract now, he can still secure a film deal with Ah Xing.

Whether Wan Neng asks for 100 million or 150 million Hong Kong dollars, you can try negotiating.

Rosamund Kwan was also curious, and after pressing her for details, Su Nan gave a brief summary of the story.

This outline is nothing special; it's quite ordinary in the current Hong Kong film and television industry.

Jet Li has made a number of films, such as The Bodyguard from the South China Sea and Fist of Legend.

In this day and age, these are just average box office hits; ultimately, the success of the film depends on its production quality.

While eating and drinking red wine, Su Nan remarked with a touch of melancholy, "Unless something unexpected happens, it will still take me a few more months to save up my start-up capital."

"If you're willing to come, just reserve a time slot for me, Sister Zhi."

After the meal, Rosamund Kwan gave him a few phone numbers.

As they walked out of the restaurant, Sister Guan smiled and said, "Did you take a taxi? I'll give you a ride."

Su Nan nodded, saying that getting a ride was no problem at all.

"I'm planning to buy a Stephen Chow movie from Universal Music. Thank you, Sister Zhi."

……

Some time later, Su Nan and Guan Zhilin discussed the contract together in Li Xiuxian's office.

It's simply a matter of Lao Li asking for 180 million, and Su Nan trying to negotiate the price.

That's really shady. You gave Ah Xing hundreds of thousands for one movie, and the moment he opened his mouth, he sounded like a landlord.

Li Xiuxian poured tea with a smile, "Su Sheng, right? I heard Awen mention you before."

"I never imagined that Su Sheng would become a big boss so quickly."

"Don't think I'm asking for too much. Stephen Chow's comic book, 'The Adventurers,' is still showing in theaters in March and has already grossed over ten million."

"The box office for 'Looking for My Husband to Become a Dragon' was 1300 million, and it earned even more with the revenue from overseas sales."

"Once Dragon and Phoenix Tea House, Through Thick and Thin, and Curry and Chili are released, its popularity will only increase."

"I heard from Ah Wen that Su Sheng went sightseeing on set. I'm asking for 200 million from outsiders."

Su Nan drank his tea in silence, thinking that what the other person said wasn't particularly wrong.

Everyone says that Stephen Chow has completely transformed from the "God of Gamblers" to the legendary "Star Master".

Before "God of Gamblers," he starred in a number of movies that were both box office hits and successful in international markets.

Putting aside the five movie titles and the God of Gamblers mentioned by Lee Soo-hyun.

This year, there will also be films and productions of "Thief Ah Xing", "Senior Brother Encounters Ghosts", and "Invincible Lucky Star".

Li Xiuxian continued talking, and he looked like a genuine businessman.

Su Nan lowered the price by another 150 million, and a quarrel broke out outside Li Xiuxian's office.

There was also dragging and pushing, and Old Li was still frowning.

The office door was pushed open from the outside, and Big Eyes, the head of the Hutchison Whampoa Yau Ma Tei branch, walked in with a group of henchmen led by Boxing Champion Qing.

The boxing champion Qing's aura was very weak, so weak that it was as if he wanted to pretend to be invisible.

The big-eyed hall master walked over to Li Xiuxian and sat down in the boss's chair. "Shixiawei Anan, right? I'll call you Brother Nan."

"I won't hold your conflict with Aqing against you, but what about my two underlings who went to Moscow?"

"One of them is my brother-in-law!"

Su Nan laughed. "Our business has nothing to do with Mr. Li and Miss Guan. Shall we ask them to leave first?"

Big Eyes thought for a moment and nodded, then smiled warmly, "Mr. Li, I'm sorry, I almost forgot to ask for your opinion as the master."

"I'll treat Mr. Li to tea later."

Li Xiuxian looked unpleasant but dared not say much. He nodded politely a few times and walked out.

Rosamund Kwan was the same, after all, the entire entertainment industry was involved in a major protest two years later.

Andy Lau was shot and taken away to film a movie last year.

After the group went out and closed the door, Su Nan pulled out an M1895 from his back waist, under the incredulous gazes of Da Yan, Quan Wang Qing, and others.

The "puff puff puff" sounds were all shouts coming from under the silencer.

Besides the boxing champion Qing and Big Eyes, each of the other underlings had at least one peanut.

The underlings screamed in agony for a moment, then quickly covered their mouths, enduring the pain.

Su Nan took out a bullet to reload. "What does Big Eyes want with me? I didn't hear you clearly."

"I'm a person who likes to follow the rules."

"You know perfectly well what your little brother is doing in Moscow with me."

"They must have had a lot of fun playing with the brown bears that had come out of hibernation."

"Brother-in-law? This is a serious grudge. Big Eyes Bro has a new girlfriend, are you in favor or against it?"

While they were talking, Su Nan's M1895 once again spotted the big eye.

Big Eyes swallowed hard. "No, you're really going to shoot?"

He's crazy, he doesn't care about the embarrassing things that the boxing champion Qing did, after all, it was Jin Yong and Huang Yong who put pressure on him.

He was approached by high-ranking officers in the police force.

He came over to ask about his brother-in-law's whereabouts, and you... what the hell?! What the hell?!

While inwardly cursing, Big Eyes tentatively asked, "Shall I change?"

How did you manage to be so careful? You even bring a weapon when you invite a beautiful woman like Rosamund Kwan out for dinner.