Rebirth of the Great Entertainment Empire - v2 Chapter 804
…
There are many movies of Zhou Xingchi, many of which have created high box office masterpieces!
But looking at all of Zhou Xingchi’s works, the best one can also be said to be the two upper and lower parts of “Journey to the West” – “Moonlight Treasure Box” and “The Great Sage’s Marriage”.
However-
Zhou Xingchi’s best film failed to get the box office it deserved when it was released, let alone the glory it deserved.
A total of more than 60 million Hong Kong dollars was invested in the last life’s “Westward Journey”.
In order to meet the schedule of the Lunar New Year film, “Moonlight Treasure Box” was first released in January 1995. It was a hit at the box office. In two days, the total box office revenue of 60 cinemas in Hong Kong exceeded 5 million Hong Kong dollars, which was slightly inferior to Jackie Chan’s. “Red Zone”.
In the same year, “Journey to the West” was released in Shanghai, and later in the three northeastern provinces, and the box office was once a good situation.
However, the “good start” did not last long, and the subsequent overall distribution took a sharp turn. Even in the most popular Xiangjiang market at the time, it finally ended with 25 million. The final release of “The Great Sage Marrying” released more than a month later The box office is only 29 million. Although the cost can be recovered, it is far from Zhou Xingchi’s previous films.
In Beijing, “Journey to the West” was regarded as a case of failed distribution. In February 1996, “Moonlight Treasure Box” was released as a winter vacation film, and “The Great Sage Married” debuted in May. With a box office of around 10,000, some film companies decided to replace “Westward Journey” with a domestic film two days after the show to avoid more losses.
The failure at the box office is not the biggest blow to Liu Zhenwei, Zhou Xingchi and others. The biggest blow to them is the glory. After the film was finished, the Western Film Studio, the partner of Zhou Xingchi and others in the Mainland, objected to the completion of the film. Zhang Zien, who was the deputy director of art at the time, believed that the film could not represent the artistic pursuit of the Western Film Studio, and could even be regarded as cultural garbage.
It was not until after 1997 that “Journey to the West” began to circulate in mainland universities and the Internet and quickly became popular. Since the late 1990s, it has become a cultural totem and the most culturally influential cultural phenomenon in China. , its language style has developed from the influence of the Internet to the style characteristic of the language of the new era. It is not an exaggeration to say that the film has influenced a generation of Chinese people – this film is regarded as a classic among the classics among many nonsensical films.
It is really a pity that such a good movie failed to get the box office and honor it deserves!
Moreover, Xu Cun felt that if it was released at the right time and then promoted effectively, “Journey to the West” may not be able to bring its influence to the whole of Asia, and even Europe and the United States.
Therefore, after confirming that the movie Zhou Xingchi and the others wanted to make was really “Journey to the West”, Xu Cun said straight to the point: “Do you have no money to make this 3D “Journey to the West”?”
Zhou Xingchi said a little embarrassedly: “That… We still lack actresses with outstanding looks and acting skills. Master, do you think a few mistresses have time? Could you ask them to come and help us?”
How could Xu Cun not know about Zhou Xingchi’s careful thoughts? But Xu Cun didn’t care about him – Xu Cun said bluntly: “I can invest the money, let your teachers and girls participate in the acting, I can also give you this movie to be released on all channels… However, I have a condition.”
Zhou Xingchi, Chen Jiashang, Wu Mengda and others were all excited to hear that Xu Cun was going to release the film on all channels. DreamWorks’ omnichannel represents money, fame, and inestimable money. It represents an inestimable name. It can be said that as long as it is on the omni-channel of DreamWorks, “Journey to the West” is more successful than the vast majority of movies. Moreover, those who participated in the production or participated in “Journey to the West” are still World class success is possible!
After taking a few deep breaths, Zhou Xingchi forced himself to suppress the excitement in his heart, and then said without hesitation, “No matter what conditions you propose, Master, we will all agree!”
Xu Cun was very satisfied with Zhou Xingchi’s attitude, so Xu Cun calmed down and said, “My condition is that I can decide the release time of “Westward Journey”, even if I let it be released ten years later, you are not allowed to ask. .”
This condition mentioned by Xu Cun made Zhou Xingchi and others confused – they couldn’t understand, why did Xu Cun mention this inexplicable condition?
but-
Although he didn’t understand why Xu Cun mentioned this inexplicable condition, Zhou Xingchi said unequivocally: “Okay, Master, when the Westward Journey will be released is entirely up to you, we promise not to ask!”
With Zhou Xingchi’s unequivocal assurance, Xu Cun added: “If you have any need, I can put up a producer’s name for “Westward Journey” and direct your 3D production by the way. Of course, if you don’t need it, that’s fine. already.”
Hearing Xu Cun’s remarks, Zhou Xingchi and others were even more overjoyed – Xu Cun’s name is a golden signboard, and others can’t ask for Xu Cun’s name. It is no exaggeration to say that as long as Xu Cun’s name is on the box office It can sell three or five times more. What’s more, Xu Cun also promised to direct their 3D production. You must know that in terms of 3D production, Xu Cun is definitely the number one in the world!
Zhou Xingchi stood up, then bowed respectfully to Xu Cun, and said, “Thank you, Master, for supporting us!”
Xu Cun received Zhou Xingchi’s gift and acknowledged the support of Zhou Xingchi.
After receiving Zhou Xingchi’s gift, Xu Cun said again, “I heard you formed a film company with Yang Guohui and others?”
Zhou Xingchi immediately explained nervously: “Master, I…I’m still an artist at DreamWorks, the company asked me to make a movie, and I did it without negotiating a price. I started a film company with them, just for fun, I…I Retire tomorrow…”
Xu Cun waved his hand lightly to stop Zhou Xingchi from continuing, saying, “I’m not against you opening a film company, but Yang Guohui and the others are not the ones who make a big deal. You take out your shares and set up a film company yourself. Even if “Journey to the West” is jointly produced by your film company and DreamWorks, the production fee will be paid by DreamWorks, and your film company will be responsible for the production, giving your film company 5% Channel box office share.”
In the past two years, film companies in Xiangjiang have sprung up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, like Liu Dehua’s Sky Curtain, Wang Jiawei’s Zedong, Er Dongsheng’s Infinite Pictures, Chen Kexin, Zeng Zhiwei, Zhong Zhen’s UFOs, etc… Not less than Zhou Xingchi’s Film companies, anyway, most of these film companies are rabbits whose tails can’t grow.
Upon hearing that, Xu Cun made a wholly-owned investment and gave Zhou Xingchi’s film company 5% of the omni-channel box office share. Wu Mengda, Chen Jiashang and others all showed envy or even jealousy. At the same time, they also believed that Xu Cun Investing in “Western Journey to the West” and acting as the producer of “Western Journey to the West” is likely to help Zhou Xingchi!
As a client, Zhou Xingchi felt even more deeply—Xu Cun cared about his marriage, gave him a big house, and helped him build a career foundation, even if his father might not be able to do this!
From this moment on, Zhou Xingchi respected Xu Cun as his master like his father!
…
…