YM778.TV Chapter 62: 62 All’s Well That Ends Well
Zhao Yulu and Chen Guanglei walked out of the hotel.
Chen Guanglei shook his head and said, “Wu Jing’s military action film, I thought there might be something new about it, but I didn’t expect it to be such garbage. What’s this about flaunting our military and national pride, who would watch that?”
Zhao Yulu nodded in agreement, “Indeed, who would watch that kind of movie these days? If this movie is made, it’s definitely going to lose money.”
Chen Guanglei said, “I really wonder if Wu Jing has lost his mind, making such a film. Even if he would’ve shot a random period drama, it would probably be better than this. I thought that, with his difficulties in Harbor City, he would focus on polishing a script and come up with a good one, but it turns out like this. It’s really disappointing. It seems his failure is justified; he probably shouldn’t count on a comeback in this lifetime.”
Zhao Yulu said, “Actually, Wu Jing is still a decent actor; it’s just that period dramas and action films are on the decline. He probably hasn’t realized this yet and still hopes to make a comeback with them.”
Chen Guanglei said, “Whoever invests in him is an idiot. Let whoever wants to invest do it; I’m certainly not going to.”
Zhao Yulu said, “That’s the right choice; otherwise, you’re sure to lose money.”
As they talked, they got into the car and left.
Not long after their car left, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan arrived and parked in the spot where their car had just been.
A young man got out of the car.
The young man was, in fact, Xu Yang.
He had an appointment with Wu Jing at three o’clock and wanted to arrive a bit early.
Regardless, it’s never good to be late.
Even though he was now wealthy and Wu Jing needed something from him, giving him the right to be late,
only people without manners would do such a thing.
Xu Yang’s character was beyond reproach; he disdained to act that way.
He arrived at the agreed-upon private room and met Wu Jing and Han Yanghui.
After Han Yanghui made the introductions and greeted them, the three took their seats.
“Director Wu, I’ve only got a general idea from Han Yanghui about your film,” Xu Yang asked, “Could you go into detail for me?”
Actually, it wasn’t that important to speak or not, the main point was the gesture.
You couldn’t just agree to invest without asking anything or understanding the details.
That wouldn’t do; others would think you’re a fool, and Xu Yang did not want to be considered an idiot in others’ eyes.
“Sure, my movie…” Wu Jing briefly explained the situation, focusing on the plot of the film, its selling points, market analysis, and his own attitude toward it.
In conclusion, the movie was very likely to make money once it was made.
Guarantees on box office returns, however, were something he couldn’t provide.
No one could make such guarantees.
“Not bad,” Xu Yang nodded, pondering for a moment, “How much funding do you still need?”
Wu Jing felt a surge of joy in his heart.
With Xu Yang asking like this, it indicated an interest in investing.
Xu Yang was the last investor he was meeting with; if he couldn’t secure the investment now, the film would really have to be shelved.
To shelve it was basically to nip it in the bud.
The rich second-generation Chen just now didn’t hold out much hope for this film and had torn the script apart.
It vexed him, yet he couldn’t really say anything.
Unexpectedly, the situation turned around, with Xu Yang showing interest in investing.
He had to seize Xu Yang, the potential benefactor. This was his chance.
So, he quickly said, “In these past few days, I’ve managed to get two other people to invest, but their amounts are small; they’ve only put in five million in total. To finish shooting this movie, we still need at least fifteen million more.”
Xu Yang asked, “Director Wu, since I’m involved in the investment, I want to make sure the film is done well. I want to ask you, is fifteen million enough for you to make the best film possible?”
Wu Jing was startled and quickly said, “Mr. Xu, not to hide it from you, fifteen million is only enough to complete the filming according to standard requirements. In my mind, to do the best, it would need twenty million.”
Xu Yang said, “If we are to do it, we should do it best. I can invest twenty million.”
Wu Jing was overjoyed, “That’s fantastic, Mr. Xu. Rest assured, I will do my utmost to make the film the best it can be.”
Xu Yang said, “Director Wu, based on what you just said, this film was originally invested with fifty-five million, you then secured an additional five million in investment, and I contribute twenty million, the total investment is now eighty million. I hold a twenty-five percent share of the investment, correct?”
Wu Jing nodded and said, “That’s correct, it is so.”
Xu Yang said, “And the box office profit-sharing will be based on this ratio as well, right?”
Wu Jing nodded again, “It will be according to this ratio.”
Xu Yang said, “I want to add one condition.”
Wu Jing was taken aback, “Mr. Xu, please state your condition. As long as it’s within my capacity, I will certainly meet it.”
This film contained all of his hard work and was his hope for a turnaround.
As long as Xu Yang’s conditions weren’t too harsh, he would compromise.
Xu Yang said, “I hope the investment contract stipulates that if you film ‘War Panther 2,’ I want a thirty percent share of the investment.”
The system had said that the box office for ‘War Panther 2’ would reach five billion. He had to participate in the investment.
Should ‘War Panther’ succeed, Wu Jing would certainly attract major capital investment for ‘War Panther 2.’
If he didn’t propose this condition now, with Xu Yang’s clout, there would definitely be no chance for him to invest later.
By stating this condition and getting it written in black and white, there would be no issue.
Wu Jing’s eyes widened, “Mr. Xu, do you really have such confidence in ‘War Panther’ that you’re already thinking about my filming of ‘War Panther 2’?”
Truth be told, he had contemplated that Xu Yang might propose other conditions to increase his earnings, such as sharing profits from future rights sales and so on.
He hadn’t expected Xu Yang to come up with such a condition.
Even ‘War Panther’ had yet to be released, and Xu Yang was already considering ‘War Panther 2.’
To tell the truth, not even he himself had thought about ‘War Panther 2’ yet.
Only if ‘War Panther’ performed well at the box office would he set about writing the script for ‘War Panther 2.’
Otherwise, if the box office was poor, drafting a script would be futile.
Xu Yang nodded, “Judging by your attitude towards this movie and the quality of the script, I believe that ‘War Panther’s’ box office will not be disappointing. If there’s no problem with the box office, you should indeed film ‘War Panther 2.’
Wu Jing said, “Alright, no problem. If I film ‘War Panther 2,’ I will give you a thirty percent investment share.”
As long as ‘War Panther’ is released and does well at the box office, he would turn things around.
Giving Xu Yang a thirty percent investment share in ‘War Panther 2’ was essentially trivial.
Xu Yang smiled, “Okay, then let’s sign the contract.”
The deal was struck, to the satisfaction of both parties.
Lawyers were brought in to draft the contract.
After signing the contract, Xu Yang transferred twenty million to Wu Jing.
“Mr. Xu, rest assured, I will make a great film and live up to your expectations,” Wu Jing promised again.
“I believe,” Xu Yang nodded, then glanced at Han Yanghui, “Director Wu, Han Yanghui is my high school classmate; we have a very good relationship. He has the intention to persist in the film and television industry, so if possible, I hope you might look after him a bit.”
Hearing this, Han Yanghui’s eyes reddened.
He knew the weight of Xu Yang’s words.
As an investor, Wu Jing was bound to take them seriously.