The result left everyone bewildered. They hadn't expected "A Chinese Odyssey" to have such a strong comeback. Although it didn't catch up to "Star Wars: Episode I" at the box office, it surpassed the foreign blockbuster "Entrapment."
This data shocked the film industry.
It had been too long since a domestic film showed such fighting spirit. In recent years, whenever they encountered foreign blockbusters, it was always a one-sided affair for the domestic films.
Didn't they see "Lotus Lantern" in this period, an animated masterpiece polished over five years?
It was still firmly suppressed by "Star Wars: Episode I" and "Entrapment." One had to admit it.
However, "A Chinese Odyssey" was a latecomer that surpassed "Lotus Lantern" and then "Entrapment."
This shocked countless people. Even when Hong Kong films were at their peak, they weren't this formidable.
At most, it was a back-and-forth exchange, a draw. They never expected to defeat foreign blockbusters of the same period.
The only disappointment was that the domestic box office ranked second. There was no helping it; "Star Wars: Episode I" was a global phenomenon.
From the beginning, the internet was flooded with promotional videos for "Star Wars: Episode I." It would be strange if it weren't popular.
It was just that everyone had not anticipated "A Chinese Odyssey" achieving such a result.
The leaders of Xi'an Film Studio regretted it deeply.
They had only sold it for a mere one million yuan. Was one million a lot? This box office already brought tens of millions in mainland China.
Even if the theaters took a large cut, the copyright holder could still receive over ten million, not to mention other income.
Xu Wancang of Xi'an Film Studio slapped himself repeatedly upon returning.
"You were blind, you were foolish, you sold a treasure chest as a basin to hold water."
Failing to recognize a gem, one could only sigh in regret.
This phenomenon also gave confidence to film industry professionals. It seemed domestic films did have a market.
It was just that we hadn't reached that level. "A Chinese Odyssey" had proven with its success that domestic films could compete with foreign blockbusters.
It wasn't that domestic films were incapable, but rather that they weren't made well enough.
The cinema staff were stunned by these figures. If they had given "A Chinese Odyssey" the same screening slots as "Star Wars: Episode I" from the beginning.
It was hard to say who would have been the box office champion, but there are no ifs in life.
Now, "A Chinese Odyssey" could only be the second highest-grossing film.
At the same time, Tianxing Investment Company emerged in the public eye.
It was this Tianxing Investment Company that pushed for the release of "A Chinese Odyssey," and they acquired all the copyrights for the film.
The younger generation is indeed formidable. Tianxing Investment Company had a spectacular debut.
They bought a flop from five years ago for one million yuan and it grossed over thirty million in mainland China alone.
Even if this film wasn't a great success, the profit made countless investors salivate with envy.
Tianxing Investment Company became famous overnight for its unique vision and distinctive promotional methods.
Suddenly, the investment in "A Chinese Odyssey" was hailed as a classic case by numerous investors.
No one expected a five-year-old flop to achieve such acclaim.
...
"Stephen Chow, 'A Chinese Odyssey' has been recognized by the market. The company hopes you will star in a sequel, 'A Chinese Odyssey Part Two'." the agent said to Stephen Chow.
"I don't want to go on like this anymore. If I make it, it will just be riding on the coattails of 'A Chinese Odyssey,' and I myself won't change. I won't succeed like this. I understand myself clearly." Stephen Chow was somewhat frantic. It was good that "A Chinese Odyssey" was popular.
But for him, he didn't want to rehash old material from five years ago. He wanted to prove himself again.
His films hadn't failed five years ago; they had only succeeded today.
Not appearing at the right time was also a failure. Otherwise, his company wouldn't have ended up bankrupt.
It was time to prove his true self. He was no longer young, and how many five-year periods did life have?
Life was only about eighty years, and only twenty years could be spent striving.
He had already wasted five years, and he couldn't waste any more this time.
"I'm not making this film. I want to make my own film," Stephen Chow said in a low voice.
The agent acted as if he had heard a joke: "Are you feeling alright? That's hilarious. The popularity of 'A Chinese Odyssey' doesn't mean your script is good. The boss has read it. A story about a nobody's rise to success. This kind of story has no market. How about this, let's film the sequel first, and we'll talk about your script later."
Stephen Chow shook his head. "If you won't invest, I'll find someone to invest. My film is a low-budget film, it only needs a few million yuan."
"Hahaha, go ahead. See if anyone in Hong Kong will invest in you. With just you and a few other actors, how much money can you gather?" The agent laughed mockingly. "Opportunity knocks but once. It's up to you."
With that, the agent slammed the door shut and left.
Stephen Chow murmured, "Tianxing Investment Company!"
It seemed he needed to inquire about Tianxing Investment Company. Stephen Chow wanted to take a gamble.
"Andy, you have a wide network of contacts. Can you help me inquire and contact Tianxing Investment Company in the mainland? I want them to invest in my film."
"Okay, I'll help you contact them. Don't get your hopes up too high. Keep working hard, and you'll have your breakthrough someday. Your acting skills are far superior to mine."
Hearing Andy's comfort, Stephen Chow's eyes welled up.
Andy was also very dedicated to filmmaking. His singing was also excellent.
To put it in a saying, his films were better than the "God of Songs," and his singing was better than the "Movie King."
It was only natural that he was popular.
Of course, the most important thing was that Andy was very low-key, acted generously, and had a wide network of contacts, which was why Stephen Chow immediately thought of him.
When Andy learned that the boss of Tianxing Investment Company was Zhang Tianxing, he was extremely surprised.
This was unexpected. Wasn't Zhang Tianxing still studying? The one whose family ran the crayfish business.
How did he suddenly become the boss of an investment company? Right, it was Hao Fangfang who made the connection for "A Chinese Odyssey."
"Fangfang, long time no see. It's Andy. I want to ask about 'A Chinese Odyssey.' Yes, it's like this. Stephen wants to meet Zhang Tianxing. If it's convenient, can you arrange it? Okay, you go and find out the situation first."
Hao Fangfang readily agreed. This Zhang Tianxing was truly not focusing on his studies, always finding ways to earn extra money.
However, he was quite lucky and always made a lot of money. Zhang Tianxing, what couldn't you do?
It seemed Zhang Tianxing had made a lot of money again from "A Chinese Odyssey." Now Stephen Chow was coming to him. Considering Stephen Chow's recent experiences, Hao Fangfang felt a pang of sympathy. Was he hoping Zhang Tianxing would invest?
He would just ask. After all, Andy had always taken good care of him, and Andy also had some past dealings with Zhang Tianxing over song purchases.
However, would Zhang Tianxing blame him for making such an arrangement? Hao Fangfang, with a heart full of unease, dialed Zhang Tianxing's number.
"Zhang Tianxing, it's me. I have something to ask you about Stephen Chow. He wants to meet you. Okay, okay, I'll tell him."
Hearing this news, Zhang Tianxing was completely stunned. What was going on? Master Xing wanted to see me? Alright, if he comes, we'll talk. As long as it's not too much to ask.