Hearing this news, Zhang Tianxing just smiled faintly. It was normal for "The King of Comedy" to achieve this result. He was very optimistic about this film, and it could be said to be a rare masterpiece in Hong Kong films in recent years.
It had points to be excited about, resonance, a story, depth, and sentiment. Coupled with his unhesitating promotional efforts, it was no wonder such a film would be popular.
Zhang Tianxing could give this "The King of Comedy" ninety-nine points. Why one point less?
It was out of fear of his own pride. He didn't care how high the box office of such a good film would reach. It would definitely make money, it was just a question of how much.
Do your own thing, do your best, and leave the rest to fate!
As for the outcome, Zhang Tianxing didn't care much.
If it didn't succeed this time, they would try again next time. It had to be said that the Spring Festival period in the Year of the Dragon was incredibly hot, filled with strong contenders and skilled actors.
The most formidable box office competitors included "The First of the First," "Never Ending," "Good Man Three and a Half," "Stealing Joy Without Eating," and "The King of Comedy."
Initially, everyone thought "The King of Comedy" was just a participant, and the real champion would come from these other films.
These films featured big stars, but "The King of Comedy" had overshadowed them during its promotion.
"What a joke. A movie still relies on quality. No matter how well you promote it, rotten dog shit is still rotten dog shit; it won't turn into Buddha's Delight."
"Exactly. Some people just want to come in and make a quick buck, thinking they can make money by buying a bad film from a few years ago. Let them know that not just any cat or dog can make movies to get rich. Yesterday's fading stars won't become top idols, and salted fish can't be turned over."
"After all is said and done, we still have to look at the final result. But I feel it's very difficult for Ji Shengsheng. Think about the films before, in terms of investment, fame, and actors, which one isn't stronger than 'The King of Comedy'? I can say this now: 'The King of Comedy' has no chance. If it does, I'll perform something rare for everyone."
"Agreed. Hong Kong films have been declining in recent years. This is a good thing for us in the mainland. They are regressing, and we are progressing. Coupled with our mainland advantages, the box office champion must be ours."
"But I feel that the 'The King of Comedy' is selling the best at the cinema."
Ji Shengsheng also called Zhang Tianxing at this time: "Boss Zhang, thank you for your investment. I have no regrets, even if this movie doesn't succeed this time, I won't regret it. This is the movie I wanted to make."
"Your performance was excellent. I believe we will succeed. This is all the result of your hard work! Believe in yourself. By the way, Happy Year of the Dragon!" Zhang Tianxing encouraged Ji Shengsheng. Before the Spring Festival Gala began, Zhang Tianxing had already sent him New Year's greetings.
Unexpectedly, after midnight, Ji Shengsheng called specifically to thank him.
This was a renowned big shot in the film industry, and he called himself boss. Zhang Tianxing chuckled foolishly.
This dream was too beautiful; it seemed he still had to work harder.
There were also comments all over the internet.
"'The King of Comedy' is the best movie I've seen this year. Xingzai expresses his inner feelings in his unique way, describing his arduous growth journey, and touches us with his unique style. From an unknown nobody to an icon of Hong Kong cinema."
"Life's responses to him were one blow after another. How can we stand up in such circumstances? Thank you, Xingzai, for making me understand the true meaning of struggle. Come on, everyone who runs for their dreams!"
"As an ordinary person, some worries and doubts are normal. Everyone has moments of self-doubt. However, facing an unknown, 'pitch-dark' future, he holds hope in his heart, believing 'it will be beautiful when dawn breaks.'"
"I also have dreams and am pursuing them. I traveled thousands of miles, left my hometown, and struggled alone in the big city. I can't afford a rent of over a thousand yuan. If it's slightly better, I live in a partitioned room; if it's worse, I live in a basement. I work my fingers to the bone every day, working as a small employee in a company just to fill my stomach. I eat steamed buns by the roadside after work every day, stay at home all weekend, and wear cheap clothes, eat inexpensive food, and live in a cramped house. After watching the movie, I realized that Master Xing understands us."
"The city is so big, there are so many talented people, and so few opportunities. Dreams are not small, and life is not easy. I don't want to be salted fish; I want to be a person with dreams. Master Xing, you and I are just passers-by. You succeeded first, and I'll follow soon!"
The next day.
The box office statistics for the premiere of "The King of Comedy" were released: twelve million.
This result was slightly lower than what Guo Jiajia and the crew had expected, but not too much, and it was basically in line with expectations. Moreover, the film's reputation was good, and it was commercially viable enough. The subsequent box office performance should not be sluggish and still had room for growth.
Twenty-four hours later, the second day's box office also came in—eighteen million, which was actually higher than the premiere day.
This situation was relatively rare, indicating that the audience's recognition of "The King of Comedy" was likely higher than everyone had imagined, and it was a late bloomer!
However, the growth rate of the box office slowed down afterwards. There was no way around it; this was the reality of China. After the first day, pirated copies had already appeared.
There was no way around it; the rampant piracy greatly affected the box office of "The King of Comedy."
But even so, the box office of "The King of Comedy" reached a surprising level.
Damn it, is this Tianxing Investment Company cheating?
It had been established for only a few months, and had only made two investments, one being a failed movie five years ago.
The other was a biographical film by someone known as a box office poison, which no one would have invested in.
The result was that these two investments made Tianxing Investment Company incredibly profitable, which was unbelievable.
Guo Jiajia's reputation soared. What incredible luck did Zhang Tianxing have to find a genius in the investment world, Guo Jiajia?
He had only heard of Guo Jiajia's expertise in internet concepts before, and didn't expect her to have such a mature and sharp view of films.
Such insight was beyond ordinary people. Every investment was a success, with a 100% success rate, which was god-defying.
This didn't even include the income ratio. In just a few months, their assets might have multiplied many times over.
A failed movie and a low-budget film wouldn't cost much, at most a million or two.
But the benefits this brought to Tianxing Investment Company would exceed everyone's imagination.
Tianxing Investment Company officially entered people's sight.
The first time, "A Chinese Odyssey" could be said to be accidental good luck.
But the second investment in shooting "The King of Comedy" fully demonstrated the vision of their Tianxing Investment Company.
Damn it, these weren't newcomers; they were old players who had put on new masks to pretend to be young and make money.