New Project

Seeing that Stone's release schedule had been settled, Wei Jin took the script from his bag and handed it to Han Sanping.

"President Han, take a look."

"Is this a new project? A Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio story? There won't be a problem getting it approved, will there?"

Han Sanping looked at the two characters for "Painted Skin" on the cover and asked.

The higher-ups required that films, as a medium for spreading culture, contain no ghosts, monsters, or other content that might mislead audiences and spread feudal superstition. That was why Han Sanping asked.

"Don't worry. Can't you trust my ideological awareness? I've made some adjustments to the setting."

Wei Jin replied casually, then, while Han Sanping read the script, talked with Ning Hao about preparations for the film's early publicity and distribution, as well as things to watch out for during the roadshow afterward. Ning Hao was left staring in a daze.

"The script is good, but from the look of it, you're planning to win with special effects?"

Han Sanping was a little surprised after reading the script.

"As expected of President Han. Honestly, there's nothing very original about the script. It's a Strange Tales story, after all. No matter how much you change it, you can't make it new, so the only way to break through is with special effects."

Wei Jin went on to explain his vision for the film as a project and its post-production style.

"In that case, the investment probably won't be small. What's your budget?"

Generally speaking, period films cost more than modern ones. With large-scale scenes and special effects added to the mix, Han Sanping understood that the investment would be considerable.

"After working out the numbers, the total investment comes to 80 million."

Wei Jin held up his fingers.

"How much? Eighty million? Can you make your money back on something that big?"

Han Sanping looked stunned. Has this kid gotten carried away?

Ning Hao was equally astonished. I'm still going around in circles with low-budget films costing a few million, and Junior Brother has already started playing with projects this big?

With production costs of 80 million, the box office would have to reach roughly 250 million to break even. Domestic films were still struggling to reach 100 million, and only a handful had managed it. Hero was the only one to exceed 200 million, and its box office success had depended on the right time, the right place, and the right people. It would be hard to repeat.

"President Han, trust me. I'm making this film to take back the box office record."

Without waiting for Han Sanping to digest that, Wei Jin launched another bombshell.

When Titanic was released in 1998, that battered ship from across the ocean swept up 360 million at the domestic box office and had sat at the top of the charts ever since, for seven whole years.

It was shameful, really. In a great nation of 1.3 billion people, the box office record was held by a foreign film. It was a sore point for countless film and television professionals and leaders of the relevant organizations.

That was also one of the reasons Han Sanping had always advocated taking on major projects and making blockbusters. Low-budget films could make money, but only major productions could break box office records.

So when Wei Jin said that, Han Sanping asked only one question.

"Are you confident?"

"Yes. Even if it doesn't break 360 million, it'll definitely break Hero's record."

Wei Jin's answer rang out with conviction.

In fact, Wei Jin had given the film's box office prospects some thought. The total domestic box office in 2004 had been less than 1.7 billion, and this year it would definitely surpass 2 billion. If a top blockbuster accounted for 10% of that, passing 200 million would be no problem. To break the 360 million record, though, he would have to employ a few measures.

"Then China Film Group is in."

For China Film Group and Han Sanping, actually taking back the domestic box office record would be more important than making money, and a major achievement as well.

"But since we're going big, let's find a few more partners. That'll reduce the risk."

No one could say for certain how a film would do before it came out. Han Sanping also wanted to spread the risk.

"All right. I'll stop by Guangxian and Bona later. They're strong in publicity and distribution, so they can help."

Wei Jin had long intended to bring Guangxian and Bona aboard. In business, the more friends, the better.

"But that means I can only give China Film Group a 20 million investment share and reserve another 20 million for those two."

Since several companies would be working together, Wei Jin's investment share had to be over 50% to ensure absolute control of the project. If Guangxian and Bona declined to invest, he planned to cover their share himself.

"All right. When are you planning to start the project?"

Han Sanping thought a 20 million investment share was suitable. China Film Group would be one of the main producers without having to shoulder too much risk.

"The sooner the better. Post-production on this project will take a particularly long time. I plan to send the special effects work to Hollywood, and I expect it'll take three or four months. We'll aim for a release at the end of the year."

Wei Jin worked out the timing. Filming would take about two months, and with four months set aside for post-production, it should be finished by the end of November.

"In that case, it'll be released during the New Year season again? Won't that put it head-to-head with The Promise?"

Han Sanping felt somewhat helpless. China Film Group was the lead investor in The Promise. Wasn't this his left hand fighting his right?

"It can't be helped. All the big directors have their eyes on the best release windows. At worst, we can space the releases a little farther apart. Or does President Han have high hopes for The Promise?"

Wei Jin had been prepared for this. It was precisely the great poet Chen he intended to take on.

Last year's New Year season had produced no single standout. This year, Wei Jin intended to become a god in one stroke.

"All right, then. You'd better hurry. What are you thinking for the cast?"

Having seen the finished film, Han Sanping couldn't help feeling a little worried about The Promise. He hoped it wouldn't lose money all the way to Grandma's house. He then changed the subject.

"Since it's a major investment, we still need actors with box office appeal, and their acting can't fall short either. Do you have any suggestions, President Han?"

Wei Jin did have some ideas about the cast, but out of respect, he still had to ask Han Sanping's opinion first.

"How about finding a couple of Hong Kong stars? What do you think of Heavenly King Liu for the male lead?"

Han Sanping still placed great faith in the drawing power of Hong Kong and Taiwanese stars, so he offered the suggestion.

"Wouldn't that drive up production costs? And isn't he a little old?"

Wei Jin was quite fond of Heavenly King Liu, but his fee was a little steep and would put too much strain on the project. Heavenly King Liu had been paid 7 million for A World Without Thieves just last year.

"What do you think of Chen Kun, President Han?"

In 2005, Chen Kun was so popular he was practically glowing purple. The hit broadcast of The Story of a Noble Family had made him a sensation north and south of the Yangtze, and his album Half Moon Bay, released this year to ride that momentum, had also sold well. His acting was up to standard too, so Wei Jin was quite keen on him.

"Hmm... among mainland actors, he does seem to be a little more popular this year. Actually, Liu Ye isn't bad either. He's a very good actor."

Han Sanping had suggested someone Wei Jin hadn't considered.

"Then let's contact them both and see how well they fit the roles at the auditions."

Wei Jin couldn't be bothered to agonize over it. There weren't many candidates anyway.

"I think Zhou Xun would be quite suitable for the fox demon, one of the female leads. We can audition people for the others."

Wei Jin was too embarrassed to say that the other female lead was meant for Zeng Li, so he planned to arrange it quietly.

"All right. Zhou Xun is a good actress and very popular, but let's keep it confidential for now."

With the choices for the male and female leads basically settled, Wei Jin discussed the project's specific details with Han Sanping for a while longer. After asking him to submit the script for review, he said goodbye and left.

Watching Wei Jin leave, Han Sanping had a feeling that this young man might truly rise to prominence this year.

Three days later, the script passed review. China Film Group promptly announced that Painted Skin, a major fantasy romance production written and directed by Silver Bear-winning director Wei Jin, had officially been greenlit. The project would be controlled by Wei Jin Fengliu Film and Television Company, with China Film Group, Western Film Group, Bona, and Guangxian participating jointly, and its total investment would reach 100 million.

In no time, the actresses throughout the entertainment industry went mad...