320. Let the Bullets Fly
"Director Lu Ban, what are your thoughts on the box office Waterloo of ' The Demon Tide ' in North America?"
When a reporter asked Lu Ban, he noted that when the North American box office figures came out, it was already noon on the second day in China. In the first day's domestic box office battle, "Demon Tide" had earned nearly 700 million yuan. If the countdown was based on midnight, "Demon Tide" would have far surpassed "Speed of Death 11" to become the box office champion of the day.
Although this single-day box office did not surpass the previous record of one billion yuan set during the Spring Festival holiday season, it is still a record for a domestic fantasy epic film.
Of course, the premiere of "Speed of Death 11" in China was at noon, so when the box office figures for the day were being tallied overseas, half a day had already passed in China.
Therefore, domestic media chose to compile box office figures within 24 hours of the film's release.
The statistics have just been released. "The Demon Tide" grossed over 900 million on its opening day, but "Speed of Death 11" made a comeback in the North American market, grossing about 20 million more than "The Demon Tide".
Suddenly, the media was in an uproar.
Meanwhile, Lu Ban was being interviewed at Jiangcheng Cinema. When he learned of the result, he didn't have much of a reaction.
A global box office of 900 million on its opening day is already quite good.
Moreover, Lu Ban noticed that "The Demon Tide," which had only $20 million in pre-sale tickets, ultimately grossed $50 million on its opening day, more than double the pre-sale amount.
"Speed of Death 11" had nearly $100 million in pre-sales in North America, but its opening day box office was $130 million, only 30% more than the pre-sales.
This means that the box office for "Speed of Death 11" will decline rapidly in the next few days, because most people who want to see the movie chose to watch it on the opening day, and since Christmas is a weekend, it is hard to say that there will be a rebound in the weekend movie-going rush.
This is despite having nearly 50% of the screenings allocated to this project.
"The Demon Tide" is a typical example of the trajectory of a new director's new film. Despite having a low number of screenings on its opening day, it garnered an extra amount of box office revenue. Now, it's just a matter of waiting for word-of-mouth to spread, and that's when it will make a comeback.
However, some people are in a hurry.
"Director Lu Ban, you once made a bold statement to defend the glory of Chinese films, but now you've been defeated by foreign films. What are your thoughts on this?"
"What are your expectations for the box office performance going forward? Are you considering changing your initial goals?"
"Does the fact that 'The Speed of Death 11 of Demon Tide ' lost out to 'Gone with the Wind' at the box office mean that the domestic film industry still needs a long time to catch up with foreign films?"
"Director Lu, what are your thoughts on the foreign film critics' comments that the core message of the people's united struggle in ' The Demon Tide ' is inferior to American individual heroism?"
In the huge screening room, countless reporters pressed the shutter and held their microphones in front of Lu Ban Lu Ban, trying to get his opinion.
In response, Lu Ban raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.
He knew very well that among the reporters sitting below, and among the newspapers, magazines, websites, and media outlets behind them, some people wanted to see him fail.
Some people have always felt that foreign films are superior, and that foreign films are better than domestic films in terms of both artistic and commercial quality. Therefore, they are unwilling to accept the box office or critical success of domestic films, and are happier to see their own films flop.
Some people simply feel that Lu Ban's current movies are hindering them from making bad movies and earning money. After Lu Ban broke the original pattern of the film and television industry with "Crying", he has always been regarded as a thorn in the side by these people.
Others are simply jealous of Lu Ban's works being both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. They feel that they are underappreciated and that Lu Ban is just lucky. They complain and wish Lu Ban's career would collapse.
However, Lu Ban didn't care.
If it weren't for the goal of reaching 5 billion, he wouldn't be interested in giving interviews in front of people.
Wouldn't it be better to focus on reading other books to enrich yourself or watching a couple of movies to relax?
Lu Ban only spoke after the movie theater had quieted down.
"Gentlemen, Let the Bullets Fly."
Many people didn't understand what Lu Ban meant when he spoke.
After all, there isn't a single film in the world that can be applied for intangible cultural heritage status, and many people probably wouldn't understand what it means.
However, some people roughly understood Lu Ban's meaning from this sentence, and showed a thoughtful expression.
"Congratulations to ' Speed of Death 11 ' for achieving nearly a billion dollars in global box office on its opening day. I also watched this movie. It's a series finale full of sentiment and memories. I believe that whether or not you've seen the previous movies in the series, you'll be moved by this film. The special effects, the actors' performances, and the plot are all excellent, representing the highest level of the Hollywood film industry. I think everyone should go see it."
When Lu Ban suddenly praised his opponent's movie, many reporters were confused and at a loss.
Is Lu Ban out of his mind?
How did you end up promoting your competitor?
Did he go insane because he was overwhelmed by the shock?
Just as some reporters were trying to seize the opportunity to ask Lu Ban if he acknowledged the failure of his film and Chinese films, Lu Ban continued to speak.
"That's why I'm finally at ease."
"Because the opponent is so strong and excellent, it is worth defeating. It is precisely because the opponent has demonstrated its quality through its actions that its value will be realized when ' The Demon Tide ' surpasses it and wins the box office champion of this year."
"If ' Speed of Death 11 ' were a bad movie, a poorly made popcorn film that only relied on its own IP to sell nostalgia and trick audiences into going to the cinema to make money, then even if ' The Demon Tide ' beat such an opponent, many people would say that this year's box office champion title was inflated, lacked substance, and was only won by picking up the scraps."
"Therefore, I am very Cyril director Cyril and his ' Speed of Death 11,' it is their excellence that makes ' The Demon Tide ' even more excellent."
"I, Lu Ban, never kill nameless nobodies."
Upon hearing Lu Ban's words, the vast majority of people, whether they had previously supported Lu Ban or opposed him, had the same thought pop into their minds.
This guy is too arrogant!!!
Despite the defeat on the first day, Lu Ban did not show any disappointment or regret. Instead, he believed that his opponent had demonstrated his value.
What trump card is he hiding, or is he plotting something else?
Looking at the bewildered reporters, Lu Ban raised one finger.
"From now on, ' The Demon Tide ' will continue to top the daily box office until the film leaves theaters. I am honored to witness history with everyone. Thank you."