America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM

Chapter 335 333. Night Talk

"How is the connection between Tianjin and Shenzhen going?"

"Everything is going well. They have visited the factory in Yanjing several times. They are very satisfied and interested in the treatment we offer and the tax revenue brought to Yanjing."

"I have also visited both sides and had in-depth exchanges with their leaders."

"How do you feel?"

"Very enthusiastic. The business environment is generally better than here. The main cost and policies in labor, water, electricity, taxation, land, etc. The local government is willing to give greater concessions."

"Both sides hope to invite you over and hope that we can settle down as soon as possible."

"But boss, you didn't notify them about your visit this time. If you want to go and take a look, you can contact them now."

"Okay, I plan to stay in Yanjing for two days, then go to Tianjin, then to Shenzhen, and finally return to the United States from there."

The factory in Yanjing is still too small after all. Even though the new plant has been partially completed and put into production, the production capacity is still insufficient.

The reason why the first stop was set here was that political factors far outweighed economic factors.

Especially after Eric took over Hasbro, many orders originally assigned to domestic factories in the United States are time to change the environment.

The cost of producing a toy there is enough to produce more than three in China. The price difference of labor and raw materials is too big. If you are the boss, what will you choose?

In addition, with the rise of Marvel, although only a few superhero peripherals such as Iron Man, Captain America, and Spider-Man are selling well now.

However, at most two years, it will be fast-forwarded to a period of blooming everywhere.

There are a lot of heroes in the entire Avengers Alliance alone, and Eric also plans to develop a new trilogy of "X-Men First Class", "Days of Future Past", and "Apocalypse".

These will bring terrifying peripheral sales.

In addition, there is the acquisition of Warner. Once it is successful, DC's major projects will naturally be launched.

Highly popular characters such as Superman, Master, Lady, and Little Flash will also generate huge peripheral benefits.

A factory in Yanjing cannot meet such a large demand. If it were not for the inconvenient transportation and other infrastructure, he would really like to learn from Foxconn and put the factory directly in Zhengzhou.

Unfortunately, China has not experienced the subprime mortgage crisis yet, and has not started the era of large-scale infrastructure. The conditions are not sufficient, and coastal cities are still popular.

As we were talking, the car stopped at a private manor. When we got inside, the waiter pushed open the door.

When they saw Eric, everyone in the room stood up immediately.

"Welcome! I miss you so much after not seeing you for so many days."

Old Han took the lead and came over. The two of them were old friends, so they hugged each other immediately.

In addition to Han Sanping, Zhou Xiaopeng and Chen Ou, what surprised Eric was that Jackie Chan was also there.

This person can be said to be the world's first Chinese movie star, or it is not an exaggeration to say that he is the world's first movie star with yellow skin and yellow face.

But since the two have never worked together before, they are only nodding acquaintances.

"Eric, Jackie Chan, you must know him, but I still have to introduce him. His real name is Fang, Fang Shilong, and of course he can also be called Chen Gangsheng."

Jackie Chan laughed and said in a familiar way: "No need for you to introduce, we have known each other for a long time, and we met at the Oscars not long ago."

"I am filming "The Myth" in China. I originally went to Yanjing for work. I heard that the great director Eric Cooper was coming, so I thought of joining in."

Jackie Chan positioned Eric's title as director, especially with a big word, which sounded comfortable. Everyone in Hollywood knew that he wanted the trophy for Best Director.

The two shook hands with a smile, and Jackie Chan asked Eric to sit next to Lao Han.

"Jackie, why do you have two names? And different surnames?" Chen Xing asked curiously.

Knowing that he is Eric's confidant and is now in charge of MGM's overall business in China, Jackie Chan did not dare to neglect him.

"It's a complicated story. It happened in the last century, when the country hadn't been founded yet."

"Anyway, my family name is Fang, and I'm from Anhui. My father's real name is Fang Daolong."

"Later, for work reasons, he changed his name to Chen Ping'an, and then went from the mainland to Hong Kong to live, and he used the pseudonym to live there."

"So I was born with the surname Chen, and at that time I was called Chen Gangsheng, which means I was born in Hong Kong."

"The purpose of this name was to make it easier for me to get along in Hong Kong. Mainlanders are discriminated against there. When I grew up, I realized that my family name was Fang Shilong. . "

"It doesn't matter anyway, I'm called whatever I am."

Eric nodded: "You're right, with Jackie's face, no matter where I go in the world, everyone will recognize me, so my name is not important."

Old Han looked at him: "You are all big stars and busy people. I thought you would bring those four singers from the Voice of China with you during the Spring Festival, just like Michael Jackson did that time."

"I didn't expect you to not show up. It's been more than a year since we last met."

Eric thought about it, and it seemed that the last time he came to China was the Spring Festival Gala last year.

He sighed: "Things are too busy. Don't you know about what happened in Hollywood?"

"I know, the more I know, the more I admire you. How did you win against the six of them alone?"

"To be honest, I was particularly worried this year. I was worried that MGM would be defeated."

"If you collapse, Oriental MGM will also be in trouble."

"Especially since the incident between you and Gal Gadot has become so serious, you will be held criminally responsible."

"I am afraid that "The Meg" can still be filmed? Even if it is filmed, can it be released? Now I am completely relieved."

"Come on, we have been talking for a long time. Let's raise our glasses together. The first three glasses must be toasted to Eric. Cheers to his great victory!"

Except Jackie Chan, everyone present has more or less interests entangled with Eric, so this glass of wine must be drunk.

"By the way, how far have you filmed "The Meg"?" Chen Ou asked.

"The filming has been completed a long time ago, and we have been working on post-production. It is basically ready to be released."

"One of the purposes of Eric coming here this time is to review the film. Why don't you come with us tomorrow?"

Chen Ou nodded: "Anyway, it will be put on the table of the Optoelectronics Bureau sooner or later. This project is the focus, so it is better to intervene in advance."

"Such a good project, you should have notified me at the time." Jackie Chan said half-jokingly and half-complainingly.

"Jackie, a co-production must be a mix of actors from both sides. The male lead has been decided from the beginning. You can't just let you play a supporting role."

"It doesn't matter if it's a supporting role. In fact, I have played many supporting roles."

"You played supporting roles before you became famous. You won't play any roles after you become famous. I remember that you played the leading role in several Hollywood movies. Jet Li started as a villain."

"No, I just played a supporting role last year."

Zhou Xiaopeng knocked on the table: "I have seen it. Is it the movie "The Thousand Faces"? Your son is the male lead."

"Yes, to help that brat."

Eric suddenly understood a little. Brother, you don't want your son to go to Hollywood, do you?

If that's the idea, then don't joke.

Not to mention his bad habits, even if you just look at his appearance and physique, he is like a sickly man with a pointed face and a monkey face. He is nothing. At least he should be like Daniel Wu.

If it weren't for your son, he wouldn't even be qualified to enter this circle based on his basic conditions.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Eric drank less, and each of them had already drunk more than half a catty.

"Eric, The Meg was filmed completely according to your script and requirements. Your vision must be fine."

"But after this project is completed, what should we shoot next?"

"The movie hasn't been released yet, don't worry."

"Of course he thinks too much. Those are real political achievements. Only with achievements can we move to the next level and make progress."

"Bullshit, I call this passion, do you understand?"

"Passion and progress are not contradictory. Love your work, right?"

Hahahaha

A light suddenly flashed in Eric's head, and he pointed at Jackie Chan: "The next one is easy. If Jackie wants to participate, let him be the protagonist."

"Me?"

"Yes, but it can't be just you. Pull Jet Li over. I don't think you two have worked together before."

"You are the most famous kung fu masters in the world film industry. If the news of your cooperation is released, it will definitely be a gimmick. Countless fans are looking forward to this day."

To be honest, Eric is definitely worried that Jackie Chan will carry the box office alone.

Eric didn't know how much his last movie "Around the World in 80 Days" had made at the box office, but he only knew that it made Disney lose a lot of money, although it was also a contribution to MGM.

It was also after "Around the World in 80 Days" that Jackie Chan could no longer get high-quality resources from Hollywood, except for his guaranteed work "Rush Hour 3".

Although the subsequent "The Karate Kid" won more than 300 million US dollars in the global box office and made a lot of money, Hollywood still did not trust his ability to carry the box office.

Because this movie is a remake of an old work, it has a certain foundation in North America, and the North American box office alone accounts for half of the total box office.

"The Foreigner" is very exciting, but it's a pity that it came too late, and Jackie Chan has reached his twilight years.

If the time of these two movies was moved to the beginning of the century, Jackie Chan's status in Hollywood would definitely be a first-tier star.

A real first-tier star, not a first-tier star with a name but no substance.

So Eric didn't dare to take the risk of investing an A-level production for him.

But if Jet Li was also included and a "Forbidden Kingdom" was made, it would be different.

The original version of "The Forbidden Kingdom" is definitely not good. The story is fragmented and is completely a plot imagined by an American screenwriter. It wasted the only cooperation between the two.

The global box office is only about 120 million US dollars. Compared with the 70 million US dollars cost of external publicity, it is definitely a money-losing product.

Moreover, DVDs were almost out of history at that time, resulting in not much gain in the disc market.

If a good story is written, instead of mechanically copying Western games, legends of the Eight Immortals, and avoiding failure points, this project is actually very promising.

After listening to Eric's advice, Lao Han slapped his forehead and said, "You are right. There are two Kung Fu emperors in front of me. How can I ignore them?"

Jackie Chan naturally wanted to regain his position and immediately patted his chest and guaranteed, "As long as you can find Jet Li, I have no problem."

After more than two hours, everyone drank a little too much.

In the United States, Eric can control it, but here the drinking culture is different, and they can really persuade.

Seeing Jackie Chan's hesitation, he was afraid that the other party really wanted to recommend his unpromising son, so Eric quickly said goodbye and returned to the hotel.

When he returned to the house, he saw Judy lying on the bed watching TV.

Eric took a few steps back and looked at the house number. Yes, it was his room.

"Why are you in my room? No, how did you get in?"

"I'm with you, so the waiter opened the door for me. You smell like alcohol, and it smells like alcohol in my nose. Go take a shower!"

"Ah? Wait, I still don't understand why you're in my room?"

Judy pointed to the screen: "I'm watching TV, are you blind?"

"Why don't you watch it in your room?"

"Oh no! Go take a shower. I can't stand your alcohol."

Eric shook his head and felt much more sober after taking a shower.

"If the TV is broken, can't you just change the room? Why?"

"You talk too much nonsense! I can be wherever I want. Do you have any objections?"

Eric spread his hands: "Have you been in the hotel since you woke up?"

"No, I went out for a walk. By the way, Gadot said there are many fun places in Yanjing. You can accompany me."

"I am a big sister who comes here to work. I have to go to the company and the factory tomorrow and leave at night. I will find a local to take you to play."

"No, you have to accompany me to play. How can we communicate with the locals if we don't speak the same language?"

"Besides, it's not easy to come to China once. I may not have the opportunity for several years or even decades in the future. What's wrong with playing for a few more days?"

"But there are really many things waiting for me to deal with."

"Is it okay? In a word, is it okay?"

Seeing Judy suddenly put her hands on her hips and stared at him, Eric sighed: "Okay, okay, I'm afraid of you."

"But it's only two days at most. There are a lot of things waiting for me in the United States. Don't forget your work."

Baji!

Judy kissed Eric on the face: "Thank you! I will work overtime after I go back, don't worry."

"Oh! I should have brought Gadot so that you two can play together."

"The two of us? Aren't you afraid that I will do something to her?"

Eric laughed: "She told me that you went on vacation that time, just chatting, nothing happened."

Judy sneered: "Would she dare to tell you? Are you sure Gadot didn't lie to you?"

"Well, anyway, there are only two of us here, why don't we chat too."

"You have been weird lately, a little abnormal."

"What's abnormal?"

"Girl, it was very abnormal when you kissed me just now! What's wrong? Is it because of Bar Refaeli? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

Judy shook her head: "I don't want to mention that bitch anymore, and we are in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, have you forgotten?"

Eric was stunned for a moment, as if it was true. On Christmas Eve, he accompanied Judy home.

"So what's wrong with me kissing my boyfriend? Not to mention kissing you, even if I want to sleep with you, it's normal, isn't it?"

"Don't be like that, brother, I'm a little scared."

"What are you afraid of! When we were in college, you chased me, have you forgotten?"

"That's because I didn't know you were a lesbian."

"What if you're not a lesbian now?"

"Huh?"