After the post-production of "Righteous Heroes" is perfected, the first consideration is the screening of the film, and the most important part of the film screening is the theater line, and the second is the arrangement of the release schedule. Whether there is a theater willing to show your film is very important, which is naturally a question that Wang Xiaohu wants to talk to Zou Wenhuai about.

Most cinemas in Hong Kong are formed into "cinema chains" based on film companies, distribution company groups or lease contracts. Theaters in the same cinema chain, most of the main screenings show the same film, and the big theater in the cinema chain is called "leading cinema". At present, the largest cinema chain in Hong Kong is Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest, with a total of more than 80 large and medium-sized cinemas, and of course some "mini" cinemas, some of which are composed of several cinemas in the same building, of which Golden Harvest occupies about half of the Hong Kong cinema chain.

The schedule determines whether a film can be released in the best time, even if there are theaters willing to show your film, but the time period chosen happens to be released by other big productions, big stars or big directors, then your film is destined to suffer a box office waterloo.

When Wang Xiaohu found Zou Wenhuai, he was discussing something with Bruce Lee, and after going up to greet the two, Wang Xiaohu said straight to the point: "Boss Zou, my new film will be released in early April, please help me shoot the schedule." ”

Although Zou Wenhuai had already known the news on the phone, he was still slightly stunned, and then said after pondering for a while: "Xiaohu, now that Shaw Brothers is releasing "Water Margin", if you release it rashly at this time, I'm afraid it's a little inappropriate, of course, I don't say this to doubt your guiding ability, I also discussed this issue with Xiaolong just now, and we decided to let your new film be released in early May." ”

"Is that what you mean, or did you mean it after you discussed it?" Wang Xiaohu couldn't help frowning when he heard this, and gave Zou Wenhuai and Bruce Lee inquiring glances.

After the two glanced at each other, Bruce Lee spoke first: "Ah Hu, this is the result of our discussion, you also know that the Shaw Brothers have made great efforts to stop us and Golden Harvest this time, just the rave reviews from the outside world are not counted, but also the attention of the theater chain, many small theaters have been bought by them, and they have been showing "Water Margin", as Wen Huai said, the production of your film is not very big, if it is screened at this time, I am afraid it will really be"

Wang Xiaohu didn't wait for Bruce Lee to finish speaking, and suddenly smiled, he nodded and said, "Oh, you let me release it in May, right?" But in May, Shaw Brothers' new film "Ma Yongzhen" will be released, and I have to catch up with him. ”

"But we have decided to let "Raptors Across the River" be released in mid-April, if that happens, Golden Harvest's theaters will not be scheduled, not to mention that it is not good for their own families to kill each other, right?" Zou Wenhuai heard the dissatisfaction in Wang Xiaohu's words, frowned and patiently explained.

Wang Xiaohu sighed, and said in his heart that you are arranging it this way, you want to use a big production like "Raptors Across the River" to give Shaw Brothers a resounding slap in the face, so as to prove that his status is not to be shocked, but if you really want to wait for the release of "Righteous Heroes" in May, the outside media will comment on their "Ma Yongzhen" by following their Shaw Brothers, and several "Hong Kong initiatives" that Lao Tzu has been preparing will be ruined! No, we must not let this kind of tragedy happen!

"I think I understand what you mean, you just want to use a big production to fight back against the big production of Shaw Brothers, and play the best two against each other, right?" If it were someone else, he might have said this tactfully, but Wang Xiaohu was angry that Bruce Lee was also thinking about himself, which made him a little puzzled. Big brother, you are an Asian superstar, do you want to compete with a little newcomer like me? If you let people in the 21st century listen to it, will they laugh out of their big teeth?

Wang Xiaohu was depressed to find that the Hong Kong film and television industry is still a place that pays attention to strength, and it is also a place to pay attention to qualifications, qualifications are qualifications, for example, he now has the title of five million box office screenwriters, such as Bruce Lee is now the guarantee of the entire Hong Kong and even Asian box office. Compared with the two, Bruce Lee's qualifications are still much older than himself. Zou Wenhuai seems to be more correct in making such a decision.

"Yes, Xiaohu, you're so right!" Bruce Lee smiled and said, "So I can only let you wait until May to be screened." ”

Wang Xiaohu immediately said: "But the post-production of "Raptors Across the River" has not yet been completed, and my "Righteous Heroes" has been fully completed, not to mention, since I am going to play a box office competition with Shaw Brothers, why not let my low-cost production take the lead to explore the reality and reality, and then Brother Xiaolong's "Raptors Across the River" will watch the enemy in the back?" ”

Wang Xiaohu's words immediately made Zou Wenhuai and Bruce Lee stunned, yes, why do they always think about strong confrontation, Wang Xiaohu said that this method of horse racing can't be used, the two looked at each other again, and then Zou Wenhuai groaned: "Xiaohu, did you really decide to take this risk?" Maybe the box office results will be miserable. ”

"Yes, Xiaohu, I think you'd better calm down and think about it, Wen Huai and I are also thinking about you, after all, the shooting cost of "Righteous Heroes" is only 100,000, and "Water Margin" is close to 700,000, their star lineup is very strong, and the box office appeal is very strong, you are all played by newcomers, and what can be hyped is just your gimmick of box office security, which is not a very rational performance, so I still advise you to calm down."

Bruce Lee saw that he didn't mean to turn back, and then said: "Don't forget, there is a gambling contract between you and me, can you bear to contribute all your salary to me in the next two years?" ”

"Hey!" Wang Xiaohu shook his head and said: "Brother Xiaolong, I admit that what you said is true, but you have ignored one thing, that is, I have never fought a battle that I am not sure of, since I dare to put it forward like this, there will naturally be my way, not to mention that you know my strength best, don't you?" ”

"So, I don't mind taking the lead in this first round of charge, if you don't agree, I'll do something close to make "Righteous Heroes" release in April!" Wang Xiaohu's eyes are full of extremely strong perseverance, his hidden ambition and dissatisfaction with Golden Harvest make him have to reconsider new methods, once Zou Wenhuai and Bruce Lee don't agree, he has no choice but to try to cooperate with other theaters, of course, the process may be difficult, he doesn't want to really go that far.

Fortunately, Zou Wenhuai and Bruce Lee were shocked by the perseverance he unleashed, "Okay, let's take some films from other small companies offline, and are we ready to arrange the release of "Righteous Heroes", are you ready for the preliminary publicity work?" Zou Wenhuai frowned and asked.

"Everything is ready." Wang Xiaohu happily returned to the road.

"And you decided to release it on that day?"

Wang Xiaohu thought for a while and said, "April 7th." ”

Bruce Lee asked with some curiosity: "Why April 7?" ”

Wang Xiaohu smiled mysteriously and did not answer, on April 7, it was the birth of Wang Xiaohu in his previous life, and he wanted to use this special gift to celebrate the 28th birthday of "Wang Xiaohu" in his previous life.

"Well, that's April 7." Zou Wenhuai shook his head and walked out of the room to call Golden Harvest Cinema Line, there is very little time left for the cinema line, and there are many complicated things to deal with, especially the contract issue with other small film companies, at this time, I have to make way for Wang Xiaohu, and I have to come up with some appropriate compensation measures, after all, Hong Kong film companies are not only Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest.

When there were only two dragons and tigers left in the room, Bruce Lee sighed and said, "Xiaohu, what happened to you recently, I always feel that you have become very strong now." ”

Wang Xiaohu shrugged with a wry smile and said, "It's nothing, but I feel that the current working environment is not very ideal, which makes me feel awkward to be constrained." ”

"Are you trying to change jobs?" Bruce Lee was shocked when he heard this, jumped to Wang Xiaohu's side in a little panic, grabbed his arm and said, "Hey, my brother, you must not have this kind of thought, tell me quickly, I must have done something to make you confused, right?" Say it and I'll correct it right away, you know I need your help right now. ”

"Brother Xiaolong, don't be nervous." Wang Xiaohu said with a smile: "I didn't say that I wanted to change jobs, I just felt that we were still under the fence now, and this kind of environment where I had to look at other people's eyes everywhere made me feel very uncomfortable." ”

"Oh, do you mean Wen Huai?" Bruce Lee said: "I think you may have some misunderstanding of him, our Concord Company is still an empty shelf, and some things must be discussed with Wen Huai, after all, he is very well connected in the film industry." ”

Wang Xiaohu glanced at him, "Brother Xiaolong, maybe you feel that this financing cooperation model is very good, but let me tell you, the longer we cooperate with Golden Harvest, the more dependent we will be on Golden Harvest, it is better to jump out completely and go it alone while we are just starting now, so that after our two films are released, we will get more profits, don't you want to make 10 million US dollars as soon as possible?" ok！ Only after we go it alone, have our own distribution theaters, and have our own team, can we make 10 million dollars as soon as possible! ”

Wang Xiaohu didn't wait for Bruce Lee to speak, and immediately pointed at him and said: "I remember you said that many big Hollywood companies are negotiating with you, why don't you seize this opportunity to cooperate with them by bypassing Golden Harvest and taking the opportunity to enter the Hollywood market with Chinese kung fu?" Isn't that what you're dreaming of, Bruce? ”

"Yes man, that's what my dream is!" Bruce Lee listened to what he said and felt the blood flowing rapidly all over his body, he clenched his fists and said: "That's right, Xiaohu, what you said is what I want to do, damn it, what's wrong with me lately, did the continuous fatigue make me forget this dream, thank you Xiaohu, thank you for reminding me today!" ”

"Very good, this is the Bruce Lee I am familiar with." Wang Xiaohu slapped Bruce Lee's shoulder and said, "How about the next target is to aim at Hollywood?" ”

"Huh? Do you have a plan? Bruce Lee suddenly became interested: "Hurry up and tell me, do you have a new script?" ”

"Yes, and more than one, would you like to hear about it?"

"Hell, of course you have to listen!"

When Zou Wenhuai returned to the room after arranging all the matters, he happened to meet the dragon and tiger who were discussing excitedly, and he stepped forward excitedly and asked, "What did I say you were discussing?" ”

"It's nothing, we're talking about the dream I had last night, it's more interesting." Wang Xiaohu grabbed in front of Bruce Lee and said, he knew that Bruce Lee was a straightforward person, not to mention that he had a grateful attitude towards Zou Wen, if he was asked to answer, he would definitely say the result directly, which would only make Zou Wenhuai suspicious, which would not be conducive to the release of the two new films in the future.

"Yes, Wen Huai, Xiaohu is talking about his dream last night, he actually dreamed that he opened a patty on a desert island, and the island is full of beautiful women, hahaha, he is not afraid that Angie will be angry when he hears it!" Fortunately, Bruce Lee reacted quickly and followed Wang Xiaohu's words, in fact, what he said was not entirely a lie, in the script of "Enter the Dragon", there are indeed many beautiful beauties on Mr. Han's island, and all kinds of beauties from the East and the West are involved.

Zou Wenhuai didn't see the clue either, he only thought it was a spring dream made by Wang Xiaohu, so he smiled and said: "Xiaohu, Xihua has asked you and Ah Zhi many times, how did the two of you fall to the ground and develop?" ”

"Well, it's still like that, generally." Wang Xiaohu didn't tell the truth, after all, when Yuan Xihua introduced Zhao Yazhi to him, there were other things mixed in.

"Yes, then you have to hurry, I heard Xihua say that there seems to be a young man surnamed Huang recently, who often comes to Ah Zhi's house as a guest, and Ah Zhi's father seems to appreciate him very much."

The news that Zou Wenhuai said surprised Wang Xiaohu, well, there is such a thing, who is so bold that he even wants to rob my Wang Xiaohu's scheduled wife, mother, take the time to catch it and torture it. After thinking about it, since Ah Zhi didn't mention it to herself, it means that she didn't take the other party to heart.

However, the word "Huang" made Wang Xiaohu somewhat sensitive, because he knew that Zhao Yazhi in his previous life had a fate with the word "Huang", and both husbands were surnamed Huang, and later Huang Yuanshen, the actor of "Huo Yuanjia", became a monk for her. I don't know which of the "three yellows" this young man with the surname "Huang" is.

"Okay, I've already said hello to the things on the side of the theater company, if there are no accidents, I will prepare before April 7th, Xiaohu, you have to be fully prepared this time, the victory or defeat of the first battle is very important!" Zou Wenhuai said with a smile.

"Boss Zou, don't worry, I have a bet with Brother Xiaolong, I won't joke with my two-year salary"

(To be continued)