Los Angeles at the end of February is warmer than Yanjing, and travelers walking outdoors wear a pair of underwear and a jacket.

Lee actually likes the weather in Los Angeles.

Early that morning, in the faint sunshine, he jogged around the Four Seasons Hotel.

After attending the exchange meeting, he rushed to the beautiful country with his assistant.

The Oscars invited Lee Shengyao to be the guest of honor, and the award presented was the best short film.

To Li Shengyao refused.

He went to the beautiful country this time to help promote "The Hangover 2", and by the way, he met the production team of "The Hangover 2".

"The Hangover 1" became a big hit, earning Li Shengyao more than 100 million US dollars.

In the following years, he earned 5 million US dollars a year by selling the broadcast rights of streaming media, as well as the broadcast rights of TV stations, as well as the rental and sale of video discs.

Such a steady profit and no loss business is naturally desirable.

Warner has long wanted to follow Fenghua to restart "The Hangover 2", but Lee Shengyao has been dragging it out until last year, when he arranged a film crew, and then contacted Todd, the director of the "Hangover" trilogy in his previous life. Phillips served as the director, and this is the official production of "The Hangover 2".

Now that the movie has been made, people from Warner approached Lee to discuss the global release schedule, and he chose March 1.

Now "The Hangover 2" is about to be released, and "The Hangover 3" will be produced soon.

As a big boss, Li Shengyao is reasonable and wants to meet his hard-working employees.

So Li Shengyao finished solving the domestic affairs and took advantage of this time to have free time, so he came to Los Angeles.

Two hours later, after breakfast, Lee went to Warner Pictures Los Angeles and saw his old friend Toby. Emmorich, and Todd. Phillips.

Toby is still the same, white people seem to age quickly, twenty looks like thirty, thirty looks like forty.

But when they're forty, fifty, sixty, they all look like they're fifty.

Toby is at this stage, as if it has always been.

The only difference is probably that I am more confident and calm.

He has become the vice president of Warner Pictures, and at his age, it is only a matter of time before he becomes the first brother of Warner Pictures.

The Hollywood producer is now in high spirits, walks with the wind, and when he speaks, his voice is full of power and his tone is firm.

Todd. Phillips was very young, he was only forty-two years old.

There is not much hair, he is tall and has a pointed head, but his face looks very gentle, with a bit of the temperament of a science and engineering man.

In Lee Shengyao's previous life, Todd had already become a film director, but before "The Hangover", the movies he shot had always been relatively ordinary.

The work that the audience is more familiar with should be "Borat".

Later, after he filmed "The Hangover", he went all the way, and the films he produced became better and better, and he completed "Joker" in 2019, which won the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival.

Lee had not met Todd before, and had only chatted on the phone, but this was the first time the two had met.

"Li, it's great, I saw you again, you are still so young, you Orientals are really jealous, you don't seem to be old."

Toby was very enthusiastic and stepped forward to hug Lee Shengyao.

Todd. Phillips saw it in his eyes, and raised Li Shengyao's level up a level in his heart.

He knew very well that after Toby became the vice president of Warner Pictures, there were not many people in Hollywood who could hug him and communicate with him on an equal footing.

And Lee Shengyao seems to be more noble, it's not Lee Shengyao holding Toby, but Toby is patting Lee Shengyao's ass.

Todd was envious and wanted to prove himself.

"Li, it's a pleasure to meet you, it's my honor to be recognized by you, it's my honor to direct "The Hangover 2", I hope you will watch the movie later, you won't be disappointed."

Warner has held screenings at all levels for a long time, and the feedback has been very good.

Many people think that it is no worse than "The Hangover 1".

Todd is still very confident in the quality of the film.

Li Shengyao nodded, "Todd, I believe in your strength, I am very relieved that you directed "The Hangover 2". ”

Soon after, Lee Shengyao entered the viewing room and watched "The Hangover 2".

Todd's strength is undoubted, and overall, the movie has the charm Lee wants.

After he finished watching the movie, he said to Todd with satisfaction: "The movie is wonderful, the effect is even better than I expected, Todd, you are amazing." ”

Todd. Phillips was praised by Lee Shengyao and was happy, and he immediately said: "After reading the script you wrote, I immediately began to conceive the shooting plan, including the actors' positions, camera positions, and camera angles, I have thought carefully about them, and I ...... them."

Todd then talked about his hard work and dedication to the filming of "The Hangover 2".

Li Shengyao stood quietly next to him, and he could hear that Todd actually wanted to prove himself and prove that "The Hangover 2" was no worse than "The Hangover 1", and he didn't feel offended and didn't get angry.

In fact, the higher the quality of "The Hangover 2", the better, so that the higher the box office can be harvested, and Lee Shengyao can make more money.

Todd just got a million-dollar director's salary, not even a box office reward.

For such workers, Li Shengyao has always been very generous and tolerant.

After Todd finished talking about his efforts, Lee Sheng Yao clapped his hands, and then said: "Todd, you are very good, your ability is beyond doubt, I have always believed in you very much, you will definitely become one of the best directors in Hollywood in the future." ”

Todd. Phillips nodded excitedly when he heard this, "I think so too." ”

Li Shengyao thought for a while, and then said: "Todd, I only wrote three scripts related to "The Hangover", if you are interested, you can write the script of "The Hangover 456", and we can give you profit dividends. ”

Todd is not just a director, he also writes scripts.

In Lee Shengyao's previous life, "The Hangover 23" was a script written by Todd himself.

If Todd could write the script for "The Hangover 456", Lee Shengyao would definitely invest, anyway, as a modern comedy, the cost is not high, and relying on the reputation of the previous work, the follow-up sequel will definitely make money.

When Todd heard this, he became even more excited, and his face turned a lot redder.

"Lee, I accept this challenge, and I will definitely work hard."

Li Shengyao smiled, "Don't put pressure on yourself, take your time, we have time." ”

Todd. Phillips was overwhelmed with joy and excitement, and repeatedly said that he would continue to work hard.

Toby. Emmerich stood aside, smiling as he watched Lee Shengyao communicate with Todd, and he could feel that Lee Shengyao's role just now was the boss, and Todd was the employee.

He was surprised that Lee Shengyao could be so calm, but when he thought of Lee Shengyao's industry in the mainland, he took it for granted.

"Lee, why are you turning down the Oscars?"

The Oscar organizer invited Lee Shengyao to present the award, but Lee Shengyao refused, and this kind of thing naturally can't be hidden from the vice president of Warner Pictures.

Li Shengyao smiled, "It's just a small award, it's not interesting." ”

This time, the Oscar organizers invited Lee Shengyao to present the best short film, but Lee Shengyao declined.

Such a small award is not interesting, the traffic is low, and there is no publicity effect at all.

If it is the best actor and actress, or the best director, or the best movie, then Lee Shengyao will not hesitate to agree.

Todd couldn't help but be stunned for a moment when he heard Li Shengyao's words.

Lee Shengyao is younger than him, but he is already a director recognized by the Oscars, and he wants to be the guest of honor, but Lee Shengyao refuses.

Todd looked at Li Shengyao's indifferent appearance, and fell silent for an instant.

It turns out that the two of them are not a grade player at all.

Just now Li Shengyao encouraged him and said that he would give him profit dividends, but he didn't feel like this, and then he understood that Li Shengyao no longer needed Oscar presenters to prove his status. Emmerich still wants cows.

Thinking of Lee Shengyao's Palme d'Or, Todd sighed secretly.

People can't be compared to people.

Toby. Emmerich doesn't have as many thoughts as Todd, he just feels that Lee Shengyao is more cordial, and the two parties can continue to work together in depth.

……

At 7 p.m. on February 26, 2012, Lee Shengyao attended the Oscars with the crew of "The Hangover 2".

Several of the male protagonists of "The Hangover" are already famous, especially the "little fat man" Zack. Garfilianakis has been recognized by many fans, and he is also out of the circle, and many passers-by know him.

When Zach walked the red carpet, the cheers were very loud.

This little fat man is in a beautiful country, and he has the effect of Shen Teng in the mainland, as long as he appears in the movie, the audience will laugh.

Li Shengyao is not an actor, he has disappeared in the beautiful country in recent years, and there are not many fans who know him, and he walked the red carpet almost without attracting cheers.

Li Dadao didn't care.

He smiled and Zach entered the venue, then sat down and watched the Oscars unfold.

The 2012 Oscars did not have a particularly outstanding movie, not to mention that the movie won several awards.

If Lee Shengyao is not mistaken, "The Artist" won the best film. Du Jardan won the Best Actor, and Aunt Mei won the Best Actress.

The most dazzling person is Aunt Mei, after all, she won the best actress again, and her achievements are enough to be recorded in the history of world cinema.

Li Shengyao originally thought that he would watch the Oscars silently and be a gentle spectator, but he didn't expect that the Oscars would still be remembered by others.

Tonight's host is Billy. Christo, the bigwig, who is sixty-five years old, has gray hair, eloquence and amazing physical fitness, and this is the ninth time he has hosted the Oscars.

He was always able to say something that would make the audience laugh.

When the presenters presented the best short film, Billy returned to the stage, and he reached out in front of his forehead to make a distant appearance, looking left and right.

"Do you know, the organizers originally invited Li Lai to be the guest of honor, but he refused.

I heard that Lee is here, Lee, where are you?

Can you tell me, I'm sixty-five years old, I'm still here, why don't you want to come up? ”

The crowd laughed.

The camera quickly locked on to Lee Shengyao.

Oscar global live broadcast, the organizer relies on this party, can collect tens of millions of dollars in copyright fees, Li Shengyao is well-known in Asia, and the organizer naturally wants to make trouble.

Li Shengyao noticed that everyone was looking at him, and he didn't panic, but rolled his eyes at Billy.

A staff member handed over the microphone, and Li Shengyao took it.

"Li, why, you don't want to come here to present the award?"

Li Shengyao smiled: "It's a very sad thing, I thought I could give the award to Best Actor, or Best Actress, but no, which disappointed me, so I refused."

"Oh, is it? It's a matter for the organizers, you're so good that you deserve an important award. ”

Billy paused, then said, "Then why don't you sign up for the Oscars?"

"1937" can naturally participate in the Oscar selection, but Lee Shengyao did not sign up, he felt that he could not win the award, so he was too lazy to sign up.

When the time came, the mainland media hyped it up, but in the end it could not win the award, but gave people the illusion that the three major European ones were inferior to the Oscars.

Li Shengyao smiled: "I have already won the Palme d'Or, I think it is enough, I hope to give other filmmakers some thoughts."

It's very coercive.

However, the people of the beautiful country have always been public, and such arrogant words are very much to their taste, and the scene immediately burst into warm applause.

Billy laughed, "Lee, when are you going to sign up for the Oscars?"

"Maybe two years from now, maybe five years from now, I'm not sure if I'm going to make a movie that's a little less quality, I'm going to go to the Oscars."

The crowd still laughed.

Billy stretched out his hand and pointed at Lee Shengyao, "You have offended a lot of people, I hope you can succeed." ”

"If I offend a lot of people and still win the Oscar, doesn't that prove the grace of a beautiful country? I think the Oscar organizers can consider that. ”

After Li Shengyao finished speaking, he handed over the microphone.

Billy then changed the subject, and the awards party continued.

After a long time, the awards party ended, and as Li Shengyao remembers, the winners have not changed.

After the party, there was also a celebration banquet, which Li Shengyao and the crew of "The Hangover 2" participated in.

He wanted to sit aside and eat quietly, but many people came to him to take a photo with Li Shengyao.

Twenty minutes later, it was quieter around him.

"Lee, nice to meet you."

A middle-aged man about fifty years old, dressed in a suit and wearing glasses, looked a little Sven scum.

"My name is Andrew. Stanton. ”

Li Shengyao stretched out his hand and shook hands with Andrew, "I know you, "Robot Story" and "Finding Nemo" are all very exciting. ”

Andrew has been a former director of animated films, and in recent years has started directing live-action films.

He has a movie to be released in March this year, and this movie is Disney's S-rated production - "Alien Battlefield".

According to Lee Shengyao and Toby. Emmorich's discussion, "The Hangover 2" was released on March 1.

"Alien Battlefield" was released on March 9, and the release time of the two movies is close, and there will inevitably be a fight at that time.

Toby had advised Lee Shengyao before, thinking that it was not good to put it in early March, there were too many good movies in early March, so it was better to put it in April.

However, Li Shengyao refused, and he looked at the list of movies released in early March.

Li Shengyao felt that all the movies in early March were useless, including "Alien Battlefield".

Andrew nodded happily, "Lee, I like "1937 very much", this movie has inspired me a lot, I watched this movie and learned a lot of skills in making live films. ”

Li Shengyao nodded, "You don't need to give me patent fees, I will learn from other directors." ”

Andrew laughed, "You're so funny, no wonder you can write such an excellent comedy as The Hangover." ”

He paused for a moment and continued: "The Hangover 2 will be released on March 1st, and "Alien Battlefield" will be released on March 9th.

"Alien Battlefield" is my first live-action film, or a big production, and I will work very hard to be the best film of March. ”

After Andrew said this, his face turned red, and he looked a little nervous.

Li Shengyao smiled, "Man, I wish you success." ”

Hearing this, Andrew nodded awkwardly, then turned to leave.

Li Shengyao smiled and didn't put this matter at ease.

He knows very well what level of movie "The Hangover 2" is, with a global box office of 586 million US dollars, while "Alien Battlefield" is only more than 200 million, and the box office of the two movies is not of the same magnitude.

Andrew wants to prove his strength, and Lee doesn't need to.

……

A few days later, "The Hangover 2" was released in Europe and the United States, as well as peninsulas, island countries, Hong Kong Island, Wanwan and other places.

With the good reputation of "The Hangover 1", the movie exploded when it was released, and the release date was Thursday, but it still won the first-day box office of 28 million US dollars in the beautiful country.

On March 2nd, "Becoming Flynn", "Pretty Friends", "The Story of Old Lacey", "Witch Hunter", and "Jeff Living at Home" were released.

Among them, "Becoming Flynn" has De Niro, Julian. Moore, "Pretty Friends" has Uma. Thurman, "The Story of Old Lacey" has Zach. Efron, "Witch Hunter" has Jeremy. Leonard.

These movies all have actors who attract fans, and they all have highlights.

However, none of these movies set off a movie-watching boom and became a stepping stone for "The Hangover 2", and "The Hangover 2" got a box office of 1120 million US dollars in the first week.

A week later, "Alien Battlefield", "Green Field", "The Crow", "The Cabin in Silence", "Think Like a Man" and other films were released.

These movies are actually the same, but the most watched "Alien Battlefield" has a box office of about 100 million in the beautiful country.

Another week passed, and on March 16th, a batch of movies were also released, but the effect was not good, and the top two at the box office at this time were still "The Hangover 2" and "Alien Battlefield".

It wasn't until March 23 that "The Hunger Games" was released, and "The Hangover 2" was pulled down.

"The Hangover 2" is not only in the beautiful country, but also in Europe.

Europa's young people are more fond of such movies that promote indulgence and pleasure, so "The Hangover 2" is crazy to harvest box office on the European continent.

Warners was so excited that Toby called Lee and said, "Lee, our film is very successful, and it should be able to take $300 million on the European continent." ”

Lee Shengyao was also happy, "It's very good, we can continue to make the "Hangover" series of movies. ”

"Yes, I'll have a celebration banquet then."

Toby. Emmerich paused for a moment, then continued: "But the spirit advocated by "The Hangover 2" seems to be opposed by some conservative films, and we have been informed that in France, there are some newspapers in Italy that have attacked you. ”

When Li Shengyao heard this, he frowned slightly, but his tone was calm, "It's okay, it's just some inconsequential little people." ”

"Do you want us to arrange for friendly media to help you talk?"

"Yes, I owe you a favor."

Lee Shengyao is about to take "Parasite" to the Cannes Film Festival, and he doesn't want "The Hangover 2" to affect word of mouth.

(End of chapter)