Chapter 18741876【Difficult】


    One is "RoboCop 2". The previous film "RoboCop" earned more than 50 million U.S. dollars at the U.S. box office, and the global box office was close to 100 million U.S. dollars.


    Compared to the investment of 20 million US dollars, this movie can be said to be quite a hit, so the sequel is naturally not to be missed.


    The other one is "The New Father-in-law". This is a family comedy that tells the story of a father who is obsessed with his daughter, who is entangled and anxious because his daughter is getting married.


    Americans actually attach great importance to family. It''s not like in the legend that children will be kicked out of the house as soon as they turn eighteen. Those are just rare cases.


    Therefore, family comedies have always been very popular in the United States. Such as "The Kramers", "Home Alone", "Meet the Father-in-law" and so on.


    In addition, Xiang Nan has also invested in "The Detective 2" and "Crocodile Dundee 3". When these two films were initially invested, Xiang Nan signed a priority investment agreement with them for the sequels.


    As these two movies were really popular after they were released, sequels are naturally on the agenda. Xiang Nan also took advantage of this priority investment agreement to continue to benefit.


    …


    After getting it done, Xiang Nan began to prepare for the filming of "Cosmic Dragon".


    ??This film is adapted from the short story "Memory Inc." by science fiction writer Philip K. Dick. The screenwriter is Dan Orban and Ronald Shusett, who wrote "Alien".


    After Carloco Films bought the script, it began to solicit investment and find actors. Because the film is expected to invest US$60 million, such high production costs have discouraged many film companies.


    After all, Hollywood’s highest-grossing science fiction film, “Star Wars: Episode III,” only cost 32 million. "Space Dragon" is far less famous than the "Star Wars" series, but the investment is twice as huge.


    ??In case of box office failure, even the six giants may go bankrupt. After all, United Artists lost $40 million on its investment in "Heaven''s Gate" and was forced to go bankrupt. Naturally, no one wanted to make the same mistake again.


    Fortunately, Carolco Films finally found Xiang Nan, and not only received investment, but also let Xiang Nan star. In this way, there is investment and box office appeal.


    The project "Mighty Dragon" suddenly went from a hot potato that everyone was afraid of to the most fragrant meat and potatoes in Hollywood.


    Many actors want to participate in this movie, and many directors want to direct this movie. After all, the huge investment of 60 million US dollars, coupled with Xiang Nan''s starring role, is likely to create a box office hit.


    By then, all the filmmakers involved will benefit. Naturally, everyone is vying for the opportunity, and even the boss of Carloco Pictures lamented that people in the industry are too realistic.


    …


    ?However, Xiang Nan did not take advantage of outsiders in vain. He chose Halle Berry as the heroine.


    ?Halle Berry is not only beautiful and has an attractive figure, but her acting skills are also very good. She won the Oscar for Best Actress. And the relationship with him is also very close. As the saying goes, the wealth does not go to outsiders, so he is naturally willing to support him.


    Director, Xiang Nan chose Xu Ke.


    In March, he had already handed over the script to Xu Ke. Let him think about it for himself first, and then bring it up if he has any opinions.


    In the past six months, Xu Ke has often given him advice.


    Xu Ke is different from Xiang Nan in that he is a person with a strong desire to control. Even if he is not a director but a producer, he will continue to intervene in film shooting.


    ?Hence, Xu Ke’s shadow can be seen in all the films he is credited with producing. Therefore, the director of "A Chinese Ghost Story" was originally Cheng Xiaodong, and the director of "New Dragon Gate Inn" was originally Li Huimin, but they were both attributed to Xu Ke. In comparison, Xiang Nan has no desire to control. Such a big company would just let it go. Many of the projects he invested in were only producers in name, and he did not intervene in the specific production.


    Anyway, as long as the director shoots according to his script, it should be perfect. So he didn''t allow any director to change his script, not even a word. But he doesn''t have to worry about other things, so he''s still pretty easy to talk to.


    ?However, for such an easy talker, he was a little overwhelmed when facing Xu Ke.


    On the one hand, Xu Ke’s thinking is wild and unconstrained, and he often has one idea today and one idea every day. The same story, he wants to shoot this way today, and that way tomorrow; he wants to change it here today, and he wants to change it there tomorrow, but there is no right time.


    On the one hand, Xu Ke’s hand is also stretched out longer. Casting, scenery, art, props, special effects... He wants to get involved in almost every department and give advice.


    Xiang Nandu regretted it and asked Xu Ke to direct the play. He has never had such a headache working with an Oscar-winning director. He patiently chatted with Xu Ke for half a year, and finally reached a final decision after mutual compromise.


    Of course, Xiang Nan compromised more.


    Because he really wanted to help a group of Xiangjiang directors, he had to give in in order to successfully reach a cooperation. If it were any other director in Hollywood, he would have told them to go away.


    ?And Xu Ke also met Xiang Nan. If it were another Hollywood producer, let alone they would not invite him to film. Even if you let him take pictures, you will never let him dictate.


    Because Hollywood is a producer-centered system, the director is just a tool for making movies and does not even have the power to edit movies.


    …


    In September, the filming of the movie officially started.


    "Director Xu, let''s just shoot as agreed. Don''t change things here and there. Otherwise, even if I can understand you, others won''t tolerate you." Xiang Nan reminded Xu Ke.


    Xu Ke nodded.


    He studied in the United States, took a directing course here, and also worked in Hollywood, so he knows that the rules here are very strict.


    ?As long as the contract is signed, not to mention the director, even the producer cannot be willful. Otherwise, trade unions at all levels, brokerage companies, and insurance companies will take turns to trouble him, letting him know that power cannot be arbitrary.


    “Okay, I understand.” Xu Ke nodded.


    …


    In order to save costs, the movie was mainly shot in Moxico.


    The prices, taxes, and extra actors’ salaries are relatively low there.


    "Cosmic Dragon" has many big scenes and requires a lot of extras. If it were filmed in the United States, the extras'' pay alone would be an astronomical sum.


    ?However, Moxico is a bit more chaotic than the United States, so the crew bought insurance for everyone in advance and reminded everyone to take precautions. Try not to act alone or go to dangerous areas to avoid danger.


    ??Moxico Zhengfu is also very welcoming to Xiang Nan and others for filming. Not only does it exempt some taxes and fees, but it also tries its best to assist in the filming, which makes Xiang Nan feel that it is very valuable.


    (End of this chapter)