Chapter 16
The Chinese are very modest
After attending the celebration banquet, Lin Yu boarded a plane to Hollywood even before the total box office figures for "Lost in Thailand" were released.
So when reporters in China tried to interview Lin Yu, they couldn't find him at all.
However, this doesn't stop the hype surrounding Lin Yu and the movie "Lost in Thailand" in China. It doesn't matter if the person can't be found, the movie is still playing.
But none of this mattered to Lin Yu, who was already on the plane, since he couldn't hear or see it anyway.
The movie he's going to Hollywood to film this time is a movie with an investment of less than $200,000 and a production cost of only $20,000—"The Man from Earth".
However, its box office reached more than 300 million US dollars, and the return on investment of thousands of times was astonishing to everyone at the time!
Lin Yu even checked whether the original novel of this movie had been published, and luckily it hadn't.
This time, Han Sanping contacted Fox in Hollywood to act as the distributor.
Lin Yu was not surprised by this, because in his previous life, Fox was the first company to develop localized films in China.
On March 1, Lin Yu arrived in Hollywood and made contact with a mid-to-high-level Fox executive recommended to him by Han Sanping.
"Lin! Are you serious? What kind of film can you make with two hundred thousand US dollars? And you even had Han from China Film Group personally contact me to help distribute your movie?"
"William, I'm serious. I won't skimp on the money; all I need is for Fox to help me distribute the film," Lin Yu said earnestly.
"No, no, no! Lin! You have to understand that every film distribution slot I have is very valuable. I can't possibly hand it over to a film that was made with a budget of only two hundred thousand US dollars. It wasn't easy for me to get to where I am now," William said, frowning.
"I know, but William, I believe in my movie. Its box office performance will absolutely surprise everyone."
"Impossible, Lin! Although you're a somewhat famous director in your country, this is Hollywood, not China! I can't possibly believe your assurances so easily. Here, we only believe data... and US dollars!" William waved his hand in refusal.
Looking at the foreigner in front of him who wouldn't drink a drop of water, Lin Yu couldn't help but shout in his heart: "Damn it!"
He thought Han Sanping had already taken care of everything for him, and that he could just come over and film a movie. He didn't expect that Han Sanping had only given him a channel and hadn't helped him with anything.
"Okay, William, I understand what you mean. If this movie fails, then this card is yours." After thinking for a moment, Lin Yu took out a bank card from his pocket and placed it on the table.
"What?" William was a little confused by Lin Yu's action. "What does this mean?"
Seeing his expression, Lin Yu assumed he disagreed, so she said, "Didn't you say every spot you have is precious? This card has a million US dollars. No matter if my movie flops or not, it's yours. Is that alright?"
"Lin, are you sure you're not joking with me?" William asked in surprise.
Although he earned a considerable salary at the company, one million US dollars was still a significant sum for him.
"Of course not. If you agree, I can tell you the password right now."
William looked at the earnest-looking Chinese man in front of him, completely baffled.
Shouldn't Chinese people be especially humble? But what's up with this person in front of him?
A million US dollars? It would take me years to earn that much! Besides, can your little movie really make a million? This Chinese guy…
"Lin! I need to confirm with you one more time, are you really sure? Regardless of whether your movie is a success or a failure, I will not refund a single penny!"
William leaned forward, as if trying to see what Lin Yu was thinking.
"I'm sure! But I need you to guarantee the number of screens for distribution and screening," Lin Yu said, enunciating each word clearly.
"OK! Don't worry about distribution. I'll bring the contract over tomorrow. When your movie is released, I'll try my best to communicate with the cinemas and arrange more screenings for your movie. After all, this is the only thing I can do for you, although it won't be much. After all, your investment is too small, and I can't easily negotiate with them. They're all just money-grubbing vampires!" William immediately changed his expression, stood up, and extended his right hand to Lin Yu.
"Thank you, William!" Lin Yu said with a smile, shaking William's hand.
In his mind, however, he was cursing, "Does he think he's not a vampire?"
"No, no, no, Lin, no need to thank me. I'm doing this for myself too. If you really succeed, maybe I can get promoted next year!" William said with a smile.
"No, William, even so, I still have to thank you," Lin Yu said with a smile.
Thank you and your family!
"Oh! Alright! You Chinese are too polite. See you tomorrow, Lin!"
See you tomorrow, William!
After Lin Yu finished talking with William, he vented his frustrations on William's departing back before finally stopping.
He then began preparing for the film's production. He didn't need to worry about the actors or the crew; Fox would take care of everything for him, of course, he would have to pay them.
While Lin Yu was working hard abroad, many filmmakers in China were also actively contributing to the film industry.
However, what has piqued the curiosity of various media outlets is that Lin Yu, this rising star director, has completely disappeared?
They originally thought that even if Lin Yu was hiding from them, he would come out by the time the movie "Lost in Thailand" was taken off the screens. But to their surprise, three months after the movie was taken off the screens, they still hadn't seen a trace of Lin Yu.
Some media outlets even went to the Beijing Film Academy to inquire, and the result was just three words: "I don't know!"
It's really strange. With such a successful career, why doesn't he come out and show off?
Some even more impressive reporters went so far as to find Wan Qian, the actress who almost had an affair with Lin Yu.
"Sorry, we haven't been in touch much since we finished filming Director Lin's movie."
Undeterred by this answer, the reporter, after making inquiries from various sources, went directly to Huang Bo, one of Lin Yu's only two employees.
Huang Bo also directly stated:
"That's my boss! Do you think any other boss needs to report their schedule to their employees?!"
These reporters were utterly disappointed this time. Well, since they couldn't interview Lin Yu, they had to interview others. Chen Kaige probably just wanted everyone to know he was making a blockbuster.
Although this was already common knowledge, the reporters still hoped to find out something else, so they headed to Chen Kaige with that thought in mind.
Chen Kaige accepted all offers, since he needed exposure right now anyway!