Hollywood starts with a broker

The Hong Kong film industry in 1992 was a special year, known as the year of Stephen Chow. As of now, six of his starring films have been released this year.

Including the newly released "King of Beggars", that makes seven. And the top four spots on the Hong Kong annual box office chart are all his works.

"King of Beggars" is also a hit, and it's obviously aiming for the top 5!

Hong Kong's climate is much warmer than Beijing's. While Norika Fujiwara was enjoying the shopping spree in Hong Kong, Aaron arrived at Golden Harvest Film Company.

Because Aaron had previously acted as an agent and sold "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" to New Line for Golden Harvest, achieving great success, he became acquainted with Raymond Chow, the head of Golden Harvest.

As the hegemon of Hong Kong films, Golden Harvest's position in Hong Kong is unparalleled.

"Aaron, you're in Hong Kong. Why didn't you give us a call in advance?"

Raymond Chow was very pleased with the arrival of Aaron Anderson. Dawn's achievements in Hollywood in the past two years have been obvious to all.

Diamond Hill, Hammer Hill Road, Golden Harvest headquarters, Aaron followed Raymond Chow to the office.

"I'm just here to take a look. Hong Kong films have a great reputation now!"

Raymond Chow smiled and poured Aaron a glass of wine, "But Hong Kong films also have big problems now."

Aaron took a sip of wine, "The 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' should have filmed the third movie this year, right?"

Raymond Chow nodded, "That's right, it will be released next year!"

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" was released in 1989 and 1990 respectively. The third movie is a bit late.

Of course, the box office of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2" is definitely not as good as the first one.

"Aaron, this year, a Hong Kong director, John Woo, went to Hollywood to shoot a movie, in cooperation with Universal."

"The male lead is action actor Jean-Claude Van Damme!"

Aaron raised his eyebrows, "John Woo, the director of 'The Killer', right? The violent aesthetics of this film have also caused quite a stir in Hollywood."

However, John Woo's move to Hollywood can be regarded as a debut. "Hard Target" is estimated to be completely dominated by Jean-Claude Van Damme.

"Yes, Hollywood is interested in John Woo's style!"

Raymond Chow said, looking at Aaron, "Golden Harvest has always wanted to enter Hollywood. In the 1980s, we introduced Jackie Chan to Hollywood, but unfortunately, the effect was not ideal."

Aaron raised his glass, "Jackie Chan's videotapes are still marketable in Hollywood!"

Jackie Chan, as Golden Harvest's leading star, is deeply tied to Golden Harvest.

It seems that Golden Harvest still has the idea of pushing Jackie Chan to Hollywood.

Raymond Chow took a sip of wine, "The current Hong Kong film market seems to be booming, but it is full of too much shoddy work!"

The booming Hong Kong market is inseparable from the enthusiasm of Taipei film distributors, who are generous and can get money directly from the trailers.

This has led to Hong Kong filmmakers now being extremely busy, with everyone having several projects.

"Hong Kong is indeed amazing, with a population of over 5 million, it produces more than 200 movies a year."

"There are now 5 theater circuits, and with the support of foreign markets, it's no wonder that movie exports are second only to Hollywood!"

Taipei has film quota restrictions, strictly stipulating the number of copies of foreign films. Local films are not promoted, so a large number of Hong Kong films are purchased.

However, this leads to many problems. An actor is often working on four or five projects at the same time. How can they polish their work?

Especially with Hong Kong speed, a movie can be produced in a month, and from having an idea to entering the theater, it only takes two months!

"Hong Kong originally had three theater circuits, and each film company relied on the circuits. Now that there are two more circuits, the demand for the number of films has increased."

"More and more filmmakers are forming their own production companies. With the support of Taiwanese businessmen, the number of works has increased significantly, the trend is serious, and the level has dropped a lot."

Raymond Chow, as a veteran film company owner for many years, has very accurate vision. The current Hong Kong films are becoming more and more flashy and empty!

"Especially Hollywood, you are now eyeing the Asian market."

Isn't Hollywood's biggest competitor in Asia Hong Kong films?

Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, Hong Kong films have a significant impact.

Raymond Chow has been immersed in the film industry for many years, establishing Golden Harvest Film Company single-handedly, and pulling down the Asian film hegemon Shaw Brothers, his ability is of course top-notch.

Hong Kong's market and scale dictate that it must attach importance to film exports. Could it be possible to support these Hong Kong filmmakers by relying on the local market?

Last year, Golden Harvest's long-time competitor, Cinema City, fell apart, which was originally a good thing.

On the Golden Harvest side, the "Once Upon a Time in China" jointly created by director Tsui Hark and Jet Li had an accident, and the male lead Jet Li left.

"By the way, I heard that the most important film release period in Hong Kong is the New Year's holiday season. Each theater circuit will have its own New Year's blockbuster released, right?"

Aaron suddenly inquired about the New Year's holiday season.

Raymond Chow nodded, "It's coming soon, it's during the Chinese Spring Festival. This year, Golden Harvest's New Year film is Jackie Chan's comedy action film 'City Hunter'!"

Previously, Jackie Chan's "Miracles" and "Armour of God II: Operation Condor" had serious cost overruns, but the box office did not meet Golden Harvest's expectations.

Subsequent to that, Jackie Chan filmed the sequel "Police Story 3: Super Cop" this year, which achieved good results, entering the top ten in the Hong Kong market, but the foreign market results were gratifying.

"Aaron, are you interested in cooperation?"

Aaron smiled, "Oh, how to cooperate?"

"Golden Harvest has always hoped to make Jackie Chan an international star. Does Dawn have the possibility of preparing a script for him?"

Raymond Chow has always been envious of Hollywood's huge market. Jackie Chan is now undoubtedly the number one superstar in Asia.

Now, only by entering Hollywood can he go further.

Aaron pondered, tapping his knee, "Hollywood really doesn't have any Chinese stars. Zun Long was okay before, but he's now immersed himself."

"Hollywood currently has a relatively large demand for action movies. There are many paths for action actors. For Jackie Chan, it is indeed worth a try."

"Or, you can create a script according to the Hong Kong model, I'll find someone to revise it, and then your director can go to Hollywood to shoot it!"

Raymond Chow was stunned, "Then, will Jackie Chan be the male lead?"

Golden Harvest's previous "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" used Hollywood directors and actors, with only the action scenes being handled by Hong Kong.

"Of course, he's the male lead, as long as it's not like 'The Protector'. Jackie Chan's advantages must be brought into play."

"Hollywood is now all about fist-to-fist, muscle-bound action movies. Jackie Chan's comedy action might have a different flavor!"

Aaron felt that he could bring out "Rumble in the Bronx".