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With the development of the domestic film market, the total box office of the May Day film festival, the second or even third small film period of the year, is also growing year by year.

The total box office for the May Day holiday in 2016 was 650 million yuan, 784 million yuan in 2017, 1.006 billion yuan in 2018, and 1.527 billion yuan in 2019.

By 2021, due to the release of popular movies such as "Your Wedding" and "On the Cliff", the total box office of the May Day movie that year exceeded 1.682 billion, setting a new record for the box office, attendance, and number of shows in the history of the May Day movie, nearly 44.45 million Number of people watching the movie.

There are many reasons why a schedule is popular and whether it can get high box office.

The length of the holiday and whether the audience has money and leisure are one aspect. Whether there are popular movies released is also very important.

When Hollywood blockbusters were popular in China more than ten years ago, due to the need to protect domestic films, they were basically released during non-popular times. However, this did not prevent them from selling tens of billions to two billion and setting box office records one after another.

This year's May Day movies such as "Miracle: Stupid Kid" and "Hello, Brother" are very popular.

Especially for "Miracle", pre-release screenings spread the movie's reputation. On May Day, its box office exceeded 100 million, surpassing "Hello, Brother" with 68.24 million to become the first in the national box office on that day.

After the four-day holiday, [Miracle·Stupid Kid] relied on its good reputation to win the championship for five consecutive days, with a total box office of 489 million during the May Day period, becoming the biggest winner in the May Day period this year.

“This movie is really good, like you said it’s a good movie!

Director Wen Muya did not disappoint.”

Coming out of the cinema in the evening, Liu Yifei and Gu Wei were chatting about the movie "Miracle·Stupid Kid" they had just finished watching.

"Does this movie feel familiar to you?"

"Deja vu?" Liu Yifei didn't understand.

Gu Wei smiled and explained: "A down-and-out man at the bottom of society, with a child, needs a lot of money.

At this time, he just got an opportunity to make a lot of money, so he bought a lot of goods, and in order to sell these goods, he formed a team.

There are single mothers who work hard, loyal old men with special skills, grumpy men with high self-esteem, and good-tempered peacemakers.

Everyone worked hard for one goal, experienced a lot during this period, and became like a family."

"[I'm not the God of Medicine]?"

While watching the movie, I didn't realize it. When Gu Wei said this, Liu Yifei realized that the setting was almost the same as that of "The God of Medicine" a few years ago.

Gu Wei nodded.

“[Miracle] was written by Wen Muya himself, and he was somewhat influenced by the previous [Miracle] when he wrote the script.

The movie’s narrative structure and character relationships are very similar to [The God of Medicine].”

"If you hadn't told me, I really wouldn't have noticed that he looks so much like the [God of Medicine]"

“This is Wen Muye’s brilliance.

Although [Miracle] applies a template, it still puts a lot of effort into storytelling.

Twists, conflicts, comedy, sensationalism are all here, and the techniques and routines are complete.

The storyline is touching but does not feel cliche or boring. From this point of view, [Miracle] is definitely a good film above the standard.”

Liu Yifei thought for a while: "I also think [Miracle] is very good, and Peng Yuchang's performance is also very good, but I always feel that there is still a big gap with [I am not the God of Medicine]."

"This is normal.

The script of "Miracle" is quite inferior to "The God of Medicine". Although Wen Mu has made great progress in his directing skills over the years, it cannot make up for the essential gap between the two films."

Liu Yifei blinked her big eyes: "Please tell me more specifically."

Gu Wei thought for a moment: "Let's talk about the two most important protagonists of the movie first.

[Miracle] The male protagonist played by Peng Yuchang was very good from the beginning, with no flaws.

He is an almost perfect person from the beginning. He is stubborn, tolerant, dotes on his sister, and works hard. These labels are consistent throughout.

There seems to be nothing wrong with this kind of character design, but being too perfect means a lack of growth, a lack of character isolation and tension, and it is difficult for the audience to immerse themselves in it.

And [Medicine God] does this very well.

Xiao Yang's character was a profit-seeking small businessman from the beginning. In the first half of the movie, he only sold medicine to make money.

Later, after seeing the pain of patients and the death of friends, I was greatly shocked and my whole life changed completely.

He gave up his personal interests and helped patients regardless of gains and losses, and finally became a civilian hero.

This kind of character growth is what touches the audience the most and is also the charm of the character.

Let’s talk about the plot.

The plot design of "The God of Medicine" is very natural. The advancement and turning points of the story, as well as the choice of characters, are all very reasonable and reasonable, and the audience can easily immerse themselves in it.

In this regard, the arrangement of [Miracle] appears to be somewhat ingenious.

For example, the setting of a single mother filing a lawsuit against her former factory due to a work-related injury is to have the opportunity to show the protagonist's sense of justice.

When gangsters came to harass them, the factory manager took the lead in fighting to protect the employees, in order to show that they were a loving family.

These are the essential differences between the two films.

So [I’m Not the God of Medicine] Douban Stupid Kid] currently only has 8 points.”

Liu Yifei nodded in agreement, then smiled and said: "Although there is a gap with [The God of Medicine], it does not prevent [The Miracle] from being a good movie."

"That's for sure. Compared to other movies, [Miracle] is already a few steps ahead of them.

I say that the craftsmanship of "Miracle" is compared to "The God of Medicine", but in fact this movie can definitely be used as a model of a successful commercial film.

In some movies, not only are the stories unclear, but the logic is even nonsense."

Liu Yifei tilted her head slightly and looked at Gu Wei: "Why do you feel there is something in your words?"

Gu Wei shrugged: "I'm talking about the movie [Hello, Brother] from the same period."

“Is that movie so bad?

I remember that "Hello, Brother" has taken more than 200 million at the box office so far, and it is the highest-grossing movie on May 1st besides "Miracle". "

"[Hello, Brother] is basically a low-profile version of [Hello, Li Huanying], starting from the name to gain popularity.

But in terms of quality, there is a gap between it and [Li Huanying] by several [Cheng Feng Break Liang].”

After the May Day holiday, the domestic film market has become increasingly cold.

The box office of many released films plummeted after release. "Miracle: Stupid Kid" suffered the smallest decline among all films due to its good reputation. However, the total box office only exceeded 800 million after three weeks of release, and it seems to have exceeded 1 billion. Hopeless.

The box office of "Hello, Brother", which received negative reviews online, basically collapsed after the working day, with 240 million in 5 days, and only 70 million in more than two weeks.

Although it is a bit different from Wen Muye's other films, Gu Wei is very satisfied with the box office of "Miracle".

Don't look at the box office of some first-time movies now, which can easily bring in billions. The total of the two films of "Changjin Lake" even exceeds 11 billion.

But in fact, any ordinary movie with a box office of 3 to 50 million is considered a good success, and a movie with more than 500 million is considered a big hit.

The investment in [Miracle·Stupid Kid] is only 100 million, and the total cost including publicity and distribution and other expenses is 150 million.

Now with a box office of more than 800 million, the profit has nearly doubled.

"Congratulations on the success of [Miracle]. It's been hard work leading the crew on road shows during this time!" Gu Wei also called Wen Mu.

“There’s still about a week left before it’s released, but looking at the current box office trend, it shouldn’t reach 900 million.

The box office of more than 800 million was not bad, and I was relieved that I finally didn’t ruin my own brand.”

"Hahaha, Lao Wen, you are too modest to say that.

If [Miracle]'s reputation and box office are just okay, then more than 90% of the movies in the industry are garbage."

"I dare not say that."

Although Wen Mu has produced many excellent works in recent years, he himself has always been very low-key, and he doesn't talk much even when promoting movies.

"Mr. Yang said that he will hold a celebration banquet for the crew of [Miracle] in a few days. Will you come back to participate?"

"I definitely want to go back, and I also want to meet you to talk about [Extreme Rescue]."

When Gu Wei mentioned this, Wen Mu couldn't help complaining: "We promised to take a break, but in the end, I was asked to be the producer of [Manslaughter 2], and then spent more than half a month promoting the movie.

I have finally finished my busy work, and now I have to start preparing for your new movie."

"He who can do it should work harder. You can take as long as you want after filming "Extreme Rescue" is finished.

Let’s have a drink at the celebration party in a few days! "

After comforting Wen Mu and a few words, Gu Wei hung up the phone.

"Are you going to ask for leave in the next few days?"

Liu Yifei, who was sitting next to him, asked.

"Yes, the company is holding a celebration banquet for the crew of [Miracle: Stupid Kid]. I will go back. In addition to attending the banquet, I will also go back to handle some company matters."

Please...you...collect_6_9_书_Bar (Six//Nine//Books//Bar)

Gu Wei put the phone aside and reached out to hug Liu Yifei into his arms.

"I just heard you mention that movie with the same world view as [Wolf Warrior 2]. It will start filming in the second half of the year, right?"

"Yes, [Extreme Rescue].

Not only does it have the same world view as "Wolf Warrior 2", it is also related to the movie "John Wick 4" I shot at the beginning of the year.

I plan to give this movie to Wen Mu to shoot. I gave him the script a few months ago and it is still in the early stages of preparation."

Liu Yifei raised her head slightly: "Is there a role suitable for me?"

Gu Wei shook his head: "In addition to the male protagonist, the main role in [Extreme Rescue] is the rescued sister. That role must be played by Yang Chaoyue, just like in [John Wick].

Most of the other supporting characters are villains, or some scammers who were coerced by villains, such as beautiful dealers, etc. You are definitely not suitable."

"Okay~"

Liu Yifei's expression was a little regretful.

"When will the movie [John Wick 4] that you collaborated with Keanu Reeves be released?"

"It was originally scheduled for around August or September, which is a good time for both domestic and North American markets."

"So soon?" Liu Yifei was a little surprised. She knew that Gu Wei's movie was only finished in March.

"well enough.

[John Wick 4] is an action movie, there are no special effects shots, and the post-production is relatively simple.

The finished film has now been released, and [Lionsgate] has been arranging the schedule and preparing for promotion.

I expect it will be available in August, in time for the second half of the summer season."

"I'm looking forward to your first Hollywood blockbuster. I hope it won't be as disastrous at the box office as my film [Mulan]."

Speaking of this, Liu Yifei shook her head: "Definitely not. Judging from your current box office appeal, you have at least a base of more than 2 billion in the domestic market.

The "John Wick" series has always had a good reputation, and there will definitely be no problem in selling it at the box office! "

"I hope it's as you said~"

Gu Wei was not worried at all that the Hollywood blockbuster he participated in would not do well at the box office.

He had carefully considered choosing the John Wick project of Lionsgate.

A series of movies usually has the most exciting first one, and then each one is not as good as the previous one, but the John Wick series is just the opposite.

From the first one, the sequels were better than the previous ones in terms of box office and word of mouth. The fourth one sold more than 400 million US dollars worldwide, and the Rotten Tomatoes freshness was as high as 93%, setting a record for the series.

Even in China, Douban has a high score of 8.1.

You should know that this is just a pure gunfight action movie, and the plot is relatively simple.

From this, we can also see how exciting the action scenes in this movie are.

Gu Wei replaced the role of Zhen Zidan in the movie, and then increased the role a lot, thus forming a dual male lead pattern.

His version not only retains the exciting action scenes of the original work, but also improves the story of the movie, which is definitely better than the original.

So no matter from which aspect, John Wick 4 will definitely be a success.

A week passed quickly, and Gu Wei asked the director for leave and boarded the plane back to Beijing.

"Boss, [Huanxi Media] sent a script and wants to invite you to star in it."

Gu Wei was looking at his email on the plane, and Yang Dan came over.

"[Huanxi Media]?

What movie?"

[Huanxi Media] is the company of Xu Zheng and Ning Hao.

Gu Wei had worked with Xu Zheng when he was filming [Super Time Cohabitation], and he always had dinner with Ning Hao from the next-door [Crazy Alien] crew when he was filming [The Wandering Earth]. They all had a good relationship.

He thought the two had a new project for him, but Gu Wei didn't remember what movie Xu Zheng had filmed at this time, so he thought it was a new movie Ning Hao was preparing.

"It's a movie directed by Zhang Yimou, called [Man Jiang Hong], a suspense comedy."

Yang Dan put the script in front of Gu Wei and he understood.

Needless to say, he must be asked to play "Sun Jun".

Zhang Yimou and Gu Wei were also familiar with each other. They knew each other when they first filmed [The Great Wall].

The two had talked about it at the Golden Rooster Awards ceremony last year. At that time, Zhang Yimou said that he would definitely find him if there was a suitable opportunity. Gu Wei just thought that the other party was being polite and didn't take it seriously.

"When will Director Zhang's movie start shooting?"

"The plan is to start shooting in July.

It is said that the shooting period is very short, and it is expected to be more than a month."

Gu Wei laughed. How could it be not long? There is only one scene in total, and several people are running around to act, like a sitcom.

Gu Wei thought while flipping through the script.

"Forget it, I have already decided to shoot [Extreme Rescue] with Wen Mu in July. After this movie, there is [The Vanishing Girl] produced by the company, so I definitely can't spare the time.

Talk to [Huanxi Media] to turn it down."

Yang Dan nodded, hesitated for a moment and said, "Boss, this is the third time you have rejected Director Zhang Yimou.

And this time it is the first protagonist, isn't it a bit bad?"

Yang Dan has been following Gu Wei since the company was founded. From the initial assistant to the current executive agent, he knows his affairs very well.

When [The Great Wall] was being prepared, Director Zhang invited Gu Wei to play the role of Lu Han, but he turned it down. He only went there to make a cameo appearance because of his relationship with China Film.

In 2020, Zhang Yimou filmed [On the Cliff] and invited Gu Wei to play "Wang Chuliang", the lover of Liu Haocun's character, but was rejected again.

This time [Man Jiang Hong] is the third time.

"I know, you reply to [Huanxi Media] normally, and I will call Director Zhang alone to explain it later." (End of this chapter)