Chapter 302

In Deep Water Bay, Charles' yacht Starlight floated on the water. Charles sat on a beach chair, reading a newspaper article about Disney's blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End's global release.

Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley were heavily promoting the movie in Japan.

Suddenly, Charles' phone rang. It was Gao Yuanyuan calling. "What's up?"

"I've contacted the boss of Mandarin films. The Ip Man project is still in negotiations. Their budget investment is 50 million RMB, and it looks like Donnie Yen might be the lead. His pay is only 3 million RMB. How much should Red Fruit Entertainment invest?" Gao Yuanyuan asked for Charles' opinion over the phone.

"25 million RMB. You'll need the rest of the money for other expenses, like the promotion for imported films," Charles knew Red Fruit Entertainment had about 35 million RMB on hand right now. "Investing 25 million RMB should be enough."

As for the production cost of Mandarin films, not many people would know. The total budget might be 50 million RMB, and selling half of the investment quota for 25 million RMB seemed normal for Wong Bak-Ming's Matrix Pictures.

It's possible the actual cost could be less than 40 million RMB; it's all business.

"They said I can play the female lead," Gao Yuanyuan sounded quite excited.

"Go for it. If the movie does well at the box office, it will increase your popularity," Charles had no objections. It was mainly a male-centric film.

Once Painted Skin is released, Gao Yuanyuan might not even want these "trophy" roles anymore.

"By the way, I've also talked to Fu Dalong and Xu Zheng. Fu Dalong seems keen, but he has high standards for scripts and won't take on any project easily. Xu Zheng can join us after his contract expires next year. Signing him will depend on the situation."

"Do what you think is best, or find a good professional manager," Charles suggested, knowing he didn't have the time to manage these matters personally.

"Will do. Right now, my company has only a handful of people. We'll grow slowly," Gao Yuanyuan seemed eager to expand.

After hanging up, Charles thought about it. Donnie Yen only asking for 3 million RMB likely meant he was eager for the role!

...

By the end of May, Spider-Man 3 had grossed over $300 million in North America and more than $500 million overseas.

Disney's worldwide release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End also achieved impressive first weekend earnings in North America.

This year's Cannes Film Festival had ended, but it was rather lackluster. Charles Capet sat on a beach chair by the pool in his villa in Deep Water Bay, flipping through the newspaper.

Phyllis Jones reported on work: "Our blockbuster Iron Man will be released next Friday, half a month after Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Our competitor at the same time is Warner Bros.' Ocean's Thirteen, directed by Steven Soderbergh!

This weekend, there will be a grand global premiere in Los Angeles, followed by promotional tours in Japan, Europe, and other regions."

Charles nodded. "Finally, it's getting released!"

If he were in the US or Europe, he would want to attend the movie premiere, as it was Marvel Studios' first rising film.

"By the way, La Vie en Rose has grossed over 50 million euros in Europe, 33 million euros just from the French market! The movie has been both a critical and commercial success," Phyllis Jones continued.

"Isn't it going to be released in North America?" Charles asked with a smile.

La Vie en Rose's main market was indeed Europe.

"Promotion is underway in different regions, and limited screenings in North America are expected to start next month due to the film's good reputation," Phyllis Jones explained.

"Oh, it will have premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival next month", she added.

"Shanghai International Film Festival," Charles mused, though it was an A-list international film festival, its global influence was relatively small.

Globally, there were 15 A-list international film festivals.

The three major European film festivals, Venice, Cannes, and Berlin, were very prestigious, along with the Montreal International Film Festival in Canada and the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic. These were considered the top five international film festivals in the world.

"Last year's Shanghai International Film Festival chairman was Luc Besson," Charles recalled.

"Tell the main cast of La Vie en Rose to attend the Shanghai International Film Festival to promote the movie, especially Marion Cotillard!"

"Boss, are you going to Shanghai?" Phyllis Jones asked.

As for the boss inviting Marion Cotillard to the Shanghai festival, that was a minor task Phyllis didn't consider noteworthy.

"Yeah, I want to see it. Our Mandarin film Painted Skin also needs promotion," Charles wanted to help out.

"Okay, and Capet International Japan Co., Ltd.'s productions Departures and Crows Zero will be released in Japan in September and October!"

Charles waved his hand. "With Masami Takahashi there, I don't need to worry about these small things. Remind him to properly promote Iron Man and Transformers; otherwise, I'll throw that sleazy fatso into Fukushima's nuclear waste!"

These low-budget films could be developed directly by East Asia International Films, while Capet Japan would handle the distribution.

Like with Cyborg She, East Asia International also managed a lot of artists as an agency.

Capet International focused on investment and distribution with no time to produce films. After all, Charles mainly targeted the Hollywood market for Capet Pictures.

As for East Asia International, Charles would sometimes give them a reminder; otherwise, it would depend on the abilities of East Asia International's management.

They already had a head start; if they didn't do well, too bad for them.

"How's the construction of Capet Japan headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo?" Charles asked. After all, it was a 5 billion yen investment.

"It will be ready by the end of the year. Last year we made the comprehensive plans, and this year we demolished the original property!" Phyllis Jones remembered these important details very well.

Charles nodded. Not bad. The headquarters in Burbank, Los Angeles, was almost fully operational, and the Japanese headquarters would be ready by the end of the year.

Capet Group owning more real estate was unquestionably beneficial!

*****

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