novellhall Chapter 154: Box Office Breaks Records!
Chapter 154: Box Office Breaks Records!
Chapter 154: Box Office Breaks Records!
Chris wore a smug grin.
He walked to the center of the stage, first giving his dumbfounded younger brother a big hug, then turning to Chen Xun and extending his large hand: "Hey, Chen! Fandral's doing pretty well in Midgard!"
Chen Xun recovered from his initial surprise and smiled as he shook Thor's hand: "Thor, Odin finally granted you leave to come to the Southern Hemisphere to fight sea monsters?"
"What sea monster? They're all enthusiastic fans!"
He turned to face the audience and did Thor's classic pose, which triggered another wave of cheers.
Chris's surprise appearance completely ignited the atmosphere.
He not only cracked jokes but also participated in several games, bringing the Sydney event to an unprecedented level of popularity.
Just then, a purple attribute orb fell from Chris, who was interacting with fans:
[Live interaction pace increased by 7]
Chen Xun absorbed it directly!
[Rhythm attribute upgraded, Rhythm Lv5 (3/1000)]
The moment Chen Xun's [Rhythm] attribute broke through to level 5, he felt a warm current sweep over his entire body.
Especially the brain and sensory system.
Chen Xun stood there, suddenly feeling that the world was a little different.
Not only the sounds of the event, but also the distant whistles of the harbor ferries, the rustling of the wind blowing through the backdrop, and even the steady beating of my own heart, all possessed a unique rhythm.
Chris was still acting silly on stage.
Chen Xun subconsciously turned slightly to the side, adjusting his standing angle and center of gravity.
This subtle movement positioned him perfectly under the stage lights, without blocking Jennifer's view.
All of this was done perfectly.
The last fan meeting is over.
"Holy crap! It's finally over!"
Jennifer slumped back in her seat, looking relieved, and without a care for her image.
Chen Xun, Liam, and director Gary all breathed a sigh of relief.
The global tour schedule was extremely full, and the four of them followed it from beginning to end, so they were exhausted!
On the way back to the hotel, no one spoke.
They were all exhausted.
Chen Xun leaned back in his seat, his eyes closed, but his mind was still buzzing slightly.
The effects of the newly upgraded [Rhythm] attribute have not yet fully subsided.
Each upgrade brings him the highest point of his current state, and he will gradually return to normal afterward.
Chen Xun felt that although he could sense that everything had a rhythm now, the feeling was very subtle and not as strong as when he first leveled up!
But he could still clearly distinguish the regular hissing sound from the car's air conditioning vents.
The subtle variations of friction as tires roll over different road surfaces.
Even Jennifer, who was standing next to her, had a slightly faster heartbeat and breathing rhythm than usual due to exhaustion.
The whole world seemed to have been fitted with an invisible metronome.
Back at the hotel, everyone went to their rooms to pack their luggage, and took an early morning flight the next day to Los Angeles.
Most people fall asleep during the more than ten hours of transoceanic flight.
Chen Xun slept on and off for a few moments, and when he woke up, he watched a movie on the plane.
After this tour, the popularity of "The Hunger Games" has really taken off.
The box office is very likely to break the 10 billion mark!
For Chen Xun, this means another leading role in a globally influential film series, following in the footsteps of "Green Lantern".
Although it's not a movie with a male lead.
But the pay is real.
His Chinese identity was ultimately an obstacle in America.
Lionsgate cast him at the time for the sake of box office success in Asia.
If Jennifer can no longer carry the box office, they are still counting on Chen Xun, this rising Chinese star, to recoup their losses.
If The Hunger Games exceeds box office expectations, Chen Xun will have proven his worth.
He will gradually receive offers for quality scripts.
Chen Xun decides to rely on his memories from his previous life to act in all the popular IPs or long-running film series.
Unfortunately, they were unable to return to China for a tour this time.
The subject matter of "The Hunger Games" was a bit too extreme, which prevented it from being widely promoted back home.
Fortunately, it won't affect the film's release.
After saying goodbye to the others, Chen Xun and Jennifer returned to Beverly Hills.
He took out his phone and checked it.
He and Christine text each other every day.
Christine's filming is less than halfway done, and she's still a long way from going home.
Chen Xun gradually adapted to the actor's biological clock.
To be honest, buying a house is the least cost-effective option for actors.
I spend almost 11 months of the year on set, or flying all over the world.
With his global tour coming to an end, Chen Xun can finally take a few days off.
He and Jennifer slept soundly in the middle of it.
He rested until "The Hunger Games" was released.
Chen Xun received a call from Robert immediately after the first weekend ended.
"The data for the first weekend is out!"
As soon as the call connected, Chen Xun heard Robert's voice trembling with excitement on the other end of the line.
"How many?"
Chen Xun became much more sober immediately.
He and Jennifer were up until the early hours of the morning yesterday, and he's still a little groggy.
North American opening weekend box office: $2.01 million!
Rob roared, "Opening record for a non-sequel film! Top ten in history! We've broken at least three records!"
"Lionsgate is ecstatic! They almost recouped their entire $7800 million production cost in the first weekend in North America alone! And that doesn't even include overseas!"
Although Chen Xun had expected it, he was still taken aback by the number.
He knew "The Hunger Games" would be a hit, but he didn't expect it to be this big.
"What about overseas?"
"Data from most regions where the film was released simultaneously overseas is also gradually returning, and the overall numbers are positive!"
"And because of you, Lionsgate values the Asian market highly. The official release date in China is only one week later than in North America, which will lead to another huge surge in sales!"
Rob took a breath: "Media predictions suggest that, based on this opening and the positive word-of-mouth, the global box office will definitely surpass $8 million, and there's even a high probability it will reach the $10 billion mark!"
"One billion! A number Lionsgate has never even touched before! The company's stock price is already soaring before the market opens!"
"Turn on the TV right now, any news channel, any entertainment section! It'll be full of our news!"
"The New York Times just updated its film review, calling it a milestone in teen-adapted films!"
"The Hollywood Reporter's headline is Jennifer Lawrence and Chen Xun ignite the screen!"
Chen Xun removed Jennifer's arms from his body, got out of bed, went to the living room, and turned on the TV.
Sure enough, several major morning news programs were interrupting with entertainment news flashes.
"The Hunger Games' opening weekend box office exploded, setting an astonishing record —"
Lionsgate has staged a remarkable comeback with its blockbuster sci-fi film for teens —
"New on-screen couple Jennifer Lawrence and Chen Xun become box office guarantees —"
The footage flashed by shots of him and Jennifer on the red carpet, as well as some intense arena scenes from the movie.
"Did you see that?"
"Rob asked on the other end of the phone."
"I saw it!"
Chen Xun picked up the remote and changed the channel, but it was still the same news.
"Lionsgate is already making urgent preparations for a grand celebration banquet, tentatively scheduled for next weekend, and there are also negotiations for the sequel—"
"My office phones are ringing off the hook!"
Chen Xun went to the kitchen, poured himself a glass of water, and took a sip.
In Hollywood, box office revenue is the hardest currency.
With this achievement, he felt completely different in terms of choosing films, negotiating salaries, and fighting for creative influence.
"clear!"
Rob's answer was straightforward: "Keep a low profile, but don't completely disappear from the public eye. You can appropriately thank your fans on social media!"
"OK!"
After hanging up with Robert, Chen Xun sat on the sofa and started scrolling through various news reports on his phone and TV.
It has a 85% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 92% audience score.
Metacritic rating: 71; User rating: 8.9.
For a commercial blockbuster, especially one with a youth theme, this is quite a strong word-of-mouth.
On social media, #TheHungerGames# and #PeetaChenXun# are still trending.
Fans went wild: "I watched it three times! I cried every time!"
"Katenes and Peeta are the perfect match! Their brother-in-law and sister-in-law are a perfect couple!"
"Chen Xun's acting is absolutely amazing. I was completely mesmerized by the eye acting in that cave scene."
"The box office success is well-deserved! Waiting for it to break 10 billion!"
Of course, there were also some envious or dissenting voices: "A big female-led movie, yet it inflated the box office of the Asian male lead to the heavens?"
"The movie is just average; it relies entirely on marketing and fans of the original work."
Lionsgate is really lucky, they've struck gold.
Chen Xun was already immune to these things.
That's how Hollywood is. If you succeed, there will be people who support you, and there will also be people who want to bring you down.
Keep a calm mindset!
Otherwise, how can one survive in the entertainment industry?
He now has over 70 followers on Twitter and is rapidly approaching 100 million.
Christine called from the film set out of town; the background noise was a bit loud: "Congratulations, brother-in-law, the box office is exploding again!"
Ever since the nickname "brother-in-law" came about, Christine has been making fun of him about it.
"We were lucky; the script and the team were fantastic!"
Chen Xun changed the subject: "How's filming going on your end?"
"It's alright, but the director is a bit demanding—I'm not going to say anything more, we have to get back to work. I'll talk about it when I get back to Los Angeles."
"good!"
I had just finished talking to Christine when director Gary called.
The director's voice sounded like he hadn't slept for days but was unusually excited: "Chen! Did you see the data? We did it! Susan is overjoyed; she said this is the adaptation she's always dreamed of! Lionsgate has already contacted me about a sequel; we absolutely have to have the original cast! When are you free? We can talk about your thoughts on Peeta's future development?"
Chen Xun chatted with Gary for about ten minutes before hanging up the phone amidst Gary's reluctant farewell.
As soon as he hung up the phone, he felt a weight on his shoulder and turned around.
Jennifer woke up at some point, wearing his oversized shirt, her two fair thighs exposed.
Her sleeves were rolled up, and her arm was wrapped around his neck.
She couldn't help but yawn, climbing over the back of the sofa to lie in Chen Xun's arms, her eyes still sleepy: "My agent called to say the box office broke records, and woke me up!"
"Thank you, brother-in-law. Without you, Peeta wouldn't be where he is today!"
"Same to you, Jennifer Lawrence. Without you, Katniss wouldn't be so convincing!"
The two of them lounged on the sofa.
The morning was spent bombarded with various phone calls and messages.
The box office performance of "The Hunger Games" remained stable in its second week.
There have always been long lines of people outside the movie theater.
Discussions on social media continue 24/7.
Those who have seen it have watched it two or three times, while those who haven't seen it are bombarded with recommendations and are itching to see it.
More and more viewers are starting to voice their opinions on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and TumbIr after watching the movie.
It's no longer simply about saying "the movie was good" or "I cried so much."
They started communicating using the jargon from the movies.
Someone tweeted: "Today's math exam was like entering an arena, and I made it out alive. May good luck always be with me. #TheHungerGames#"
As Chen Xun looked at these discussions, he suddenly had an inspiration.
He logged into his Twitter account.
Since the release of "The Hunger Games", the number of followers on this account has skyrocketed, and it is now close to 900,000.
Most of their fans are from Europe and America. Due to the Great Firewall, Asian fans mainly use Weibo and Baidu Tieba.
A few people will also turn it over to look at it.
He edited a tweet: "District 12, Peeta Morakot requests to join the fight. May good luck always be with you. Tell me, which district are you from? #HungerGames#"
A still from the movie featuring Peeta is attached.
Click to send.
moment!
Likes, shares, and comments surged at an incredible speed.
"Front row! District 12 +1! I'll try my best to hunt and feed you! (Just kidding)"
"Me! Me! Me! I'm from District 3! I'm a tech guy! Peeta, if you need any electronic equipment repair, just ask!"
"Those of us who farm in District Nine, raise your hands silently—but we produce food!"
"CapitoI, a fashionista passing by, Pitta, do you need a stylist? Free!"
"Where's Jennifer? @JenniferLawrenceKatness, come claim your baker!"
The comment section was instantly flooded with comments from people from all regions, creating a lively atmosphere.
Many people started tagging Jennifer.
Jennifer, who was sitting next to him playing on her phone, replied directly to Chen Xun's comment: "Katnis Iverdin from District 12, bow and arrows ready, please proceed!"
She also posted a funny selfie of herself holding a toy bow and pretending to aim at the camera.
The comments section exploded.
"The official couple is giving us some sweet moments!!"
"The pride of District 12!"
"My cousin and her husband teamed up online!"
"Lionsgate, come quick! The public is clamoring for this!"
Lionsgate's social media team quickly followed suit.
Less than two hours after the two Pis's interactive tweets surged to the top of the site's trending list.
Lionsgate's official Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts have all been updated.
There were no regular promotional posters or announcements of good news.
Instead, they released a meticulously crafted video.
The video begins with a close-up of the Panemy national emblem, accompanied by a slightly mechanical voiceover, reminiscent of the one used in the film's capital city broadcast: "To all citizens of Panemy."
The scenes rapidly switch between grotesquely different settings: robotic arms resembling a factory assembly line, lush wheat fields, deep mines, high-tech laboratories, and pastures teeming with cattle and sheep —
The final shot freezes on the gloomy streets of District 12 in the movie.
"Fei's skills, Fei's passion, and the place Fei belongs to—these define Fei."
Which district does Fei belong to?
"Go to the official location, take the test, discover your district of origin, understand your characteristics, and get to know your fellow countrymen."
"The future of a nation that benefits others will vary because of each and every one of them."
The video is well-produced, and its style completely imitates the scene in the movie, instantly transporting Pi to that world.
Official links are now available online.
Clicking on it leads to a well-designed interactive webpage.
A multiple-choice test for Wudan.
Based on the answer, a district registration report will be generated, telling the reporter which district the individual belongs to, along with a description of the district's characteristics and a representative figure.
The page also includes Wuyi's "Same Area Chat Room" energy storage and "For Fees, District Call I" ranking.
They directly transformed fans' spontaneous memes into an immersive interactive experience officially endorsed.
The fans went wild instantly.
"Lionsgate is awesome! They know how to play!"
"Ahhh, I'm going to take the test! I'm from Zone 3! Tech Geek Kui Tang!"
"Reporting for duty in Forestry District 7! Any sisters from the same district?"
"The official's work is so meticulous! It really feels like being a citizen of Panem!"
"I represent District 12! Katniss and Peeta are from my hometown!"
"The Capitol District is the place to be! Fashion and food are not to be missed! (Just kidding)"
The classic line from the movie, "May good luck always be with Fei," has gone viral and become a new catchphrase.
When friends say goodbye, wish each other good luck on exams, or even comfort each other, they often say, "May good luck always be with you."
Social media profile pictures, filters, and background images were quickly taken over by iconic elements from various regions.
Chen Xun's comment section has transformed into a large-scale community registration report and family reunion event.
His Twitter followers quickly surpassed one million and are still growing rapidly.
Kate also came to join in the fun.
She found out she was in the Congressional District and tweeted self-deprecatingly: "Well, looks like my flamboyant side has been seen through! @Chens, the baker of the 12th arrondissement, call me anytime if you need a Metropolitan Fashion Consultant."
Dakota was measured in Zone 11 (agricultural zone).
She posted a photo of her sister Ellie in the garden, captioned: "It just so happens that Ellie likes to grow flowers."
Even Christine took the time to get tested, and the result was also in District 12.
She directly reposted and tagged Chens: "She's with her brother-in-law!"
The comments below were even funnier: "Brother-in-law, who would you choose, Jennifer Lawrence or Felicia from Twilight?"
"Breaking news! Vampires are invading the Hunger Games!"
Chen Xun was immediately at his wit's end!
For a time, half of Hollywood's young actors were showing off their Asian origins.
When Rob called, his tone was full of admiration: "Bro, the pace that Fei has managed has saved Lionsgate at least a million dollars in marketing costs. Their social media engagement and buzz are now outpacing all other films released at the same time!"
"Just going with the flow!"
To be honest, Chen Xun initially just posted it because he thought it was funny.
"In any case, the effect is good. This further solidifies the connection between Fay and The Hunger Games series, as well as Fay's image as a topic of conversation among the Light Generation."
Rob analyzed, "This will be a plus for Fe in any future collaborations!"
Chen Xun understood.
In Hollywood, commercial value is measured not only by the actors' and actors' houses, but also by the influence of their fees.
The "Discover the Zone" event continued to be a huge success.
Fans created various memes, short stories, and even Wuyi comics related to the various sections.
Cosplay is no longer limited to Katniss and Peeta; it has begun to feature cosplays of ordinary people from various districts, or even cosplays based on the test results of people from different districts.
Chen Xun would occasionally go to the chat room of the official's twelfth district to spy on people.
Seeing fans from all over the world chatting about movies, sharing their lives, and even encouraging each other because they are from the same region is heartwarming.
His feeling was a bit strange.
It's amazing that a movie can create such a cohesive virtual community.