After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future

"Mr. Lu, how about we find a place to talk?"

Guo Fan looked pleased, obviously having heard from Wu Jing about this issue earlier, but he also felt a bit guilty.

Sci-fi genres are not like military genres, which mostly take place in the real world and require relatively fewer grand scenes.

However, for a sci-fi movie, especially one depicting a future world, every frame of special effects costs money, easily consuming tens of minutes of screen time.

Over the past few years, he had been working on the production budget and the storyboard; 350 million Yuan could only support the completion of the film without compromising the storyline.

Despite this, from the originally planned 4000 shots, he had to cut more than 1900, and to meet the high standards, he at least needed to restore these shots.

This wasn't just a matter of a 150 million Yuan funding gap; the necessary funds needed to double at least, with the total production cost possibly reaching one hundred million dollars.

"What? Is Director Guo afraid of scaring me?"

Lu Liang smiled, noticing Guo Fan's guilt and clearly understanding that it wasn't a matter that could be resolved by just adding a few tens of millions.

"Mr. Lu is joking. With projects you handle often reaching billions, how could such a small project scare you."

Guo Fan chuckled nervously, not ceasing with his flattery, harboring high hopes for this movie.

As long as it was made, regardless of whether it succeeded at the box office, he could make his mark in cinematic history and pioneer domestic science fiction films.

To hell with literary pride, leaving a mark in cinematic history doesn't apply when facing investors.

"Director Wu, is there a reception room here?"

Lu Liang asked with a calm smile, intending to see how much funding it would take to scare him, then turned to the curious Little Wang, "Shall we go and listen?"

"Let's go." Little Wang nodded vigorously.

With War Wolf 2, his Pu Si Investment of 20 million had yielded a final box office of 6 billion, earning at least 180 million.

A film project that intrigued Lu Liang was likely to be profitable, so how could he not be interested?

"Mr. Lu, President, this way, please."

Wu Jing, with a smiling face, invited them to the reception room.

Guo Fan quickly took out his tablet, sharing with Lu Liang the over 1900 cut hand-drawn shots.

For this movie, he had prepared for six years; it's not an exaggeration, the complete film had 4230 shots, each drawn by artists from China Academy of Art or Qingmei based on the scenes he envisioned.

But due to the pressure of production funds, he had to painfully cut 1930 shots.

Making this decision, he felt like he was bleeding with every cut shot.

From 4230 to cutting 1930, that's like wasting over two years of a six years effort.

Because of this, he had insomnia for a long time and almost broke down.

Fortunately, reality didn't give him the time to break down, faced immediately with the dilemma of scraping together even 350 million Yuan for production costs.

In the past three months, he had approached China Film, Huayi, Ali, Xinli, and other new and old entertainment giants, but could only gather 200 million Yuan.

When Guo Fan was about to give up, Wu Jing appeared, showing great interest in the script, willing to cameo for free and recommended it to Lu Liang.

"Mr. Lu, what do you think?"

Guo Fan asked cautiously.

Now, only one step remained; if Lu Liang agreed, it would be the light at the end of the tunnel.

"These shots definitely have meaning."

Lu Liang, who didn't have time to go through nearly two thousand original drawings, symbolically glanced at a few dozen.

It was clear that Guo Fan had put a lot of effort into each; every original drawing was accompanied by dense text explaining the meaning of the shot.

Among them were sketches that looked stunning by themselves, rivaling the most elaborate thruster assemblies.

He pondered for a moment, then smiled, "Director Guo, to meet the standard of high-quality production, how much funding do you need and how much is still lacking? You should have an idea, speak boldly, and name a figure."

Guo Fan pinched his thigh hard, holding back his excitement, having waited a long time for this day, he almost burst into song.

After much hesitation, he asked, "Mr. Lu, what do you think if we raise the production funds to 600 million Yuan?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present, except for Lu Liang, including Wu Jing and Little Wang, widened their eyes in shock.

Wu Jing truly hadn't expected Guo Fan to dare ask for so much.

600 million Yuan could fund two War Wolf 2 movies with some left over.

Converted to US dollars, it amounts to 90 million, a sum that could rank it among super blockbuster movies internationally.

600 million did not yet include post-production and marketing costs, for which at least another hundred million was needed for marketing. This meant that if the movie did not make over 2.1 billion at the box office, it would be considered a loss.

A 2.1 billion box-office movie, to this day, including War Wolf 2, only amounts to fewer than five.

It's not so easy to achieve that.

Surprised, Little Wang surreptitiously watched Lu Liang's reaction, suddenly feeling he would agree.

Unexpectedly, Lu Liang turned to him and asked with a smile, "Interested in investing? Contribute something to domestic sci-fi."

"You're in, I'm in," Little Wang replied without a second thought.

With War Wolf 2, he had also made nearly 190 million; Lu Liang definitely wouldn't ask him for a large share.

So, using the money earned from War Wolf 2

to invest in this movie would definitely be enough.

"Alright, for the four hundred million funding gap, I'll put up three hundred million, and you one hundred million."

"No problem."

The two, with just a few words, swiftly finalized the four hundred million investment.

Guo Fan stared wide-eyed, suddenly understanding what Wu Jing meant by Lu Liang being straightforward.

Feeling a bit guilty and thinking he should contribute something, he asked, "Mr. Lu, do you have any preferred actors in mind?"

This film is mainly about storytelling and scene setting—as long as the actors aren't too awkward, they're basically qualified.

Even if the actors' performances were awkward, under the furious funding of four hundred million from the financial backers, he had the confidence he could train them well.

"Originally, we had Zhao Jinmai, Wu Jing, and Meng Da, all unchanged. Let's switch the male lead though, he doesn't look appealing."

Lu Liang didn't know Zhao Jinmai, but Director Guo thoughtfully provided a photo. She indeed looked like a high school girl, matching the character setting in the drama.

There's no need to question the acting skills of Meng Da and Wu Jing, only the male lead, whom he simply didn't like, inexplicably unappealing.

Lu Liang turned his head and asked, "Do you have any recommendations?"

In the entertainment circle, he only knew a few beautiful leading ladies. He hardly knew any male actors and didn't know what their acting skills were like, nor if they would hamper the film's success.

He had seen the complete plot and knew that either the male or the female lead triggered a series of events; they were tools, frankly speaking.

So, he wasn't worried that changing the male lead hastily could cause the film to flop.

"Someone in their twenties, good acting, good character, let me think."

Little Wang looked thoughtful, and suddenly Director Guo softly suggested, "Principal, what do you think about Wu Fan?"

The film hadn't even started shooting yet and was already carrying the pressure of a two hundred and ten million box office. He desperately needed a young fresh face to save the day.

There were many male stars to choose from in this age group. Any of the top current Four Returning Stars would be suitable.

"That guy, he parties harder than I do and he'll collapse eventually. If you're not worried about the film getting banned, then go ahead and choose him."

Little Wang glanced over; he had worked with Wu Fan before while shooting Panda's independent variety show.

That jerk had tried to make moves on Li Manli, and he had ended up slapping him privately twice.

At that time, he knew this guy was fond of hookups, always with girls under eighteen.

Director Guo forced a grin and suddenly didn't dare to speak.

If the film was banned because of the actor, Lu Liang would probably drag him down to the depths of the river.

"Let's go with Huang Bo then."

Little Wang suddenly looked toward Lu Liang. Lu Liang looked puzzled, "Who?"

"You don't know him?" Little Wang was surprised. "He was in Crown Princess Consort."

"Who?"

Lu Liang squinted, he knew Huang Bo—a high spec body with a low spec screen.

The cast of Crown Princess Consort was all handsome men and beautiful women; there wasn't such a character.

"The Principal probably means Peng Yuchang; this kid's acting is indeed good."

Wu Jing smiled and took over the conversation, helping him choose his 'son', and he also thought Peng Yuchang was more suitable.

Lu Liang was still confused. Little Wang said irritably, "The father-in-law who's always quarreling and making trouble with Zhang Tianai in the drama."

He doubted that this web series, which Lu Liang had invested in and conned him into sponsoring two million, had ever been watched by Lu Liang.

"Remember now, let's go with him."

Lu Liang laughed, remembering his role in the drama; he certainly looked more pleasing than the original male lead.

They confirmed the lead cast lineup. He told Director Guo, "Director Guo, come sign the contract at my company tomorrow."

Like Little Wang, he had no intention of paying out of pocket, waiting for the box office share of War Wolf 2 to come in and then transferring it directly.

No later than three months, Director Guo had no objections. After all, there were two hundred million in the account to use first.

Suddenly with six hundred million in ample funding,

he felt his back straighten as he walked.

With the cooperation confirmed, the group walked out of the lounge, and Wu Jing went on stage to give a speech.

"Does domestic sci-fi have a future?"

Little Wang was skeptical; he was purely following Lu Liang's lead. If Lu Liang didn't invest, he wouldn't either.

"Can you not be so crude? What's wrong with supporting domestic sci-fi films?"

Lu Liang glanced out of the corner of his eye, drinking juice and bored out of his mind while appreciating the female guests present.

He and Little Wang, like the kings of the venue, everyone stayed away within a two-meter radius. No one dared to approach.

It was quite boring.

"Do you believe that yourself?"

Others might pay for sentiment, but Lu Liang absolutely would not; as he said himself, he wasn't at that level yet.

"I believe." Lu Liang nodded, he was a sentimental person, otherwise, he wouldn't propose increasing the production budget voluntarily.

Making some money while helping the rise of domestic sci-fi films, why not?

"Fake as hell."

Little Wang looked disgusted. Lu Liang suddenly raised his eyebrows and asked, "What about that lady?"

Following his gaze, Little Wang's face darkened, "Natural plain-face and ugly, scheming and manipulative."

"Have you been with her?" Lu Liang was surprised, he remembered that lady seemed to be called Zhang xi.

"Eh~ Less than a month."

"What about her?"

"Qin Lan? I'm worried she'd play you instead."

Little Wang spoke with the tone of someone who's been through it all, earnestly advising, "Liangzi, there's no end to the sea of bitterness; turn back from the shore. Girls in the entertainment circle who make it big, not one of them is a pushover."

He had seen through that long ago, hence always stuck with internet celebrities, changing one every few months, freely and easily.

After all, internet stars just wanted to ride on popularity, but those actresses in the entertainment circle were aiming to marry into rich families.