Becoming a Movie Star, System Only Finished Loading After Ten Years

Qi Hao didn't dwell on it for too long. Just as he was planning to go to Xiangjiang to chat with Emperor Entertainment, Gao Fei brought back a pile of scripts.

"This one is from Neon, called 'Rebirth.' The screenwriter drew a bunch of storyboard comics, which seem pretty interesting, and he even sent a clip with some action sequences."

Gao Fei looked at Qi Hao with anticipation.

"Is he having a shoulder problem?"

Qi Hao examined the script again and could only reach that conclusion.

"Uh... don't you think that moving around like this is cool?"

Gao Fei began to question his own taste.

"Not really. Is there anything else?" Qi Hao didn't mind foreign scripts.

In fact, he thought foreign scripts were better.

This had nothing to do with the idea that foreign things are always better. If excellent foreign scripts can come into the domestic market, it would be beneficial for the development of domestic films.

This is what they call 'as one prospers, another declines.'

"There's no more from Neon. Their film market has almost been killed by Hollywood over the years, and those that make it through are basically animated films. From Korea, we tried to buy a script called 'Yellow Sea' from the screenwriter of 'Chaser,' but he hesitated to sell, and we heard some negative comments about us, so we decided to let it go."

Gao Fei had been flying around with Yang Liu across Asia.

In each place, they would connect with people in the local film industry, and they were even willing to pay intermediary fees if they could help acquire good scripts.

Overall, they came across as quite extravagant.

"Those who badmouth us definitely can't be trusted... oh right, it's not that simple; we can buy it and revise it if possible. But if the core ideas badmouth us and can't be changed, then such films should be avoided."

Qi Hao knew that there were many films outside that tried to belittle them.

Buying and not using them is not feasible; he didn't have such a big sense of responsibility, and these kinds of scripts couldn't be bought completely.

The real way to stop external negative voices is through inner strength, rather than immature actions like buying scripts to silence them.

"There's another good script from Korea called 'Uncle,' which can also be translated as 'Lone Agent,' written by Li Zhenfan. He can also write and direct himself; he released a film called 'Hot-blooded Men' in '06. This script has been written for several years but hasn't secured investment."

Gao Fei hadn't brought the script back; the final decision concerning the script rested with Qi Hao.

Qi Hao could decide whether or not to buy after checking the story outline.

"Never heard of him. How much does he want?"

The Korean film industry has also been crushed by Hollywood movies in recent years, even sparking several protests, complaining that the Zheng Mansion doesn't protect domestic films enough.

They really thought too much about it; that was their benefactor.

Don't even talk about the film market; the rest of what they wanted, they would just take.

Luckily, their TV dramas were very developed, and talented screenwriters had moved to TV.

General movie scripts didn't fetch much price.

"He wants three billion..."

Gao Fei glanced at the notebook and reported the price.

"Pfft~"

Even though he knew the exchange rate was exaggerated, the three billion quote almost made Qi Hao spit out his tea.

"About equivalent to 2.1 million RMB. If confirmed to buy, it can likely be pressed down to 2 million, and he's quite sincere."

Yang Liu added from the side.

She had been traveling with Gao Fei; Gao Fei didn't care about hundreds of thousands, but she usually negotiated on prices.

"Is there anything else? If not, I'll take a look at this one first."

Qi Hao glanced at the script's story introduction.

The script mainly tells the story of an uncle living next to Xiaomi, who is a quiet person and doesn't speak to others. But out of curiosity, Xiaomi interacts with him; when the uncle witnesses Xiaomi and her mom being kidnapped, he starts to fight against the gangsters to rescue them.

It's somewhat clichéd, but as long as this type of film isn't half-hearted, it's usually watchable.

The only issue might be the background setting.

But Qi Hao wasn't worried about that; he could easily shift the production location to Xiangjiang.

The protagonist's identity could be altered to an International Criminal Police.

Regarding Black Society, among other things, Xiangjiang itself depicted them badly, so Qi Hao depicting them poorly once more wouldn't be an issue.

"In Indonesia, there's a guy named Gareth Evans who has a script called 'Raid.' However, his new movie 'Martial Arts Warrior' is about to premiere, and he wants to see how the new movie performs before deciding whether to sell the script."

"So he's hanging onto us and will decide based on how things go? If the movie flops, he'll hurry up and sell the new script to cash in; if it makes money, he'll continue making more of his own?"

Qi Hao was amused by such people.

"That's pretty much the idea, so we talked, but Gareth Evans is not easy to buy."

Yang Liu only got the story description.

"Also just a simple plot..."

Honestly, Qi Hao was somewhat disappointed by the storylines of these scripts.

'Lone Agent,' akin to Liam Neeson's role in 'Hurricane Rescue,' Denzel Washington's role in 'Heavenly Crisis,' and Jean Reno's role in 'This Killer Is Not So Cold,' Qi Hao hadn't seen the complete script but could guess the gist.

Yet, they dared to ask for two million.

And 'Raid' was even more straightforward, just fighting all through; it could probably be filmed without a script.

However, the arrival of these two scripts was timely, as at least Qi Hao, if he couldn't get 'informant,' wouldn't be without a lead on his task.

Moreover, 'Uncle' and 'Raid' contained heavier action elements, while 'informant' leaned more towards a police-and-gang mind game.

Since 'Raid' wasn't selling for the moment, Qi Hao decided to take a look at 'Uncle' first.

After all, films with simple plots like 'Raid' need good actors and skilled action direction to be well-made.

And 'Uncle' was relatively simpler.

If the script for "Uncle" is good, then two million is just two million.

The task reward is a hundred million!

But if the script's quality isn't up to par, then it definitely needs to be negotiated down.

Otherwise, we'll really become the known chumps of the whole industry.

"Scripts on the domestic side, there are a lot that have been submitted, but the quality is generally average, and the pricing is very high, some even ask for five million right off the bat."

Gao Fei feels a bit guilty.

The reason for this outcome is entirely because of her.

"Five million, what kind of script?"

Qi Hao wondered if there was a really awesome script somewhere, like something at the level of "Infernal Affairs", if it really were five million then it wouldn't be a loss.

The remake rights for "Infernal Affairs" were bought in 2005 by Miguo Warner Brothers Film Company for over 1.7 million US dollars.

Thinking about it, that's much more than five million.

"Uh, like this one called 'Lock King'..."

Yang Liu opened a file.

"Lock King!"

Qi Hao's eyes immediately lit up, he had just gotten a lockpicking +10, is the destined script coming so soon?

However, after listening to Yang Liu's introduction, he dismissed the thought.

What a mess.

Get lost!

Stay away from me!

Yang Liu mentioned a few more, like "Final Battle of Shama Town", "Kung Fu Master", the more Qi Hao listened, the more helpless he felt.

"You've all worked hard during this time."

Although Qi Hao wasn't particularly satisfied with the scripts, the words needed to be said.

Yang Liu and Gao Fei have to keep up with the early preparation work for "Let the Bullets Fly" and "The Legend of Zhen Huan", while also helping him collect scripts, feeling like they're working even more than the usual 996 schedule.

Gao Fei even joked that she committed many wrongdoings in the first half of her life; now in the second half she has to get up early and go to work.

"It's not hard, it's what should be done."

Yang Liu quickly responded, her income in the past two years is more than what third and fourth-tier stars earn, no matter how tiring, it feels worth it.

"If it's not hard, then you all keep busy, I'll head out first, remember to send me the script for 'Lone Agent', I'll decide whether to buy it after I read it."

Today Qi Hao has to attend the Bazaar Charity Night.

Last year Su Mang invited him to the event, he didn't have the time to go, this year it's hard to refuse.

Su Mang has laid down the bold statement.

If Teacher Qi Hao doesn't attend again, as the editor-in-chief, I'm afraid I won't be able to continue.

She offended Qi Hao at the premiere of "King of Kung Fu".

Meanwhile, Qi Hao's development has been rapid these past two years, even rumored to be a shareholder of Penguin, his status has surpassed the entertainment industry.

This has caused Su Mang's pressure to increasingly mount.

Only if Qi Hao attends the Bazaar Charity Night can the misunderstanding between her and Qi Hao be cleared and resolved.

Therefore, Su Mang has been pleading with everyone, pulling all sorts of connections to invite Qi Hao, even promising him a dual-cover solo spot in "Esquire's" September issue.

Qi Hao shows little interest in magazine covers, he doesn't pursue this.

But indeed, he doesn't hold any grudge against Su Mang, there's no need to make the whole world think he and Su Mang are at odds.

Moreover, at the "King of Kung Fu" premiere, it was he who embarrassed Su Mang.

He didn't lose out from start to finish.

So, Qi Hao accepted this invitation to the charity event.

Besides, An Feng will also be attending this charity event, it's a good chance to meet.

Since An Feng finished the recording of "Rain Love", Qi Hao hasn't seen her for several days.

Qi Hao went to Penguin Headquarters, An Feng also has her work to focus on.

Fortunately, even though they haven't met, they chat on QQ almost every day, and they've made some calls.

Though, it's a bit lonely having only online contact, he genuinely misses her.

Qi Hao has endorsements with a clothing brand, so he doesn't need to borrow clothes elsewhere for the event.

It's just that wearing formal attire in the sweltering heat makes him look particularly silly.

He's already decided not to renew his contract when it expires.

The downside of international big brands is that endorsement fees aren't that high, mainly about positioning stars within the fashion circle's prestige, making other endorsements easier to negotiate.

But Qi Hao no longer needs to be defined this way now.

An Feng instead borrowed haute couture attire, looking particularly formal.

The two walked the red carpet together, emerging from the same car.

For walking the fashion circle's red carpet, Qi Hao specifically drove a Rolls-Royce Phantom to the starting point of the carpet.

Actually, using a Santana 2000 would seem more unique.

Except Qi Hao is past the rebellious years, at a time when he should flaunt, he does.

No need to hold back.