055 Confirming the Release

Because Louis had scheduled the screening later, Li Dan Niu first took his sample reel to meet the two companies Helena had contacted.

"Half a million for sole rights? Would you like to reconsider?" Li Dan Niu asked calmly.

"No need. Young man, your film probably didn't cost more than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to make, so doubling your investment—what more could you want?" An executive from one of the film companies said, grinning.

"Well then… goodbye!"

He switched to another company, and the conversation played out in much the same way.

"One million is the highest price we can offer you, and it's the best deal you'll get in all of Hollywood. Revenue sharing isn’t something a newcomer like you can expect to enjoy. Besides, your movie is far too simple. I'll admit it’s scary, but once in theaters, I don’t think it has much of an edge."

"So where do you think this film has an advantage?" Li Dan Niu found the conversation amusing.

"In the home video market, it could turn a profit. But if we handle it, it's a significant investment. Offering you a million should be enough for you. You’d also earn our friendship—if you make another film, we could work together again."

Li Dan Niu couldn’t help but chuckle. Had he not known the box office potential of his own film, he might have fallen for this pitch. Their friendship? He didn’t even know if he’d make another film—what use was their friendship? And if, after a few more years, he still needed a company of this caliber’s friendship, he might as well give up entirely.

Though this world wasn’t the same as before, since his film had worked wonders in the previous one, there was no reason it shouldn’t succeed in this world with such similar cultural background and lifestyle. And even if it flopped, it would only be a loss of a few hundred thousand, which meant little to him now.

He had to refuse decisively!

On Monday, Li Dan Niu received a call from Louis.

"Your Majesty, we’ve created a miracle," Louis said, his voice brimming with excitement.

"Calm down, tell me slowly."

"Yesterday, 'The Lord of the Rings' sold eighty thousand copies, and with a weekly sales volume of one hundred and ten thousand, it took the weekly top spot for the second time."

"What’s so miraculous about that? Winning the weekly sales championship is perfectly normal, isn’t it?" Li Dan Niu was unimpressed. With the book’s previous world sales and reputation, winning a few weekly championships was nothing.

"Uh…" Louis was utterly awed by Li Dan Niu’s confidence, which, in light of the sales figures, was pure strength. Had Li Dan Niu said this before the book launched, it would have been sheer arrogance.

"Your Majesty, last week we only had two days of sales, yet we still beat books that had a full week on the market. Aren’t you even a bit happy?"

"I’m happy," Li Dan Niu replied perfunctorily. He was indeed pleased with 'The Lord of the Rings' popularity, but counting the profits, a hundred thousand copies a week only brought in a million or so, and there were taxes to pay. Making money this way was far too slow, especially since the book was only out in the US and not yet worldwide.

Compared to his film, which, once released, could earn him nearly a hundred million dollars in just over a month, yet he still hadn’t found a distributor. Remembering this, even if he was happy, he couldn’t show it.

After two tedious days in America, Li Dan Niu finally awaited Louis’s scheduled meeting.

In the screening room of Sunlight Media, Li Dan Niu finished showing his movie.

"It’s excellent. The most un-horror horror film I’ve ever seen," said Ross, head of Sunlight Media’s distribution department.

"I never expected you to be such a brilliant filmmaker, not just a novelist," Louis now flattered Li Dan Niu with practiced ease.

"You flatter me," Li Dan Niu replied, hating small talk. He got straight to the point: "So, is your company willing to distribute my film?"

"Of course, why wouldn’t we?" Ross exclaimed dramatically. "What kind of distribution model are you seeking?"

Hearing this, Li Dan Niu felt much better. Unlike the previous companies, they didn’t immediately push for sole rights.

"Naturally, a revenue-sharing partnership."

"Revenue sharing is no problem, but the percentage won’t be as high as with your novel," Ross said, smiling. His polite attitude and easy agreement were not only due to the film’s promise, but also because Li Dan Niu was the author of 'The Lord of the Rings.'

'The Lord of the Rings' had now been on shelves for four weeks—the first week barely counted. The second week saw a hundred thousand copies sold out immediately, the third week sold a hundred and ten thousand in just two days, and the fourth week’s numbers were bound to impress. With its current sales and reputation, the book was likely to vie for the bestseller crown of the year. This was a huge boon for Sunlight Publishing—and for Sunlight Media, too.

Adapting novels into films was commonplace. Anyone who had read 'The Lord of the Rings' knew that a film adaptation would be a major production. A major production meant high returns and high risk, but businessmen always chase profit, and risk is inevitable.

Given the current and projected sales of 'The Lord of the Rings,' adapting it to film was only a matter of time. While Sunlight Media and Sunlight Publishing belonged to the same group, the adaptation rights were held by the author, Li Dan Niu. If they didn’t build a good relationship with him now, would they even have a chance later?

"Of course. What do you think is fair?" Li Dan Niu had researched film revenue sharing; the US system was relatively complex, but when it came down to it, theaters took about forty percent, and distributors and producers split the remaining sixty percent.

Distributors handled promotion, and some films spent as much as a hundred million dollars on advertising, so that sixty percent couldn’t possibly be split fifty-fifty like with novels.

"Forty percent of box office, fifty percent of video revenue—how does that sound?" Ross quoted a figure that Li Dan Niu could hardly believe, then added, "And we’ll invest two million dollars in promotion."

If Ross knew the film’s box office, he would never offer such terms. But no one in the world, except Li Dan Niu, could foresee its success.

"You’re sure?"

"Absolutely. We must support your film." Ross’s plan was to lose a bit, if necessary, to build a relationship with Li Dan Niu. Besides, while he didn’t expect much from the box office, he did see promise in the video market. If handled well, they could recoup their costs, maybe even turn a profit.

Li Dan Niu considered for a moment. With global box office close to two hundred million dollars, ten percent more meant twenty million. He was a bit reluctant, but no other company would offer such favorable terms, and Ross had volunteered them. Pushing for more might be inappropriate.

"All right. Believe me, your decision will bring you great rewards." Li Dan Niu stood and shook Ross’s hand.

"Of course, I’m sure of it," Ross replied, thinking Li Dan Niu was referring to the film rights for 'The Lord of the Rings.' He had no faith that this particular film would bring much profit.

Once they’d agreed, the contract was drafted. Li Dan Niu asked, "How do you plan to promote the film?"

"When our promotional strategy is ready, I’ll show it to you first," Ross said. He had a dedicated team for publicity and couldn’t answer on the spot.

Li Dan Niu pressed, "Do you go online much?"

"Are you thinking of online promotion?" Ross asked. "Don’t worry, the internet is the main avenue for film publicity now, and we’re no exception."

"I mean, have you seen the popular paranormal video circulating online?"

"Paranormal video?" Ross frowned, unsure what Li Dan Niu meant. "I haven’t really noticed."

Li Dan Niu used the screening room’s computer to search for the video Lise and her companion had uploaded, along with their posts.

"Take a look at this—see if it helps your promotional plan."

Ross, puzzled, approached the computer and soon understood.

"You arranged this?"

"Yes."

"This is a genius promotional strategy," Ross marveled. As a professional, he recognized the clips from Li Dan Niu’s movie embedded in the video—how could he not understand?

Li Dan Niu smiled. "Now, do you have confidence in this film’s box office?"

"I do!"