Happy Mahua, this company is located in the Imperial Capital, and they have been cultivating their offline theaters there for many years.
Although the Mahua team didn't do so well before making movies, offline theaters are inherently difficult to survive in, and they are considered top-tier.
After Chen Yiyang arrived at the Imperial Capital, Peng Fei and Shen Teng received him at Happy Mahua's company.
"I really enjoy watching your skits," Chen Yiyang said, shaking Shen Teng's hand.
"You're too kind, usually people say their mom or dad loves watching my skits, it's the first time someone said they personally enjoy them," Shen Teng joked lightly with Chen Yiyang.
Now, Chen Yiyang is considered a notable figure in the entertainment industry, and Shen Teng, still on the rise, was especially courteous to him.
After some casual chit chat, they sat down.
Chen Yiyang got straight to the point, "I had dinner with Director Rao Zhi in Lin'an, and he mentioned you guys are working on a new film?"
"Yes, we met you a bit late; otherwise, we'd definitely be begging you, the Fortune God and Lucky Star, to invest in it."
Although Shen Teng's words were somewhat flattering,
everyone still recognizes Chen Yiyang's vision in the industry.
The movies and variety shows he invested in all became hits.
He signed two unknown small-time stars and put them into a talent show.
As a result, both the show and the people became an instant success.
If that's not a Lucky Star, then what is?
"I'll just get to the point then," Chen Yiyang said, directly taking out the photos on his phone.
"Is your film a remake of the old movie Brewster's Millions?"
"Yes." Peng Fei replied instinctively, then took Chen Yiyang's phone to look at the photo.
"What's this contract about?"
"I signed it with a company in the United States, buying the remake rights of Brewster's Millions for three years."
"Hold on," Peng Fei was stunned.
"Wasn't the remake rights with Wan Island company?"
"Their remake rights expired the day before yesterday and they couldn't renew it."
"Wait, let me call and check." Hearing this, Peng Fei stood up immediately and walked out.
After about half an hour, Peng Fei returned muttering angrily.
"Those guys, they were still lying to me."
"What happened?"
"I asked them if the remake rights had expired, and they said no. I asked to see the contract, but the one they sent me was still the old one. I checked the date, and sure enough, it expired the day before yesterday."
"I've bought the exclusive remake rights for the Greater China region for three years," Chen Yiyang calmly added from the side.
"When we signed the contract with Wan Island, it clearly stated that their prerequisite for investing in this film was to provide the remake rights. Now, they're in breach of contract."
"I can fill that gap!" Chen Yiyang said directly.
"Money isn't the issue." Shen Teng, standing aside, looked at Peng Fei, "Now that they can't provide the rights, does this mean we don't have to use their actress for the female lead either?"
Shen Teng's words put Peng Fei in a difficult position.
"If this was when we just started shooting, and you said to use Ma Li, I'd agree for sure. But now it's different; the script's been altered, and the preceding content has been filmed.
Now, only your scenes with the female lead haven't been shot yet. According to the current script setting, the female lead needs to be a pretty face without much acting involved. If Ma Li plays it, it won't fit well."
"Indeed." Shen Teng pondered for a moment, nodding.
What Peng Fei said was not wrong at all.
Because according to the initial script, Shen Teng and Ma Li played childhood friends who embarked on a magical journey after Shen Teng inherited a huge fortune.
However, since Wan Island wanted to specify the female lead,
Peng Fei ended up making a major revision to the script.
He turned the male lead's childhood friend into a male character and reduced the female lead's role.
Also, the female lead was changed to a role not requiring much acting to align with Wan Island's requirement.
Although the female lead's scenes haven't started filming yet,
the rest of the scenes have been shot.
To have Ma Li return to play the female lead would be a poor fit.
You can't just scrap the whole movie and start over, can you?
A pretty face as a vase role.
Chen Yiyang, listening on the side, felt a bit tempted.
If others can force in a female lead, why can't I?
Song Xi, Yang Jinlu?
Can these two be used as a pretty face for the female lead?
This thought only briefly flashed in Chen Yiyang's mind before he dismissed it.
Even though the female lead is a vase role, some acting is still necessary.
Especially in a comedy film, lacking acting skills can make the audience cringe.
Song Xi and Yang Jinlu have no acting experience, abruptly placing them in the female lead role would be too outrageous.
That would draw too much criticism and be detrimental to their future development.
Moreover, after the 101 group formed, Tengxu would take the majority of all profits within two years.
Having them play the female lead would essentially be working for Tengxu for free.
Wait, didn't I sign another actress recently?
Chen Yiyang recalled Gao Ye.
She's attractive and has a unique aura.
Playing a female lead shouldn't be a problem.
"I actually do have someone in mind." Chen Yiyang suddenly spoke up.
Peng Fei and Shen Teng, who were discussing, immediately looked over.
They then realized that the fate of this project was now in Chen Yiyang's hands.
If Chen Yiyang didn't grant them the remake rights, the movie wouldn't be able to release.
"Is it Song Xi or Yang Jinlu?" Peng Fei seemed to have followed the Produce 101 show too.
He seemed well-aware of who Chen Yiyang signed.
"How could it be? Neither of them are actors yet."
Chen Yiyang's words let Peng Fei sigh in relief.
Even though he was displeased with Wan Island forcing a pretty face,
that actress had at least done some acting before.
If Chen Yiyang insisted on inserting two complete novices, it would be a nightmare for him.
"Then who is it?" Peng Fei asked curiously.
"I just signed her, but she's an experienced actress." Chen Yiyang showed Gao Ye's information to Peng Fei.
"I have some impression of this actress. Could she come for a screen test?"
"Sure, no problem." Chen Yiyang immediately called Gao Ye and asked her to come over.
Gao Ye was currently in the Imperial Capital, attending a pre-filming costume etiquette training for the drama The Longest Day In Chang'an.
If it were for anything else, she probably wouldn't come over.
But since it was Chen Yiyang calling, the director just inquired and then let her go.
Meanwhile, Chen Yiyang continued the discussion with Peng Fei.
"There's one more thing."
"Please, go ahead," Peng Fei said to Chen Yiyang courteously.
The remake rights in Chen Yiyang's hands were crucial to the film's survival.
"I heard there's a theme song in your movie that's sung by the Produce 101 girl group?"
"Yes," Peng Fei replied, "That was requested by Tengxu."
"Could you set up a connection between me and someone at Tengxu? I'd like to have a chat with them."
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