The Best Director

Chapter 375: Chapter 375: This Crazy Midsummer! (Seeking Monthly Passes)

The comedy “Bewitched,” starring Nicole Kidman, is an absolute tragedy, with a 25%/20% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Roger Ebert, the stubborn old man from the Chicago Sun-Times, sarcastically said, “What are you looking for? There isn’t a movie here, just a pile of assembled scenes and shots.” The audience approval rating stands at 39%, and the official fan critic Bethany Murphy said, “How terrible! Giving it half a star was already very generous.” Columbia’s $85 million flop…

“This movie is a cute and pretty yokel,” Roger Ebert commented on Lindsay Lohan’s new film “Herbie: Fully Loaded,” with a freshness score of 42%/47% and an audience approval rating of 51%. Fan critic Alexander DiMaio said, “Compared with ‘Furious Cars,’ it should be tossed in the garbage can. Even Top-Captain couldn’t clean up Mean Girls’ mess.” The sports comedy turned into another tragedy, Disney/Buena Vista’s $50 million flop…

“Land of the Dead,” which garnered a 74%/66% freshness rating, seemed a bit better? A 52% audience approval rating heralds the birth of a $15 million end-of-the-world zombie-themed sci-fi flop from Universal. “The modern father of zombie movies,” master of horror George A. Romero, continued his unglamorous fall in the new century.

Not one of the three new films survived, none had the power to bring in a significant box office return, and what’s even more pitiful, there’s a “horror movie” up top constantly emitting a demon lord’s “Muahahaha” laugh, “Firefly.” Naturally, the box office results of the three films added insult to injury, and on this weekend’s North American battleground, the demon lord still reigned supreme!

$101.8 million! “Firefly” performed a miracle in 4,065 North American cinemas! After setting a series of new box office records, its second weekend continued to frighten and predictably perform, averaging $25,043 per cinema, with a mere -36.1% drop in box office trend! Its 10-day North American box office soared to $338.3 million!

“Wow, oh my God!” “Dear Lord!” “WHAT-THE-HELL!” “Is this some kind of April Fool’s Joke!?”…

Only such dramatic exclamations could express how people felt now. It was the first time in film history that a movie garnered over $100 million in its second opening weekend! $101.8 million dethroned the previous champion “Shrek” with $72.17 million, the former runner-up “Spider-Man” with $71.41 million, and the former third-place “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” with $57.48 million. They all stepped back a place as the championship throne belonged to the new king, “Firefly”!

This insane result moved to the opening weekend leaderboard, facing off with a slew of films, and it could rank as the sixth in film history, right behind $102 million of “District 9”! Undoubtedly, “Firefly” has become North America’s most commercially successful film after the change in the cinema distribution model! No contest.

“Firefly” has broken several North American box office records, among which the main three records are:

One: The new champion for the first 10 days of its golden opening ($338.3 million), it triumphed over the recent “Star Wars: Episode III” at $236.9 million and “Spider-Man 2” at $225.1 million;

Two: The fastest to reach $250 million (8 days), previously “Star Wars: Episode III” 11 days, “Spider-Man 2” 12 days, and “Shrek 2” 13 days;

Three: The fastest to reach $300 million (9 days), previously “Star Wars: Episode III” took 17 days, “Shrek 2” 18 days, “Spider-Man 2” 19 days; they were all left behind by their rival by over a week.

Nobody knows where Serenity is flying to!

On the IMDb Top 250 list, “Firefly” is still bursting with unimaginable energy, firmly holding the top spot with a score of 9.6 (based on 315,628 ratings); a 97%/100% freshness on Rotten Tomatoes (194/200 critics), Sukhdev Sandhu of The Daily Telegraph said, “At first, I thought it was just hype, but when I walked out of the cinema, I had to catch my breath and realized I had just watched an epic that will sting the Oscars.” Audiences gave it a 98% approval rating (572,146 rating users), and film critic Colin M. said, “It’s not overrated, I forgot to breathe for a minute or two, I found myself about to fall off my seat before coming back to my senses…”

Some are happy, some are not—and are really not! Warner Brothers did not wait for a miracle to happen; this weekend “Batman Begins” continued to rank second, tragically taking in $13.79 million at the box office, with a -42.89% box office trend indicating no signs of warming up. After 12 days, the North American box office reached $68.21 million; “Bewitched” placed third with $12.31 million, which was a debacle in both reputation and box office; “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” ranked fourth with $10.02 million, its trend stabilizing with only a 13.84% drop…

“Wow! The superhero among superheroes—Amazing Yang!” “This guy is a maniac!” “I just can’t stop following him! I just can’t!” “It’s like I’ve known Wang Yang for many years, and now I see he’s only 25! I’m at a loss for words!”…

10 days ago, Wang Yang was still a “has-been director” with doubtful prospects, with fierce-looking critics ready to pounce and beat him to a pulp; his fans were both anticipating and anxious.

10 days later, he and “Firefly” are telling a new myth! People love such stories, love such young heroes, and never tire of them.

Amazing Yang once again became the hottest topic in America, even hotter than the recently concluded NBA finals on June 24th (San Antonio Spurs 4:3 Detroit Pistons), where MVP Tim Duncan and the triumphant Spurs couldn’t match his charm. America and all of North America are going crazy for him!

Not just America, though? The global frenzy for “Firefly” continues! In its second weekend, the space cowboys once again claimed the box office crowns in dozens of countries, lawlessly raking in $179.2 million US dollars! The weekend drop was only a mere 8.1%, which was an exciting number! Bear in mind that the simultaneously released “Star Wars: Episode III” dropped by 57.7%! Undoubtedly, “Firefly” showed its overseas market potential far above North America’s, subtly becoming the most successful global commercial film in recent years.

Sequel series have built-up fame and popularity; non-sequels have ample imaginative space and explosive power. This star-studded sci-fi mega-production is like a blank canvas, upon which audiences around the globe eagerly paint miracles.

One can’t discuss this miracle without mentioning the contribution of IMAX screens. Sometimes change comes so quickly and fiercely that it only takes one movie, just letting viewers know that there’s this thing, knowing “IMAX is a uniquely incomparable pleasure, the entire film world as if standing before your eyes,” and then it bursts forth.

In the past three days, all full-house screenings on 64 North American IMAX screens contributed $10.25 million in the box office, and the astonishing overseas 71 screens brought in $12.56 million, with all 135 global IMAX screens going full blast! In these golden 10 days, they rolled up over 45 million US dollars in box office revenue!

“Firefly” is already a milestone in IMAX film history, and it’s very likely to earn the title of “the first IMAX film in history with a global box office exceeding one hundred million dollars.”

Flame Cinema and IMAX Corporation joined forces to complete the Hollywood film industry’s transition from passive DMR conversion to active production: converting to a 35mm DMR + IMAX 2D version, and a converted IMAX-3D version (the new technology launched by IMAX on 2005-3-14), with tickets for both viewing modes selling like crazy!

“We are trying our best,” says Greg Foster, IMAX Corporation’s chairman, always excitedly repeating this phrase, striving to arrange more IMAX screenings for “Firefly”!

Seeing that it took only 10 days to surpass “The Polar Express”‘s global box office total and seeing the company’s stock price rise daily, he naturally wished he could screen this magical movie 24/7! However, due to strategic cooperation, contractual obligations, and other reasons, even with hardly any audience, the cinema’s huge IMAX screens had to allocate showtimes to a few DMR-processed films like “Batman”; besides, “Firefly”‘s IMAX film reels couldn’t withstand the wear from being shown from morning till night.

Nevertheless, according to Greg Foster’s disclosure, IMAX Corporation had successfully persuaded a small number of academic institutions such as museums and technological halls to enter into special cooperation to try their best to arrange some screenings for “Firefly”…

IMAX’s contribution wasn’t just about the box office itself, but also about creating countless topics of discussion and drawing global media and public attention.

Chinese media described “Firefly” as “epoch-making,” the domestic buzz was so intense that it seemed if you hadn’t seen the movie, it wasn’t just a matter of being behind the times; it was as if you had lived in vain. Unfortunately, there was only one commercial IMAX giant screen theater in the entire mainland, and despite countless enthusiastic viewers willing to spend 100 yuan for a show, the opportunity was not available in their city! They had no choice but to turn to regular cinemas.

Even so, “Firefly” performed incredibly well in the Asian market! Audiences from China, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and other places were crazy for it. What a unique Hollywood blockbuster! It starred Asian actors who were not villains or comedic relief, incorporated traditional Chinese culture, and included Eastern aesthetics and emotions… Without even considering its praise in Europe and America, it had become the best blockbuster yet, except for a small minority shouting “Boycott Wang Yang” and “He’s an ABC; he has no connection with us”—the entire nation was mobilized!

No matter where, “Firefly” swept all records! The recently released “Initial D” unfortunately suffered a direct hit to the head, just as on the battlefields of North America, it turned into cannon fodder in all three areas it was released: mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan!

In the same 90 Hong Kong cinemas, it only took in 6.32 million Hong Kong dollars (813,200 US Dollars) at its opening weekend, ranking second. The champion was “Firefly,” which swept up 24.55 million Hong Kong dollars (3.16 million US Dollars) the following week! Its total 10-day box office reached a staggering 66.21 million Hong Kong dollars (8.52 million US Dollars)! During the weekend of June 25-26, “Initial D” in 15 Taipei cinemas garnered 3.23 million New Taiwan Dollars (103,000 US Dollars) ranking third, while “Firefly” dominated with 20 cinemas scoring 38.3 million New Taiwan Dollars (1.22 million US Dollars), and the total 10-day Taipei box office soared to 161.3 million New Taiwan Dollars (5.14 million US Dollars)!

Although China’s box office statistics system wasn’t as clear, according to reports from “Beijing Morning Post” journalists from the distributors at China Film Group Corporation, “Initial D” made 3 million yuan on its opening day; previously, “Firefly” broke 20 million yuan on its premiere day, exceeding 100 million yuan in the first 7 days, and zoomed up to 150 million yuan (18.12 million US Dollars) in 10 days. While sweeping the domestic film market, it also had a great chance of overtaking the historical second and first place, 250 million yuan for “Hero” and 359.5 million yuan for “Titanic,” to become the new champion!

The total box office from China’s mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan combined reached 31.78 million US Dollars, accounting for 7% of the current 448.3 million US Dollar overseas total box office. This percentage may grow even larger…

Any talk of “boycotts” was a topic far too outdated, and the current program was to praise the miraculous Yang!!! The situation was remarkably similar across countries, with media critics, movie fans, celebrities, and their followers all contributing their fair share of amazement and admiration for this film that enraptured the young man.

In the span of 10 days, “Firefly” suavely took in 786.6 million US Dollars in global box office revenue. Was there anyone left on this planet who believed it couldn’t join the billion-dollar global box office club? Perhaps even grandmothers who normally paid no attention to movies were now aware: “‘Firefly’? What’s that play about, my dear?”

This was a supernatural phenomenon, a novel miracle unfolding, a new era event! A phenomenon that only cinema could spark!

But the movie studios were terrified! WHAT-THE-HELL! And the distributors could notice that “Firefly”‘s overseas market was only 58 countries! For such a “phenomenon level,” “idol level,” “epoch-making level” movie, there were still more than 50 profitable markets available! Hence, the scramble was on!Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Initially, Flame Films had no plans to enter these smaller markets, lacking both distribution channels and promotional resources. However, since a bunch of companies were fiercely competing for these overseas distribution rights, Flame would not be foolish to refuse. In the past few days, the distribution department has been extremely busy, with managers negotiating with major companies like Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox to operate the rights for over 50 overseas markets, excluding Japan. These rights are crumbs offered to the bigger players in the midst of this storm.

It’s projected that within a week or two, Firefly will expand to over 100 countries and regions. In any case, it’s the film itself that will benefit.

The American edition of TIME magazine is warmly inviting Wang Yang to grace its cover for the third time. He was 19 the first time, 22 the second, and now, three years later, he’s back! Now he is the youngest ever Oscar Best Director, married to his childhood sweetheart, and expecting their first child at the end of the year, having directed such an overwhelming storm of success! … TIME feels there are just too many topics that cannot be missed, and luckily, the ever-busy Wang Yang has accepted the invitation.

Despite the magazine’s significant influence, Wang Yang would add this honor only if he felt like it, though he couldn’t find a reason to refuse. He has indeed been very busy lately, with promotions for Firefly and preparations for a new movie. At the moment, he’s on a radio interview with KALW (serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area), accepting the “downgrade” as he used to enjoy listening to this station.

“Yang, will you make a sequel to Firefly?” The program had progressed to the live call-in segment, and inside the bright radio studio, upon hearing this male listener’s question, Wang Yang pondered for a moment before responding honestly to the microphone, “I’m still very interested in Firefly, the world, and the characters, but for now, I feel like everything I wanted to express is already in Firefly. That means, I only have the passion for setting up the story but not the message to convey, which isn’t a good state for directing, you know… Maybe I should make a trip back to the University of Southern California.”

Listeners tuning in through various channels couldn’t help but smile. Wang Yang didn’t mean he was going back to USC to study, but to find a teacher to take over the sequel, just as Lucas found Irvin Kershner, who directed the most classic of the Star Wars series, The Empire Strikes Back. The co-host, Lauren Meir, laughed and said, “Yang, we all hope it’s still you who directs.”

“It’s too early to talk about that,” Wang Yang laughed, though he already had an idea in mind, he did not want to dampen the audience’s anticipation and passion for Firefly, and said with a laugh, “Anyway, I’ll definitely have a new job.” Lauren Meir quickly moved on, “Thank you! Next caller, please.”

Then a girl called into this unbearably hot phone line, her vibrant, cheerful youthful voice excitedly erupting through their headphones, “Magical Yang!!! Oh my God!! I’m talking to you, oh my God—!!” Wang Yang laughed, “Yes, hello!” The girl’s words grew more jumbled, her voice quivering as though she were about to cry, “Oh my God!! I’ve been trying to get through since the beginning, calling and calling…you’re so amazing!! I love you so much!! I love you!! Oh my God!! Firefly is so incredible!! It’s unbelievable!! Oh my God…”

“Thank you!” Wang Yang replied with continuous laughter, and Lauren Meir helped her ask, “Firefly is about to break the 800 million US Dollar mark in the global box office, Yang, how do you feel?” The female listener cheerfully asked, “Right! Right! I’ve seen it three times! I love Top-Captain!!”

“I feel great! Actually, we were confident in it before it was released; we believed it would be very popular! But the current situation, honestly, has been a surprise.” Wang Yang shared his genuine feelings, these past 10 days had been so sunny and bright! The response to the movie and the birth of his precious daughter had made him feel almost like he was melting with happiness! He didn’t know how far Firefly would go, everything had already exceeded expectations, who knows? He smiled and said, “We are just doing our best, aiming for the best in everything, and then waiting for the harvest, which appears to be splendid now! I’m really grateful for all of this.”

Lauren Meir added, “Thank you! Next caller, please.”…

The more splendid the achievement, the crazier this hot summer becomes! Without a doubt, both are escalating. Globally, for the chance to experience the impact of Firefly in an IMAX theatre, fans are willing to travel tens or hundreds of kilometers or even fly or take trains to targeted cities for the film: “Going to see Wang Yang!” “Going to see Firefly!” However, Japanese audiences can only heave a sigh—struggling with anticipation and nearly going crazy—why do they have to wait until August to watch the film?! War of the Worlds is set for a global release on June 29th, but what they are yearning for is Firefly!!

The global release date of War of the Worlds on June 29th is approaching, but suddenly, those concerned about it seem to have vanished, left only with fans glaring fiercely and saying, “It’s just another fallen soul under the guns of the interstellar cowboys!” (