The Best Director

Chapter 380: 380

“North America Weekly Box Office Summary: ‘Firefly’ Wins Fourth Consecutive Week, ‘Fantastic Four’ Fails to Impress Audiences or at the Box Office” — Yahoo Entertainment.

Media outlets could practically recycle the previous weekend’s report to describe this week’s situation in North America. ‘Fantastic Four’ couldn’t cause even a ripple, earning only $48.46 million during its opening weekend (an average of $13,453 from 3,602 theaters), placing a poor second this week; third place went to ‘War of the Worlds’ with $42.67 million, fourth to ‘Batman’, fifth to ‘Spectral Sea Story’… and at the very top, the champion for the fourth week, ‘Firefly’!

‘Firefly’s box office performance showed signs of fatigue as the week progressed with a -45.8% trend, garnering $56.85 million in weekly box office (an average of $13,781 from 4,125 theaters), bringing its total in North America to $549.3 million and continuing its steady hold on second place in box office history as it chases the champion, ranking 20th after adjusting for inflation. It is the first film to enter the TOP 20 in the 21st century; the last to perform so well was ‘Star Wars Episode I’ in 18th place back in 1999. Today, just ahead in 19th place is one of Spielberg’s signature films, ‘Jurassic Park’ (1993), while ‘The Graduate’ (1967) has just been surpassed and relegated to 21st.

The gap in box office revenues between a few of the films is only around $8 million in current US dollars. Following this trend, it’s unquestionable that ‘Firefly’ will continue to rise and approach the TOP 10; without adjusting for inflation, surpassing ‘Titanic’ to become the champion of North American box office history is just a matter of time.

On the other hand, in the overseas market this week, ‘Firefly’ was released in 76 countries and regions, posting a -36.1% trend in box office performance, raking in an astounding $112.76 million over seven days. The overseas total skyrocketed to $803.4 million, with a 28-day global box office of $1.3527 billion, ranking second in box office history.

According to predictions from various media institutions, ‘Firefly’s final total box office is very likely to break through $1.5 billion and even $1.6 billion, far exceeding expectations. Even Flame Films and Wang Yang were incredibly excited and surprised. However, this is always the case—once a craze starts, it is unstoppable, and no amount of logic or evaluations can predict it, like when 20th Century Fox sold the North American distribution rights of ‘Titanic’ to Paramount for $65 million, presumably after countless analyses and evaluations, never estimating that it would earn $600 million at the North American box office.

The movie market is like a capricious and beautiful girl, too enchanting and unpredictable. In fact, every blockbuster has the potential for huge sales on paper, otherwise, it wouldn’t have been green-lit by the film companies. However, from filming to promotion and then to release, there are too many X-factors that determine whether it will be a big seller or not.

Paul Dergarabedian of Exhibitor Relations expressed his amazement to the media, “This is simply astonishing. Once a film breaks through a certain barrier, it is no longer just a movie, but a social phenomenon that everyone chases after. ‘Firefly’ has broken that barrier. We often say that entertainment options were limited before, leading people to flock to theaters and box office records to be consistently broken; but nowadays, we have the advantage of information, with its speed, reach, and influence growing ever stronger. Over the past 28 days, in the network, in our lives, in offices, restaurants, homes… almost everyone has been talking about ‘Firefly’, about the superhero icon Wang Yang. No matter the ethnicity, everyone has been applauding him, drawing more attention than any of his previous film releases or his Oscar wins. There is no one who doesn’t know about this.”

Regarding the final total box office for ‘Firefly’, Dergarabedian stated, “It’s almost certain that it will break through $1.5 billion. As for $1.6 billion or $1.7 billion, we can no longer count on the currently weakening market. It will depend on its performance in Japan, where we expect it to surpass $100 million.”

Another weekend has arrived, but Paul Dergarabedian and other evaluators and movie fans all knew “Firefly” couldn’t remain champion anymore. After a fierce 28-day run, its stamina was nearly depleted. No matter how glorious, all things pass, and this week Warner Brothers launched another massive production with a $150 million budget, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” which came on strong. Tim Burton and Johnny Depp were certainly not saints, and the 82%/83% Rotten Tomatoes freshness ratings were a clear indication of that; another new film, New Line’s $40 million R-rated comedy “Wedding Crashers,” also made its debut.

“The amazing Wang Yang personally selects Joseph Gordon Levitt to star in his new film,” “Zachary Levi joins ‘500 Days of Summer’ as the male lead’s best friend,”…

The attention-grabbing “Wang Yang romance film” recently released new information. While the whole new generation of Hollywood male actors were breaking their necks fighting for the lead role, with numerous candidates surfacing, Wang Yang said NO to each, then quickly made progress—24-year-old Joseph Gordon Levitt won out! This marked their second collaboration after “Sweetheart,” and their first as director and actor; at the same time, the film company Firefly also announced Zachary Levi’s involvement, playing a supporting role.

“Oh my god!” “Why isn’t it James Franco?” “Wang Yang, why didn’t you give Ashton Kutcher a chance to audition?”… The handsome actors’ fanbases were all very disappointed, such a pity! Getting onto Wang Yang’s radar could have greatly boosted their favorite hunks’ reputation, providing an exciting, classic performance opportunity! Now all hopes were dashed, the biggest complaint being that they were ruled out without even an audition. Despite this being typical Wang Yang style, it was truly disheartening!

“That’s fantastic! This is the best news I’ve heard recently!” “Really looking forward to Joseph’s performance!!” Fans of Joseph Gordon Levitt were overjoyed, feeling like jackpot winners, hitting 777 on a slot machine! Now it would be hard for Gordon Levitt not to succeed—box office magic? An Oscar nomination for Best Actor?…

Both Gordon Levitt and Zachary Levi were more excited and happy than anyone, expressing their exhilaration to the media. Joseph wrote on his blog: “I’ve always been looking forward to this collaboration, and now it’s finally here! What’s it like on the set with an amazing director just one year older than me? I can’t wait to start filming!” Zachary Levi wrote on his blog: “Honestly, I wish I could star in every one of Wang’s films, but it’s been 6 years since the last time. Now, back fighting side by side again feels great.”

However, many other handsome actors were not so enthusiastic, and Wang Yang seemed quite aware of this. In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he praised Joseph Gordon Levitt and went on to explain why he was chosen: “For the role of ‘Tom,’ we received enthusiastic self-promotion from many excellent actors, but Joseph was the most suitable. He possesses all the traits ‘Tom’ needs: an average height, a kind and warm smile, a temperament that blends a young man’s ideals with a big boy’s… Plus, he has rich acting experience from a young age. We are very fortunate to have Joseph join us.”

“Does ‘Tom’ have any aspects of you in him?” Grega Keldai, a famous editor and reporter for the magazine, asked this. In the interview, Wang Yang responded: “Tom will have shadows of me in his interests and way of thinking. He’s a big boy born in the 80s, with many characteristics of the era, so it’s not just my personal shadow. For instance, Tom is very fond of ‘Knight Rider.’ Perhaps it left a deeper impression on those born in the 70s, but our generation also had countless people who liked Michael Knight, KITT—there’s nothing strange about that.”

Grega Keldai followed up with: “Does this mean that ‘500 Days of Summer’ stems from your real-life story? We all know Jessica wasn’t your first love.”

Hearing this question, Wang Yang laughed. He said, “I only fell in love once after I turned 18, and Tom is a singleton of mature years. This is actually just the normal progression of a romance, there might be some beautiful or not so beautiful memories from the past, but the story definitely isn’t all true. The focus is on what do we want to say? A memorable love affair that ended in a sigh-inducing way, why did it happen? How did we once face, and how should we face the various things that love brings? Of course, there will be my sources, my silhouette in it, but I believe everyone can find their own memories.”

“It doesn’t sound like it has a comedy ending, right?” Grega Keldai asked a question of great interest to the fans, but Wang Yang’s answer was rather ambiguous, “It will have a comedy ending, everyone is alright, just like a sunny day.” Grega Keldai then asked, “Will the content and the thoughts of the film be more aligned with the emotional and romantic ways of Asians?” Wang Yang replied, “Believe me, there’s nothing special about the way Asians love. It’s also dining, watching movies, kissing, making love, although you might not necessarily see these scenes in the film.” (laughter)

“That’s true because we want a G rating so that I can rest assured that my baby can attend the premiere. And I must say, now I understand why there’s such an annoying TV Parents Council, I think I will soon become one of its members.”

In the exclusive interview, Grega Keldai also laughed. The hot show “Prison Break,” which had been airing for two years, had suffered quite some criticism from the TV Parents Council due to violence, and even had requests to alter the script because the jailbreak villains took too long to die or be caught. After the laughter, Wang Yang formally said, “I’ve always thought that a multicultural background has given me more strength, I’ve learned to look at things, to think from more perspectives, this is my advantage. This time will be the same. I will not limit myself to thinking in the context of Asian culture, and I certainly won’t deliberately avoid them.”

Grega Keldai asked, “You’re making a love story with your own shadow in it, will Jessica be jealous?” Wang Yang laughed and replied, “No, she’s very supportive. She’s a sensible and good wife.” Grega Keldai asked, “Is ‘Summer’ the name of your ex-girlfriend?” Wang Yang answered, “No.” Grega Keldai asked, “Can you reveal how many girlfriends you’ve had?” Wang Yang answered, “I cannot.”…

The weekend brought a relaxed atmosphere, the afternoon sun was warm to the point of being a bit hot, the backyard lawn was lush green, and under the shade of the thriving sycamore trees, an empty rattan baby cradle swayed gently back and forth.

“Danny, she’s going to be your little sister.” Jessica, dressed in a loose summer maternity dress, held a 1:1 clothed baby doll in her arms, while her swelling belly harbored the real baby of 18 weeks. Right then, she was seriously teaching Danny, “You have to protect her and take care of her, you know? Don’t be jealous!” Danny, sitting down, his ears slanted backward, quietly looked at the fake baby, seemingly lost in thought. Wang Yang, wearing a T-shirt and shorts, stroked its head and said, “Kid, even though you’re not our own flesh and blood, we love you! When the baby arrives at the end of the year, we will still love you.”

The two weren’t going mad; a baby’s sudden arrival can cause a lot of confusions for a dog, especially if the owners give all their love to the baby and forget about its feelings. The dog might become depressed and jealous, and in extreme cases, it may even seek opportunities to harm the baby, with unimaginable consequences. So, it’s essential to let Danny get used to the baby, like the baby, and understand the correct way to coexist. That’s precisely what the couple was doing.

“Yes, we will always love you.” Jessica cradled the fake baby with her left arm and petted Danny’s head with her right hand, letting him see as she handed the fake baby to him. He then carefully put the fake baby into the cradle. She smiled and said, “You have to protect her.” Danny wagged his tail and circled around the cradle with his tongue out, without any intention of pouncing in. Wang Yang praised him saying “Good boy,” then added, “Remember not to hurt her! She’s your dearest little sister, and our family’s most beloved person.”

Watching him attentively teaching Danny, Jessica tenderly caressed her belly, but suddenly felt a wave of nausea surge up, and she began to heave, “Oh, oh no…” Wang Yang quickly stood up, wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and softly patted her back while asking with concern, “Are you okay?” Jessica vomited a few more times before she managed to stop, still feeling uncomfortable. Wang Yang picked up a bottle of water from the wicker chair next to them, twisted the cap off, and handed it to her. She took a sip from the bottle he offered, felt refreshed, and smiled at him, “Much better.” The slight remaining pregnancy reactions were nothing compared to the early days when she used to throw up so loud the entire Los Angeles could hear.

“You’ve really been through a lot.” Remembering those times, Wang Yang pressed her shoulder and pulled her to him, kissing her tenderly over her belly. The two kissed passionately and tenderly. Suddenly, Jessica cried out unclear, “Ah! The baby! She seems to have kicked me.” Wang Yang’s eyes widened, and after giving her lips a quick intense kiss, he pulled away, his face full of excitement as he bent down to look at her belly, “Oh my God! Really?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The fetal movement had arrived, right on schedule! But they had been waiting for so long! Wang Yang hastily lifted the hem of her dress, revealing her round, protruding belly, yet there was no sight of the baby doing kung fu. He looked up at her, and she looked back at him, both holding their breath, quietly waiting for the baby’s next move. However, there was no movement for a long time. Pondering, Wang Yang asked with a puzzled tone, “Do we need to kiss? Then the baby will move?” Jessica paused for a moment, and before she knew it, Wang Yang had already stood up to kiss her, and a rustling sound arose beneath the parasol tree…

“Ah!” Jessica suddenly felt a rumble in her stomach, and it felt like something nudged her belly, a wonderful sensation. In that moment, her heart was filled with excitement, emotion, and joy… Seeing her dazed smile, Wang Yang kissed her again, urgently asking, “What’s up? What’s up?” It was only then that Jessica excitedly shouted, “Another one just now!” Wang Yang became flustered, “Lord! How many times now!?” With the baby at 18 weeks, the expected number of fetal movements was about 3-5 times per hour. Each movement counted as one, although it could often be several in quick succession, but they weren’t sure if just now counted as one or two.

Regardless, this was the first time they had felt it! Wang Yang kissed her several times madly and then squatted down, his cheek against her belly, waiting for any movement. Jessica suddenly yelled, “There it is again, there it is again!” Wang Yang faintly felt the amazing rise and fall of her belly and laughed excitedly, “Haha! Wow! Hey, hey!! Baby!” Jessica did not greet the baby in the same way, as the fetal movements were purely communication, and she softly marveled, “It’s incredible! I can feel the baby moving! I can feel her…”

“Oh my goodness…” Wang Yang didn’t know what to say, just clung tightly to her belly, waiting for the baby to make a move, his heart pounding as fiercely as the fetal movements. True to the progeny of Top-Captain and River, the baby was very lively and strong. Jessica exclaimed suddenly, “She moved again! Once, twice, three times! Oh, four times!” Wang Yang also shouted with uncontrollable joy, “Haha, her little fists! She seems to have punched me, nicely done, kiddo! Go on…” Jessica yelled once more, “There she goes again! Haha, once…”

In the afternoon garden, under the parasol tree, the vine-woven baby’s cradle rocked gently, with Danny lying next to the cradle, sleeping with his eyes closed. The two continued to create bursts of calls and laughter.

As the time passed with each fetal movement and heartbeat, the week of July 15-21 drew to a close. Along with the previous weekend’s box office from July 15-17, the fifth-week release of “Firefly” was indeed no match for the first-week release of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Amid thunderous applause, “Firefly” graciously relinquished its four-week reign as the North American box office champion, settling into second place. Meanwhile, in the international market, although “Firefly” also gracefully stepped down from the top of many box office charts amid its success, it continued to smash a series of box office records in the East Asian region.

Despite the reluctance to leave home, Wang Yang was about to board a plane heading to the Eastern Hemisphere to start his “Asia Trip.” He would visit mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to attend celebration promotions and appear on shows, thanking the fans and the audience; then he would travel to Japan to attend the Tokyo premiere of “Firefly” on July 28, infusing full force into the box office sprint for the world’s last big market. (