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Chapter 403 Overseas Distribution
Chapter 402 Overseas Distribution
Upon hearing Guo Fan's words, Chen Xun's eyes lit up.
After a year's wait, post-production on "The Wandering Earth" is finally complete.
This was the result of Chen Xun's efforts to coordinate resources for Guo Fan.
Otherwise, it would probably take another six months.
Although the previous version of "The Wandering Earth" had a considerable box office performance in China, its box office performance abroad was almost negligible.
The total overseas box office was only $597 million.
Overseas box office revenue accounts for less than 1%!
The number of screenings in North America is pitifully small.
Almost no mainstream cinemas were willing to give this Chinese science fiction film a chance.
Ultimately, the reason is that overseas distribution channels are firmly controlled by the six major film studios.
Without a mature distribution network and a sufficient marketing budget, even if a film is of high quality, overseas audiences simply won't be able to see it.
In this life, he has access to top-tier resources from Warner Bros., Sony, and Marvel, and possesses immense influence and distribution channels in Hollywood, making it entirely possible for him to change this regret.
He not only wants "The Wandering Earth" to be a huge hit in the country.
Furthermore, we must ensure that this Chinese science fiction film truly goes global, establishes a foothold in overseas markets, and becomes the first Chinese science fiction film to achieve blockbuster status worldwide.
"no problem!"
Chen Xun agreed without hesitation: "I don't have anything going on here. I'll book my flight back to China next week. You can prepare the film then, and we can have a good talk."
Guo Fan on the other end of the phone instantly became excited: "That's great! Chen Xun, we're ready anytime, we'll pick you up from the airport!"
Chen Xun is not only the lead actor in "The Wandering Earth", but also an investor.
Especially in the past year, Chen Xun has frequently won awards in Hollywood, and Guo Fan's attitude towards Chen Xun has gradually changed from a friend to a superior-subordinate relationship.
He spoke with exceptional politeness.
"I'm also an investor in this film, so I should be paying attention to it."
Chen Xun immediately gave Guo Fan a surprise: "I'll take care of the overseas distribution. When we get back to China, we'll have a good talk and try to get the film the screenings and box office revenue it deserves overseas."
"Are you serious?"
Guo Fan paused for a moment, then his tone became increasingly agitated: "We contacted overseas distribution companies, but they don't have a positive outlook on Chinese science fiction films at all, and the conditions they offered were extremely harsh!"
Chen Xun was taken aback.
Unexpectedly, Guo Fan was even more anxious than him.
fair enough.
Once Guo Fan understood the difficulties of overseas distribution, he could also appreciate Chen Xun's importance in the process.
"Don't worry, leave this to me!"
Chen Xun's tone showed no sign of difficulty: "I can handle the distribution channels, publicity resources, and theater scheduling. I guarantee that 'The Wandering Earth' will not only be a hit in China, but also let foreigners see what Chinese science fiction films are like."
Even after hanging up with Guo Fan, Chen Xun's heart was still surging with passion.
In his previous life, he was just an ordinary spectator.
I watched "The Wandering Earth" three times in a row to support its box office performance.
He has always been proud of Chinese science fiction and regretful about its setbacks overseas.
In this life, he has the ability to make up for this regret and truly bring Chinese science fiction films to the world stage.
After hanging up with Guo Fan, Chen Xun began to mentally go through the process of overseas distribution of "The Wandering Earth".
He took out his phone to ask Robert, but the phone rang unexpectedly.
"Chen, the tickets back to China are booked. It's a direct flight to the capital next Wednesday, first class. Xin Zhilei and Zhao Jinmai will be going back with you."
"Thanks a lot!"
Chen Xun got straight to the point, "The Chinese sci-fi film I invested in, 'The Wandering Earth,' is almost finished with post-production. Its domestic release is scheduled for next year's Spring Festival. I want to acquire its global overseas distribution rights. You should contact the distribution departments of Warner Bros., Sony, and Universal to discuss cooperation, focusing on theatrical releases in North America, Europe, and Japan and South Korea, as well as publicity and distribution resources."
He had assumed Rob would need to do research and build connections first, but to his surprise, Rob burst out laughing after hearing his explanation: "Chen, you don't need to contact Warner Music or anything like that. We can publish it ourselves!"
Chen Xun was taken aback.
The phone then vibrated a few times.
Before he could even look at it, he heard Robert continue on the other end of the phone, "I've sent you all the documents, take a look yourself!"
Chen Xun opened his email directly.
He discovered that Rob had sent him several files.
The first is the qualification document of StarSeeker Entertainment's North American branch.
It bears the North American film distribution and exhibition license, as well as a long-term cooperation framework agreement signed with the three major North American theater chains: AMC, Regal, and Cinemark.
Scroll down to see the complete set of qualifications for Xunxing Culture Media Co., Ltd.
It not only has film production and artist management licenses, but also national distribution qualifications for domestic films, cross-border operation licenses for importing foreign films and distributing domestic films overseas, and even strategic cooperation agreements between the two major state-owned distribution companies, China Film Group and Huaxia Film Distribution, are attached.
"When did you get all of this done?"
Chen Xun glanced at the document and was somewhat surprised.
When he started this company, he only wanted to sign a few promising newcomers and work on some film and television projects that he was optimistic about; he never mentioned distribution.
Unexpectedly, Rob had already paved the entire road ahead of time.
No wonder Rob has been so busy lately; he's been sending his assistant to most of his events.
Even for his family banquet, he only arranged for a driver to bring Xin Zhilei and Zhao Jinmai over; he didn't come himself.
So they've been doing all this behind the scenes!
"I started working on it the day you won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and the day the company was established in North America."
Rob said excitedly, "If we don't have our own distribution channels, we'll always have to be at the mercy of the six major studios. They can give us as many screenings as they want and take as much profit as they want. We have no initiative at all."
"In North America, we now have a full range of distribution licenses, and our long-term agreements with the three major theater chains guarantee a minimum number of screenings for our films. We no longer have to depend on others."
"Our domestic branches are also fully qualified. Funds are transferred across borders through the company's compliant accounts without going through third-party intermediaries. We control the entire process of foreign exchange settlement and tax filing ourselves, which is very convenient. It's not just about 'The Wandering Earth'. If you want to promote any domestic film overseas in the future, our own channels can handle the entire process."
"Well done, Rob!"
Chen Xun was very satisfied with Robert, his former agent and now business partner: "You handled this just in time; it solved our immediate problem."
"Of course!"
Rob showed no modesty, saying it was something he deserved: "I've already had the team at the domestic branch contact director Guo Fan's team to get the rough cut of the film and the overseas distribution rights. Once the final cut is done, it can be released directly."
"Let's proceed with this plan."
Chen Xun made the decision without hesitation: "I'll personally coordinate with Guo Fan regarding the domestic review process when I return to China. You keep an eye on the overseas matters for now."
"no problem!"
Rob's voice was brimming with excitement: "I've been wanting to try for a long time—to see how much we can gross overseas with a Chinese sci-fi film we release ourselves!"