Chapter 279: Yue Na In Peril, Revival Match Winner
Every schedule has its own market performance, and cinema chain scheduling is the profit distribution moment—whichever gets more takes home more money, whichever gets less earns a bit less.
It’s just like everyone eating from the same rice bowl; my share is bigger than yours, I can even snatch your food, leaving you starving.
This is the biggest reason why the film circle is so “hostile” to Chi Ye.
It’s also the core motive behind the Beijing Circle’s little maneuvers this time.
But unfortunately, Influenza now clearly shows a trend of winning the revival match, so their anticipated New Year Slot landscape will be disrupted, and the first to be impacted are Chi Ye’s rivals.
The movie market is only so big; for a film of Influenza’s caliber to release, it naturally has to snatch other films’ shares, and as for whose, there’s no need to say more.
And the major cinema chains are very understanding of Chi Ye’s such “request,” because from a certain perspective, they stand “on the same line” as Chi Ye—as long as it makes money, no matter what circle, spitting out scheduling for the more profitable movie is only right.
《Influenza》 is now a money-making movie?
How much money can it really make?
It’s still unknown now, but what’s foreseeable is that, after all sorts of storms, the current 《Influenza》 has clearly become one of the hottest movies of this Spring Festival Slot.
Place a little bet, just place a little bet.
“How much scheduling do you think they’ll give us?”
Chi Ye walked toward the parking lot, asking the team member who followed along to discuss cooperation.
“Um… it shouldn’t be less than 《749 Bureau》.”
The team member is a professional; he thought for a moment and said, “After we withdrew from the schedule, 《749 Bureau》 took a third of our scheduling, 《Detective Chinatown 3》 took a third, and the other third was split among several others—this time we should be able to get it all back.”
“Just getting it back?”
“…It should be more than before, but exactly how much more, unclear; mainly we haven’t settled if we can release yet, Spring Festival Slot is right around the corner, time is tight, but the superiors are still waiting for news from here…”
The team member hesitated to continue.
《Influenza》’s investor’s return to the country this time was actually very rushed; according to the overseas distributors’ ideas, they wanted 《Influenza》 to set a schedule soon and prepare for the official global premiere.
But because it coincided with China’s Spring Festival, plus 《Influenza》 had previously been scheduled for the first day of Lunar New Year, the distribution side was also very “understanding”—
No choice but to be understanding; although they didn’t participate in 《Influenza》’s investment, if 《Influenza》’s overall global box office performs better, it’s naturally tied to their cooperation and the specific person in charge’s internal performance.
Plus, with such massive overseas tycoon support, there are sensitive issues like private kickbacks and profit distributions.
In short, if 《Influenza》 can catch this year’s Spring Festival Slot, that’s naturally best; if not… then overseas needs to quickly choose a schedule.
—While Cannes popularity is still hot, 《Influenza》 just exploded in reputation, strike while the iron is hot, quickly capitalize on this wave of popularity.
Every extra day of delay could mean an extra day of loss.
Keke is still staying in Cannes, waiting for news from Chi Ye’s side.
“Can we catch this year’s Spring Festival Slot? No word from above yet.”
The group arrived outside the business car; someone was a bit worried.
Chi Ye didn’t speak, opened the car door and got in.
“Chi Ge, phone call from China Film.”
Xiao Liu, who had stayed in the car taking calls, handed over the mobile phone.
Chi Ye’s expression didn’t change, but the others exchanged glances, instantly overjoyed—it’s here, looks like it’s happening.
……
Ever since Chi Ye returned to the country, the attitudes of major domestic cinema chains have been unusually positive, but giants like China Film still maintain their composure.
As a “state-owned enterprise,” if China Film takes the lead in communicating with Chi Ye about cooperation details, that means the superiors really are going to “release” 《Influenza》.
This year’s Spring Festival Slot is definitely going to be very lively.
So, before getting definite news, even if calling Chi Ye, it’s mainly for communication, laying the groundwork in advance.
Like this time coming to “urge” Chi Ye, that must mean they’ve gotten definite news.
Sure enough.
This call wasn’t from the small card like last time, but from a named big shot in the industry.
Right away, he directly asked: “Can 《Influenza》 still be scheduled for the first day of Lunar New Year now?”
Chi Ye replied: “Yes.”
The big shot confirmed: “Time enough?”
“Enough; it was prepared from the start, as long as review is no problem, we can go into production immediately.”
“…Come over sometime to talk about cinema chain scheduling.”
The big shot paused, ultimately said no more, and hung up.
Chi Ye could feel, from the way the other side “pressed” him just now, that the other side really hoped 《Influenza》 would miss this Spring Festival Slot—the reason is simple, they privately didn’t invest much in 《Influenza》.
As for what China Film News said about “China Film leading production” blockbuster… forget it, that’s pure riding on popularity, wanting achievements.
On the contrary, their investment shares in the other several Spring Festival Slot blockbusters are very high.
So, whether from personal angle or group angle… this big shot, and part of the group, do not want 《Influenza》 to release in this year’s Spring Festival Slot.
You’re able to release now, so why grab our meat in the Spring Festival Slot?
Wait until after Spring Festival Slot, change to another schedule and play by yourself, no?
Chi Ye’s answer was simple—no.
Precisely to grab meat, precisely to grab scheduling.
“Sigh.”
China Film, in some office.
The big shot hung up, frowned: “Looks like he’s dead set on catching this Spring Festival Slot.”
“Has above confirmed? Really giving approval?”
“…That supervisor Zhang Hai has been like crazy ever since 《Influenza》 officially announced the 156-country premiere, yelling every day; above… above also thinks this is an opportunity.”
The big shot thought, sighed: “Chi Ye left a very good impression on them before; if not for Ke Ying this time, 《Influenza》 would’ve probably set Spring Festival Slot long ago.”
“Ke Ying not handling it anymore? Handled halfway and he bolted?”
“Once it’s gained momentum, how to handle? And I heard… never mind, anyway, prepare to have the market robbed by 《Influenza》 this time.”
“Really unlucky, this can release… then what about those films stuck before?”
Hearing this, the big shot didn’t speak; instead, another person in the office suddenly spoke: “Now we can only hope 《Influenza》 gets heavily cut; overseas is different from domestic, domestic audience expectations have been raised now—if it’s cut too much, it may not satisfy those expectations.”
“Might even backfire.”
“Any hope?” Several looked at the big shot.
The big shot paused, shook his head: “Unclear.”
……
Regarding 《Influenza》’s mainland release review, with help from several sides, no suspense, very quickly approved—accurately, this time it’s a green channel, because superiors have already seen the original 《Influenza》 in the past few days.
For 《Influenza》’s content on cross-strait people “mutual benefit and mutual help,” they felt it has great “promotion” value.
This is the biggest reason 《Influenza》 can release uncut.
Yes, uncut, or rather, except using the first version for the ending, a few minor bloody shots, no other cuts.
If they went through all this and still had to heavily cut for release… wouldn’t that be wasted effort?
And nearly uncut is already Chi Ye’s limit; in fact, it’s no different from uncut, perfectly preserving 《Influenza》’s excitement and thrill throughout.
That evening, the long-silent 《Influenza》 official Weibo suddenly posted:
【『Red Lantern』New Year’s Eve·Poison Eliminated『Red Lantern』】
【Whole family around the stove at night, toasting and changing cups—】
【You have a New Year delivery arrived: Survival Guide× 0, Family Pressure Test Site× 24 hours】
【Emergency Broadcast: #Super Spreader First Bus, countdown to departure 5 days—】
【2027.2.13, first day of Lunar New Year.】
【Whole city body temperature, collective loss of control.】
【（Warm Reminder: Please confirm relatives and friends’ pupils have no gray film spread before syncing movie viewing records.）】
Below, paired with Taiwan body temperature code mutation poster.
Background is Taiwan spring travel train compartment monitor picture, Zhang Lin（played by Chi Ye） staring at the electronic body temperature code（Influenza detector） generated on his mobile phone, temperature randomly showing 35℃（normal）/ 42℃（zombie transformation critical value）.
He raises his head, pupils gray, spreading, face covered in bluish-gray veins.
Poster writes one line of text—”Next stop: Hsinchu.”
Poster released, Weibo, Douyin, Chi Ye’s fans, industry inside and out instantly exploded.
「Fuck, it’s here it’s here, it came after all!」
「So hype poster, such a handsome guy, does getting Influenza turn you into a zombie?」
「GD finally did something right.」
「I want to know now how much it’s cut, hope to see uncut version… but probably impossible.」
「Able to release is already the best outcome; no matter what, domestic first industrialized commercial blockbuster, sold copyright to 156 countries globally, must support!」
「Dreamt last night that 《Influenza》 rescheduled again, didn’t expect dream to come true today, Chi Ye, my god!」
「This copy has something, has that flavor, but what does “Next stop, Hsinchu” mean? Why does it feel chilling.」
「Lucky to have seen it once live at Cannes… can only say, hope after watching, everyone won’t get psychological trauma from “Hsinchu”… um.」
「Fast forward to first day of Lunar New Year, can’t wait!」
「……」
《Influenza》’s second official announcement of scheduling stirred up more heat and storm than imagined.
Because on the same day, overseas distributors and cooperative parties who bought 《Influenza》 copyright successively officially announced the news; global premiere naturally on the same day.
So, 《Influenza》 official scheduling announcement’s momentum far exceeds the first time, and the impact it causes is also worth pondering.
Overseas unclear, but in Southeast Asia region, 《Influenza》’s current momentum has already surpassed 《Big Shot》 and 《Girl》 that Chi Ye previously led.
Looks almost certain to surpass these two movies’ box office in Southeast Asia.
As for by how much, depends on whether 《Influenza》 is really as boasted, that exciting.
Same day time.
Chen Sicheng’s company.
This period marketing also very aggressive, 《Detective Chinatown 3》 main creators basically in final stage learned of this news.
Chen Sicheng’s first reaction was to call his connection: “How much cut?”
“…Ending is first version, besides that, except individual shots, not much cut.”
“Not cut?”
Chen Sicheng instantly frowned: “I heard this movie is very bloody…”
“Domestic war films are bloodier than this.”
Chen Sicheng: “…”
“Then first ending and second ending… that’s already a big change, right?”
“…Doesn’t affect plot, just difference in final death or survival; mainland definitely can’t release second ending, after all, we’re all one family.”
Chen Sicheng fell silent.
He hasn’t seen 《Influenza》—《Influenza》 besides that Cannes premiere, no one has seen it.
And that screening’s real audience was just a few hundred, from global places; now online ninety-nine percent boasting they’ve seen 《Influenza》 are just bluffing.
His connection is one of the review department big shots, so they really saw it.
“Be prepared, this movie is unprecedented domestically.”
“…Got it.”
Chen Sicheng hung up, turned to the main creator members looking at him, suddenly glanced at 《Detective Chinatown 3》’s promotional poster, for some reason the displeasure of “market robbed” instantly vanished—
They’re releasing his directing career’s most awesome Detective Chinatown series this time, and with reputation paving from first two.
—Just pre-sales, 《Detective Chinatown 3》 has already got nearly 300 million, almost nailed Spring Festival Slot first day box office champion.
Spring Festival Slot, everyone still prefers comedy, family entertainment; who the hell wants to watch zombie movie during big New Year?
Isn’t that purely brain-damaged?
This Chi Ye, too eager in appetite, insisting on Spring Festival Slot, what does he have to fear?
“Everyone mind your duties, do the final promotional work before release, no need to pay too much attention to other competitors; our series is invincible.”
After he spoke, the main creators exchanged glances; one of the lead actors Liu Haoran smiled: “I said so long ago, you just wouldn’t listen.”
“…Mainly was eyeing his scheduling; now since he insists on releasing… then let him know whose turf the Spring Festival Slot is.”
“Should’ve done this long ago; why bother with others, just do our own well.”
“Director Chen is right.”
“Speaking of, can we challenge first day 500 million box office this time? This year’s market really revived, too hot.”
“…”
The main creators chatted up.
……
Meanwhile.
Yue Na Headquarters.
Still under investigation, in abnormal state, Yue Na on the brink welcomed another “bad news.”
Great President Liu, who returned from abroad and directly took over all affairs, sounded dumbfounded: “What did you say? 《Influenza》 not on our cinema chain? Chi Ye not making money?!”
“The communicator said… Chi Ye said our cinema chain too few, he doesn’t care about that bit…”
The person on the phone was trembling.
Great President Liu slapped the table: “Does he have to screw us over?!”
