Volume 1 Chapter 139: Vast Ocean and Sky

  James Wan is absolutely one of the most talented and wealthy Chinese directors in Hollywood's future. Like himself, this guy's road to filmmaking was not smooth either. As a Chinese person, he also faced many prejudices from white peers, even after creating the super classic horror film "Saw", some people said that he plagiarized "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and Hitchcock's suspense films to create his work, and that the creativity of this series does not belong to him at all.

  Later, James Wan directed the more distinctive horror film "Dead Silence", which was loved by horror fans in Europe and America. Mainstream media again said that "Dead Silence" was not an original work of James Wan, and its prototype came from the first "Indian Chief" in the early horror film series "Tales from the Crypt".

  No matter what, James Wan has worked hard to build his horror movie brand, but was repeatedly questioned, criticized, ridiculed and satirized by some people, and it can be said that he is a talented director who has been recognized after going through many hardships.

  If I recall correctly, this Saw should have started showing in 2004, but now it's 1999. Due to Yi Fei Yang's mistake, the play is back in James Wan's hands five years ahead of schedule.

  Yi Feiyang never quite believed in reincarnation, but this time it really "reincarnated", originally belonging to James-Wen's work, slipped away from his own hands and into the hands of the original creator.

  Facing this "plagiarism", Yi Feiyang could only helplessly play the magnanimous card, not pursuing James-Wen's "plagiarism" and showing all the demeanor that a noble person should have.

  "Dear Yi, now that we've figured out the truth of the matter, the next question is... how do we resolve this situation?" Gusta asked opportunely.

  "How to solve it?" Yi Feiyang looked at Gusta and asked back, "What do you say?"

  "Haha," Gusta laughed, "how to say it, I really like this play, yes. Very much, after reading the script, I immediately decided to invest and start filming it, who knew... halfway through, we'd run into you guys, haha, I guess that's fate."

  Examination, a dog fart's fate. This kind of fate is better off without. Yi Feiyang says in his heart.

  "Let's get down to business," Yì Fēi Yáng said with a smile, "I've already understood what you mean, no need to say so many polite words."

  "Haha, I just like your straightforward and refreshing personality," Gusta laughed. "I heard you're working with Paramount on a horror film lately. How about we have an in-depth collaboration too?"

  "Cooperation?" Yi Fei raised an eyebrow.

  "Yes, let's consider this script as our joint creation. Of course, we need to select the best story to shoot. I have people and funds on my side, while you have talent. As long as we join hands, we will definitely make this film an absolute classic horror movie!"

  It has to be said that Gus's suggestion is very tempting, cooperation, risk and benefit sharing, most importantly, Liongate Films has a good reputation for horror movies, and Yi Feiyang himself is a super horror director, strong alliance, absolutely producing a masterpiece.

  In Gusta's view, this proposal he put forward would absolutely make Yifei Yang agree immediately, but he was wrong.

  Yi Feiyang didn't react as he had imagined, with excitement or delight. Instead, he calmly said, "Sorry, Mr. Gusta, although I value this play very much... but let you guys film it, I concede!"

  "What? Forfeit?! Gusta was stunned by Yi Fei Yang's heaven-defying reaction."

  This time he really had a bit of trouble seeing through this Chinese prodigy. If we say that the previous Gusta still had some confidence to grasp Yifei Yang's every move, then from now on, Yifei Yang has become one of those elusive figures for him.

  "Dear Yi, I hope you can think it over carefully. Yes, think about it thoroughly. Our two companies cooperating together will be beneficial to both of us."

  "I understand what you mean, Mr. Gusta, and I appreciate your kindness, but this play is meant to create a brand. If it really becomes popular, do you think the brand belongs to you or me?"

  Yi Feiyang's question made Gusta somewhat difficult to answer immediately.

  It's worth noting that many major Hollywood film studios treat successful franchises as golden geese, such as Paramount's Transformers series, Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean series, and Columbia Pictures' Spider-Man series. These big companies tightly grasp the copyrights to these stories and are unlikely to let them go easily.

  Yi Feiyang is talking about this now. If "Saw" becomes popular, who will own the filming rights? Who will be the boss of the subsequent episodes?

  Faced with this question, Gusuta smiled and then fell silent.

  Yi Feiyang naturally understood his meaning and shrugged his shoulders saying: "So, let's just leave this play to you guys to film, I'll go film some other new plays."

  Yi Feiyang's courtesy made Gusta, who was always expressionless, slightly moved, "Yi, you're being too selfless."

  "Yes, Mr. Yi, this play originally belonged to you, it was I who shamelessly stole your outline." James exclaimed excitedly.

  "Don't say that," Yì Fēi Yáng smiled, "as long as you acknowledge yourself as Chinese, then it doesn't matter who shoots this film between the two of us."

  James suddenly realized something, as a Chinese, he had never been proud of it before, but now he vaguely felt that being Chinese himself was the most precious thing.

  "Of course," Yi Feiyang suddenly changed his tone, "if you really feel uneasy about it, then give me some manuscript fees. Consider this script outline as something I've sold to you!"

  Fainted!

  Just now, I secretly admired Gusta's noble character of being free from desires and seeking nothing, but he suddenly fainted.

  "Cough cough, so what do you think is a suitable fee?" Gusta asked cautiously.

  "Alright... 5.5 million it is!"

  Plop, James-Wynn nearly slid off his chair with a fart.

  To know, this is just a script outline, Yi Feiyang actually opened his mouth and asked for 550,000!

  What James didn't expect was that Gusta agreed in one breath, "5.5 million is 5.5 million!"

  Thud, James-Wen slipped again.

  "But I have one condition..." Gusta said. "Your name must appear in the credits of this play, meaning you and James Wynn co-wrote this story!"

  The old fox is indeed an old fox!

  Yi Feiyang praised. To know, although he is not a top-notch in Hollywood, his reputation for making horror movies is very loud, and this Gusta is good at using his brand effect.

  "Alright, I agree to your proposal. You can use my name since I'm the one who wrote this outline, but that's all. And as for the 550,000 yuan, I want it in my hands immediately and don't want to wait until after your play is officially released..."

  "Haha, no problem. I'll have my private lawyer transfer 550,000 to you immediately... And about last time, haha, sorry about that, it was also possible to transfer the money back then, but... you should understand..."

  "It's all in the past, no need to say more. The script collision issue has been resolved. I should also leave now. Good luck to you all, this play will definitely be great in the future." Yi Feiyang said with a flourish as he bid farewell.

  As he watched Yi Fei Yang walk away, Gusta stroked his eight-shaped beard and couldn't help but exclaim: "Sometimes I really can't figure it out, how someone like Chinese Yi, an oddball, could appear in this profit-driven film circle?"

  James said, "I thought he was easy-going, but it turns out that he is meticulous and demanding. Such a mysterious and unpredictable state, none of us can reach." After saying this, he had another idea in his mind.

  ……

  Yi Feiyang walked out of Shimenyeyie and let out a loud "Achoo!"

  "Who's talking about me again?! Ugh, being a good person is really hard! I'll just give them the outline for free, but I'm afraid they won't accept it out of embarrassment. Asking for 550,000 yuan is also a way to make up for the money I spent on buying this house..." Yi Feiyang muttered to himself as he looked up at the sun in the sky, finding it dazzling and piercing...

  Is it right for me to do so?

  Lost an opportunity to make a name for himself again, but created a new Chinese director. This gain and loss, is it right or wrong?

  ……

  That night, dark clouds gathered.

  Inside DreamWorks Studios.

  Pangzi Gaojiabao, and Tuzi Bill et al. heard that Yi Feiyang generously gave away the script, suddenly chicken flying dog jumping, one by one shouting: "What is this reason? Why give it to them? Is it because the company is big and powerful? Bullying people, go to court to sue them!"

  "Plagiarism, this is sheer plagiarism! The US is a country that values the rule of law, we must seek justice!"

  "You can't be a good person with these bastards, they're all ungrateful wretches who forget favors once their bellies are full, we must strike back!"

  ……

  "Shut up, all of you!" Yì Fēi Yáng let out a loud roar, directly stunning the whole bunch.

  "I know why you're angry, but things have come to this point. If we really end up in court, who will suffer? The answer is neither side will benefit! It'll only be a boon for those paparazzi reporters without any scoops! Moreover, the script from Lion's Gate was completed earlier than ours. What if they refuse to acknowledge plagiarism? In the end, instead of getting entangled with them in a lawsuit, why not take a step back and show our magnanimity?"

  "But, but isn't this a bit too much of a loss?" Gao Jiabao muttered, "That's your creative work that you poured your heart and soul into, and it's just being snatched away by that little brat who hasn't even grown out his hair yet. I, Fat Master, really can't accept this!"

  Yi Feiyang said, "Fatty, you don't know, actually that kid is the real author." But he could only comfort Fatty by saying: "Alright, it's just one play, let's take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Why are we so tense? To be honest, I'm the most uncomfortable, but for the sake of adding more Chinese elements to Hollywood and letting everyone know that besides me, Yi Feiyang, there are many other excellent Chinese talents, not just those white people who are geniuses..."

  Yi Feiyang's words were sonorous and powerful, coming from the heart, making Hua Zhong's heart warm, while others closed their mouths.

  "Don't worry, I'll write the new script at the fastest speed, and when the time comes, our Dream Entertainment will be able to hold its head high again!" Yi Feiyang patted the shoulder of Pangzi, encouraging him.