noveldepot Chapter 137 A Powerful Arrival
Chapter 137 A Powerful Arrival
Chapter 137 A Powerful Arrival
May 13, 2010, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.
Jiang Yu stood in the study on the second floor of the villa, the long table in front of him covered with various documents.
Equity transfer agreements, investment contracts, supplementary clauses, confidentiality agreements... each document is dozens of pages thick, in both Chinese and English, with densely packed clauses crawling across the paper like an army of ants.
"Article 9, Paragraph 3: Disney has the right to increase its stake to 49% within five years..." he read aloud, picking up a red pen to mark it next to it, "This clause needs to be amended; any increase in stake requires our consent."
The computer on the corner of the desk beeped; it was Liu Yifei's QQ video call request.
Jiang Yu adjusted his expression and answered the video call.
"Hello~" A face covered by a white face mask appeared on the screen, revealing only the eyes and mouth, looking like a character from a horror movie. "Still busy?"
Jiang Yu couldn't help but laugh: "Almost done. What kind of look is this?"
"A moisturizing face mask," Liu Yifei's voice came through the mask, muffled, "My face got all wrinkled from filming today, I need to do some emergency repairs."
She peeled off the face mask, revealing her clean face. Her wet hair was wrapped in a towel, making her look like a little animal that had just come out of the bath.
As Jiang Yu watched, his anxiety inexplicably eased somewhat.
"Are you nervous about signing the contract tomorrow?" Liu Yifei asked, tilting her head.
"It's alright," Jiang Yu said honestly. "I'm not nervous about the signing itself, but about the aftermath. The moment this deal was announced, the landscape of Hollywood changed."
"Let it change," Liu Yifei said dismissively. "You're not going there to cause trouble, you're going there to cooperate. I think the president of Disney has good judgment; he knows you're a gem."
These words warmed Jiang Yu's heart: "You're even more confident than I am."
"Of course," Liu Yifei wrinkled her nose smugly, "I have a good eye for people. The first time I saw you, I knew you were no ordinary person..."
"Didn't we first meet on the set of 'The Forbidden Kingdom'? I was wearing a suit and had no expression on my face. You even said last time that I was pretending to be aloof."
"Oh dear, the details aren't important!" Liu Yifei blushed. "Anyway, I believe you'll definitely be able to command attention tomorrow. But..."
"But what?"
"But remember to eat," Liu Yifei earnestly reminded her. "Last time you were in a conference in the US, you only drank two cups of coffee all day, and your stomach hurt for three days. Wang Wei told me about it."
Jiang Yu was taken aback: "Why does she tell you everything?"
"I bribed her," Liu Yifei said with a sly smile, "I promised to get her Tony Leung's autographed photo."
The two chatted for twenty minutes, mostly Liu Yifei talking about interesting things that happened on set.
Today, Tony Leung Ka-fai shared another piece of gossip from the Hong Kong film industry in the last century: Luc Besson praised her for her improved French.
Jiang Yu listened quietly, occasionally interjecting a few words.
"Oh, right," Liu Yifei suddenly remembered something, "my mom called today and asked if you were really going to sign a contract with Disney. I said yes, and she was silent for a long time before finally telling Xiaoyu to take care of his health."
Jiang Yu's heart skipped a beat; Liu Xiaoli's words meant she was treating him as her son-in-law.
After chatting for a while, Liu Yifei heard her assistant knocking on the door, reminding her that it was time to sleep.
She made a face at the camera: "You should go to sleep early too, you're the big boss tomorrow. Goodnight~"
"Good night."
After the video call ended, the study fell silent again.
Jiang Yu looked at Liu Yifei's photo on his phone screen. He had secretly taken a picture of her eating egg waffles at the night market. She was smiling with her eyes crinkled and there were still sugar crumbs on the corners of her mouth.
He saved the picture and set it as his phone wallpaper.
I had just put my phone down when it rang again; this time it was David.
"Boss! I knew you were up!" David's voice was as excited as if he'd just drunk three cups of espresso. "The thought of facing so many cameras tomorrow makes me so excited I want to run three laps around the clock!"
"Calm down," Jiang Yu rubbed his temples. "Tomorrow you're representing the company, so don't overdo it."
"I know, I know, I'll act like a real CEO; calm, wise, and visionary." David paused. "Seriously, boss, are you nervous? Be honest."
Jiang Yu thought for a moment: "I'm not nervous, but it feels surreal. Three years ago, when we rented that small office in Santa Monica, there was a parking lot outside the window, and the air conditioner was always breaking down. Now we're signing a contract with Disney at the Hilton Hotel."
"Yeah," David said, unusually serious, "Back then, when we were negotiating our investment share in Twilight with Summit Entertainment, they wouldn't even give me a second glance, thinking we were some kind of shell company. And now?"
The two reminisced for a while about the difficult times in the early days of their business, the days of rejection, and the moments of ridicule.
"Boss," David suddenly said, "thank you for choosing me. My parents are just average middle-class people, and I didn't graduate from any prestigious university. If it weren't for you giving me this opportunity..."
"You seized the opportunity yourself," Jiang Yu interrupted him. "You were the one who negotiated the Twilight project and bought the rights to The Hunger Games. You deserve a lot of credit for Light Chaser's success today."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a sniffling sound: "Boss, don't get sentimental, my makeup is about to crumble."
Jiang Yu laughed: "Go to work quickly, you have to get up early tomorrow."
"Yes, sir!"
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yu finally turned his attention back to the contract.
He turned on the lamp and began to examine the text word by word.
This isn't a lack of trust in the legal team; it's a habit he developed over many years in his past life. When it comes to important decisions, he must personally verify every detail.
On Friday, May 14th, the weather in Los Angeles was unbelievably good.
At seven o'clock in the morning, Jiang Yu had just finished washing up when the doorbell rang.
Wang Wei entered with a team of people, including stylists, makeup artists, and costume designers, making it seem like she was attending the Oscars.
The leader was an elderly Italian man named Antonio, who reportedly styled Leonardo DiCaprio's red carpet for ten years.
He circled Jiang Yu three times, stroked his chin, and said, "Jiang, your look today should convey three messages: authority, innovation, and internationalism."
He snapped his fingers, and his assistants immediately unfolded three suits.
.
"The first outfit, Armani custom, dark gray, traditional and authoritative, but a bit dated," Antonio commented. "The second outfit, Tom Ford, navy blue, modern elite, but lacks individuality. The third outfit..."
He lifted the dust cover, revealing a seemingly ordinary but exceptionally high-quality dark blue suit.
"Brunello Cuccinelli, top-tier Italian bespoke tailoring. The color is midnight blue," a subtle shift between black and blue that changes under light. The tailoring showcases the Milanese style's expertise: flowing shoulders, a perfectly fitted waist, and leg lengths accurate to the millimeter.
Jiang Yu tried on the clothes and stood in front of the mirror.
Indeed, this suit feels like a second skin, both comfortable and flattering.
"This is the set." Antonio nodded in satisfaction. "The shirt is white Egyptian cotton, and the tie is dark gray silk with a subtle pattern. The watch... what watch are you wearing?"
Jiang Yu took a watch out of the drawer.
Antonio's eyes lit up: "Fantastic! It incorporates Chinese elements without sacrificing taste. It perfectly matches the message you want to convey today: rooted in China, with a global perspective."
David and Wu Na arrived at 8:30.
David looked every bit the CEO today, in a dark gray three-piece suit, a light blue tie, and his hair was styled with hairspray.
He even wore a pair of non-prescription glasses, which made him look much more refined.
"Boss, look," David lifted his foot, revealing the Mickey Mouse pattern on his sock, "I couldn't resist showing it off a bit."
Jiang Yu sighed, "I hope the camera doesn't capture your ankle."
Wu Na wore a champagne-colored Chanel suit today, paired with earrings and a necklace, and her makeup was exquisite but not over the top.
What's unusual is that she actually wore high heels; normally at the company, she always wears casual clothes and sneakers.
"Mr. Wu is quite different today," Jiang Yu said with a smile.
Wu Na was a little embarrassed: "My assistant forced me to wear this, saying I'd be on camera today."
"It suits you very well," Jiang Yu said sincerely.
At 9:00 AM sharp, the convoy set off.
A convoy of three black Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans drove out of Beverly Hills and headed towards the Hilton Hotel in downtown Beverly Hills, escorted by two security vehicles.
On the way, David was still making the most of his time to practice his speech.
He read aloud through the car window: "...We are delighted to have entered into a strategic partnership with Disney. This is not only a combination of capital, but also a fusion of creativity and technology..."
"Relax," Jiang Yu said. "Be natural. You're in a great state when you're in meetings."
"But I'm so nervous, boss!" David wiped his sweat. "You know I'm terrified of public speaking. I barely passed my public speaking classes in college..."
"Then don't treat it like a speech," Wu Na interjected, "treat it as introducing our work to friends. Sincerity is more important than technique."
These words calmed David down a bit, and he nodded.
The entrance to the Hilton Hotel was already surrounded by reporters and onlookers.
As soon as the convoy stopped, a barrage of flashes came from the headlights, creating a continuous, crackling sound.
"This is more exaggerated than I imagined..." David's eyes widened.
Security guards quickly formed a human wall, and Jiang Yu and his group hurried into the hotel.
Even so, reporters' questions still came like bullets: "Mr. Jiang, will you lose control after this transaction?"
What promises did Disney make?
Jiang Yu smiled and nodded, but did not answer any questions; this was agreed upon beforehand, and all questions were to be left for the press conference.
The signing ceremony was held in the hotel's largest banquet hall, with an elaborate setup: the backdrop featured the logos of Light Chaser and Disney side by side, below which were the Chinese and English words "Light & Shadow Digital & Disney Strategic Cooperation Signing Ceremony".
There were more than 400 chairs in the audience, and they were all full.
There were also reporters standing in the back row, armed with cameras and microphones.
Jiang Yu roughly estimated that at least three hundred media outlets had come.
Zhou Mu was already waiting backstage; the tech genius was wearing an obviously ill-fitting suit today.
"Old Jiang!" Upon seeing Jiang Yu, Zhou Mu exclaimed as if he'd seen a savior. "You've finally arrived! I just went to the restroom and was cornered by three reporters who bombarded me with technical questions for twenty minutes!"
"What did you ask?" Jiang Yu straightened his tie.
"They asked about the algorithm principles of real-time rendering! They asked about the technological breakthroughs in virtual production! They asked how we managed to poach people from Industrial Light & Magic!" Zhou Mu looked pained. "Some things I could talk about, some were trade secrets, so I couldn't say anything, and I couldn't not answer... In the end, I pretended to have a stomachache to escape."
Wu Na rolled her eyes at him: "Can't you be a little tougher? Just say 'no comment'?"
"I told them! But they wouldn't listen! They kept asking..." Zhou Mu was on the verge of tears.
Jiang Yu smiled and patted him on the shoulder: "You've worked hard. I'll give you a week off after the contract is signed."
At 10:00 AM sharp, the ceremony officially began.
The host walked onto the stage; she was Lily James, a well-known Disney Channel presenter, sweet and approachable.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this historic moment." Lily's voice resonated throughout the venue through the speakers. "Today, two companies that lead innovation in their respective fields will join hands to open a new chapter in the entertainment industry."
Amid applause, senior officials from both sides took to the stage.
On Light Chaser Animation's side: Jiang Yu is in the center, David is on the left, Wu Na is on the right, and Zhou Mu is on the far side; on Disney's side: Robert Iger is in the center, CFO Tom is on the left, Chief Strategy Officer Mark is on the right, and Kevin Feige, who was just confirmed to take the helm of Marvel Studios, is on the far side.
Kevin Feige's presence is an important signal, signifying that Disney has completed its integration of Marvel and has handed over Marvel's future special effects to Light & Shadow Digital.
A long table was set up on the stage, covered with a dark blue velvet tablecloth.
Two thick contracts lay on the table, each three inches thick.
Iger gave the opening remarks. He stood in front of the podium, exuding a powerful aura. The lights shone on him, making him look like the protagonist of a stage play.
"Sixty years ago, when Mr. Walt Disney founded this company, he had a simple belief: to bring joy to people through stories."
Iger's voice was steady and powerful: "Today, Disney still believes in the power of storytelling. But we know that good stories need good storytelling. In the digital age, technology is the new language of storytelling."
He looked at Jiang Yu: "Light and Shadow Digital has mastered this language. Their technological breakthroughs in 3D, virtual production, and real-time rendering have shown us what the future of film looks like. This is not a simple investment, but a meeting of two dreamers; when Disney's stories meet Light Chaser's technology, magic happens."
The stage lights flashed wildly.
It was Jiang Yu's turn.
He walked to the front of the stage and adjusted the microphone height.
"Four years ago, I came to Hollywood. Many people asked me: What is a Chinese person doing here?" Jiang Yu began, speaking fluent and standard English. "My answer was: to learn, to collaborate, and to create."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room: "What makes Hollywood great is not because it's in Los Angeles, but because it brings together the world's best creative talent. Today, I'm honored that Light Chaser is a part of this creative community."
applause.
"Our collaboration with Disney is not an acquisition, but a powerful alliance," Jiang Yu continued. "Disney has a century of storytelling experience, a global distribution network, and deeply ingrained intellectual property. Light Chaser has leading technology, an innovative spirit, and an imagination for the future. Our combination will bring an unprecedented experience to audiences worldwide."
His speech was brief and powerful, without any unnecessary words.
The last sentence is particularly moving: "The essence of film is creating dreams. Today, we are not signing a contract, but a promise to create a more beautiful dream for the world."
The applause was thunderous and lasted for half a minute.
Next comes the signing ceremony.
The representatives from both sides sat down at the long table and opened the contract.
The camera zoomed in, revealing a dense array of terms and conditions, with key points highlighted in color.
Jiang Yu picked up the first pen and signed his name in Chinese on the first page of the equity transfer agreement: "Jiang Yu".
One page, two pages, three pages... With each page signed, a burst of camera shutters clicked from below the stage.
Every stroke of the pen represents the flow of hundreds of millions of dollars and the reshaping of Hollywood's power landscape.
Wu Na's hand trembled slightly when she signed; after all, she was a person with a technical background and rarely experienced such a big scene.
Jiang Yu gently patted her shoulder, and she steadily signed her name.
Zhou Mu was the most nervous, and his handwriting was crooked and messy.
After signing, he breathed a long sigh of relief, as if he had completed a difficult task.
The entire signing process lasted twenty-five minutes.
When the last page was signed, both parties stood up and shook hands.
Aiger and Jiang Yu held hands and raised them up for the media to take pictures.
At that moment, countless flashes went off simultaneously, illuminating the entire banquet hall as if it were daytime.
After the signing ceremony, the Q&A session with reporters began.
The scene erupted instantly, with almost all the reporters raising their hands.
Lily, the host, said, "Let's have the reporter from The Hollywood Reporter ask their question first."
A middle-aged man wearing glasses stood up: "Mr. Iger, why did Disney choose to invest in Light & Shadow Digital? As far as I know, Industrial Light & Magic and Weta Digital have both actively sought investment from Disney."
Iger smiled and replied, "When we choose partners, we look at value, not just price. Light & Shadow Digital's technology in areas such as real-time rendering and virtual production represents the future of filmmaking. Disney's goal is not to follow trends, but to lead change."
He paused for a moment: "As for Industrial Light & Magic, they are a valuable asset to Lucasfilm, and we will continue to cooperate with them."
But the new possibilities brought about by digital light and shadow are unique.
.
The next question posed to The Wall Street Journal was: "Mr. Jiang, after this transaction, your stake in Guangying Digital has decreased from 90% to 50%, weakening your control. Aren't you worried about losing control of the company? After all, 45% is already very close to controlling interest."
This was a very pointed question, and the entire room fell silent.
Jiang Yu calmly responded: "First, I need to clarify one point: I actually hold 40% of the shares, and the other 10% are team incentive shares, which I hold on behalf of others and will be gradually distributed to core employees in the future. So Disney's 45% stake is indeed held by a major shareholder, but not a controlling shareholder."
He continued, "Secondly, this collaboration has a clear governance structure. Major decisions require the approval of two-thirds of the shareholders, meaning that neither I nor Disney can unilaterally decide the company's direction. This is a check and balance, and also a safeguard."
Furthermore, I have a veto power.
"But Disney has far more resources than you, if they put pressure on you..."
"Business cooperation is based on contracts, not on power dynamics," Jiang Yu interrupted. "The contract clearly states the rights and responsibilities of each party. Disney respects our independent operations, and we respect Disney's strategic needs. This is a mature partnership."
The reporter wanted to ask more questions, but Lily had already moved on to the next one, a reporter from CNN.
"Does this collaboration mean that Disney has abandoned its plan to acquire Industrial Light & Magic? Also, there are rumors that Disney is about to complete its acquisition of Marvel; can you confirm this?"
This question made the atmosphere even more tense, and everyone stared at Iger.
Iger began slowly, "Regarding Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), I need to reiterate: they are an important part of Lucasfilm, and after Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm, their independent operation will be respected. ILM will continue to contribute to Star Wars."
A series of services.
He glanced at Kevin Feige beside him and said, "As for Marvel... I'm pleased to announce that Disney's acquisition of Marvel Entertainment was completed last night. Kevin Feige will continue to lead Marvel Studios, and the special effects for future Marvel films will be primarily handled by Light and Shadow Digital."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room erupted in uproar.
Although there had been rumors for some time, the official confirmation was still shocking.
The flashbulbs instantly pointed at Kevin Feige, the new head of Marvel, who stood up and made a brief statement: "The Marvel Cinematic Universe is entering a new phase, and we need the most advanced technological support. We were very impressed with the performance of LightScreen Digital in Iron Man 1 and 2, and we look forward to deeper cooperation in the future."
Then came a barrage of questions: "Why is the investment percentage for 'Pacific Rim' 40%? Disney usually demands controlling stake!"
Does Light Chaser Pictures have any plans to go public?
Will Light & Shadow Digital be the next Star Wars trilogy?
"Mr. Jiang, what is your current net worth?"
Jiang Yu and Aige took turns answering, working together seamlessly.
When faced with pointed questions, the two would support each other.
A reporter from The New York Times asked a tricky question: "Mr. Jiang, as a Chinese person, how did you achieve such success in Hollywood? Is it because of China's support? Is this part of the Chinese government's cultural export strategy?"
This was a sensitive and slightly provocative question, and the room fell silent instantly.
Jiang Yu didn't answer immediately. He took a sip of water before speaking: "Sir reporter, if I were an American and achieved business success in China, would you ask if it was because of American backing?"
The reporter was speechless.
"Business is business," Jiang Yu continued, his tone calm yet firm. "The success of Chasing Light relies on an excellent team, leading technology, and the right strategy. We have operations in China, the United States, and Europe. In this era of globalization, corporate nationalities are becoming increasingly blurred. What matters is the value we create, not where we come from."
He paused, then added, "If I had to say there's any support behind me," he said, "the support comes from my team, my partners, and everyone who believes in innovation and dreams."
This answer won enthusiastic applause, and even the reporter who asked the question couldn't help but nod in agreement.
During the one-hour Q&A session, Jiang Yu and Aige drank three bottles of water and answered more than forty questions.
The two remained composed and humorous throughout, occasionally cracking a joke to ease the tension.
The final question was posed to a Chinese media outlet: "Mr. Jiang, as the most successful Chinese entrepreneur in Hollywood, what would you like to say to your Chinese counterparts?"
Jiang Yu thought for a moment and replied seriously, "What I want to say is that Hollywood is not the end, nor is it the only path. The Chinese film market is growing rapidly, and Chinese audiences need good stories. If we want to go global, we need to learn the language of globalization; not only English, but also storytelling methods, production techniques, and the application of technology."
He looked at the camera, as if saying to all Chinese filmmakers: "Don't underestimate yourselves, but don't be complacent. Go out and bring in, grow through exchange. The future of Chinese cinema is in our own hands."
The press conference ended at 12:30 pm.
The reporters refused to leave and surrounded them, wanting to conduct private interviews.
The security guards finally managed to clear a path, allowing Jiang Yu and his group to escape.
Back in the backstage dressing room, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"My God," David slumped onto the sofa, yanking off his tie, "my back is completely soaked. Those questions were so sharp!"
""
"This is just the beginning," Iger walked in and handed Jiang Yu a glass of champagne. "Tomorrow you'll be making global entertainment headlines. Get ready."
Jiang Yu took the wine glass: "It's all ready."
"Also," Iger lowered his voice, "high-ranking executives from Warner, Universal, and Fox just texted me, and their tone... was quite interesting. Barry from Warner asked me if I was trying to monopolize the special effects market; Donna from Universal said we'll have to reassess our partnership with Light & Shadow Digital."
Jiang Yu smiled; this was exactly the effect he wanted. To make the Hollywood giants realize that a new player had arrived, and with great force.
"They're nervous," Iger laughed. "That's exactly what we wanted, isn't it? To let the market know that the alliance between Disney and Light Chaser is the trump card for the next decade."
The two clinked glasses.
At that moment, Kevin Feige walked over and said, "Mr. Jiang, I'd like to have a private talk with you about the details of Marvel."
Jiang Yu nodded: "Okay."
The two walked to the lounge next door.
Kevin got straight to the point: "I'm very satisfied with the special effects in *Iron Man 2*. But the upcoming *Thor*, *Captain America*, and *The Avengers* will be on a larger scale and have higher requirements. Can the digital effects handle that?"
"Yes," Jiang Yu said confidently. "We may need to expand our team. Especially with 'The Avengers,' those battle scenes with multiple heroes on screen together pose a huge challenge to rendering capabilities and physics simulation."
"How many people are needed? How much time will it take?"
"We need to hire at least 300 more people and give me a year," Jiang Yu said. "Moreover, we need to get involved in the scriptwriting stage early on and plan the special effects in the early stages. This is our working model; it's not about post-production fixes, but about being involved throughout the entire process."
Kevin thought for a moment: "Okay. I'll arrange for my team to connect with you next week. I must remind you, Marvel has very strict budget controls and a tight schedule. If there are delays or cost overruns..."
"We have a well-established project management system," Jiang Yu assured. "We delivered projects on time, even those of the scale of Avatar. We can handle Marvel projects."
"Okay." Kevin extended his hand. "Looking forward to working together."
"Looking forward to cooperation."
Lunch was a simple buffet, and nobody was in the mood to eat.
People kept coming over to congratulate us, try to get close to us, and explore the possibility of cooperation.
Jiang Yu dealt with wave after wave of challenges until his face was stiff from smiling.
At 2 PM, we were finally able to leave. Back in the car, everyone was too exhausted to speak.
"Back to the villa?" the driver asked.
"No," Jiang Yu said, "I'm going to the company. I still have work to do."
One hour after the press conference ended, the news had spread all over the world.
CNN's special report was titled: "Disney partners with Light Chaser: The beginning of a new order in Hollywood."
The host analyzed on the program: "This is not an ordinary investment, it's a strategic alliance. Disney gained top-notch special effects technology, and Light Chaser acquired global distribution channels. More importantly, the two parties have bound together Marvel's future special effects production; this means that the lifeline of special effects for the most profitable film series of the next decade will be in the hands of this alliance."
The Wall Street Journal's front page: "Jiang Yu, Chinese film tycoon: The road to Hollywood conquest behind his $30 billion net worth."
The article details Jiang Yu's three years in Hollywood: from founding Light & Shadow Digital, to investing in "Taken", to participating in "Iron Man" and "Avatar", and finally forming an alliance with Disney.
The article concludes: "Jiang Yu's success proves two things: First, Chinese filmmakers are deeply involved in the global entertainment industry; second, technology is becoming a core competitive advantage in the film industry."
The Hollywood Reporter's cover featured a photo of the signing ceremony, with a single word in the title: "GAMECHANGER".
The article states, "The moment Iger and Jiang Yu shook hands, the power landscape of Hollywood had changed. Disney was no longer the sole super-giant; it had a powerful Chinese partner. And the other five major studios had to rethink their positions."
The BBC produced a half-hour special program, inviting industry analysts, film scholars, and technology experts to provide multi-faceted analysis.
The conclusion is: "This is not just a business collaboration, but a new paradigm for the globalization of the cultural industry. Content + technology may become the mainstream model for the future entertainment industry."
On social media, the hashtag #DisneyLightChaser topped Twitter's global trending list.
Netizens' comments were varied: "So, in the future, when we watch Marvel movies, the special effects will be done by Chinese people? Cool!"
"Disney is trying to monopolize the whole world!"
"That Chinese boss is so handsome! He must be only 27! What a winner in life!"
"CrystaI's boyfriend? That actor? Wow, she's a true winner in life!"
Domestic media outlets were in an uproar.
Sina's headline used bold, large text: "Jiang Yu secures another victory in Hollywood! Signs a $22 billion deal with Disney!"
Tencent Entertainment's headline was even more direct: "Liu Yifei's boyfriend's net worth revealed! North American assets exceed 200 billion RMB!"
NetEase News created a special feature: "From BJ to Hollywood: Jiang Yu's Road to Conquest," which detailed Jiang Yu's investment timeline, accompanied by photos from his small office in Santa Monica to the glass building and the signing ceremony at the Hilton Hotel.
On Tianya, the question "How to evaluate Jiang Yu's success in Hollywood? What implications does it have for the Chinese film industry?" already has over a thousand answers.
The top-rated answer stated: "Jiang Yu's success is not accidental; it is the result of strategic vision, technological barriers, and global operations."
1. He caught the right opportunity for Chinese capital to go global;
2. He bet on the right technology track: the digital upgrade of movie special effects;
3. He found what Hollywood needed most: money + technology;
4. He established a localized team, not by remotely directing operations, but by truly putting the team at the grassroots level.
The lesson for the Chinese film industry: Don't just focus on the fierce competition in the domestic market; go global. But going global isn't about throwing money around; it's about having core competitiveness. Jiang Yu's core competitiveness is technology, but what about the rest of us? Is it stories? Is it talent?
Is it about issuing a rights? Think it through before you start.
Another answer offered a different perspective: "Many people only see Jiang Yu's success, but not the risks he took. Marvel was almost bankrupt when they made the first Iron Man; Avatar's budget was severely over budget, and Fox even wanted to withdraw its investment. How many bosses in China would dare to take such risks? We are used to making quick and safe money, but true success often requires great risks."
On Baidu Tieba, related topics have garnered over ten million views. One netizen commented, "This makes Chinese bosses proud!"
"Liu Yifei has great taste; she found such a good boyfriend..."
"So when is Pacific Rim coming out? I want to see a Chinese company making mechs fighting monsters!"
"Am I the only one who noticed that Jiang Yu is only twenty-seven? What was I doing at twenty-seven? Oh, playing KartRider..."
""
The most shaken were, of course, the other five major Hollywood studios.
At Warner Bros. headquarters, an emergency meeting of senior executives lasted from afternoon until evening.
CEO Barry Mayer's face was ashen: "In March, we invested 10% in Light Chaser Animation for $400 million, which we thought was a great deal. And now? Disney has directly invested in the visual effects company and partnered with Marvel! Our $400 million has become $600 million, while their $990 million deal has completely changed the industry landscape!"
The meeting room was completely silent.
"Who said Chinese companies were too risky?" Mayer scanned the crowd. "Who said visual effects companies required too much investment and had too long a return cycle? And now? Disney has bought at least ten years' worth of technological security for itself!"
C00 whispered, "There was definitely a risk at the time..."
"Business is all about taking risks!" Mayer slammed her fist on the table. "If you don't take risks, you can only watch others reap the rewards! What do we do now? Disney + Light Chaser + Marvel, this alliance will dominate the special effects blockbuster market for the next decade! What about us? What about our DC Universe? What about Harry Potter? Are we supposed to go to Industrial Light & Magic? Industrial Light & Magic is busy with Star Wars right now, how many resources can they spare for us?"
The same thing happened in Fox.
"The Avatar series is still in production. Cameron, that perfectionist, will need another year for post-production." - Fox CEO
Worried, they asked, "If Light and Shadow Digital shifts its focus to Marvel, will our project be affected?"
"The contract states that Avatar's sequels have priority," the CFO said, flipping through the documents. "But what about people's hearts? The best engineers definitely want to work on Marvel or Star Wars projects—those are projects they can put on their resumes. Our project may be profitable, but it's not cool enough..."
The president of Universal Pictures called Iger directly: "Robert, this move of yours is too ruthless. Marvel + Lightroom Digital, plus your own animation and live-action films, you're going to account for more than half of the visual effects production capacity for the next ten years, right?"
Iger laughed on the phone: "The market is big enough to accommodate everyone. Besides, Light & Shadow Digital will continue to serve other companies; the contracts stipulate that they must maintain business diversity."
"But what about priority? Disney projects are definitely VIP treatment, right?"
"A reasonable business logic." Iger neither confirmed nor denied.
Sony and Paramount also held an emergency meeting.
These established giants suddenly realized that they may have missed a crucial turning point in an era of transformation; a new era of technology-driven content and globalized resource allocation.
Hong Kong, the cast and crew of "Lucy".
During the lunch break, Liu Yifei was rehearsing a scene with Tony Leung Ka-fai when she suddenly heard a commotion.
"Sister Yifei! Come quick!" Assistant Xiao Yang ran over, holding up her phone, her voice trembling with excitement.
The entire crew gathered around.
The screen was playing CNN's live broadcast, showing Jiang Yu and Iger shaking hands at the signing ceremony.
The subtitles were in English, but everyone understood the number: $990 million.
"9.9 million... US dollars?" A prop master's eyes widened. "How much is that in Hong Kong dollars? I can't calculate it!"
"About 77 billion Hong Kong dollars." Tony Leung did the math in his head, then clicked his tongue in amazement. "Wow, that's incredible, young man."
Liu Yifei's heart skipped a beat as she watched Jiang Yu's calm and confident demeanor on the screen.
.
She knew the signing was happening today, but she didn't expect such a grand event or such shocking figures.
"Yifei," Tony Leung patted her shoulder, "your boyfriend is going to become a real Hollywood mogul. When you go to America to film in the future, you'll have to ask him to take care of you."
The surrounding staff chimed in, "Yes, Sister Yifei, don't forget us if you have any good projects in the future!"
"Mr. Jiang is amazing, accomplishing so much at such a young age..."
"Sister Yifei has such good taste..."
Liu Yifei felt embarrassed by what was said, but a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her; she felt proud, happy, and also a little bit of inexplicable fear.
Jiang Yu flew too high and too fast; she was afraid she couldn't keep up.
At that moment, Luc Besson walked over, holding his phone: "Liu, your boyfriend did something amazing. Hollywood hasn't had a disruptor like this in years."
"A troublemaker?" Liu Yifei asked, puzzled.
"It's someone who disrupts the existing order," Luc explained. "The six major Hollywood studios have been checking and balancing each other for many years, and now suddenly an external force has arrived, and it's siding with Disney right away. This will change a lot of things, including project competition..."
Talent mobility, technical standards... Hollywood is going to be very active in the next few years.
He paused, looking at Liu Yifei: "This is also an opportunity for you. Having a boyfriend like this will make your future development in the international market much smoother. The pressure will also be immense; many people will be watching you and saying you're relying on your boyfriend."
"I'm not afraid." Liu Yifei raised her head. "I will let my work speak for itself."
"Very good." Luc smiled. "That's the attitude an actor should have."
That afternoon, Liu Yifei received countless congratulatory text messages.
Friends, classmates, directors and producers I'd worked with before, and even some people I hadn't contacted in a long time suddenly appeared.
Mother Liu Xiaoli also called, her tone complicated: "Qianqian, Xiaoyu is on the news, global news. Your Aunt Wang..."
Aunt Li and Aunt Zhang both called to ask how I am. Now, even when I go out to buy groceries, my neighbors surround me and ask me questions.
Liu Yifei was both amused and exasperated: "Mom, just say yes, that's enough."
"I already told them, but they asked even more detailed questions: What do they do at home? Are they good to you?" Liu Xiaoli sighed. "Qianqian, it's not that Mom is against it, but a boyfriend like that puts too much pressure on you. The gap between you two will only widen, do you understand what Mom means?"
"I understand," Liu Yifei said softly, "but Mom, Jiang Yu isn't that kind of person. He told me this morning that he did these things so that we would have more choices."
BJ, the headquarters building of Huayi Brothers.
Chairman Wang Zhongjun's office was filled with smoke.
He sat in the boss's chair, the computer screen in front of him frozen on a photo of the signing ceremony, Jiang Yu and Aiger shaking hands, their smiles confident.
The ashtray was already overflowing with cigarette butts.
As the secretary came in to change the ashtray for the third time, she said cautiously, "Mr. Wang, Mr. Yu from Bona called again..."
"Bring him in." Wang Zhongjun stubbed out his cigarette.
The call connected, and Yu Dong's voice came through: "Old Wang, did you see that? Disney and Light Chaser have signed a contract."
"I saw it," Wang Zhongjun said calmly.
"What do you think?" Yu Dong asked. "How much was our total revenue last year? 3.2 million RMB. They made a deal worth 9.9 million USD, which at the current exchange rate... almost 70 billion RMB. We've worked hard for twenty years, and it's not as good as their signature."
"So?" Wang Zhongjun retorted, "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm wondering if we're being too conservative?" Yu Dong said bluntly. "When Jiang Yu went to Hollywood three years ago, we also considered going overseas, but we thought the risks were too high and gave up. Now, looking back, the risks were great, but the rewards were also great!"
Wang Zhongjun remained silent.
Wang Changtian of Enlight Media is also pondering this question.
In Wang Changtian's office, several senior executives were having a heated discussion.