Chapter 333: East Asia Journey
When Yang Mo was preparing to go home, the speed and passion that had been sweeping the competition as a dark horse was finally faced with a double-team from strong opponents. Harry Potter came in with the remaining power of the previous films, and another film, "The Hangover", also gradually divided up a lot of screenings relying on word of mouth.
Under the attack of these two movies, the crazy dark horse finally stopped slowly. But at this time, the cumulative box office in North America has exceeded 800 million US dollars, and the global box office has already exceeded 1 billion. In addition to the subsequent copyright income and DVD income, Yang Mo will earn up to 70 million US dollars from the box office of this movie.
This movie has to be said to have created a phenomenal miracle. Before it was released, no one thought it could achieve this result, which broke the best box office record for a newcomer as the lead actor, and even the highest profit record for a Hollywood movie. With this series of data , Yang Mo instantly became one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, and was recognized as the most cost-effective actor, even though he only had one movie released. But the profit created by this movie is even higher than that of ten other movies. After all, the total investment of this movie, including the publicity and promotion costs, is only 60 million US dollars.
On the other hand, the success of this movie is not without reason. First of all, the timing of its release was very good. There were no blockbusters in the entire North American region. For nearly two weeks, this movie dominated the market, and one day the film even accounted for more than 60% of the screenings. Moreover, Yang Mo's popularity in North America can almost be regarded as a hot chicken. Although he had never filmed any movies before, the boxing skills he showed in the Miami Fire rescue gave the audience enough expectations. With such a favorable time, place and people, how could it not be a box office hit?
Although Yang Mo's Fast and Furious's box office performance has gradually slumped as the number of screenings has been squeezed, Emma Watson, the actress in the Harry Potter movies who is catching up, still gave Yang Mo a very high evaluation: "I have seen that movie, and there is no doubt that Super Yang's performance is at the level of an award-winning actor. Although some people may think that this is just a popcorn movie, his performance definitely adds depth and humanistic color to the movie."
Emma Watson made no secret of her admiration for Super Yang. A nosy entertainment reporter seemed to have sensed something and couldn't help asking, "So, would you try to work with Super Yang on a movie? Or even become good friends outside of the movie?"
"Of course I look forward to having the opportunity to work with Super Yang in the future. I believe we will definitely be able to create sparks in our acting. As for the question of becoming good friends, it all depends on fate!"
Emma Watson's ambiguous answer immediately aroused the outside world's expectations. For a while, gossip was everywhere and the entertainment media also moved, as if they had to entangle the two together.
While the entertainment media tried their best to match Yang Mo and Emma Watson, the sports media were discussing with sour grapes whether Yang Mo would stay in the NBA in the future.
In their opinion, Yang Mo has already made so much money that there is no need for her to stay in the NBA and do such hard labor. In their opinion, the difference between NBA stars and Hollywood superstars is the difference between a loser and a tall, handsome and rich man. Moreover, Yang Mo is not only a Hollywood box office star with super popularity, but also the owner of one of the top entertainment companies and a shareholder of Nike. With these three identities added together, it seems that her motives are not pure when she plays basketball.
After all, in many people's preconceived notions, the NBA is a stage for poor black people to change their fate. Yang Mo is already successful, so why would he want to earn this hard-earned money? With his current net worth, he can easily make two movies a year to cover his entire career salary.
This kind of remarks became widespread, and combined with the previous news that Yang Mo's career had been ruined, it seemed as if Yang Mo would never set foot in the NBA again.
The reason why they made such remarks is that they are inferior and judge others by their own standards. Yang Mo is indeed not short of money now, but basketball is the sport he loves all his life, and it is the only sport that can bring him super pleasure. Why should he give up? Why must basketball exist as a tool to make money? Can't he just love basketball and pursue victory firmly and strongly?
Some stars expressed support for these remarks, while others expressed firm opposition. Among them was Dwyane Wade, who, although he had some grudges against Yang Mo, still trusted her the best on this issue: "He will definitely return to the NBA, no matter how much money he has, his love for basketball is obvious to all. For him now, his development in the entertainment industry is too smooth, and he needs some stimulation, and basketball is the only thing he loves and can give him stimulation."
It has to be said that Wade knows Yang Mo very well.
Yang Mo paid no attention to the outside world's disturbances. He just quietly contacted New York Knicks owner James Dolan before returning to China. Yang Mo showed him his body. After learning that Yang Mo was completely fine, James Dolan offered Yang Mo a maximum salary contract. However, Yang Mo refused. He was willing to reduce his salary, but at the same time he made another request. He hoped to use a sum of money to buy shares in Madison Garden.
As we all know, Madison Square Garden is a property owned by James Dolan. Although it is closely integrated with the New York Knicks, it is perfectly separated at the same time, which fully complies with the NBA regulations that active players do not participate in team equity. For Yang Mo, this stadium not only means sports events, but also major award ceremonies, fashion evenings and even concerts. This will become a common carrier for his entertainment and sports careers.
James Dolan did not agree on the spot, but expressed hesitation. After all, this stadium means too much to him, and it is a landmark building in New York. If the equity is easily handed over, it will definitely cause a sensation.
Yang Mo was not in a hurry about this, but asked Lu Xueman to follow up on this matter. When Lu Xueman learned about Yang Mo's plan, she said Yang Mo was crazy. You know, the acquisition of Madison Garden is not a small amount of money. Her suggestion was that Yang Mo should slow down a bit, so as not to take too big a step and hurt his balls.
In response, Yang Mo did not argue with reason, but he kept his attitude in his heart.
That night, after careful research, Lu Xueman said to Yang Mo: "Your general direction is correct, but ordinary equity is too unrealistic. After all, this is the lifeblood of James Dolan's family. MSG is the lifeblood of their family. It is impossible for him to cut off half of the equity. Moreover, we don't have the financial resources to take over this half of the equity. Let's compromise. We use the more than 200 million cash accumulated from gambling and the box office dividends of Fast and Furious to buy their original shares and get what we want at the lowest price. And your contract can be maintained at about 10 million US dollars per year, which can keep a team running normally and not trigger luxury tax."
Yang Mo pursed his lips and thought for a while, then finally nodded and said, "Let's do this first. You can handle the specific operations. I believe that as long as I lead the Knicks' performance to improve, the stock price will soar, and the benefits we can obtain will be greater. However, our right to exercise this arena may not be very large."
"Take your time, don't try to do everything at once." Lu Xueman smiled and continued, "Tomorrow your first stop will be Japan, then South Korea, then Hong Kong, Taiwan and the mainland. In the mainland, you will go to the four major cities of Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen for promotion. In addition, I have arranged a few TV shows for you to promote your popularity."
"Can I go back to my hometown once?" Yang Mo suddenly asked.
"What?" Lu Xueman laughed and said deliberately: "Do you still have a little lover in your hometown?"
"I just want to go back and take a look. It can be considered as an honor to my family." Yang Mo said this casually, seeming a bit perfunctory. In fact, his mind had already flown back. He couldn't stop thinking of a woman in his head: Zhou Yiyi.
"Well, I'll let Tony arrange it. Tony will go back with you specially this time, and he will take care of everything for you."
"good!"
Yang Mo nodded, and the conversation ended.
The next day, Yang Mo boarded a plane to Japan. In Japan, he mainly had two activities: one was to promote several sponsoring companies, and the other was to promote the movie Fast and Furious.
When Yang Mo came out of the airport, she never expected that there would be a huge crowd outside. There were endless Japanese girls holding their own posters or light boards, shouting in Japanese-style English: Super yang! Super yang! Super yang!
Yang Mo couldn't help but be shocked, and kept muttering in her heart: Am I so popular in Japan? This is too crazy!
As Yang Mo was muttering, nearly 50 or 60 cameras surrounded him and followed him throughout the whole process. Yang Mo was very uncomfortable with this. Fortunately, the staff at the Japanese airport quickly opened a VIP channel for Yang Mo and his party and took him out through the VIP channel.
But as soon as he got out and boarded the special car sent by Nike, a large group of fans surrounded him, blocking the entire road. Many female fans lay on the car, banging on the glass and shouting Yang Mo's name, some even burst into tears.
Yang Mo was really a little frightened. Although he was very popular in the United States and could often turn the opponent's home court into his own, he had never seen such crazy fans. At least no one had ever laid on his car to block his way and cried bitterly.
The car was blocked for half an hour and finally moved away with the help of the police.
When Yang Mo checked into the hotel, she caused another sensation. Almost all the female staff in the hotel came up to her to ask for her autograph and hug.
When Yang Mo returned to the room and turned on the TV, she saw that several mainstream TV stations were broadcasting footage of her going through customs at the airport.
Seeing this, Yang Mo had to call the translator over to ask him about it. After understanding, she found that she had become the collective object of Japanese women's sexual fantasies without knowing it. According to the survey, 70% of Japanese women between the ages of 15 and 35 fantasize about Super Yang as their sexual partner. Among them, there are also many female stars and... AV actresses.
Among them, Ji Chi Ming Bu even publicly expressed that she was willing to have a one-night stand with Super Yang, and she also said that during the filming process, she often fantasized about Super Yang taking pictures of her.
Her behavior is particularly common, which is why The Fast and the Furious immediately topped the box office charts upon its release in Japan.
For Japanese women, Yang Mo's masculinity and strong body are the first weapon to conquer them. Although many people do not watch basketball, when there is a Super Yang game, they will still firmly stay in front of the TV and cheer and scream with Super Yang in it.
Before coming to Japan, Yang Mo was worried about being treated coldly because of historical issues. Now it seems that was completely unnecessary.
But...the accident still happened at an indoor press conference of Nike.
When Yang Mo was interacting enthusiastically with the female fans in the audience, suddenly a burly Japanese man rushed up with a microphone and shouted: "Yang, let's fight to the death! Let these stupid women see who is better, your Chinese Kung Fu or our great Japanese Jiu-Jitsu."
Yang Mo glanced at him and found that the host had no intention of stopping him. Yang Mo then realized that this was most likely a carefully planned conspiracy. To Japanese women, Yang Mo was a sexual fantasy partner, but to Japanese men, he was the most hated guy, because he was the one who ruthlessly snatched away the favor of all women.
"Are you sure you want to fight with me?" Yang Mo shook his head and said slowly.
As soon as he said this, the female fans who were originally screaming below immediately cheered: Super Yang! Super Yang!
After cheering for Yang Mo several times, they suddenly started shouting in unison: Kill! Kill! Kill!
Yang Mo was quite surprised to hear them shouting like that. She didn’t expect that they could even do this. They really are die-hard fans!
"Come on, sick man of East Asia!" The burly Japanese man pounded his chest, threw the microphone away, and assumed a Japanese judo stance.
Seeing that he was going too far, Yang Mo simply ignored his public figure status and put the microphone in her pocket. Then she also got ready.
Although Yang Mo has not received special training in fighting, he is very confident in his strength, speed and explosive power.
Wow!
The Japanese man let out a strange cry, suddenly jumped up, and tried to hug Yang Mo's waist.
Yang Mo didn't move at all, letting him hold her. But as soon as he held her, before he could exert any strength, Yang Mo directly raised her elbow and then fiercely pushed down... bang!
With just one blow, the man who was hugging Yang Mo's waist was knocked to the ground. Although he was still conscious, his cervical vertebrae could not lift his head.
I could only crawl on the ground with my head tilted like a child who had made a mistake.
