In order to make it easier for Li Mu to read, the script Spielberg brought was a Chinese version, so the Chinese translated name of the protagonist Po was called A Bao.
Li Mu doesn't like this name very much. Although it is very simple, for Chinese names, this name is too vulgar and has no characteristics. It is no different from a cat or a dog.
"Pangda" is an Internet vocabulary that came later. It was transliterated from the English name of panda, Panda, and cleverly added the Chinese meaning. Especially the word "fat" is simply the best portrayal of panda.
As for whether foreign audiences can understand the meaning of Pang Da, Li Mu doesn't care. It's best if they can understand it. If they don't understand, it won't have any impact on them. After all, A Bao and Pang Da are very different to them.
Spielberg also knows that overseas audiences don’t care what the Chinese name of a panda is pronounced, just like Chinese audiences don’t care whether an American is called Tom or Jack.
So he agreed very readily and said: "Mr. Li, these can be done according to your requirements."
Li Mu nodded and said: "One more thing, I hope that the place name in the play will be changed to 'Wolong Town'. You should try not to transliterate this point, but do a free translation. Let Westerners know that the name of this place is A lying dragon."
Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Center is currently the largest national giant panda breeding center in China, not far from Sichuan. Li Mu hopes to embed this real place name into the movie.
After the audience has finished watching the movie, tell them that there really is a place called Wolong Town in Bashu, China. It not only has a giant panda reserve, but also the largest giant panda breeding base in China.
I believe that by then, Wolong Town will have civilized the world with this movie.
As a result, Wolong Town and even the entire Bashu tourism route will be greatly improved and developed.
Spielberg naturally had no objection. It was a Chinese place name anyway, so it didn’t matter what it was called, and Wolong was indeed a good name.
Immediately, Spielberg immediately said: "Mr. Li, the protagonist's name is Panda and the place's name is Wolong. I have already written it down and I will ask them to change it when I get back."
Li Mu nodded, flipped through the script, and found that it was no different from the "Kung Fu Panda" he had watched all his life. He asked curiously: "How long have you been working on this script? You seem to have a pretty deep understanding of Chinese culture."
Spielberg explained: "This plan actually came up a long time ago. DreamWorks has always liked to make some innovative things, so we feel that integrating Chinese culture and elements into Hollywood animated films should be It has great market prospects.”
With that said, Spielberg added: "In 1998, Disney released "Mulan". I personally still like that animation very much, but from a commercial perspective, the story of "Mulan" is The United States has almost no visibility and lacks a sufficient fan base, so the overall box office is not very satisfactory."
Li Mu nodded in agreement and said, "There are countless ancient legends and stories in China. These are very famous in China, but they really lack a lot of popularity overseas."
Spielberg said: "In fact, in my opinion, among the cultural elements exported from China to the West, there are only two that have the most mass base, one is kung fu and the other is panda. The representative figure of kung fu is Bruce Lee, who is famous in the United States. He should be the most well-known Chinese star, not to mention the panda. In the United States, although there are still many people who have never seen a panda, there is no one who doesn’t know about pandas, and there is no one who doesn’t like pandas, so I want to connect Kung Fu and pandas. By integrating them, we can lay a sufficient mass base for the movie."
Li Mu smiled slightly and said: "If the protagonist is changed to the image of a panda bear, the mass base will be stronger."
"That's right." Spielberg said hurriedly: "If the image of a panda bear is used, then the movie will have three major elements: kung fu, pandas, and panda bears. I believe it will be a hit."
Li Mu looked at Spielberg and asked with a smile: "As for the cooperation model I mentioned before, I wonder if you have any objections, Stephen?"
Spielberg said hurriedly: "Mr. Li, I have no objection to your cooperation model."
"Okay." Li Mu nodded with satisfaction and said, "In that case, let's draw up a contract. The specific cooperation project is: I will license the image of Panda Bear to "Kung Fu Panda" for free, and at the same time pledge to invest in "Kung Fu Panda". "30% share. Based on this basis, I will not limit the number of episodes of "Kung Fu Panda" that DreamWorks can shoot, but there must be a prerequisite."
Spielberg was also worried that if Li Mu only authorized three films, if the movie became a hit and he was unwilling to authorize the film after three films, then the film would not be able to continue.
Now, Li Mu is willing to open up the episode limit, which is absolutely good news for DreamWorks.
So, he hurriedly asked Li Mu: "Mr. Li, what are your prerequisites? Please tell me!"
Li Mu said: "First of all, I have 30% participation rights in every "Kung Fu Panda" movie."
Spielberg said without hesitation: "That's no problem!"
Li Mu added: "Secondly, the plot of the sequel to "Kung Fu Panda" needs to be reviewed by me in advance."
Spielberg agreed and said: "Don't worry, Mr. Li, I will give you a review of the subsequent scripts first, and I will fully refer to your opinions."
"Okay." Li Mu continued: "The third point is that the copyright of Panda Bear itself is 100% owned by Makino Technology, so if you want to carry out derivative development of the copyright of "Kung Fu Panda", as long as it involves the image of Panda Bear, you must Submit an application to me first. If I agree, then the derivative development Panda Bear will occupy 30% of the copyright. If I don't agree, you can't use it."
"Of course!" Spielberg nodded repeatedly: "I completely respect your wishes, Mr. Li, and I will let you arrange everything."
Spielberg has now learned to behave with his tail between his legs. Earlier, he thought that friends are friends and business is business. Now he finally understands that when he uses this method to get along with Li Mu, Li Mu will not pay attention to him at all.
For Li Mu, he couldn't accept this routine of paying him to have a meal, but then asking him for a cigarette, and then he would calculate the money with him. Fortunately, Spielberg corrected it in time, otherwise he would be in trouble next time. The Hollywood layout simply abandoned him.
Anyway, Hollywood is not just one Spielberg. There are more great directors and more film companies. As long as you have money and resources, all of Hollywood can become your own backyard.
(End of chapter)