304: Mu Jun: Don't be a perfectionist. My zombie movies are definitely better than those of Da Xu Culture.

"This is truly incredible. I never expected Da Xu Culture to actually pull it off. Who would have thought?"

"Exactly. I originally thought this was just Da Xu Culture's publicity, a mere sales tactic.

It wasn't until I actually watched the movie that I realized they weren't exaggerating at all—it's genuinely impressive!"

"Yes, I think this movie might start a major trend. Horror films are about to see a resurgence."

"I have to say, the last couple of years have belonged entirely to Da Xu Culture. One work after another has exploded in popularity across the entire internet.

It shone brightly in the science fiction film sector, conquering Hollywood, and now the horror film sector is also booming..."

..."To be honest, I've recently received a script for a zombie film and am preparing to start production."

"That's great news. Da Xu Culture's movie clearly shows that the public really enjoys this genre."

"There isn't just one or two 'mr. vampire' Film Crews starting production now; I expect an explosion in the near future."

"Putting everything else aside, simply for pioneering this genre, Da Xu Culture deserves massive praise..."

"Hahaha, I truly never expected the stagnant horror film sector to suddenly show such vitality."

...Insiders discussed it animatedly, their earlier skepticism having long vanished.

Furthermore, many Directors and Producers among them were already preparing to start shooting zombie films.

Taking advantage of the fact that this genre is still a Blue Ocean, the first to act will reap the rewards.

Those who enter later will probably only get to drink some soup, and only the most capable will manage to snatch a bone or two.

Similarly, Mou Jun, a horror film Director, was now speechless.

Originally, when he heard about mr. vampire's box office numbers from the previous few days, he hadn't paid much attention.

As a big shot in the Great Xia film industry's horror sector, his works had achieved similar results before.

Moreover, that mr. vampire film was backed by Da Xu Culture; good box office didn't necessarily mean good quality.

As a Director, Mou Jun knew how deep the waters were.

But as online discussions grew and the praise for mr. vampire from those around him intensified, Mou Jun started to feel confused.

If it was just massive praise online, that would still be understandable.

But when people around him started praising it too, it probably wasn't just a marketing tactic anymore.

After reading many film reviews, Mou Jun finally bought a ticket for mr. vampire secretly one evening.

When he went to watch the movie, he entered wearing large sunglasses, and people along the way curiously scrutinized him.

Others thought he might be some major Celebrity, but after looking for a while, they realized they didn't recognize him at all.

Consequently, quite a few people secretly curled their lips, thinking this guy was probably deliberately showing off by wearing large sunglasses to watch a movie late at night.

Of course, Mou Jun himself was unaware of this; he was just worried about his whereabouts being discovered.

Once he entered the screening room and the film began to play, Mou Jun finally took off his sunglasses.

He began watching the hotly discussed mr. vampire through the lens of a Director.

Initially, he watched it with a critical eye, but as he continued watching, Mou Jun fell silent.

"How is this possible? Didn't Da Xu Culture start out making comedies and science fiction films? How can they handle horror films too..."

Mou Jun felt a headache coming on.

Although the current mr. vampire film contained many comedic elements and action sequences, its overall horror genre classification was undeniable.

However, what shocked Mou Jun the most was the expressive technique used in this movie.

Originally, in his understanding, horror films should be as terrifying as possible; scaring the audience senseless was the mark of skill.

But this mr. vampire film refused to follow that rule!

It would be scary one moment, then funny the next, as if afraid of scaring the audience away.

On the other hand, traditional horror films naturally needed some substance, offering a lesson after delivering the frights.

But this mr. vampire film didn't do that.

It simply told a story, interspersing various elements—wasn't this clearly just a horror Popcorn Flick?

But even Mou Jun, as a Director, found this thing quite interesting—at least... at least more interesting than the films he had previously made.

Although he was unwilling to admit it, such an embarrassing thought arose in his mind.

Just then, Mou Jun felt the phone in his pocket vibrate.

"Hello, Director Mou, I have a script recently that I'd like to collaborate with you on. I wonder when you might be free..."

Hearing the voice on the other end, Mou Jun thought for a moment and said:

"What kind of script is it? I need to see if I'm interested first, you know..."

Before he could finish speaking, the other party excitedly interrupted:

"What else could it be, Director Mou? zombie films are huge recently, aren't they? I've collected a few scripts. What do you think?"

Hearing this, Mou Jun fell silent again.

But the person on the other end continued to urge him excitedly: "Director Mou, Director Mou, are you still listening?

I'm telling you, zombie films are absolutely viable! The market response is excellent. Whoever enters now will make a huge profit.

I'll provide the script, and with a horror film master like you directing it, it will definitely be ten or even a hundred times better than the competition.

Although the title of 'pioneering work' has been taken by 'mr. vampire,' we can still..."

"Fine! I'll take the script. Let's meet tomorrow to discuss the details!"

After a moment of silence, Mou Jun suddenly spoke, taking a deep breath.

"Great, great! Director Mou, I look forward to your arrival."

Hearing the other side hang up, Mou Jun gritted his teeth.

Because even he found it unbelievable that he had agreed to take on a zombie film script like this.

After all, not long ago, he sincerely believed that Da Xu Culture was just joining the fun by making horror films.

But unexpectedly, now he was going to film the genre that they had made popular.

"There's no need for Psychological Purism. If Da Xu Culture can make a zombie film, of course I can too.

Furthermore, this mr. vampire film only relies on the 'pioneering' title; the content quality might not necessarily be the best.

I'll take this opportunity to make an even better zombie film. Then..."

After some mental preparation, Mou Jun successfully convinced himself.

Naturally, he started watching the remainder of the plot more seriously.

He felt that although the film was decent, there were many areas that could be improved and perfected.

If he directed it, it should be elevated by at least one grade compared to the current version.

By the time the film ended, Mou Jun felt confident and a smile appeared on his face.

So much so that when he walked out of the cinema, he didn't even put on those large sunglasses again.

The only thing that made him a bit disappointed, of course, was that no one asked him for an autograph along the way.

Fortunately, Mou Jun quickly comforted himself, saying: "Forget it. It's their loss for not recognizing me.

When my next film is released, it won't be so easy to get my autograph!"

...Following the explosion of 'mr. vampire,' film and television projects bearing the name 'zombie film' instantly sprung up like mushrooms after rain.

It could be said that every insider with a bit of foresight saw the immense potential of this genre.

After all, 'zombie film' isn't one of those overused genres; currently, there is only mr. vampire.

And with market demand so robust, this new genre was like a newly discovered gold mine for the film and television circle.

The most crucial point was that everyone felt the quality of 'mr. vampire' was, at best, mediocre.

The only reason this movie is popular right now is that it benefited from the title of being the 'first zombie film.'

These confident Directors all believed that the zombie films they produced would absolutely not be worse than mr. vampire!