One Year Left to Play

Chapter 528 - 160: Aix!

Zhang Hao has basically locked in the NBA Rookie of the Year award; this is the best rookie in the sport of basketball, and Kazuo Tsuburaya wants to seize the opportunity.

Tsuburaya Productions was once so glorious, but after the deaths of Eiji Tsuburaya and Tsuburaya Ogao, they are on the brink of collapse.

They spent so much money this time, they must maximize the chances of success.

Zhang Hao obviously didn’t think about it that much, he just didn’t want to play a Japanese person. Seeing the other party agreed, he said: "Alright, let’s start discussing terms!"

The real trouble begins now!

In the information Kazuo Tsuburaya investigated about Zhang Hao, there were deals between Zhang Hao and Starbucks, and him starting his own agency.

Even though he is only 19, Zhang Hao’s overly aloof demeanor made Kazuo Tsuburaya cautious.

Moreover, in such cooperation, he didn’t dare to have any tricks. If Zhang Hao refused, they’d earn less anyway, but they were the ones actively seeking out Zhang Hao for partnership.

And... if the partnership doesn’t work out, fine, but if during the cooperation they make him unhappy and he says, "I don’t believe in light anymore," it would be the last straw for Tsuburaya Productions.

"Mr. Zhang, this way please..."

Zhang Hao, along with Aprile Clark, entered the reception room, with Henry Thomas and Pelinka naturally present as well, to help watch out for any traps.

Tsuburaya Productions, however, had only Kazuo Tsuburaya present.

This showed Kazuo Tsuburaya’s control over his company and his sincerity.

Kazuo Tsuburaya had already considered the maximum concessions he could make; if it exceeded the bottom line, there truly was no way out.

However, Kazuo Tsuburaya was stunned by what followed.

"I want all the rights to Ultraman X in China. If you agree, I want to open an Ultraman China branch in our country, of course, in collaboration with you. In the future, the development of Ultraman in China would be our responsibility, with you providing film and television resources. We will negotiate the price based on actual conditions... Of course, if you have your own plans, then we will just talk about Ultraman X."

That’s it? Kazuo Tsuburaya thought Zhang Hao would ask for a share of the film revenue in Japan, or a share from merchandise sales, etc. During Ultraman’s peak, it had an over 40% viewership rating in Japan, and merchandise sales were incredibly profitable, allowing them to squander money every year from 1980 until now with enough left for a final shot.

But just this?

Zhang Hao only wants this?

"Mr. Zhang, is this all?"

"Uh..." Zhang Hao was speechless; someone actually thought the asking price was too low?

"Ahem," Pelinka continued the conversation, "Mr. Tsuburaya, what Aix said pertains to his personal collaboration with you. His image rights and trademark rights are authorized to our company, and in terms of sharing profits, that will be left for us to discuss..."

So that’s how it is. Kazuo Tsuburaya breathed a sigh of relief. Zhang Hao only wants interests from the China side, he even suspected if today he encountered a fake Zhang Hao, or if someone had surgery to look like Zhang Hao to deceive him.

Now discussing the splitting of money meant giving the real interests the other party envisioned, Kazuo Tsuburaya finally felt at ease...

The negotiations went smoothly, as Henry Thomas and Pelinka were not the kind of people who would push someone to their limits. The royalties they wanted were based on the standard market rate; they just wanted to explore Zhang Hao’s commercial value well and not burden him with a bad reputation that would make sponsors shun him.

After the preliminary agreement was drafted, Zhang Hao said, "By the way, Mr. Tsuburaya, can I let my girlfriend make an appearance as well? It’ll be unpaid work; I’ll cover the salary."

Helping Aprile Clark to get a role was something discussed while shopping in the afternoon. It didn’t necessarily have to be the female lead; just a cameo.

"Of course, that’s possible, and she will naturally get paid according to the standard." Kazuo Tsuburaya agreed.

That’s a minor matter. In Ultraman, there are always a few beautiful actresses, they’re just there for show, and it doesn’t matter who they are.

Anyway, this time the filming location is in the United States, and the script is tailored for Zhang Hao. His profession is still an NBA player, but secretly, he is a collaborator with the Earth Defense Team, with a more covert identity as a world-saving Ultraman.

There being American actresses in the cast is perfectly normal.

But being assured isn’t enough, ensuring Zhang Hao’s satisfaction is necessary. Kazuo Tsuburaya, more anxious than Zhang Hao, said, "Mr. Zhang, I hope you can negotiate with us soon to establish the Ultraman China company..."

...

"Yes, I’ve talked it through with Tsuburaya Company, and I’ll leave the specifics to you, Dad."

"You’re throwing yet another job my way, you little brat. Are you trying to work your old man to death?"

"The one who can handle more should do more. I’m not good at this stuff, so of course, it should be my dad handling it."

"Alright, alright, you focus on playing games well. You don’t have to worry about these things..."

After the negotiation with Tsuburaya Productions was settled, Zhang Hao reported the latest news to his father, Zhang Weiguo, who had been informed of the situation beforehand and didn’t bother with it anymore.

Next, Tsuburaya Productions would start preparing, and come summer, they’d shoot in Hollywood. He would memorize the script beforehand, and when it was time to act, follow the action guidance for movements...

Everything else, he’d just be himself.

...

Another new day has arrived. After resting for a day, the Lakers will continue their journey this season.

Tonight’s opponent is the Washington Bullets.

Having just lost a game, the teammates were a bit dejected, yet eager to prove themselves, and Zhang Hao felt it.

Jason Williams, upon entering the arena, found Zhang Hao and asked, "Aix, do you think we’re really not opponents of those top teams, just a regular-season type team?"