Chapter 642: The Phantom Thief Alliance 2 - Extra Scene |
The Phantom Thief Alliance 2 continued the style of The Phantom Thief Alliance 1, with the overall story leaning more toward comedy. Although there were intellectual battles and twists in the middle, at least it didn't resort to mind-numbing stupidity. Even the final twist wasn't forced with answers out of nowhere—foreshadowing had been planted from the very beginning, and even on a second watch, viewers could clearly spot those clues.
So purely from a suspense and crime film perspective, it didn't quite fit in, appearing somewhat childish. But if you categorized it as a family-friendly commercial comedy meant for a fun time at the cinema, then plenty of people would still be willing to pay for it.
For those who liked it or simply wanted some joy and relaxation, this kind of work was more than enough.
As for whether people would roast it later, just like when the first installment came out—calling Phantom Thief 2 a mindless popcorn blockbuster with no educational value, full of nonsensical trash humor and inexplicable chaotic brawls, attacking Director Zhuang's filmmaking skills... Well, Zhuang Hongyi couldn't care less.
Because no matter how others attacked the film, the final box office wouldn't lie—
——
When Xiao He walked out of the cinema, the sky was already starting to darken.
As for whether people would roast it later, just like when the first installment came out—calling Phantom Thief 2 a mindless popcorn blockbuster with no educational value, full of nonsensical trash humor and inexplicably chaotic brawls, attacking Director Zhuang's filmmaking skills... Well, Zhuang Hongyi couldn't care less.
Taking this opportunity, Xiao He paused in the cinema corridor and quietly observed the posters for a while longer.
After a long scroll of rolling credits, someone pushed open the shop door.
Madame Marchelle, who had met Xiao He a few times and had a good relationship with Liu Rulan, lifted her head.
"You're here?"
She turned around with a warm smile and, from the perfume display case filled with all kinds of fragrances, took out a bottle of perfume. Its exterior was ordinary, but the liquid inside shimmered with a magnificent golden hue.
Behind her stood a young man wearing a hood, his face barely visible.
Beneath the hood, a tuft of white hair flashed briefly.
Then came the young man's familiar voice: "I can't take it away right now, so I'll leave it to you, boss, to ship it for me."
Madame Marchelle's face showed surprise: "Are you sure that's okay?"
This was the Black Marie that everyone was fighting over! A precious remnant of history from that era!
Just shipping it by courier—wasn't that a bit too casual?
"Hmph."
Blank let out a light laugh, seemingly unconcerned. He adjusted the brim of his hood, revealing eyes that carried a chill.
At this moment, he had returned to the mysterious big-shot persona from his first appearance, completely unlike the end of the film where he was frantically fleeing from gangsters. As if everything that had happened before was just a game he'd played with the phantom thief duo.
Now the game was over, and it was time to do real business.
"I was never interested in this thing anyway. Let that guy deal with the headache himself."
Blank tilted his head slightly, drawing out the end of his words.
"Please send it to—"
She turned around with a warm smile and, from the perfume display case filled with all kinds of fragrances, took out a bottle of perfume. Its exterior was ordinary, but the liquid inside shimmered with a magnificent golden hue.
The next moment, the screen abruptly went dark.
[The Phantom Thief Alliance 3—Coming Soon!]
"Ah! That's a trailer for the third installment!"
A viewer pounded their chest in frustration.
"So the next story's location should be wherever Blank mentioned, right?"
"Who's that guy? Is he also on the Master Thief Ranking?"
"Ah, I'm left wanting more! What location did that lip movement say? The United States? Sakura Country? It can't be happening in China, can it? Damn it, Blank, speak clearly!"
"So where is it?"
"Say it! Say it clearly!"
Mother Xiao and Father Xiao stood up, exchanging a glance with hints of amusement. They followed the crowd out of the cinema and precisely located their parked car.
Xiao He had already started the engine and was waiting. As soon as they got in, he shifted gears and drove toward the mall: "I've already booked the restaurant. Tonight, I'm treating you to a feast!"
"Sounds great."
Mother Xiao responded enthusiastically. Father Xiao, on the other hand, asked from the side: "So where is your director planning to shoot the next installment? Are you going abroad again?"
Before Xiao He could answer, Father Xiao explained with slight concern: "I'm mainly worried about your safety. Things haven't been too peaceful abroad in recent years. If you can film domestically, try to stay in the country."
Father Xiao usually liked to keep up with current affairs. Now that he sensed his son's upcoming work situation, he couldn't help but nag a bit.
And although Father Xiao and Mother Xiao didn't call Xiao He often or pay much attention to his work schedule, when Xiao He first went abroad to film, Mother Xiao was so worried she couldn't sleep.
After all, no matter what, it was Xiao He's first time going abroad.
Before that, he'd never been anywhere so far away.
So parental worry was inevitable.
Xiao He could hear his father's concern. He chuckled softly, speaking in a reassuring tone: "It's fine. Our company is also planning to focus on developing the domestic market now."
The current situation really wasn't convenient for expanding abroad. So even though Xiao He had already connected with an international director through his role in Fast Speed Shadow 7, he planned to stay in the country for now.
As for possibly going abroad for promotion in March... he'd just keep that to himself for now.
Xiao He thought to himself while adjusting the gear and answering his father's first question: "Actually, Director Zhuang hasn't revealed the filming location for the third installment yet."
"Huh?"
This time it was Mother Xiao's turn to be surprised. "You haven't decided yet? Then how come you're promoting the third installment in advance and deliberately putting out such an extra scene?"
"Oh, that. It's just a big pie drawn to attract investors for the third film."
Xiao He shrugged: "Actually, even I didn't know what I was saying when we filmed it. Director Zhuang just told me to make up any lip movements. It'll be a while before netizens realize it was all made up. They'll just rack their brains analyzing it and generate more heat for the film."
The two "unsophisticated" elders: Ah... they can do that?
"It's just an extra scene, after all. It's perfectly normal for the final product to differ from the promotional ad, right?"
Xiao He was already used to it.
"And even if they announced a third installment, it doesn't mean it'll definitely happen. It still depends on viewer feedback and final box office performance. If this film doesn't do well, the so-called sequel won't exist at all."
Anyway, leaving a big pie and foreshadowing at the end wouldn't hurt. Who knows, maybe it would attract investors for the sequel?
But of course, Zhuang Hongyi's situation was different. He was an investor himself, and the quality of Phantom Thief 2 was clearly very good. It would definitely make money. So the big pie he'd drawn would eventually be realized.
Mother Xiao couldn't help but sigh: "That's true."
Indeed, making films was better grounded in reality.
Xiao He brought up another interesting point: "By the way, Madame Marchelle in the extra scene is a real perfume shop owner. She's also apparently a fashion designer—a really impressive old lady. Those perfume cabinets in the scene were actually taken from her shop."
It had surprised Xiao He that Madame Marchelle was willing to make a cameo.
Mother Xiao remembered too: "Those perfumes you brought back for me last time—you bought them from her shop?"
"That's right."
Xiao He paused, then continued, "The perfume she took out in that scene was called 'Black Marie.'"
At that moment, between the world on screen and the world off it, it seemed like fate had forged a bond.
#