Chinese Actress Zhang Xiaofei’s Bold Move Earns Her Big Wins in Film Industry
In a bold move that paid off handsomely, mainland Chinese actress Zhang Xiaofei chose to participate in the movie “Kung Fu Women’s Soccer” under a “zero upfront payment, profit-sharing” system. It is estimated that she will receive a profit share of 26.8 million RMB, more than three times the 8 million RMB fixed fee earned by fellow actress Dilraba Dilmurat for the same film.
During the initial stages of the film’s production, there were differing expectations within the industry regarding the potential earnings of Stephen Chow’s “Kung Fu Women’s Soccer.” While Dilraba Dilmurat opted for a safe route by securing an 8 million RMB payment without involvement in later box office profits, Zhang Xiaofei took a risky gamble. She not only gave up the fixed payment but also paid a 2 million RMB penalty to terminate a signed endorsement deal, fully dedicating herself to the film’s production.
With a budget of 380 million RMB, “Kung Fu Women’s Soccer” has seen a steady increase in box office revenue since its release, currently grossing over 2.3 billion RMB. Based on media estimates, the film’s net profit is around 536 million RMB. According to the profit-sharing agreement, Zhang Xiaofei, as the female lead, is expected to receive a profit share of 26.8 million RMB, more than three times Dilraba Dilmurat’s 8 million RMB fixed fee.
Regarding the mechanism of box office profit-sharing, industry insiders revealed two main approaches: tiered profit-sharing based on net profits and median profit-sharing within the industry. It was disclosed by mainland media that Zhang Xiaofei will receive a profit share ranging from 5% to 10% of the film’s net profit. The baseline ratio is set at 5%, and as the film’s box office performance reaches higher levels, the profit-sharing ratio will also increase accordingly. For example, at a box office level of 2 billion RMB, the estimated profit share ratio is around 6%, with the maximum potential to receive 10% of the net profit.
Zhang Xiaofei’s daring decision to choose a “zero upfront payment” model with pure box office profit sharing has yielded significant returns, akin to a high-stakes gamble. It not only validated Stephen Chow’s vision but also secured long-term development opportunities for herself. Her unwavering commitment to the film earned her the trust of Stephen Chow. Recently, Stephen Chow announced plans to shoot a sequel, with the movie’s storyline moving from domestic matches to an international stage. Zhang Xiaofei has already been confirmed as the key character in the sequel, showcasing her talent and potential in the industry.
This strategic move by Zhang Xiaofei highlights the possibilities of success through unconventional means in the film industry, underscoring the importance of trust, dedication, and foresight in securing a promising future.