Stars: Scott Adkins, Waleed Elgadi, Tom Berenger, Meena Rayann, Michael Jai White, Aaron Toney | Written by Jamie Russell | Directed by James Nunn
Not only is One More Shot filmed with the illusion of being one long take like its predecessor 2021’s One Shot, it does something more important. It reunites director James Nunn and writer Jamie Russell with the previous film’s leads, Scott Adkins as Navy Seal Jake Harris and Waleed Elgadi as terrorist Amin Mansur.
Following the events of the first film, Harris is escorting Mansur back to the US where they plan to get him to reveal the whereabouts of a dirty bomb set to explode during the State of the Union Address, which the President, of course, refuses to postpone. For leverage, CIA Agent Marshall has brought Mansur’s pregnant wife Niesha to meet his plane. But they’re not the only ones there to meet the flight.
Not only is One More Shot filmed with the illusion of being one long take like its predecessor 2021’s One Shot, it does something more important. It reunites director James Nunn and writer Jamie Russell with the previous film’s leads, Scott Adkins as Navy Seal Jake Harris and Waleed Elgadi as terrorist Amin Mansur.
Following the events of the first film, Harris is escorting Mansur back to the US where they plan to get him to reveal the whereabouts of a dirty bomb set to explode during the State of the Union Address, which the President, of course, refuses to postpone. For leverage, CIA Agent Marshall has brought Mansur’s pregnant wife Niesha to meet his plane. But they’re not the only ones there to meet the flight.
- 1/15/2024
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
Meg 2: The Trench, director Ben Wheatley’s sequel to Jon Turteltaub’s 2018 “Jason Statham vs. a giant shark” adventure The Meg (watch it at This Link), has racked up almost $400 million at the global box office since reaching theatres at the start of August. Now the film, which has been available on PVOD since the end of August, is ready to start streaming. Variety reports that Meg 2 will be available to watch on the Max streaming service as of next Friday, September 29th.
Variety notes that, “In order to stream the film, you’ll have to sign up for a Max account, with subscriptions starting at $9.99/Month. You can also access Max through Prime Video’s add-on, which offers a 7-day free trial.”
You can read our review of Meg 2: The Trench at This Link and read our interview with Wheatley Here.
The screenplay for Meg 2: The Trench...
Variety notes that, “In order to stream the film, you’ll have to sign up for a Max account, with subscriptions starting at $9.99/Month. You can also access Max through Prime Video’s add-on, which offers a 7-day free trial.”
You can read our review of Meg 2: The Trench at This Link and read our interview with Wheatley Here.
The screenplay for Meg 2: The Trench...
- 9/22/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Just three weeks after reaching theatres, director Ben Wheatley’s sequel to Jon Turteltaub’s 2018 “Jason Statham vs. a giant shark” adventure The Meg (watch it at This Link) is now set to reach home screens. IGN reports that Meg 2: The Trench is set to receive a PVOD digital release on Friday, August 25th… yes, tomorrow! The film will be available to purchase for $24.99 or to rent for 48 hours at the price of $19.99 on participating digital platforms, which will include Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu, and others.
You can read our review of Meg 2: The Trench at This Link and read our interview with Wheatley Here.
The screenplay for Meg 2: The Trench was written by Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoeber, and Erich Hoeber, the same writing team that was on the first film. These films are inspired by a series of novels written by Steve Alten.
You can read our review of Meg 2: The Trench at This Link and read our interview with Wheatley Here.
The screenplay for Meg 2: The Trench was written by Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoeber, and Erich Hoeber, the same writing team that was on the first film. These films are inspired by a series of novels written by Steve Alten.
- 8/24/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The top-earning film at the box office this weekend wasn’t “Barbie,” but rather “The Meg 2: The Trench.” The Warner Bros. Discovery/Cmc Pictures shark tale earned $142 million worldwide in its global debut, including a robust $53.3 million in China.
That opening weekend was already 11% higher than “Jurassic World Dominion,” 41% above “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and more than double “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.” It is also higher than the $50 million first weekend posted by “The Meg” in China back in August 2018.
It’s a big deal that “The Meg 2: The Trench” is performing anything like a pre-covid business-as-usual Hollywood tentpole. The key advantage might be old-fashioned star power.
The earlier Jason Statham/Li Bingbing-led actioner eventually earned $153 million of its $530 million total in the Middle Kingdom. If the sequel, which swaps Li for Wu Jing, legs out accordingly, we could see a $162 million Chinese total.
That opening weekend was already 11% higher than “Jurassic World Dominion,” 41% above “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and more than double “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.” It is also higher than the $50 million first weekend posted by “The Meg” in China back in August 2018.
It’s a big deal that “The Meg 2: The Trench” is performing anything like a pre-covid business-as-usual Hollywood tentpole. The key advantage might be old-fashioned star power.
The earlier Jason Statham/Li Bingbing-led actioner eventually earned $153 million of its $530 million total in the Middle Kingdom. If the sequel, which swaps Li for Wu Jing, legs out accordingly, we could see a $162 million Chinese total.
- 8/8/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Jon Turteltaub’s 2018 movie The Meg (watch it at This Link) delivered on its promise of being a “Jason Statham vs. a giant shark” adventure – and now director Ben Wheatley’s sequel Meg 2: The Trench is set to reach theatres on August 4th. In a newly released featurette, which you can watch in the embed above, Wheatley says his intention with this film was to make a supercharged sequel with bigger creatures and bigger action… and judging by the footage on display in the featurette, it definitely looks like this follow-up has a change of being better and more exciting than its predecessor.
The screenplay for Meg 2: The Trench has been written by Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoeber, and Erich Hoeber, the same writing team that was on the first film. These films are inspired by a series of novels written by Steve Alten.
Jason Statham is back in...
The screenplay for Meg 2: The Trench has been written by Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoeber, and Erich Hoeber, the same writing team that was on the first film. These films are inspired by a series of novels written by Steve Alten.
Jason Statham is back in...
- 8/2/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Meg 2: The Trench, director Ben Wheatley’s sequel to Jon Turteltaub’s 2018 “Jason Statham vs. a giant shark” movie The Meg (watch it at This Link), is set to reach theatres on August 4th – and while this sequel will feature multiple giant sharks, those aren’t the only prehistoric creatures that will be rampaging across the screen. In fact, a newly released promo, which you can check out in the embed above, says that this time “the Megs are just the beginning”. One of the other giant creatures we’ll be seeing in Meg 2: The Trench is an octopus, and you can get a glimpse of some giant octopus action in this promo, including a moment where the octopus gets in a fight with a Meg! A moment that brings to mind the 2009 classic Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus.
The screenplay for Meg 2: The Trench has been written by Dean Georgaris,...
The screenplay for Meg 2: The Trench has been written by Dean Georgaris,...
- 7/26/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Meg 2: The Trench, director Ben Wheatley’s sequel to Jon Turteltaub’s 2018 “Jason Statham vs. a giant shark” movie The Meg (watch it at This Link), is set to reach theatres on August 4th – and with that date right around the corner, Warner Bros. has unveiled a new poster for the film… one that features multiple sea creatures lurking beneath unsuspecting swimmers. You can check it out at the bottom of this article.
And if that one doesn’t handle your craving for new Meg 2 promotional art, maybe one of these new posters will:
#Meg2 Meg 2 releases posters for IMAX、Cinity、中国巨幕、Dolby、MX4D and Wanos pic.twitter.com/hNu7MXFPvp
— Meg 2: the trench (@Latteeaaee) July 17, 2023
The screenplay for Meg 2: The Trench has been written by Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoeber, and Erich Hoeber, the same writing team that was on the first film. These films are inspired...
And if that one doesn’t handle your craving for new Meg 2 promotional art, maybe one of these new posters will:
#Meg2 Meg 2 releases posters for IMAX、Cinity、中国巨幕、Dolby、MX4D and Wanos pic.twitter.com/hNu7MXFPvp
— Meg 2: the trench (@Latteeaaee) July 17, 2023
The screenplay for Meg 2: The Trench has been written by Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoeber, and Erich Hoeber, the same writing team that was on the first film. These films are inspired...
- 7/19/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” is the latest big Hollywood movie to bomb in China, earning just $2.3 million over its opening weekend. It comes on the heels of “The Flash” earning just $25 million since opening three weekends ago as well as “The Little Mermaid” earning just $3.7 million after a month in theaters.
Like “Solo: A Star Wars Story” in 2018, it would appear that “Indiana Jones 5” was a domestic-skewing IP sell, especially with the brand mostly dormant since “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” in 2008, with a less-than-hoped overseas appeal. None of the previous “Indiana Jones” films played in China, which means there’s no generational nostalgia for the brand or Harrison Ford’s marquee character.
It’s one more costly example of how Chinese audiences are showing a preference for homegrown movies over Hollywood tentpoles, a conundrum for studios that spent the 2010s counting on China as a growth market.
Like “Solo: A Star Wars Story” in 2018, it would appear that “Indiana Jones 5” was a domestic-skewing IP sell, especially with the brand mostly dormant since “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” in 2008, with a less-than-hoped overseas appeal. None of the previous “Indiana Jones” films played in China, which means there’s no generational nostalgia for the brand or Harrison Ford’s marquee character.
It’s one more costly example of how Chinese audiences are showing a preference for homegrown movies over Hollywood tentpoles, a conundrum for studios that spent the 2010s counting on China as a growth market.
- 7/3/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Last week, Warner Bros. unveiled the trailer for Meg 2: The Trench, director Ben Wheatley’s sequel to Jon Turteltaub’s 2018 “Jason Statham vs. a giant shark” movie The Meg (watch it at This Link). If that trailer left you wondering if the sea creature mayhem of this film was going to boost it into the R rating territory, you can stop wondering. Because it hasn’t. Just like The Meg, Meg 2: The Trench has earned a PG-13 rating. The Motion Picture Association ratings board has given it a PG-13 for action/violence, some bloody images, language and brief suggestive material.
The screenplay for Meg 2: The Trench has been written by Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoeber, and Erich Hoeber, the same writing team that was on the first film. These films are inspired by a series of novels written by Steve Alten.
Jason Statham is back in the lead...
The screenplay for Meg 2: The Trench has been written by Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoeber, and Erich Hoeber, the same writing team that was on the first film. These films are inspired by a series of novels written by Steve Alten.
Jason Statham is back in the lead...
- 5/17/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Warner Bros. Discovery’s potential summer sleeper “The Meg 2: Trench” dropped its first teaser trailer, essentially the same mouth-watering footage audiences saw at last month’s CinemaCon presentation.
As noted last month, the trailer’s tagline is “They’re back… for seconds,” mimicking the refreshingly cheeky marketing that helped turn “The Meg” into a surprise super-smash. The trailer opens with two land-bound prehistoric monsters eating a large bug, with onscreen text warning that for 65 million years one species ruled the world. The answer is not the tyrannosaurus rex, but rather a megalodon which is introduced eating a T-rex.
That was actually the prologue of Steve Alton’s first novel which didn’t make it into the first movie. One may recall that “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic Park III” included setpieces and ideas from Michael Crichton’s “Jurassic Park” novel that didn’t make it into Steven Spielberg’s first dino blockbuster.
As noted last month, the trailer’s tagline is “They’re back… for seconds,” mimicking the refreshingly cheeky marketing that helped turn “The Meg” into a surprise super-smash. The trailer opens with two land-bound prehistoric monsters eating a large bug, with onscreen text warning that for 65 million years one species ruled the world. The answer is not the tyrannosaurus rex, but rather a megalodon which is introduced eating a T-rex.
That was actually the prologue of Steve Alton’s first novel which didn’t make it into the first movie. One may recall that “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic Park III” included setpieces and ideas from Michael Crichton’s “Jurassic Park” novel that didn’t make it into Steven Spielberg’s first dino blockbuster.
- 5/8/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
The Warner Bros. presentation at CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, is currently in progress, and as part of the presentation they showed attendees the first trailer for Meg 2: The Trench, director Ben Wheatley’s sequel to Jon Turteltaub’s 2018 “Jason Statham vs. a giant shark” movie The Meg (watch it at This Link).
JoBlo’s own Chris Bumbray was in attendance to see the trailer, and this is what he had to say about it: “First trailer: We see footage of The Meg killing dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Looks much more expensive than the last movie. Jonas (Jason Statham) is sent into the trench the deal with whatever creature is down there – which of course is The Meg! Wu Jing, from Wolf Warrior, is a co-star. This version of The Meg is bigger because it’s an Apex predator. It escapes The Trench and starts eating people.
JoBlo’s own Chris Bumbray was in attendance to see the trailer, and this is what he had to say about it: “First trailer: We see footage of The Meg killing dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Looks much more expensive than the last movie. Jonas (Jason Statham) is sent into the trench the deal with whatever creature is down there – which of course is The Meg! Wu Jing, from Wolf Warrior, is a co-star. This version of The Meg is bigger because it’s an Apex predator. It escapes The Trench and starts eating people.
- 4/25/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
“The Meg 2: The Trench” is one of the more under-the-radar tentpoles this summer, even though it may end up being one of the biggest global grossers. Why is that?
Well, “The Meg” earned $155 million in North America and $155 million in China toward a $530 million global total. That cume was bigger than any giant monster movie save for “Kong: Skull Island” ($569 million in 2017) and the various “Jurassic” movies. It was the first and thus-far only big-budget Hollywood/Chinese co-production that qualified as a success on both shores. And now “The Meg 2” will try and repeat that performance.
“They’re back for seconds,” the trailer eventually declares, echoing the tongue-in-cheek tone of the first film’s marketing campaign. The trailer opens with two land-bound prehistoric monsters eating a large bug, with onscreen text warning that for 65 million years one species ruled the world. The T-rex? No, the Meg which eats a T-rex.
Well, “The Meg” earned $155 million in North America and $155 million in China toward a $530 million global total. That cume was bigger than any giant monster movie save for “Kong: Skull Island” ($569 million in 2017) and the various “Jurassic” movies. It was the first and thus-far only big-budget Hollywood/Chinese co-production that qualified as a success on both shores. And now “The Meg 2” will try and repeat that performance.
“They’re back for seconds,” the trailer eventually declares, echoing the tongue-in-cheek tone of the first film’s marketing campaign. The trailer opens with two land-bound prehistoric monsters eating a large bug, with onscreen text warning that for 65 million years one species ruled the world. The T-rex? No, the Meg which eats a T-rex.
- 4/25/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
When casting the hottest action stars for John Wick: Chapter 4, Scott Adkins was a natural choice. Director Chad Stahelski has tried to get Adkins into all the John Wick movies, but due to scheduling conflicts it hasn’t worked out until now. Cast as Fat Killa in the new movie, Adkins is almost unrecognizable under the heavy makeup, gold grill, and fat suit. In real life, Adkins is devilishly handsome, so much so he often plays villains. He’s also built like Adonis but even more yoked. It’s a body he’s earned through a lifetime of martial arts practice.
In real life, the Adkins family are butchers by trade. Adkins was born and raised in England, and his first exposure to martial arts began at age 10 with Judo. When he was 13, he was the victim of a robbery, and that experience hardened his resolve. After that, he dedicated his life to training,...
In real life, the Adkins family are butchers by trade. Adkins was born and raised in England, and his first exposure to martial arts began at age 10 with Judo. When he was 13, he was the victim of a robbery, and that experience hardened his resolve. After that, he dedicated his life to training,...
- 3/29/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Stars: Wu Jing, Wang Zhi, Andy Lau, Zina Blahusova, Clara Lee, Liya Tong, Matias Lorieri, Jeremiah Blakely, Temur Mamisashvili, Yanmanzi Zhu | Written by Gong Geer, Frant Gwo, Cixin Liu, Hongwei Wang, Ruchang Ye, Yang Zhixue | Directed by Frant Gwo
Released in 2019 The Wandering Earth became one of the largest grossing non-English language films in history, mostly on the strength of its performance in its native China. Of course, that made The Wandering Earth II inevitable. The only surprises are that rather than a sequel it’s a prequel, telling the story of the Moving Mountain Project that turned Earth into a giant spaceship and that it manages to be even longer than the original, coming in at just under three hours.
At the film’s start, The United Earth Government (Ueg) has been established and work on the first of the thousands of giant engines needed to move Earth out...
Released in 2019 The Wandering Earth became one of the largest grossing non-English language films in history, mostly on the strength of its performance in its native China. Of course, that made The Wandering Earth II inevitable. The only surprises are that rather than a sequel it’s a prequel, telling the story of the Moving Mountain Project that turned Earth into a giant spaceship and that it manages to be even longer than the original, coming in at just under three hours.
At the film’s start, The United Earth Government (Ueg) has been established and work on the first of the thousands of giant engines needed to move Earth out...
- 1/25/2023
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
A minor player in the Chinese film scene, “Hi, mom” has turned incredibly quickly into a box office superstar, propelling its co-writer, director and star Jia Ling into directors’ heaven. To give you an idea, the film is, as we speak, the second highest ever grossing film in China – just behind “Wolf Warrior 2,” – and its director, writer and star Jia Ling is the world’s (!!) highest-grossing female director. It has been calculated that the film has cashed more than the entirety of Zhang Yimou’s body of work, or Feng Xiaogang in his whole career. But is the film any good? It is with great curiosity and a touch of scepticism that I prepared to watch it.
“Hi, Mom” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
Xiaoling is a likeable ordinary girl who, in her opinion, never managed to make her mother Ying (Liu Jia), feel proud. She...
“Hi, Mom” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
Xiaoling is a likeable ordinary girl who, in her opinion, never managed to make her mother Ying (Liu Jia), feel proud. She...
- 4/26/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Wu Jing, the highest-grossing male actor of all time in China, will join British action star Jason Statham in Warner Bros.’s “Meg 2: The Trench,” sources close to the production have confirmed to Variety.
The giant shark actioner, however, will be without Li Bingbing (“Transformers: Age of Extinction”). The Chinese actor, who played a female oceanographer, embodying both brains and beauty in Jon Turteltaub’s testosterone-fueled 2018 “The Meg,” is not returning to the franchise at this point.
With Ben Wheatley in the directing chair, production on “Meg 2: The Trench” began at the end of January at the Warner-owned Leavesden Studios outside London. It will continue there until May before switching to outdoor locations, likely to be in Asia.
The 47-year-old Wu is a former martial artist who has successfully parlayed a career as both actor and director in film and in TV. A protégé of the iconic action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping,...
The giant shark actioner, however, will be without Li Bingbing (“Transformers: Age of Extinction”). The Chinese actor, who played a female oceanographer, embodying both brains and beauty in Jon Turteltaub’s testosterone-fueled 2018 “The Meg,” is not returning to the franchise at this point.
With Ben Wheatley in the directing chair, production on “Meg 2: The Trench” began at the end of January at the Warner-owned Leavesden Studios outside London. It will continue there until May before switching to outdoor locations, likely to be in Asia.
The 47-year-old Wu is a former martial artist who has successfully parlayed a career as both actor and director in film and in TV. A protégé of the iconic action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping,...
- 2/25/2022
- by Patrick Frater and K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: LA-based Brightburn producer The H Collective Films has formed a pact with Saudi Arabia’s Inqisam Studios to co-invest in and co-produce movies and TV with a focus on the Arabic-speaking market.
The co-pro deal is one of the first to be announced between a Saudi and Hollywood production company. Inqisam is a new division of Riyadh-based investment and production company Nowaar Entertainment.
Upcoming projects for the Hollywood and Ksa pair include the family-adventure movie Prince Of The Seas, which is based on the story and legend of Ahmad Ibn Majid, a famous navigator in Arabian Peninsula history.
The English-language live action project will follow a fearless young explorer on his quest to right an ancient wrong. To do so he must first solve the greatest mystery of his time and vanquish forces of uncanny power. Cast is expected to be a combination of U.S. and Middle Eastern actors.
The co-pro deal is one of the first to be announced between a Saudi and Hollywood production company. Inqisam is a new division of Riyadh-based investment and production company Nowaar Entertainment.
Upcoming projects for the Hollywood and Ksa pair include the family-adventure movie Prince Of The Seas, which is based on the story and legend of Ahmad Ibn Majid, a famous navigator in Arabian Peninsula history.
The English-language live action project will follow a fearless young explorer on his quest to right an ancient wrong. To do so he must first solve the greatest mystery of his time and vanquish forces of uncanny power. Cast is expected to be a combination of U.S. and Middle Eastern actors.
- 1/17/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The Battle At Lake Changjin has now become China’s highest-grossing film of all time.
Local comedy thriller Be Somebody retained its lead at the top of the China box office over the weekend (November 26-28), grossing a further $21.9m, according to figures from Artisan Gateway. The next three films in the weekend chart also kept the same ranking as the previous week.
Produced by Maoyan Pictures, Be Somebody revolves around a group of filmmakers trapped in a mansion where they are attempting to make a crime drama for a wealthy investor. The film has grossed a cumulative total of...
Local comedy thriller Be Somebody retained its lead at the top of the China box office over the weekend (November 26-28), grossing a further $21.9m, according to figures from Artisan Gateway. The next three films in the weekend chart also kept the same ranking as the previous week.
Produced by Maoyan Pictures, Be Somebody revolves around a group of filmmakers trapped in a mansion where they are attempting to make a crime drama for a wealthy investor. The film has grossed a cumulative total of...
- 11/29/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Happy Friday International Insiders, Tom Grater here delivering your post-Thanksgiving rundown of the week’s top headlines. To get this sent to your inbox every Friday, sign up here.
UK Broadcasters In The Crosshairs
License fee drama: BBC Chair Richard Sharp wasn’t mincing words this week when talking about the future of the UK’s primary public broadcaster, stating that “there will be consequences” for program budgets if the license fee stops rising with inflation from next year. Delivering the keynote at the Voice of the Listener & Viewer conference, Sharp suggested that less commercial programming such as local news was likely to take the biggest hit.
Negative culture: The Chair also warned that BBC staff have been left “beleaguered” after “persistent attacks from the press and other sources. His comments came after the Royal Family criticized BBC2 documentary The Princes and the Press for containing “unfounded claims”. “We’ve...
UK Broadcasters In The Crosshairs
License fee drama: BBC Chair Richard Sharp wasn’t mincing words this week when talking about the future of the UK’s primary public broadcaster, stating that “there will be consequences” for program budgets if the license fee stops rising with inflation from next year. Delivering the keynote at the Voice of the Listener & Viewer conference, Sharp suggested that less commercial programming such as local news was likely to take the biggest hit.
Negative culture: The Chair also warned that BBC staff have been left “beleaguered” after “persistent attacks from the press and other sources. His comments came after the Royal Family criticized BBC2 documentary The Princes and the Press for containing “unfounded claims”. “We’ve...
- 11/26/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Battle at Lake Changjin” has become the highest grossing film of all time in China, after nearly two months of release. Co-directed by a trio of major helmers, Dante Lam, Chen Kaige and Tsui Hark, it is also the top earning film in the world this year.
The Chinese record was achieved on Wednesday evening local time when the film passed the RMB5.69 billion total achieved in 2017 by “Wolf Warrior II,” another patriotic war film. By midday on Thursday “Changjin” had advanced to RMB5.70 billion or $892 million at current rates of exchange, according to data from Ent Group.
The feat was confirmed by state-controlled media which had long predicted the achievement. Chinese media also reported that Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian sent congratulations to Wu Jing, the actor who played leading roles in both “Wolf Warrior” and “Changjin.”
The film is set during the early part of the 1950-1953 Korean War,...
The Chinese record was achieved on Wednesday evening local time when the film passed the RMB5.69 billion total achieved in 2017 by “Wolf Warrior II,” another patriotic war film. By midday on Thursday “Changjin” had advanced to RMB5.70 billion or $892 million at current rates of exchange, according to data from Ent Group.
The feat was confirmed by state-controlled media which had long predicted the achievement. Chinese media also reported that Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian sent congratulations to Wu Jing, the actor who played leading roles in both “Wolf Warrior” and “Changjin.”
The film is set during the early part of the 1950-1953 Korean War,...
- 11/25/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Already the top film of 2021 globally, Chinese war epic The Battle At Lake Changjin is taking over the title of highest grossing movie ever in China, edging the previous leader, 2017’s Wolf Warrior 2. Through Wednesday evening local time, Lake Changjin had reached an estimated Rmb 5.693B ($890M) after 56 days in release. Wolf Warrior 2 finaled at Rmb 5,694.5M according to ticketing platform Maoyan. Presales alone for Thursday narrow the gap to a difference of about $2,000 making Lake Changjin‘s ascendance imminent. Maoyan is predicting an Rmb 5.75B ($900M) finish for the full run which is due to end December 30.
The news, which had been expected, is making headlines in China where local outlets are including the presales to claim the crown for the patriotic Lake Changjin. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian praised the achievement on social media today, offering his “congratulations” to actor Wu Jing “for surpassing himself.
The news, which had been expected, is making headlines in China where local outlets are including the presales to claim the crown for the patriotic Lake Changjin. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian praised the achievement on social media today, offering his “congratulations” to actor Wu Jing “for surpassing himself.
- 11/24/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Trinity Cine Asia is releasing on Friday 19th of November, The Battle At Lake Changjin, the biggest worldwide box office hit of 2021, with more than $878 million in ticket sales to date, far ahead of No Time To Die, making it the second-biggest Chinese grossing film, only behind Wolf Warrior II (also released by Trinity Cine Asia). The UK will mark the first international territory release of the film outside of Asia in over 25 cities.
Billed as the most expensive Chinese film ever made, with a reported $200m budget, The Battle at Lake Changjin stars Wolf Warrior I & II and Better Days leading men Wu Jing and Jackson Yee, respectively; and is co-directed by three leading, acclaimed directors Chen Kaige (Farewell My Concubine), Tsui Hark (Once Upon a Time in China) and Dante Lam (Operation Red Sea).
Trinity Cine Asia co-founder and director Cedric Behrel says: “The Battle at Lake Changjin...
Billed as the most expensive Chinese film ever made, with a reported $200m budget, The Battle at Lake Changjin stars Wolf Warrior I & II and Better Days leading men Wu Jing and Jackson Yee, respectively; and is co-directed by three leading, acclaimed directors Chen Kaige (Farewell My Concubine), Tsui Hark (Once Upon a Time in China) and Dante Lam (Operation Red Sea).
Trinity Cine Asia co-founder and director Cedric Behrel says: “The Battle at Lake Changjin...
- 11/18/2021
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Trinity Cine Asia has acquired “The Battle at Lake Changjin” from Taipei-based sales firm Distribution Workshop and is set to release the war epic in the U.K. and Ireland on Nov. 19.
The film is currently the highest-grossing title in the world and in China so far in 2021, having earned $881 million in its home market alone — good news for the movie billed as China’s most expensive production of all time.
The U.K. and Ireland outings will occur in 25 cities. They will hit after the film’s Thursday’s release in Singapore, but day-and-date with North America and ahead of Australia (Dec. 2), where the movie is being distributed by China’s Cmc Pictures.
“It’s a privilege for us to be able to release the biggest box office story of 2021, when cinemas are just seeing the first real shoots of recovery,” said Trinity Cine Asia co-founder and director Cedric Behrel,...
The film is currently the highest-grossing title in the world and in China so far in 2021, having earned $881 million in its home market alone — good news for the movie billed as China’s most expensive production of all time.
The U.K. and Ireland outings will occur in 25 cities. They will hit after the film’s Thursday’s release in Singapore, but day-and-date with North America and ahead of Australia (Dec. 2), where the movie is being distributed by China’s Cmc Pictures.
“It’s a privilege for us to be able to release the biggest box office story of 2021, when cinemas are just seeing the first real shoots of recovery,” said Trinity Cine Asia co-founder and director Cedric Behrel,...
- 11/12/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Chinese distributor Cmc Pictures said Wednesday that it will release jingoistic Chinese war film “The Battle at Lake Changjin” in North America next week.
The film is currently the highest grossing title in the world and in China so far in 2021, having already earned RMB5.60 billion ($877 million) in its home market alone. It is currently the second-highest grossing film in China of all time, trailing only slightly behind “Wolf Warrior 2,” which earned RMB5.69 billion ($891 million at today’s exchange rate).
The film will arrive on screens in the U.S. and Canada on Nov. 19, and then Australia on Dec. 2. It is set to debut this week in Singapore, and has confirmed outings, but not dates yet in the U.K., Ireland and Malaysia.
Sales in overseas territories will help it push past “Wolf Warrior 2’s” record-setting cume — a development closely watched by the local state press. Both films star Wu Jing,...
The film is currently the highest grossing title in the world and in China so far in 2021, having already earned RMB5.60 billion ($877 million) in its home market alone. It is currently the second-highest grossing film in China of all time, trailing only slightly behind “Wolf Warrior 2,” which earned RMB5.69 billion ($891 million at today’s exchange rate).
The film will arrive on screens in the U.S. and Canada on Nov. 19, and then Australia on Dec. 2. It is set to debut this week in Singapore, and has confirmed outings, but not dates yet in the U.K., Ireland and Malaysia.
Sales in overseas territories will help it push past “Wolf Warrior 2’s” record-setting cume — a development closely watched by the local state press. Both films star Wu Jing,...
- 11/10/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
James Bond franchise film “No Time to Die” dropped by 59% in its second weekend at the Chinese box office. But it still held on to the top spot in the Middle Kingdom.
Data from Artisan Gateway showed that “No Time to Die” scored $11.4 million between Friday and Sunday. That kept it ahead of patriotic Chinese title “The Battle at Lake Changjin,” which took a further $8.7 million in second place.
“No Time to Die” has now accumulated $49.2 million after 10 days on release in China. Local ticketing agency and analysis firm Maoyan has slightly increased its forecast for the Bond title’s likely lifetime total from a previous RMB402 million ($63 million) to RMB420 million ($65.6 million).
That leaves “No Time to Die” significantly short of franchise predecessor “Spectre,” which earned $84 million in China in 2015.
In contrast, “Lake Changjin” has now reached $874 million since its Sept. 30, 2021 release. That cumulative means that “Lake Changjin” has...
Data from Artisan Gateway showed that “No Time to Die” scored $11.4 million between Friday and Sunday. That kept it ahead of patriotic Chinese title “The Battle at Lake Changjin,” which took a further $8.7 million in second place.
“No Time to Die” has now accumulated $49.2 million after 10 days on release in China. Local ticketing agency and analysis firm Maoyan has slightly increased its forecast for the Bond title’s likely lifetime total from a previous RMB402 million ($63 million) to RMB420 million ($65.6 million).
That leaves “No Time to Die” significantly short of franchise predecessor “Spectre,” which earned $84 million in China in 2015.
In contrast, “Lake Changjin” has now reached $874 million since its Sept. 30, 2021 release. That cumulative means that “Lake Changjin” has...
- 11/8/2021
- by Patrick Frater and Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Update, writethru: Powered by the international box office, and in a continued sign that overseas audiences are eager to return to cinemas for event fare, this was yet another weekend of milestones. MGM/Eon/Universal’s No Time To Die, as projected, crossed the $600M global mark this session, leading offshore play with an additional $51.9M from 72 combined Universal and MGM markets. That lifts the offshore cume to $472.4M and worldwide to $605.8M.
The bulk of the weekend’s business came from China where 007 debuted to an estimated $28.2M, repping the third best start for a Hollywood title in the market this year. While this is slightly lower than projections coming into the weekend, a contributing factor has been the Covid escalation over the past several days. As previously noted, social scores are the best on this Bond of any prior film in the franchise, and we’ve seen...
The bulk of the weekend’s business came from China where 007 debuted to an estimated $28.2M, repping the third best start for a Hollywood title in the market this year. While this is slightly lower than projections coming into the weekend, a contributing factor has been the Covid escalation over the past several days. As previously noted, social scores are the best on this Bond of any prior film in the franchise, and we’ve seen...
- 10/31/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
“Dune” didn’t quite manage to spice up its China open after a middling $6 million first day in the country on Friday. The film grossed just $21.6 million in its debut three-day weekend, according to studio estimates.
The result is more or less in the ballpark of its $41 million weekend tally in North America, where it released day-and-date simultaneously on HBO Max. It is nevertheless a disappointing one considering the enormity of the world’s largest film market, which has delivered much more spectacular openings in recent weeks.
As a dense, cerebral sci-fi epic, however, “Dune” is a hard sell for viewers in China’s lower-tier cities, who have recently proven their spending power by coming out in droves for National Day propaganda movies earlier this month.
The film is currently projected to earn just $35.2 million in China according to estimates from the Maoyan database, which would mean it has already...
The result is more or less in the ballpark of its $41 million weekend tally in North America, where it released day-and-date simultaneously on HBO Max. It is nevertheless a disappointing one considering the enormity of the world’s largest film market, which has delivered much more spectacular openings in recent weeks.
As a dense, cerebral sci-fi epic, however, “Dune” is a hard sell for viewers in China’s lower-tier cities, who have recently proven their spending power by coming out in droves for National Day propaganda movies earlier this month.
The film is currently projected to earn just $35.2 million in China according to estimates from the Maoyan database, which would mean it has already...
- 10/24/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Roy Horan III, the U.S.-born actor and film executive whose martial arts career flourished in Hong Kong’s Golden Era, has died. The father of Hong Kong-based actor Celina Jade, Horan was 71.
Horan (also known as “Sandy” and sometimes credited as Roy Haron) died on Oct. 12 after hiking and meditating in the hills near Los Angeles. A memorial ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
After graduation from the University of Rhode Island, Horan began his career as a martial arts student of renowned Korean taekwondo master and popular Hong Kong movie super-villain Hwang Jang-Lee (aka “lord of the super kickers”). He emigrated initially to Taiwan and later to Hong Kong.
In 1975, with Hwang’s help, he broke into Hong Kong film acting with roles in “Bruce Lee’s Deadly Kung Fu” (1977), “Snuff Bottle Connection” (1977) and “The Ring of Death” (1980).
While he missed Bruce Lee, who...
Horan (also known as “Sandy” and sometimes credited as Roy Haron) died on Oct. 12 after hiking and meditating in the hills near Los Angeles. A memorial ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
After graduation from the University of Rhode Island, Horan began his career as a martial arts student of renowned Korean taekwondo master and popular Hong Kong movie super-villain Hwang Jang-Lee (aka “lord of the super kickers”). He emigrated initially to Taiwan and later to Hong Kong.
In 1975, with Hwang’s help, he broke into Hong Kong film acting with roles in “Bruce Lee’s Deadly Kung Fu” (1977), “Snuff Bottle Connection” (1977) and “The Ring of Death” (1980).
While he missed Bruce Lee, who...
- 10/20/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
“The Battle at Lake Changjin” is on course to become one of the top three films of all time in China after dominating proceedings at the mainland Chinese box office for a third successive weekend.
A patriotic war film, “Changjin” earned $73 million between Friday and Sunday to extend its cumulative total to $769 million since being released on Sept. 30, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway.
In second place, “My Country, My Parents” earned $14.6 million, to extend its running total past $200 million to $210 million.
The film is already the fourth biggest film in Chinese history. Giant screen theater supplier, Imax said that the $2.7 million earned on its screens this weekend extended its Imax cumulative to $34.6 million, the fourth highest score by a non-English-language film.
Forecasts from Chinese ticketing agency Maoyan point to “Changjin” reaching RMB5.43 billon or $843 million (at current exchange rates) over its lifetime. If it were to achieve that total,...
A patriotic war film, “Changjin” earned $73 million between Friday and Sunday to extend its cumulative total to $769 million since being released on Sept. 30, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway.
In second place, “My Country, My Parents” earned $14.6 million, to extend its running total past $200 million to $210 million.
The film is already the fourth biggest film in Chinese history. Giant screen theater supplier, Imax said that the $2.7 million earned on its screens this weekend extended its Imax cumulative to $34.6 million, the fourth highest score by a non-English-language film.
Forecasts from Chinese ticketing agency Maoyan point to “Changjin” reaching RMB5.43 billon or $843 million (at current exchange rates) over its lifetime. If it were to achieve that total,...
- 10/18/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The Battle of Lake Changjin rages on. The Chinese war epic earned $73 million over the weekend, taking its China box-office total to $768.8 million — a phenomenal sum unmatched by any Hollywood film released since the start of the pandemic.
The Battle of Lake Changjin is now China’s second-biggest movie of 2021, trailing only the Chinese New Year comedy hit Hi, Mom ($821 million). In the all-time China box office charts, the war film now ranks third, in U.S. dollar terms, behind Wolf Warrior 2 ($854 million) and Hi, Mom. Chinese ticket app Maoyan forecasts Battle of Lake Changjin to finish its ...
The Battle of Lake Changjin is now China’s second-biggest movie of 2021, trailing only the Chinese New Year comedy hit Hi, Mom ($821 million). In the all-time China box office charts, the war film now ranks third, in U.S. dollar terms, behind Wolf Warrior 2 ($854 million) and Hi, Mom. Chinese ticket app Maoyan forecasts Battle of Lake Changjin to finish its ...
- 10/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Battle of Lake Changjin rages on. The Chinese war epic earned $73 million over the weekend, taking its China box-office total to $768.8 million — a phenomenal sum unmatched by any Hollywood film released since the start of the pandemic.
The Battle of Lake Changjin is now China’s second-biggest movie of 2021, trailing only the Chinese New Year comedy hit Hi, Mom ($821 million). In the all-time China box office charts, the war film now ranks third, in U.S. dollar terms, behind Wolf Warrior 2 ($854 million) and Hi, Mom. Chinese ticket app Maoyan forecasts Battle of Lake Changjin to finish its ...
The Battle of Lake Changjin is now China’s second-biggest movie of 2021, trailing only the Chinese New Year comedy hit Hi, Mom ($821 million). In the all-time China box office charts, the war film now ranks third, in U.S. dollar terms, behind Wolf Warrior 2 ($854 million) and Hi, Mom. Chinese ticket app Maoyan forecasts Battle of Lake Changjin to finish its ...
- 10/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“The Battle at Lake Changjin” became the fourth most successful film in the world this year as it maintained its grip on the China box office for a second weekend.
Even as the National Day holiday season wound to an end, “Changjin” scored $109 million over the weekend according to data from Artisan Gateway. That gave it a cumulative total of $633 million earned since Sept. 30.
Second placed film over the weekend, “My Country, My Parents” earned $19.6 million. Its cumulative was extended to $182 million.
The score for “Changjin” puts it ahead of far ahead of “The Legend of Shang-Chi” which stood on $402 million worldwide prior to the latest weekend, according to data from Box Office Mojo, and the $468 million worldwide total earned by “Godzilla Vs. Kong.”
The only 2021 titles outscoring “Changjin” in the global rankings are “Hi, Mom” with $822 million, “F9” with $717 million and “Detective Chinatown 3” with $686 million.
The film about...
Even as the National Day holiday season wound to an end, “Changjin” scored $109 million over the weekend according to data from Artisan Gateway. That gave it a cumulative total of $633 million earned since Sept. 30.
Second placed film over the weekend, “My Country, My Parents” earned $19.6 million. Its cumulative was extended to $182 million.
The score for “Changjin” puts it ahead of far ahead of “The Legend of Shang-Chi” which stood on $402 million worldwide prior to the latest weekend, according to data from Box Office Mojo, and the $468 million worldwide total earned by “Godzilla Vs. Kong.”
The only 2021 titles outscoring “Changjin” in the global rankings are “Hi, Mom” with $822 million, “F9” with $717 million and “Detective Chinatown 3” with $686 million.
The film about...
- 10/11/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Half Billion Dollar Haul for ‘Battle at Lake Changjin’ as Patriotic Holiday Propels China Box Office
Cinema box office in China hit RMB4.2 billion ($651 million) over the seven-day National Holiday period, according to government sources on Friday.
By far the top title was “The Battle at Lake Changjin,” which had grossed RMB3.50 billion ($543 million) by 5pm local time on Friday, its ninth day of release. In second place over the holiday period was “My Country, My Parents” with RMB1,08 billion ($167 million).
Like “Battle,” “Parents” was released on Sept. 30, a day before the Oct. 1 festivities which celebrate the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, and kick off a prolonged official holiday, also known as ‘Golden Week.’
The total is 5% short of the RMB4.4 billion recorded in 2019, the last year before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the global film industry. Including the weekend preceding the 2019 official holiday, the ten-day total in 2019 was RMB5 billion.
A key difference is that 2019 benefited from the release of three blockbusters – “My People, My Country,...
By far the top title was “The Battle at Lake Changjin,” which had grossed RMB3.50 billion ($543 million) by 5pm local time on Friday, its ninth day of release. In second place over the holiday period was “My Country, My Parents” with RMB1,08 billion ($167 million).
Like “Battle,” “Parents” was released on Sept. 30, a day before the Oct. 1 festivities which celebrate the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, and kick off a prolonged official holiday, also known as ‘Golden Week.’
The total is 5% short of the RMB4.4 billion recorded in 2019, the last year before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the global film industry. Including the weekend preceding the 2019 official holiday, the ten-day total in 2019 was RMB5 billion.
A key difference is that 2019 benefited from the release of three blockbusters – “My People, My Country,...
- 10/8/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
China Film Co’s patriotic omnibus My Country, My Parents came in second with $90.6m over four days.
Bona Film Group’s The Battle At Lake Changjin topped the China box office over the National Day holiday weekend, according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway, grossing $234.8m in four days.
The patriotic blockbuster, co-directed by Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark and Dante Lam, opened on September 30 and grossed $31.6m on its first day, followed by an additional $203.2m over the three-day weekend (October 1-3). China’s National Day holidays, celebrating the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in...
Bona Film Group’s The Battle At Lake Changjin topped the China box office over the National Day holiday weekend, according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway, grossing $234.8m in four days.
The patriotic blockbuster, co-directed by Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark and Dante Lam, opened on September 30 and grossed $31.6m on its first day, followed by an additional $203.2m over the three-day weekend (October 1-3). China’s National Day holidays, celebrating the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in...
- 10/4/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
A battalion of producers and stars worked the opening night red carpet of the Beijiing Intl. Film Festival Tuesday for the world premiere of their mammoth Chinese war film “The Battle of Changjin Lake,” which is expected to rank amongst China’s highest grossing films of the year.
The nearly three-hour-long historical epic is a grind through the blood, sweat and tears of the real-life People’s Volunteer Army as they fight against all odds to defeat the U.S. army at the titular lake during the Korean War. The conflict (1950-1953) is formally known in China as the “War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.”
Producer and Bona Film Group president Yu Dong said before the screening that the movie has been “meticulously crafted into a masterpiece that can be included in the annals of Chinese film history,” thanks to five years of script development, 200 days of shoots...
The nearly three-hour-long historical epic is a grind through the blood, sweat and tears of the real-life People’s Volunteer Army as they fight against all odds to defeat the U.S. army at the titular lake during the Korean War. The conflict (1950-1953) is formally known in China as the “War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.”
Producer and Bona Film Group president Yu Dong said before the screening that the movie has been “meticulously crafted into a masterpiece that can be included in the annals of Chinese film history,” thanks to five years of script development, 200 days of shoots...
- 9/22/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Chinese actor Zhang Ziyi will make her directorial debut with a short titled “Poem,” part of a high-profile patriotic omnibus blockbuster set for release on Oct. 1, China’s National Day.
The film does not yet have an official English name — unsurprising, given that it will not find an audience beyond the China market — but its Chinese name translates to “My People, My Forebears.” Produced by China Film Group, it is the third installment of the patriotic “National Day” trilogy, which includes 2019’s seven-part anthology “My People, My Country” — a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China — and 2020’s five-part “My People, My Homeland.”
Zhang, who holds Hong Kong citizenship, is best known abroad for her star turns in Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” and Zhang Yimou’s “House of Flying Daggers” and “Hero,” as well as “Memoirs of a Geisha...
The film does not yet have an official English name — unsurprising, given that it will not find an audience beyond the China market — but its Chinese name translates to “My People, My Forebears.” Produced by China Film Group, it is the third installment of the patriotic “National Day” trilogy, which includes 2019’s seven-part anthology “My People, My Country” — a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China — and 2020’s five-part “My People, My Homeland.”
Zhang, who holds Hong Kong citizenship, is best known abroad for her star turns in Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” and Zhang Yimou’s “House of Flying Daggers” and “Hero,” as well as “Memoirs of a Geisha...
- 9/10/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
“F9,” the ninth film in the “Fast & Furious” saga, on Wednesday has officially grossed over $700 million worldwide. It’s not only by far a pandemic record for an American film, but it’s also the first MPA film to cross that threshold since 2019.
As of Wednesday’s box office, “F9” has made $172.6 million domestically and $528 million internationally, pushing it over the $700 million mark. The last film to make that much? “Jumanji: The Next Level,” which opened in December 2019.
“F9” in particular had a record-breaking May opening in China, crossing $200 million there and becoming the only Hollywood film to cross that mark in China since Universal released the “Fast & Furious” spinoff “Hobbs & Shaw.” Only 11 Hollywood films in the last five years, including three in the “Fast” franchise, have performed as strongly.
“F9” has also narrowly beaten out the Chinese blockbuster “Detective Chinatown 3,” which has made $685 million worldwide and...
As of Wednesday’s box office, “F9” has made $172.6 million domestically and $528 million internationally, pushing it over the $700 million mark. The last film to make that much? “Jumanji: The Next Level,” which opened in December 2019.
“F9” in particular had a record-breaking May opening in China, crossing $200 million there and becoming the only Hollywood film to cross that mark in China since Universal released the “Fast & Furious” spinoff “Hobbs & Shaw.” Only 11 Hollywood films in the last five years, including three in the “Fast” franchise, have performed as strongly.
“F9” has also narrowly beaten out the Chinese blockbuster “Detective Chinatown 3,” which has made $685 million worldwide and...
- 8/25/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Chinese director Chen Kaige’s U.S.-born son Arthur Chen Feiyu has swapped his American citizenship for a Chinese one, a change widely viewed locally as a savvy move to boost his burgeoning career in the mainland.
The move comes as Chinese public opinion about celebrities has hinged upon questions of nationality. For instance, Beijing banned mentions of China-born Chloe Zhao earlier this year — despite her Oscar sweep — after a frenzy of inquiry erupted online over her true nationality, among other issues.
Arthur Chen, it seems, is preemptively sidestepping all that drama.
“After a wait of several years, the young man’s wishes has finally been fulfilled. Mr. Chen Feiyu has formally become a Chinese citizen,” his studio said in a statement to its official Weibo, stamped with the company’s official seal. “At the same time, Mr. Chen Feiyu has always steadfastly loved the great motherland, and will...
The move comes as Chinese public opinion about celebrities has hinged upon questions of nationality. For instance, Beijing banned mentions of China-born Chloe Zhao earlier this year — despite her Oscar sweep — after a frenzy of inquiry erupted online over her true nationality, among other issues.
Arthur Chen, it seems, is preemptively sidestepping all that drama.
“After a wait of several years, the young man’s wishes has finally been fulfilled. Mr. Chen Feiyu has formally become a Chinese citizen,” his studio said in a statement to its official Weibo, stamped with the company’s official seal. “At the same time, Mr. Chen Feiyu has always steadfastly loved the great motherland, and will...
- 8/3/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Saban Films holds US rights.
Voltage Pictures has added a hot title to its upcoming virtual Cannes market slate, boarding international rights to music video director Declan Whitebloom’s action heist thriller The Yacht starring Ruby Rose, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Frank Grillo.
Production wrapped recently in Mississippi and Voltage president and COO Jonathan Deckter and his team plan to show a promo when they kick off talks with buyers later this month.
Saban Films has acquired US rights to The Yacht, which is described as being in the vein of Die Hard and Panic Room and centres on a tenacious...
Voltage Pictures has added a hot title to its upcoming virtual Cannes market slate, boarding international rights to music video director Declan Whitebloom’s action heist thriller The Yacht starring Ruby Rose, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Frank Grillo.
Production wrapped recently in Mississippi and Voltage president and COO Jonathan Deckter and his team plan to show a promo when they kick off talks with buyers later this month.
Saban Films has acquired US rights to The Yacht, which is described as being in the vein of Die Hard and Panic Room and centres on a tenacious...
- 6/1/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Most Notorious Chinese Blockbusters Of All Time
Are you a fan of Chinese films? If so, you are probably familiar with the country’s notorious blockbusters. The Chinese film industry reportedly grossed $12.8 billion in 2018, compared to the $60.1 billion reported by the global movie industry. Like the US film industry, the China film industry took a big hit from the Covid-19 pandemic. The country was forced to close around 2,300 land-based cinemas in response to the Covid-19 shutdown. This is not to mention, the country also shut down film production to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Chinese officials have called for the reopening of land-based cinemas across the country. The country’s film market is expected to fully recover, but no one really knows how long it will take. China has some of the world’s highest-grossing movies of all time. Learn more about some of the country’s...
Are you a fan of Chinese films? If so, you are probably familiar with the country’s notorious blockbusters. The Chinese film industry reportedly grossed $12.8 billion in 2018, compared to the $60.1 billion reported by the global movie industry. Like the US film industry, the China film industry took a big hit from the Covid-19 pandemic. The country was forced to close around 2,300 land-based cinemas in response to the Covid-19 shutdown. This is not to mention, the country also shut down film production to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Chinese officials have called for the reopening of land-based cinemas across the country. The country’s film market is expected to fully recover, but no one really knows how long it will take. China has some of the world’s highest-grossing movies of all time. Learn more about some of the country’s...
- 5/14/2021
- by Peter Adams
- AsianMoviePulse
She may not be a household name anywhere other than her native China, but Chinese helmer Jia Ling has officially overtaken Patty Jenkins as the world’s highest-grossing female director for a single film.
After an extended three-month run, Jia’s Chinese New Year blockbuster “Hi, Mom,” finally left Chinese theaters Tuesday. It has grossed $838 million (RMB5.41 billion) since its Feb. 12 debut, according to Maoyan data and using an exchange rate of $1 = RMB6.44)
That sum makes it the 79th highest grossing film in the world of all time, behind Marvel’s “Thor: Ragnarok” ($854 million) and just ahead of Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” ($837 million). It also finished above Patty Jenkin’s 2017 “Wonder Woman,” which earned $823 million. “Hi, Mom” surpassed “Wonder Woman” in early April, 54 days after its release. (Some sources using different rates of exchange may arrive at different totals and rankings.)
Locally, the title has now surpassed the 2019 animation “Ne Zha...
After an extended three-month run, Jia’s Chinese New Year blockbuster “Hi, Mom,” finally left Chinese theaters Tuesday. It has grossed $838 million (RMB5.41 billion) since its Feb. 12 debut, according to Maoyan data and using an exchange rate of $1 = RMB6.44)
That sum makes it the 79th highest grossing film in the world of all time, behind Marvel’s “Thor: Ragnarok” ($854 million) and just ahead of Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” ($837 million). It also finished above Patty Jenkin’s 2017 “Wonder Woman,” which earned $823 million. “Hi, Mom” surpassed “Wonder Woman” in early April, 54 days after its release. (Some sources using different rates of exchange may arrive at different totals and rankings.)
Locally, the title has now surpassed the 2019 animation “Ne Zha...
- 5/14/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
“Hi, Mom” begins as a pleasant enough comic fantasy about a young Chinese woman who time-travels from 2001 to 1981 and becomes friends with her late mother. That’s before it flicks an inspired story-telling switch and turns into a top-notch tearjerker that will have viewers everywhere reaching for the tissues. The deeply personal debut feature by female director, star and co-writer Jia Ling has become a domestic box-office sensation, earning $821 million since Feb. 12. Now the second-highest-grossing non-English-language film of all time, “Hi, Mom” has a good chance of accumulating the $50 million required to overtake reigning champion “Wolf Warrior 2” when it rolls out globally during 2021. A U.S. release has been announced, though specific dates and details are pending.
Originally set to conclude its domestic run on March 15, “Hi, Mom” has been held over until April 11. It’s an extraordinary performance for a small film that bested Chinese New Year tentpoles...
Originally set to conclude its domestic run on March 15, “Hi, Mom” has been held over until April 11. It’s an extraordinary performance for a small film that bested Chinese New Year tentpoles...
- 4/5/2021
- by Richard Kuipers
- Variety Film + TV
As predicted, Roadshow’s The Dry has crossed the $20 million mark.
This means the Robert Connolly film, based on Jane Harper’s best selling novel, is now the 14th highest grossing Australian film of all time, surpassing titles such as The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Muriel’s Wedding and The Dish (not adjusting for inflation).
And the mystery drama is likely to still have life in it, with star and producer Eric Bana doing a set of Q&As screenings this week.
“The astounding success of The Dry confirms what Roadshow has always known, that there will always be an appetite for quality Australian productions which can without a doubt rival their Hollywood counterparts at the box office,” said Roadshow Films CEO Joel Pearlman.
“We will continue working with local industry and our partners in exhibition to deliver these crowd favourites to the big screen.”
Now 12 weeks in release,...
This means the Robert Connolly film, based on Jane Harper’s best selling novel, is now the 14th highest grossing Australian film of all time, surpassing titles such as The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Muriel’s Wedding and The Dish (not adjusting for inflation).
And the mystery drama is likely to still have life in it, with star and producer Eric Bana doing a set of Q&As screenings this week.
“The astounding success of The Dry confirms what Roadshow has always known, that there will always be an appetite for quality Australian productions which can without a doubt rival their Hollywood counterparts at the box office,” said Roadshow Films CEO Joel Pearlman.
“We will continue working with local industry and our partners in exhibition to deliver these crowd favourites to the big screen.”
Now 12 weeks in release,...
- 3/22/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Chinese indie sales agency Blossoms Entertainment returns to FilMart with a slate of large-scale commercial pictures sourced from a clutch of China’s biggest film studios.
The agency, operated by former Im Global staffers Vicky Ding and Leslie Chen, is pre-selling “Railway Heroes,” a tale of heroism and wartime sabotage which is targeting a National Day release in October. The film is directed by Yang Feng with a cast headed by Zhang Hanyu and Fan Wei.
“Never Stop,” a sports drama about the careers of two sprinters, is poised to release in China around the time of the Tokyo Olympics this summer. The cast is headed by “Shadow” star Zheng Kai (aka Ryan Zheng), with direction by Han Bowen.
Leste Chen’s “Upcoming” (aka “Sheng Xia Wei Lai”) marks the “Eternal Summer” director’s return to the romantic coming of age genre after more recent efforts in other directions including...
The agency, operated by former Im Global staffers Vicky Ding and Leslie Chen, is pre-selling “Railway Heroes,” a tale of heroism and wartime sabotage which is targeting a National Day release in October. The film is directed by Yang Feng with a cast headed by Zhang Hanyu and Fan Wei.
“Never Stop,” a sports drama about the careers of two sprinters, is poised to release in China around the time of the Tokyo Olympics this summer. The cast is headed by “Shadow” star Zheng Kai (aka Ryan Zheng), with direction by Han Bowen.
Leste Chen’s “Upcoming” (aka “Sheng Xia Wei Lai”) marks the “Eternal Summer” director’s return to the romantic coming of age genre after more recent efforts in other directions including...
- 3/14/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Local time travel comedy Hi, Mom is now the third biggest title ever in China with cumulative box office of $742.2m.
Warner Bros’ Tom And Jerry grossed $12.4m on its opening three-day weekend in China (February 26-28), according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway, scraping in at fourth position in the weekend chart.
While the animation/live action hybrid grossed just under its North American debut of $13.7m, the China results are relatively soft considering the market is mostly back up and running following the Covid-19 shutdowns of last year.
One reason is that audiences are still flocking to...
Warner Bros’ Tom And Jerry grossed $12.4m on its opening three-day weekend in China (February 26-28), according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway, scraping in at fourth position in the weekend chart.
While the animation/live action hybrid grossed just under its North American debut of $13.7m, the China results are relatively soft considering the market is mostly back up and running following the Covid-19 shutdowns of last year.
One reason is that audiences are still flocking to...
- 3/1/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Refresh for latest…: Warner Bros’ hybrid live-action/animated feature Tom & Jerry began offshore rollout in mid-February, and this session became the first studio title to hit China in the wake of the Lunar New Year, as well as adding a host of other new markets. The Hanna-Barbera rascals scampered off with a further $19.4M from 33 markets at the international box office in the session, which made for a global $33.1M weekend including domestic‘s strong start. The full frame gives T&j the third-biggest global weekend for a Hollywood movie in the pandemic era (it’s fourth when factoring Croods 2‘s 5-day domestic Thanksgiving launch). The overseas cume is now $25.1M for $38.8M worldwide.
Warners went day-and-date theatrically and on HBOMax domestically with Tom & Jerry. As we’ve seen with other family-friendly titles over the past several months, they tend to be less impacted by offshore...
Warners went day-and-date theatrically and on HBOMax domestically with Tom & Jerry. As we’ve seen with other family-friendly titles over the past several months, they tend to be less impacted by offshore...
- 2/28/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Chinese New Year movies continued to drive the global and international box office this weekend, after their astonishing Covid-era debuts last frame. Leaders last session, Detective Chinatown 3 and Hi Mom, both crossed the Rmb 4B mark locally, with each at an estimated Rmb 4.02B ($621M) cume through Sunday. This is after just 10 days of play for each film, and boosts both up the all-time charts
The current Maoyan-estimated grosses put Hi, Mom and DC3 within striking distance of topping Avengers: Endgame’s Rmb 4.24B ($629.1M) total in China. Hi, Mom, a time-travel comedy from comedian-turned-filmmaker Jia Ling that has benefited from great word of mouth, is projected to become the No. 2 all-time highest-grossing film in China with a Maoyan-estimated final of Rmb 5.17B ($799M). These figures are subject to change over the film’s evolution, but should they hold, Hi, Mom would slot in above 2019’s Nezha and behind 2017’s Wolf Warrior 2.
The current Maoyan-estimated grosses put Hi, Mom and DC3 within striking distance of topping Avengers: Endgame’s Rmb 4.24B ($629.1M) total in China. Hi, Mom, a time-travel comedy from comedian-turned-filmmaker Jia Ling that has benefited from great word of mouth, is projected to become the No. 2 all-time highest-grossing film in China with a Maoyan-estimated final of Rmb 5.17B ($799M). These figures are subject to change over the film’s evolution, but should they hold, Hi, Mom would slot in above 2019’s Nezha and behind 2017’s Wolf Warrior 2.
- 2/22/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
China’s Lunar New Year holiday brought in a record $1.2 billion (RMB7.8 billion) in ticket sales, making a tenth of the global 2020 box office in just six days.
It marked the first time in Chinese film history that the country’s single-day box office exceeded RMB1 billion ($155 million) for five consecutive days. More than 160 million viewers attended more than 2.9 million screenings, setting new records for attendance during the holiday.
The top three films were “Detective Chinatown 3,” which grossed an eye-watering $550 million (RMB3.55 billion), “Hi, Mom,” which earned $422 million (RMB2.72 billion), and “A Writer’s Odyssey,” which made $83.7 million (RMB540 million), according to Alibaba’s Beacon industry data tracker.
The soaring figures “indicate not only that the industry is warming up again, but also that with the effective prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic, China’s box office this year could reach new highs,” the Beijing News celebrated cheerfully in a commentary.
It marked the first time in Chinese film history that the country’s single-day box office exceeded RMB1 billion ($155 million) for five consecutive days. More than 160 million viewers attended more than 2.9 million screenings, setting new records for attendance during the holiday.
The top three films were “Detective Chinatown 3,” which grossed an eye-watering $550 million (RMB3.55 billion), “Hi, Mom,” which earned $422 million (RMB2.72 billion), and “A Writer’s Odyssey,” which made $83.7 million (RMB540 million), according to Alibaba’s Beacon industry data tracker.
The soaring figures “indicate not only that the industry is warming up again, but also that with the effective prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic, China’s box office this year could reach new highs,” the Beijing News celebrated cheerfully in a commentary.
- 2/18/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
‘Detective Chinatown 3’ Opens to $393 Million in China, Breaks ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Box Office Record
One year after theaters throughout China were closed by Covid-19, the box office has exploded thanks in large part to the long-awaited “Detective Chinatown 3,” which earned a record-breaking $393 million opening based on early estimates by Maoyan.
That start is the highest-ever opening weekend earned by a film in a single market, topping the $356 million earned by “Avengers: Endgame” in the U.S. on its opening weekend in 2019. “Detective Chinatown 3” also took the single-day record with $160 million earned on Friday, topping the $157.4 million earned on opening day by “Endgame” in the U.S.
While “Detective Chinatown 3” is not likely to challenge the all-time global record of $2.79 billion for “Endgame,” it is well on pace to pass the Marvel blockbuster’s Chinese total of $679 million. It is unclear, however, whether it will be able to challenge the $874 million Chinese box office record held by the 2017 film “Wolf Warrior 2,...
That start is the highest-ever opening weekend earned by a film in a single market, topping the $356 million earned by “Avengers: Endgame” in the U.S. on its opening weekend in 2019. “Detective Chinatown 3” also took the single-day record with $160 million earned on Friday, topping the $157.4 million earned on opening day by “Endgame” in the U.S.
While “Detective Chinatown 3” is not likely to challenge the all-time global record of $2.79 billion for “Endgame,” it is well on pace to pass the Marvel blockbuster’s Chinese total of $679 million. It is unclear, however, whether it will be able to challenge the $874 million Chinese box office record held by the 2017 film “Wolf Warrior 2,...
- 2/14/2021
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
The world’s largest film market is living up to its title with world-record-setting sales. “Detective Chinatown 3” shot past strong competition, as predicted, on its Chinese New Year opening day on Friday, notching a record-breaking $163 million (RMB1.05 billion) in sales despite poor word of mouth.
The sum marks the highest ever opening day tally for a film in a single market, beating out former title-holder “Avengers: Endgame,” which grossed $157 million in North America on its first day in 2019.
“Detective Chinatown” sales on Friday accounted for more than 60% of China’s total new year’s day box office nationwide, which surpassed that of 2019 at $268 million (RMB1.73 billion).
The massive commercial success of director Chen Sicheng’s comedic mystery also propelled Imax to new heights. As of Friday evening local time, the firm “very confidently” projected full-day China earnings of $7.7 million from three films, 18% more than on Chinese New Year’s...
The sum marks the highest ever opening day tally for a film in a single market, beating out former title-holder “Avengers: Endgame,” which grossed $157 million in North America on its first day in 2019.
“Detective Chinatown” sales on Friday accounted for more than 60% of China’s total new year’s day box office nationwide, which surpassed that of 2019 at $268 million (RMB1.73 billion).
The massive commercial success of director Chen Sicheng’s comedic mystery also propelled Imax to new heights. As of Friday evening local time, the firm “very confidently” projected full-day China earnings of $7.7 million from three films, 18% more than on Chinese New Year’s...
- 2/12/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
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