DAILY BRIEF: Apr 20, 2018

NEWS YOU SHOULDN’T MISS

• 1

  Chinese cult writer Chen Qiufan on pushing the boundaries of sci-fi

  At 36, Chen is one of China’s most visible writers in its burgeoning science fiction scene. His stories are as eclectic as his reading interests, merging themes ranging from neuroscience to Chinese folklore — and reflecting his own interest and experience in the tech sector. Financial Times

• 2

  Spotlight: China's Hollywood connection shifts toward film festivals, co-productions

  The Chinese-American relationship in films is shifting to lucrative co-productions and to the premieres of many Chinese films at American film festivals. Xinhua

• 3

  Legendary Princess Wencheng comes to big screen

  A new film company was founded Wednesday during the Eighth Beijing International Film Festival and will spend 200 million yuan (US$31.86 million) on a film about Princess Wencheng from the Tang Dynasty. china.org.cn

• 4

  Jackie Chan, Constance Wu & More Join The Sony/China Co-Produced Animated Film ‘Wish Dragon’

  Jackie Chan, Fresh Off the Boat star Constance Wu, Natasha Liu Bordizzo (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny), Will Yun Lee (The Good Doctor), Nico Santos (Superstore), Jimmy Wong, and Bobby Lee are set as the U.S. voice cast of Wish Dragon, an animated film from Sony Pictures Animation, Beijing Sparkle Roll Media Corporation, and Base Animation. John Cho and Silicon Valley‘s Jimmy O. Yang are also in talks to join the feature which is begin directed by Chris Appelhans. Deadline

• 5

  'Avengers: Infinity War' Unlikely to Break Global Box Office Opening Record Due to Late China Release

  The big question in front of both Marvel fans and executives has always been 'How much money will Avengers: Infinity War make? The culminating event of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is going to be a major cinematic milestone, and the scope of its success is nearly impossible to gauge, at this point. comicbook.com