Headlines from China: Enlight Media Increases Eleven Percent Stake in Maoyan Culture

From Weibo.

Enlight Media Increases Eleven Percent Stake in Maoyan Culture

According to an announcement made by Enlight Media on September 5 (Beijing Time), the company will acquire 11.11 percent stake in Tianjin Maoyan Culture Media, the operator of China’s top online ticketing platform Maoyan.com. After this transaction, Enlight Media will own 30.11 percent of Maoyao’s stake in total. In addition to providing online ticketing services, Maoyan is also a platform for users to socialize with each other, for distributors to promote films, and for merchandisers to sell products. By increasing its investment in Maoyan Culture, Enlight Media aims to increase its leverage within China’s entertainment industry and expand itself in the internet arena. Read more on Sina

Tsui Hark to Direct Louis Cha’s Wuxia Story ‘The Return of the Condor Heroes’

Acclaimed filmmaker Tsui Hark (‘A Better Tomorrow’, ‘The Ticketing of Tiger Mountain’, ‘Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back‘) will bring Louis Cha’s classic Wuxia story ‘The Return of the Condor Heroes’ to the big screen, according to an announcement made on September 5. The film will be executive produced by veteran Hong Kong producer Shi Nansun, and produced by Le Vision Pictures’ CEO Cheung Chiu. Read more on Mtime 

Jon Watts and Tom Holland Attend China Premiere of ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ 

The China premiere of ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming‘ took place on September 4. Director Jon Watts and star Tom Holland attended the event in Beijing. When they were asked why Chinese audiences should go see their movie, Watts said “Because you guys have watched ‘Wolf Warriors 2’ twenty times.”  Co-produced by Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios, ‘Spider-Man Homecoming’ will open across China in 3D, IMAX 3D, and DMAX 3D formats on September 8. Read more on Mtime

China Announces Tighter Control over Online TV Content

On September 4, China’s State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television announced new regulations on China’s TV sector. While the regulator states that the new policies are set to provide support and guidance for the development of the TV industry, the new rules are more of an indication of the government’s tighter control over TV content. According to the new regulations, a TV show is required to pass censorship and receive a permit in order to be uploaded online. Read more on CNR.cn

‘Wolf Warriors 2’ May Face Lawsuit from Wanda

As of September 4, ‘Wolf Warriors 2’ has raked in 5.5 billion yuan in box office in China. Meanwhile, the film recently involved in a dispute with four companies, including Wanda Cinemas and three advertising firms, over advertising revenue. According to a joint announcement from the four companies, five movie trailers are embedded in the beginning of the exhibition copies of the film without permission from the movie theaters that play the film, which causes damages for the movie theaters as well as their partnering advertising agencies. Read more on National Business Daily