Headlines from China: ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ and ‘Searching’ Set for China Releases

A still from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ and ‘Searching’ Set for China Releases

Sony Pictures’ upcoming animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has scored a December 21 China release. This is the second Hollywood animated film to release in China in December following the December 14 release of The Grinch. Another American film that just scored a China release is Searching, which is set to open in Chinese theaters on December 14. Starring John Cho, Searching is a thriller film set almost entirely on smartphones and computer screens. Other imported films to open in December include Indian comedy film Padman, superhero film Aquaman and the classic and much-love Japanese animated film My Neighbor Totoro. Read more on Mtime

Jay Chou and Lan-xin Zhang to Join the Cast of ‘xXx 4’

It’s announced today that Jay Chou and Lan-xin Zhang will join the cast of xXx 4, the fourth installment of the xXx film series produced by The H Collective and starring Vin Diesel. Jay Chou is a renowned Taiwanese musician, singer-songwriter and actor. He has appeared in Now You See Me 2 and The Green Homet in the past. Lan-xin Zhang is best known for playing Bonnie in Jackie Chan’s 2012 action comedy film CZ12. In addition to Jay Chou and Lan-xin Zhang, the film also casted Chinese actor Roy Wang who is a member of popular boy band TFBoys. Read more on Mtime

Chinese Celebrities Refuse to Attend D&G China Show in Protest over ‘Racist’ Campaign

Recently, Italian fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana is caught up in a racism controversy for their ad campaigns that are interpreted by many Chinese netizens as racist. The campaigns were created to promote the brand’s huge fashion show in China, which was set to take place on Wednesday, November 21. The controversy escalated after the brand’s founding designer Stefano Gabbana’s even more racist comments on China were exposed, which then led many Chinese celebrities, including Zhang Ziyi, TFBoy’s Karry Wang, Li Bingbing and Dilraba, to refuse to attend the show. The show eventually got cancelled amid the controversy. Read more on ifeng.com