Disney Unveils Its First Chinese-Language Rom-Com

A co-production between Disney, SMG Pictures, and Shanghai Artrendwave stars The Mermaid‘s Jelly Lin.

Disney’s Chinese-language film production plans took a step forward this week with the unveiling of their first ever Chinese-language romantic comedy starring Chen Bolin and The Mermaid’s Jelly Lin at the Shanghai International Film Festival.

The Dreaming Man (formerly known as Miss Taken) is a co-production between The Walt Disney Studios China Limited, SMG Pictures Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Artrendwave Productions Co., Ltd.

Stars Chen Bolin and Jelly Lin joined co-star Zhang Yunlong and director Wang Ying on the red carpet at the SIFF opening ceremony earlier this week. A poster featuring Chen and Lin was also released on the same day.

Shooting has been completed and it’s currently in post-production. The film is expected to be released in China this year.

The Dreaming Man will mark Disney’s first film to come out of a co-development agreement between The Walt Disney Studios China Limited and Wudi Pictures Corp. for the development of live-action theatrical motion pictures.

It is not, as reported elsewhere, a co-production of Wudi Pictures. Disney’s agreement with Wudi isn’t about co-production, as previously reported, just development.

In May, Disney also struck a deal with China’s Jiaxing Media, to develop a number of live-action movies. Jiaxing Media, which is also known as Jay Walk Studios, is partially owned by Chinese actress Yang Mi.