‘xXx 4’ to Partner with China’s HCH Media
On April 19, China’s HCH media announces that the company is forming a partnership with Hollywood’s The H Collective and Ignition Creative. HCH will also be the exclusive marketing partner for the upcoming xXx4. In addition, Ignition Creative and HCH are launching Chinese joint venture Ignition China. Upon completion of the launch, the joint venture’s first partner will be Flower Film & TV, which has produced several hit TV series, such as Empresses in the Palace, Legendof MiYue, and Red Sorghum. Founded in 2016, HCH Media has participated in the financing, production, and promotion of several Hollywood movies, including Transformers: Age of Extinction, Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation, Spectre, Star Trek Beyond, and xXx: The Return of Xander Cage. Read more on entgroup.cn
Indian Film ‘Baahubali 2: The Conclusion’ Set for May 4 China Release
Today, the Indian fantasy film Baahubali 2: The Conclusion released its pilot trailer in China. According to the trailer, the film will premiere in China on May 4 in both 2D and IMAX formats. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion will be the first Indian film set in IMAX to grace Chinese theatres. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion draws on ancient legends of India. It tells the story of a prince’s journey avenging his father’s life and recapturing his throne. Director S.S. Rajamouli spent five years making the film on a budget of 2.5 billion rupees ($38 million). It is touted as the most expensive film in India to date. Baahubali 2: The Beginning, the previous movie in the series, made more than 5 billion rupees ($76 million) in India’s box office and topped India’s charts with regard to revenue. In July of 2016, the film was released in mainland China, and it has made 7.45 million yuan ($1.18 million) since. Read more on Mtime
2018 Top 100 Most Powerful Entertainment Firms in China
The top 100 most powerful studios list was recently released, with Huayi Brothers, Wanda Pictures, and Bona Film Group being in the top 3. The list has taken into account last year’s revenue, upcoming film projects, and reputation and reach within the industry. While distribution companies and exhibitors show more sustainability, talent agencies show great potential for future growth. Internet companies, such as Alibaba, Tencent, and iQiyi, also appeared on the list for their powerful online ticketing and video platforms. Read more on yiqipaidianying
China’s April Box Office Falls 1 billion Short Compared with Same Time Last Year
Yesterday, China’s box office reportedly collected 50.9 million RMB, just barely exceeding the 50 million mark. So far this month, it has only made 2.2 billion RMB cumulatively, over 1 billion ($158.8 million) less compared to the same period last year. The Hollywood science fiction film, Rampage, scored 31.45 million RMB yesterday and took the top spot in China’s box office for the day. Rampage has made 500 million RMB in China in total. In second place, Steven Spielberg’s thriller, Ready Player One, made 9.81 million RMB yesterday. Since it first began to screen in China, Ready Player One has made 1.25 billion RMB in total. In third place yesterday was Annihilation, a fantasy film that made 3.20 million RMB. Its cumulative revenue in China now reaches 52.8 million RMB. Isle of Dogs, 21 Karat and Dude’s Manual premiered in China today. Though noteworthy, the new films have not made huge waves in China’s box office. Read more on Mtime
