Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired domestic distribution rights for the follow-up to the Chinese hit Detective Chinatown from Wanda Media Co., Ltd. The deal marks the second collaboration between the two companies, following last year’s worldwide blockbuster Wonder Woman.
The acquisition was announced today by Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros. Pictures’ President of Domestic Distribution, and Jiang Defu, General Manager of Wanda Media.
The action comedy is slated for a North American release on February 16 – Chinese New Year – day-and-date with its release in China. In the U.S., it is set to open in 48 markets.
“China has become a major contributor to the global film industry and Wanda is a company at the forefront of that rise,” Goldstein said. “We are excited to expand our relationship with them and to bring this new project to American audiences.”
Jiang stated, “This is an exciting new cooperation, which will expand the global footprint of Chinese language films. Warner Bros., as one of the most successful studios in the industry, will bring our latest movie to North American audiences, and we look forward to the launch of this fresh, comedy detective film during the Chinese New Year.”
The Chinese hit Detective Chinatown opened in China in December 2015 and grossed more than $126 million (RMB 820m). The follow-up reunites writer/director Chen Sicheng and stars Wang Baoqiang and Liu Haoran, who reprise their roles as detectives Tang Ren and Qin Feng, respectively.
Logline: When the case of New York Chinatown godfather Uncle Qi’s missing son turns into a murder investigation, the detective duo Tang and Qin team up again to hunt down the killer – this time with some help from the International Detective Alliance.
The main cast also includes Xiao Yang, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Michael Pitt and Japanese star Tsumabuki Satoshi. The movie was shot in New York City and Beijing.
This film is a presentation of Wanda Media Co., Ltd. And Horgos Shine Asia Pictures & Culture Media Co., Ltd., in association with China Film Co., Ltd., Wanda Pictures (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd., Huoerguosi Happy Picture Co., Ltd., Youku Pictures Co., Ltd., Xiomi Pictures Co., Ltd., Horgos Youth Enlight Pictures Co., Ltd., Beijing Sparkle Roll Media Corporation, Horgos Jin Yi Film Co., Ltd., Zhe Jiang Hengdian Film Co., Ltd., Dadi Century (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Gosh Film Entertainment Co., Ltd., Yili JoyPictures Co., Ltd., Huawen Picture Co., Ltd., and Lian Ray Pictures.
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