"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1″ will be released in the booming Chinese market on Feb. 8 at more than 4,000 theaters.
Lionsgate’s Jennifer Lawrence tentpole had been set to open in China in late November but was pulled from release a few days before the scheduled launch. The Chinese site Mtime reported last month that the movie would be released on Feb. 8 but Lionsgate did not confirm that date until Tuesday.
The film will be imported to China by China Film Group and jointly distributed by China Film Group, Huaxia Film Distribution and Lionsgate’s Beijing-based promotional partner Talent International Film Co. Ltd.
As part of the marketing campaign, Lawrence has recorded a special greeting for fans and a new Chinese trailer has already been released.
The debut will mark first of the three “Hunger Games” to be released in 3D in China. “Mockingjay” has already grossed approximately $325 million domestically and approximately $375 million internationally, led by the U.K. with $43 million.
The franchise is based on the Suzanne Collins’ trilogy, which has sold more than 82 million copies. The final film, “Mockingjay – Part 2″ is set for worldwide release on Nov. 20.