The slate features Chinese-language films from every genre, with a wide range of budgets, including a remake of "Miss Congeniality" and Adam Sandler's "Blended."
Flagship Entertainment, Warner Bros.' joint venture with China Media Capital and broadcaster TVB, unveiled its first 12 movie projects to be made in China.
The slate features Chinese-language films from every genre, with a wide range of budgets, including a remake of Miss Congeniality, Adam Sandler's Blended and disaster picture Crater. A few of the projects have Chinese lead actors and directors attached. The first of the films will be released later this year.
The announcement was made Wednesday in Hong Kong with Flagship head Richard Fox, Warners' Kevin Tsujihara and CMC’s Li Ruigang in attendance.
The company was established last fall and is based in Hong Kong. The venture was set up to target the booming Chinese movie market, which grew 49 percent last year and is expected to surpass North America as the world's largest theatrical box office in 2017. The upstart studio will also attempt to take its Chinese-language titles global.
"The strong growth potential of China’s film market, the well-established talent pool in Hong Kong and Hollywood’s vast experience in development, production and distribution of global films highlight the unique advantages of Flagship," said Li.
"With Flagship, we plan to make great movies that showcase China’s fabled history, stories, values and lifestyles," added Tsujihara. "But more than just making movies, we want Flagship to be a true cultural exchange between our companies and our countries. China is rich with talented storytellers — from writers and directors, to actors and craftsman — and we look forward to working with them in the years to come."
The titles announced include:
MEG (action) — Global tentpole release based on the best-selling book MEG: A Novel of Deep Terror about a massive prehistoric deep-sea predator that resurfaces to wreak havoc. Colin Wilson is slated to produce.
Murder of the Husband (drama) — Peter Chan is set to direct this drama where one woman’s suffering gave rise to the revolution of women’s social rights in China.
In Love With the Thieves (action comedy) — Jing Wong directs this high-profile action comedy starring Andy Lau, Huang Xiaoming and Shen Teng.
The Adventurers (action romance) — Stephen Fung directs this story of an overseas treasure hunt, with a cast led by Shaofeng Feng.
When Larry Meets Mary (romantic comedy) — Wen Zhang directs Song Jia and Bao Beier in a story that proves it takes time to find true love.
Miss Congeniality (action comedy) — A remake of the 2000 comedy starring Sandra Bullock that made more than $210 million at the global box office, proving guns and gowns are a winning combination.
Blended (comedy) — A remake of the 2014 comedy starring Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler as a mismatched couple stuck together on a family vacation with their kids.
Beautiful Coma (romance) — Peter Chan and Brett Ratner are set to produce this film chronicling a love that transcends every challenge.
Chinese Wall Street (drama) — A look at the dreams and sacrifices of a generation of China’s pioneers.
Agent Baiyun (comedy) — An unlikely crime-fighting team: a gossiping middle-aged woman and an international secret agent.
Crater (action disaster) — A special effects-laden tentpole release.
Wish Dragon (animated) — An animated tale of discovering the greatest wish of all.