For the rest of 2014, the Chinese box office will be dominated by "Gone with the Bullets", a much-anticipated new 3D effort from director Jiang Wen that some are predicting could outgross Transformers: Age of Extinction to become China’s #1 theatrical earner.
"Gone with the Bullets", which is set in 1920s Shanghai, has already racked up more than $32 million (RMB 200 million) in online presales on Wechat, iQiyi, Gewara and other platforms—a very impressive figure that bodes well for the December 18th debut.
The film encountered censorship problems that delayed a premiere that was set for December 8th. Instead, the film premiered on Monday in IMAX at the Olympic Stadium in Beijing. It’s clear that the censorship issues have not hindered GWTB’s commercial potential.
Gone with the Bullets is the first Chinese-produced title to film with IMAX camera and it will open at a record-setting 185 IMAX screenings. Grosses should be robust on the specialty format.
"IMAX has been working with director/star Jiang Wen on Gone with the Bullets for over a year and couldn’t be happier with how this blockbuster title has turned out,” says Greg Foster, CEO of IMAX Entertainment. “We’re excited that Director Wen has used our IMAX 3D Digital Cameras and we look forward to a successful run in China and to our continued collaboration with the movie community in this important region."
Only two other Chinese films will open this week: "Coincidence" and "Shanghai Noir". Nothing new from Hollywood will hit theaters until Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian debuts on January 4th.
Phil Contrino, Vice President/Chief Analyst of Boxoffice.com contributed to this article.
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