China has surpassed the 20-billion-yuan mark for total gross of films earlier than last year. (Photo : Reuters)
SP International and China’s C2M Media Group have teamed up for the co-production of the stylized thriller “Born to Be Ghosts,” which is budgeted at $35 million.
The film, which will be helmed by French director Patrick Alessandrin ("District 13: Ultimatum"), is pitched as a new take on the genre known as the "Magnificent Seven."
The production will start filming in the first quarter of 2016 and most scenes will be shot in China.
According to the deal, both SPI and C2M will handle the casting, which will likely feature a roster of mixed international and Chinese actors and actresses. The film's production will be spearheaded by SPI chief Steven Paul ("Tekken," "Baby Genuises") and by C2M's Paolo Lee.
While C2M is tasked to handle the Chinese and Asian rights for the thriller, SPI will manage the film's license on the rest of the world. Through the latter's deal with Sony Pictures, SPI will also manage the North American distribution rights.
"Born to Be Ghosts" is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2017.
The agreement for the co-production was reached in Cannes as an addition to an earlier film venture, which is to co-produce "High Speed," a $50-million U.S.-China action title.
Meanwhile, SPI has also inked deals with California Films and Gulf Films for its venture targeting Latin American and Middle Eastern crowd, respectively.
SPI is currently co-producing "Ghost in the Shell" with DreamWorks.
On the other hand, China's C2M has also produced and co-financed a number of hit movies, including "A Wedding Invitation"; "20 Once Again"; a Chinese-Korean co-production and remake of the popular "Miss Granny"; and "Girls," the highest grossing film from mainland China in Taiwan in 2014.
