Sci-fi blockbuster “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is set for release in 3D at movie theaters all across China in October, according to the state-owned Web portal China.org on Thursday.
Chinese media company DMG Entertainment is working with producer/director James Cameron and his production company Lightstorm Entertainment to use the most advanced 3D conversion technologies to "make the biggest and best 3D conversion film ever," the report said.
The exact release date has not been set.
"Terminator 2" or "T2", which marks its 25th anniversary this year, did not have a theatrical release in China due to lack of a system for screening imported films in the country in the early '90s. However, many Chinese movie fans watched it on VHS and DVD and it has become a hit across multiple generations.
"I was thrilled to learn how popular 'T2' is in China," Cameron said in a video. "And I wanna thank the Chinese fans for their support, which is all the more meaningful considering 'T2' was never released in cinema there. And that's why I'm excited about working with DMG to bring 'T2' into Chinese cinemas for the very first time."
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the film's lead actor and plays the title character, is expected to be in China to promote the 3D re-release. Cameron may also come to China to promote the movie provided that "he doesn't have scheduling conflicts," the report said.
Andy Anderson, a top executive at DMG Entertainment, said they have also developed a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) and a virtual reality game for "Terminator 2."
The film, which became a hit in cinemas across the globe for its thrilling action scenes and groundbreaking visual effects when it debuted on July 1991, raked in $519 million at box offices worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of the year. It also won four Academy Awards the following year.
China's film market has had a string of successful 3D re-releases in the past, including James Cameron's "Titanic" (2012) that grossed a stunning $145 million in China, the highest among markets including that of the U.S.
The 3D rerelease of "Jurassic Park" (2013) also grossed $55.89 million in China.