Despite the recent slowdown of box-office receipts in China, the second-largest movie market continues to be courted by Hollywood movie producers. Five movies got March playdates in China which could make or break these films.
The list of five foreign movies that got the approval of the government regulators and playdates next month is led by “Kong: Skull Island” of Legendary Pictures which got a playdate of March 24. The film would debut on March 10 in North America and other major territories, Variety reported.
4 More Hollywood Movies in March
“Logan” was given March 17 as opening day, two weeks after the movie opens in the U.S. on March 2 and 3. When “Logan” opens in the U.S. and China, it would go against “Beauty and the Beast,” a Disney production, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The controversial “A Dog’s Purpose,” was given a March 3 playdate, along with “Lego Batman.” Government regulators determine the release dates for foreign movies. However, most of the time, the dates are locked in until six weeks before the movie premieres. Another restriction is Hollywood studios are not allowed to establish releasing structures in China.
China’s Import Quota
Two government-owned companies, Huaxia Distribution and China Film Co., enjoy a duopoly on revenue-sharing status with Hollywood studio pictures that have revenue-sharing status under the import quota of China raised to 36 yearly from the 34 in 2016. The two extra foreign movie slots went to India after the successful showing in China over the Spring Festival holiday of two co-productions with India – “Buddies in India” and “Kung Fu Yoga.”
“Kong: Skull Island” is a co-production of Dalian Wanda Group-owned Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film reimagines the origin of the mythic Kong when a diverse team of explorers come together to enter an uncharted island in the Pacific.
The group is unaware that it is entering a beautiful but treacherous territory which is the domain of Kong. Among the stars of the movie, directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, are Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, John C. Reilly, Tom Wilkinson and John Goodman.