The online fantasy novel “Eternal Love, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms,” is so popular with Chinese viewers that in less than six months from the debut of a TV series on Jiangsu TV and Dragon TV on Jan. 30, a movie version would premiere across China on July 21.
The 58-episode drama is about the bittersweet romance between a 140,000-year-old fox princess and a 50,000-year-old dragon prince. The movie version would be titled “Once Upon a Time,” China Plus reported. Among the investors in the upcoming film is Alibaba Pictures, according to China Film Insider.
10 billion threads
According to Sina Weibo, the threads about the TV series were viewed more than 10 billion times. Short clips from the TV series were played 5.8 billion times, showing Chinese audience are not tired of the same romance story between Bai Qian, played by Yang Mi in the TV series, and Ye Hua, portrayed by Mark Zhao.
In the movie version, it would be Crystal Liu Yifei who would play Bai Qian. “I know it's important to let audience members become fond of and recognize my character. Thus, I have been working hard to make my portrayal of Princess Bai Qian, known as the High Goddess of the White Fox clan, and the ordinary human Susu close to the original novels,” said Crystal Liu Yifei, also known as “Fairy Sister” in the entertainment industry.
To portray the role of Ye Hua is actor Yang Yang whom Crystal Liu Yifei is thanking for giving her acting tips. She credits her co-star for helping her control her emotions in impromptu shows.
Fantasy romance
Because “Once Upon a Time” is a fantasy romance film, it has a complicated timeline and the theme that death cannot stop love. The film features a co-existence among humans, gods and monsters. It is co-directed by Zhao Xiaoding, a former cinema photographer, and Anthony LaMolinara, a Hollywood director and winner of the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects of “Spider-Man 2.”