The lead star of the female superhero movie "Lights Out" is going to be a Chinese actress, and casting is currently in progress, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
At the American Film Market, it was announced that Easternlight is teaming up with Huace Pictures for the film.
Easternlight is the Asian unit of Arclight Films, while Huace Pictures is a Chinese film and television production and distribution company looking forward to expanding overseas.
In October, Huace Pictures bought a $52.7-million-worth stake in South Korea's Next Entertainment World. So far, this is the biggest collaboration between Chinese and Korean film companies.
For Arclight Films Asian sales and acquisitions head Elliot Tong, Huace Pictures is "one of the most respected and successful Chinese media companies."
Tong said that they are "pleased to be working" with them to help create "a female superhero film whose cast and unbeatable action sequences will be marketable to audiences all over the world."
Written by Jeff W. Byrd and Lamont Magee, "Lights Out" will be helmed by "Hitman" director Xavier Gens.
It tells a story of a young blind girl whose father was killed suspiciously during a Secret Service operation. Living alone in her family's secluded mansion with her guide dog, she has to deal with Russian gangsters with the fighting skills her father taught her.
"We are delighted at the brilliant cast prospects for 'Lights Out,' especially the female actress for the lead part, a unique role that shows how a blind character is able to use her heightened senses to become a hero," Gens said.
According to the director, "The best names are vying for lead roles in the film, and we are building an A-list cast and crew to deliver a powerful cinematic experience."
Easternlight's managing director Ying Ye also said that "Lights Out" will be the first of many projects with Huace Pictures.
Based in Hong Kong, Easternlight is managing the East-West co-production "Outcast" starring Nicolas Cage, according to Variety.