Premiere Of 'Kung Fu Hustle' (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese director Stephen Chow ruled the 2016 Chinese New Year box office with receipts of more than $530 million from “The Mermaid.” The fantasy film, initially panned by critics, broke record in China when it became the highest-grossing film in the Asian giant.
For Lunar New Year 2017, Stephen Chow is releasing “Journey to the West 2,” which he produced and was directed by Tsui Hark, a fantasy expert. Pressure would be on Stephen Chow to duplicate “The Mermaid’s” feat.
To help Stephen Chow, Sony got the rights to the movie in North America and English-language territories. It would include the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand. Sony also holds rights for “Journey to the West 2” in other Asian countries beside China, including Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos and Kampuchea, Variety reported.
“Journey to the West 2” is the sequel to “Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons” which Stephen Chow directed and earned $215 million in global box-office receipt in 2013. The fantasy comedy reinterpreted loosely the classic Chinese tale “Journey to the West.”
“Journey to the West 2” was produced by Star Overseas company, owned by Stephen Chow, and Alibaba Pictures Group. Its budget was reportedly $60 million. It would premiere in China on Jan. 28, 2017, for the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Stephen O’Dell, president of international releasing for SPRI, confirmed the deal between Sony and Stephen Chow at the CineAsia convention in Hong Kong. Sony Pictures International Productions, the local-language production venture of Sony, brokered the deal, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Journey to the West 2” stars Kris Wu, Lin Genxin, Bao Bei’er, Wang Duo, Yang Yiwei, Mengke Bateer as Yao Chen. Stephen Chow released in early November the first teaser of the movie.
