xXx The Return of Xander Cage (Photo : Etc Zone/YouTube)
In “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” the presence of Chinese actor Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen failed to bring in the moviegoers in China that for the first three days of the movie’s exhibition, it only earned $31 million.
On Feb. 10, a new Hollywood movie with Donnie Yen on it would again premiere in China. Would Chinese audience patronize “xXx The Return of Xander Cage” or snub it too? The movie would be shown in China three weeks after it opens in the U.S.
Post Lunar New Year Movie
Again, it is a test case if Chinese moviegoers see actors from the country being cast in Hollywood films as decorations only or not. But Variety noted that the exhibition of “xXc The Return of Xander Cage,” the first big Hollywood title to show in the world’s second-largest movie market, could benefit from the audience wanting to see a non-Chinese language film since movies shown during the Lunar New Year festivities are all local movies.
The exception to that rule is “Ballerina,” a Canadian-French co-production that has a Feb. 1 release date. There would also be two foreign movies shown before the start of the Spring Festival on Jan. 28. These are “Arrival” – a brainy thriller – on Jan. 20 and the Jennifer Lawrence-starrer “Passengers” which opens on Jan. 13.
Audience for Musicals in China?
After the Chinese New Year, “Sing,” a hit animation movie, would be shown on Feb 17. The Golden Globe Best Picture for Musical or Comedy “LaLa Land” has been approved for showing in China, but has no playdate yet. There are questions, though, if musicals like “La La Land” would have an audience in China despite its numerous industry awards.
Playing the lead role in “xXx The Return of Xander” is Vin Diesel whose character was thought to be dead. However, Cage was brought back through “Pandora’s Box” and shares the movie with Ice Cube who reprises his role Darius Stone when the movie opens in the U.S. on Jan. 20, Billboard reported.
