"Monkey King: Hero Is Back" is one of the most successful animated films in China. (Photo : Reuters)
Enlight Media, China's largest privately owned film company, has announced that it plans to establish an animated film outfit, Coloroom, with intentions to invest in 22 animated films from 13 different independent studios, according to a report by China Daily.
Industry experts believe Enlight's move is inspired by the success of the domestic animated film, "Monkey King: Hero Is Back."
While the film had a low-profile debut, it has become a sensation in China, becoming the highest grossing animated film in the mainland.
According to earlier reports, Enlight planned to invest in "Monkey King: Hero Is Back," but eventually decided to pull out. Now it seems the entertainment company does not want to miss another chance.
The company's chairman, Wang Changtian, who rarely makes an appearance at promotional tours, served as the host for Coloroom's recent media event. This marked the highest level company representation at a regular press conference in the 17 years of Enlight's history.
"Most Chinese animators have struggled for years," said Wang. "I believe the improvement in the quality of domestic flicks will give us a Chinese answer to Pixar."
Among the planned 22 films, Tian Xiaopeng, director of "Monkey King: Hero Is Back," has two films, namely, "Monkey King: Havoc in Heaven" and "Deep Sea."
Despite its title, "Havoc in Heaven" has no connection with "Hero Is Back."
"Monkey King is at his peak when he challenges heaven's authority, which makes it the most attractive part of the original novel," Tian said referring to "Journey to the West," the classic Chinese novel that is the source material for the two films.
"Deep Sea" is a sci-fi adventure that Tian has had in his mind for decades. His Sina Weibo account even uses the online persona "a stranger in the deep sea."
Other projects Enlight has lined up include "Big Fish & the Chinese Flowering Crabapple," "The Legend of the Jade Sword" and "Charlie IX & DoDoMo," as well as adaptations of popular online games "Dragon Nest" and "Fantasy of Journey to the West."
