Written by new-contact on Aug 26, 2015. Posted in On Location

Warner Bros works on new deal to make films on location in China

Warner Bros is involved in negotiations to make films on location in China for local audiences. The US studio is talking to China Media Capital, a state fund backed by the government, and the move would help Warner Bros get access to the lucrative Chinese domestic market.

Hollywood movies have played a major role in sustaining the Chinese production industry since foreign distribution was first legalised in China in the mid-90s.

However, while international hits like Jurassic World, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Fast & Furious 7 are among the top-ten hits in China so far this year, domestic movies nonetheless dominate the list.

The deal being negotiated between Warner Bros and China Media Capital would give the Hollywood studio access to China’s domestic market, as opposed to focussing on making English-language movies in China for international distribution, reports the Wall Street Journal.

China continues to expand its interest in the international film market. Production recently wrapped on historical fantasy The Great Wall, an English-language drama featuring Matt Damon and a host of Chinese stars that was filmed entirely in China.

Also recently wrapped is the Chinese production Lost in the Pacific, another English-language feature that shot in Malaysia and features US actor Brandon Routh alongside Chinese co-stars. China has its sights firmly on the international market.

Hollywood seems primarily focussed on exploring distribution options in China as physical location filming in the country can be a challenge.

China, for its part, is reaching out to the international production industry by investing huge sums in major studio facilities such as Wanda Studios Qingdao, which is scheduled to open in 2017.