Written by new-contact on Apr 15, 2014. Posted in Production News

China Film Group picks Warcraft and Seventh Son as first Hollywood investments

China Film Group (CFG) has chosen the upcoming US fantasy epics Warcraft and Seventh Son for its first co-funding deal with Hollywood. The state-run company will co-produce both features alongside Legendary Pictures, the studio behind the new Godzilla movie.

Warcraft will be a big-budget adaptation of a popular videogame, while Seventh Son is set to be a major fantasy drama.

“China Film Co Ltd has been paying close attention and great devotion to expanding its overseas market,” said China Film Co Ltd chairman La Peikang.

“The partnership with Legendary East is a new attempt in this progress. I believe our collaboration on Seventh Son and Warcraft will become an effective step for both parties in terms of resource integration and market expansion.”

“Seventh Son and Warcraft offer precisely the kind of unique worlds, stunning visuals and compelling stories that we originally partnered with China Film Co, Ltd. to create,” said Legendary East Chief Executive Officer Peter Loehr.

“We are very pleased to welcome CFG into these productions and believe this is a fantastic way to kick-start what will be a successful relationship.”

Seventh Son and Warcraft offer precisely the kind of unique worlds, stunning visuals and compelling stories that we originally partnered with China Film Co, Ltd. to create.

Peter Loehr, Chief Executive Officer of Legendary East

The development comes nearly a year after an initial co-production deal was signed between CFG and Legendary’s Asian division Legendary East to produce movies for release both in China and in the international market.

Hollywood studios are becoming more involved with China’s production industry as they seek new ways to access Chinese audiences. Productions like Transformers: Age of Extinction have filmed scenes in Chinese cities, while Pinewood Studios recently made a formal deal to advise on the development of the Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis in eastern China.

(Photo: Paramount Pictures/Michael Bay)