Hollywood production company Legendary Pictures, known for its role in blockbuster US films like “Batman: The Dark Knight” and “The Hangover” has formed a China joint venture with Huayi Brothers Media (300027.SZ), the Los Angeles Times reported. Huayi Bros is best known for its mainland hit “Aftershock.” The new JV is to be called Legendary East, and will produce one or two English-language movies per year. Because they will originate in China, they will not be subject to government restrictions on foreign films that can be displayed in mainland theaters. Other foreign studios have shown interest in finding similar regulatory loopholes; Sony Pictures 2009 remake of “The Karate Kid,” for example, was shot in China in partnership with the government-controlled China Film Group. Overall box-office receipts in China doubled between 2008 and 2010 to hit US$1.5 billion and the number of screens also doubled. Research firm Screen Digest predicts that that number will double again by 2015.