China’s richest man is looking to court Hollywood studios with a new movie metropolis in the coastal city of Qingdao that will subsidize their production costs to the tune of $150m a year, according to the Financial Times. The studio complex adds to a sprawling entertainment empire assembled by Wang Jianlin, chairman of Dalian Wanda. It includes a $3.5 billion stake in Legendary Entertainment; the largest theatre chain in mainland China; and AMC Theatres, set to be the biggest chain in the US once it completes the acquisition of Carmike Cinemas. The free-spending Mr. Wang has become the toast of Hollywood for his deep pockets, and is seen as a bridge linking the US film industry to the lucrative Chinese film market. The 200-hectare Qingdao complex will open in 2018.
Categories