China's Version of Hollywood Starts to Take Shape in Qingdao

Billionaire Wang Jianlin’s plan to create a Chinese Hollywood is beginning to take shape with blockbuster projects already signing up in what is set to be the world’s biggest movie studio in Qingdao.

We had previously reported that at least part of Legendary’s Pacific Rim sequel is set to be filmed at the 50-billion-yuan (USD 7.5 billion) Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis (万达东方影都). 

Now there's news that Joe Johnston, director of Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Jurassic Park III, and Captain America: The First Avenger, will be filming a new USD 100 million sci-fi blockbuster in Qingdao called Starfall.

Johnston, who has also been the VFX guy on several Star Wars films, will have a 56,000-square-foot green screen stage at his disposal at the new facility to make the new film which is set on a space station.

The film is being co-financed by Lionsgate, Wanda, and Infinity Pictures, which is a China Media Capital-backed company.

We can expect more and more Hollywood productions to head China’s way over the coming years especially following Wanda’s announcement this week that they will be offering a 40 percent subsidy for projects that shoot at the Qingdao complex. 

Originally scheduled for completion in April 2017, Wanda pushed back the opening of the complex by more than a year to August 2018. The facility will be “partly operational” this year according to Wanda.

The studio at the heart of the giant entertainment complex will be surrounded by a yacht club, theme park, celebrity wax museum, hospital, and numerous hotels.

Photo: qingdaonews.com