$100-MILLION CHINESE BLOCKBUSTER TO OPEN NEXT WEEK IN CHINA

The highly anticipated Chinese blockbuster The Monkey King: Havoc in the Heavenly Palace, which reportedly cost $100 million to produce, is due to open in more than 30 international markets on Friday, the first day of the Chinese New Year, China’s Xinhua news agency reported today (Tuesday), noting that overseas revenue from presales has already surpassed $30 million. Although an English-language version, including scenes shot in Los Angeles, had been scheduled to premiere on Feb. 17, there was no mention of that version in the Xinhua report. The wire service said that Monkey King, which features Hong Kong actors Chow Yun Fat, Donnie Yen (in the title role) and Aaron Kwok and is directed by Pou-Si Cheang, is expected to set a record at the box office for a Chinese film. Meanwhile, film authorities in Beijing are predicting that the overall box office will also set a new record in China over the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, topping last year when 19.25 million people bought tickets at Chinese movie houses, paying altogether $126 million.