A future in fun

International theme parks are eager to cash in on China's affinity for film-related attractions, the Associated Press reports.

Spider-Man could soon swing over Beijing, chasing Optimus Prime and despicable minions through a $3.3 billion Universal theme park aimed at capitalizing on China's rising middle class and growing demand for all things animated.

China has been a major booster of animated movies such as Transformers: Age of Extinction - which was partly filmed in China - and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Brand is becoming more important to the Chinese market as its middle class pours cash into entertainment, and malls and parks across China are installing animation and cartoon-themed attractions to woo visitors, says global architecture firm AECOM. The Chinese film industry is set to overtake the US box office in the next three years, leading to more demand for Western entertainment, said Gary Goddard, founder of entertainment design firm Goddard Group in North Hollywood, California.