The 'Long March' to Tinseltown

After working with Hollywood companies at a basic level for many years, it is only a matter of time before Chinese capital takes a share in the major six Hollywood studios. Liu Wei reports in Shanghai.

The next Kung Fu Panda will be the brainchild of both American and Chinese filmmakers and production will start in August, says Peter Li, managing director of China Media Capital, co-investor of Oriental DreamWorks, a joint venture with DreamWorks Animation. CMC co-founded Oriental DreamWorks in 2012 with DreamWorks, Shanghai Media Group and Shanghai Alliance Investment, with the aim of producing and distributing animated and live-action content for Chinese and global markets.

The Chinese team contributes not only investment to Kung Fu Panda 3, but also the script, by collecting material about the Chinese elements to be featured in the new installment of the global hit, scheduled for release in 2015, says Li on the sidelines of the ongoing Shanghai International Film Festival, which runs from June 15 to 23.