Fox Int'l teams for Chinese-lingo laffer

Source: Variety

Fox Intl. Prods. is set to produce and distribute its first Chinese-language pic, romantic comedy "Hot Summer Days," in collaboration with Star Television Asia and China's Huayi Bros. Media.

"Days" will be co-directed by first-timers Wing Shya and screenwriter Tony Chan. Director Fruit Chan and veteran filmmaker Paul Cheng are co-producers of the movie, budgeted at $4 million.

Starry cast from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan includes Jacky Cheung ("Perhaps Love"), Nicholas Tse ("Bodyguards and Assassins"), Daniel Wu ("Protege"), Barbie Hsu ("On His Majesty's Secret Service") and Gordon Liu ("Kill Bill"). Surprise cameos are also planned.

"China is undoubtedly one of the most exciting markets in the world today," said Fox Intl. Prods. prexy Sanford Panitch. "We hope this is just the beginning for Fox to make movies in the region."

Set during a summer of record-breaking temperatures, "Days" tells six intertwined stories of love.

The film began principal photography on Aug. 12 and is shooting in Beijing, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. It will wrap production in October and is scheduled for an early 2010 release in China by Huayi, in time for Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day, and by 20th Century Fox elsewhere.

Star holds pay TV rights to the film in Asia excluding China.

FIP and Star are both units of News Corp., and Huayi is the largest privately owned media and entertainment group in China.