BEIJING and SANTA MONICA, CA—Joint venture partners China Movie Channel Program Center, Jiaflix Enterprises and 1905 Pictures—a venture of three top production and finance companies in China—and leading game publisher Electronic Arts (EA) have announced plans for a sequel to the 2014 action-thriller Need for Speed. Need for Speed 2 would be produced as a co-production between China and the U.S. As an official co-production, much of the movie would be filmed in China with significant Chinese talent. The creative team for the film will be announced in coming weeks with production anticipated to begin later this year.
Based on Electronic Arts hit video game franchise, the original 2014 film was released by Disney’s Touchstone Pictures and grossed more than $200 million in worldwide theatrical box office—and was a box office hit in China, earning more than $65 million.
The EA videogame franchise Need for Speed™ has thrilled gamers globally for more than 20 years, has sold over 150 million units and grossed over $4 billion in retail sales. This year will see the release of both a new console game and new mobile game in the franchise.
Joint venture partners China Movie Channel, Jiaflix and 1905 Pictures most recently teamed with Paramount Pictures in 2014’s top-grossing movie Transformers: Age of Extinction. The Beijing-based venture was involved in the film’s production as well as the design and implementation of the China marketing, anti-piracy and grass roots programs that resulted in record-shattering box office. Transformers: Age of Extinction grossed more than $300 million in China, smashing the previous record by more than 40% to become the most popular movie in China’s history. The venture aims to make Need for Speed 2 an even more highly-anticipated film.
Commenting on the co-production, Yin Cao, Chairman of China Movie Channel, said, “We are excited to work with EA, one of the world’s most recognized creative companies. We are also delighted that much of Need for Speed 2 would be filmed in China, and we believe it will include much more Chinese talent and elements. This venture is another great endeavor to bridge the cultures between China and the West through films. We look forward to cooperating with excellent films and filmmakers to thrill and entertain movie lovers internationally with more outstanding films with Chinese labels.”
Jiaflix President Marc Ganis added, “We expect this partnership, which brings together a winning brand like Need for Speed with the team that propelled T4 to unprecedented success, will create one of the next great franchises for movie fans around the world. We look forward to bringing our market expertise and execution strategies to the project to accelerate demand and drive box office performance in China.”
Need for Speed starred Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) as street racer Tobey Marshall, who sets off to race cross-country as a way of avenging his friend's death at the hands of a rival racer. The film was directed by Scott Waugh, written by George Gatins and John Gatins and produced by Mark Sourian and John Gatins along with EA’s Pat O’Brien.
The sequel is being packaged by premier global talent and literary agency UTA, which represents Electronic Arts.
Jiaflix is the entertainment industry’s leading production and digital distribution partner with China, bridging interests and understanding to enhance results in and for the world’s fastest growing market. With its multicultural expertise and partnership with state-owned China Movie Channel and 1905, both which operate under China’s State Administration of Press, Publications, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT). Jiaflix brings together expertise, capital and regulatory understanding to drive co-productions, assisted productions and digital streaming. Its multiplatform distribution model is fully compliant with all government regulations, protecting intellectual property while delivering high quality entertainment that Chinese consumers can enjoy on any device. Jiaflix was founded by Hollywood veteran and former Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences President Sid Ganis, Kenneth Huang and Marc Ganis.
1905 Pictures
A subsidiary of and fully funded by China Movie Channel and 1905.com, 1905 Pictures (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (“1905 Pictures”) is involved in many areas of the film industry including development, production management, co-production, marketing and distribution, 1905 Pictures aims to create a model that aggregates all aspects of the industry chain. In 2014, 1905 Pictures assisted Paramount with the production and marketing of
Transformers: Age of Extinction in Mainland China. The film set a record box office of RMB1,978,000,000 (about USD 330,000,000) resulting in the highest grossing film in Chinese movie history. Earlier this year, 1905 Pictures acquired the Indian film Happy New Year and launched it in theaters across China. The release of the film is significant as it’s the first film imported under the Indian-China film treaty signed last year.
United Talent Agency
United Talent Agency is a premier global talent and literary agency representing many of the world's most acclaimed figures in every current and emerging area of entertainment and media, including motion pictures, television, digital, broadcast news, legit theater, video games, books, music, fine arts, and live entertainment. The agency is also globally recognized in the areas of film finance, film packaging, branding, licensing, endorsements and representation of production talent. UTA additionally provides corporate consulting, venture funding and strategic advisory services to companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. UTA operates the brand strategy agency UTA Brand Studio and owns market-leading broadcast news agency N.S. Bienstock. UTA founded and co-owns leading integrated marketing firm United Entertainment Group, A DJE Company, which focuses on branded entertainment for major consumer brands.
Contact:
United Talent Agency
Chris Day (310) 860-3723
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Straightline Communications
Linda O’Hanlon (818) 386-1916
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