Disney

The Covid-19 pandemic brought a halt to much of the film industry, but it also led to a notable creative breakthrough: virtual production sets.  With travel restrictions in full force globally, production teams have developed new ways to produce stunning visual effects virtually, meaning there is no need for on-location filming.  “LED-based virtual production is definitely the future [of filmmaking],” said Guo Fu, co-founder of Beijing-based visual effects company Revo Times, which produced high-grossing Chinese films including Crazy Alien and Assassin in Red. Interest in the innovative visual effects approach has surged around the world following the success of the new Star Wars franchise T

Every Tuesday and Thursday, Inkstone Index features one important number about China to give you insight into the rising power. $28.6 billion: The combined worth of the 10 largest film companies in China.   Chinese film enterprises are minnows compared to their global competitors, despite enjoying the second-largest film market in the world. China’s top 10 most valuable film companies have market value a total of $28.6 billion, according to the Hurun Report. Yet that number is only a fraction of Disney’s estimated $226.6 billion.  Enlight Media, the most valuable Chinese film company, earned about $2 billion in the domestic box office in 2019, making up about 20% of the total Chinese box off

The winner of a logo competition aimed at promoting tourism in a Chinese city has been accused of ripping off Disney’s distinctive font. The government of Dalian in northeastern China published the winning design of its “Dalian has quality gifts” competition on December 11. But internet users soon identified that the lettering looked a lot like that of Walt Disney’s signature company logo. The city’s Bureau of Culture and Tourism, which is in charge of the competition, said on Tuesday it was aware of the plagiarism accusations and was conducting an investigation. “The investigation is currently under way and the results will be announced as soon as possible,” the statement said, adding that

Shanghai Disneyland has caved in to pressure. After months of public debate in China, the resort has scrapped its ban on outside food and said visitors can now bring their own food and drinks. But please, no durians. The forbidden fruit is named among several food items, such as instant noodles that require hot water, that remain unwelcome at the park, according to rules recently updated on the Shanghai resort’s website. The change brought the food policy of Shanghai Disneyland into line with those of Disney parks in the US and Europe, where outside food and drinks are generally allowed. The shift came about after the American entertainment behemoth came under fire from Chinese consumers for

Chinese fans are questioning the authenticity of Disney’s depiction of the iconic heroine Mulan, after viewing a new trailer for the highly anticipated live-action film. In the trailer, the titular character is seen riding her horse across emerald-green rice paddies and arriving at home – a distinctive donut-shaped structure with mud walls, tiled roofs and a bustling courtyard shared with neighbors. This scene has Chinese fans scratching their heads. The real Mulan, if she lived at all, could not have lived in such a house. “This is American-style ancient China,” said one internet user on the Twitter-like Weibo.  The unique, instantly identifiable home seen in the trailer is called a tulou,

Chinese fans may love NBA players and African-American entertainers, but they’re upset with Disney’s decision to cast Halle Bailey to play Ariel in the live-action movie adaption of The Little Mermaid. Disney announced the casting of 19-year-old Bailey, who is black, this week. While the casting was largely praised on Western social media, it triggered a wave of disappointment and anger on the Chinese internet.  “I don’t discriminate against black people, but the Little Mermaid is just not black in my memory,” said one of the most liked comments on the Twitter-like Weibo. “Is this mermaid from the Somali Sea?” another Weibo user said. “Don’t ruin my childhood, you big-head fish!” Internet u

After stealing the show in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen is lending his fighting skills to Disney once again.  He is set to star in Disney’s new live-action adaptation of Mulan. The actor will join Chinese actress Crystal Liu Yifei, who was cast in November to play the titular female warrior. Yen will play Mulan’s mentor, Commander Tung – a role with plenty of chances to show off his considerable martial arts prowess. Meanwhile, Chinese martial arts star Jet Li is in final talks to play the Chinese emperor, while actress Gong Li is signed on to play the villain. With a tentative release date of March 27, 2020, the new Mulan is executive-produced by influenti