Jiang Xiaotong’s new action comedy, Fake Bodyguard, is geared up to stream on iQIYI’s premium Ultimate Online Cinema PVOD service beginning March 26. Starring are Wang Taili, who also exec produces the film, with Liu Yan and Wang Luojia, and guest starrers Yin Xiaotian and Jiang Chao on the roster.
Fake Bodyguard tells a story of a couple and their brother who run a travel agency in the fictional country of Mumba and are mistaken for international bodyguards by a visiting professor. To score a big payday, the three decided to play along, pretending to be international bodyguards that must protect the professor. While escorting him, they must battle a dangerous assassin who is trying to kill the professor.
The film marks the third comedy movie to feature in the Ultimate Online Cinema section this year following Dreams of Getting Rich and Wang Baoqiang starrer, Shaolin Master. It also signals a succeeding business model for iQIYI as revenue increased for online movies in the last seven years, with last year becoming the lynchpin for many households as consumers were forced to quarantine, with theatrical exhibitors closing due to the pandemic. 2021 looks to continue the streamer’s efforts from here on with its proven direct-to-consumer business model in this regard.
“Going forward, iQIYI’s Ultimate Online Cinema will continue streaming a slate of high-quality films, providing premium new offerings for our subscribers,” Song Jia, Vice President of iQIYI and General Manager of iQIYI Film Business Center, said. “At the same time, we also hope that the PVOD mode will achieve sustainable development as we work with platforms and creators to build a healthy online film ecosystem where filmmakers can identify their clients, guarantee their incomes and seize exciting new opportunities.”
