Following the announcement of Solara, Beijing and Hong Kong-based Extraordinary Entertainment Limited are now planting their feet in with John Fusco for new organized crime drama, The Successor.
Director Renny Harlin will helm Operation Wild, according to Patrick Frater at Variety detailing a new three-film co-development deal made during events over at the Shanghai International Film Festival. The deal was made between leading Indian entertainment company, B4U, and Extraordinary Entertainment, Harlin’s shared production banner with Kung Fu Yoga producer DJ Parmar.
Brian Brightly is penning Operation Wild which is described as a large-scale action adventure centered on “two elite combat warriors from China and India who lead covert forces to shut down a global wildlife-poaching criminal organization.” Casting details are unknown while the report does suggest prominent Chinese and Indian actors will be brought aboard.
“These films will highlight the emotional bond and cultural values that are common between the people of China and India,” said B4U CEO Ishan Saksena.
“The enormous success of co-production films like ‘Kung Fu Yoga’ and other Indian films has helped pave the way for Indian content in China. Building on this, we are excited to develop our new China-India film slate beginning with ‘Operation Wild’ and our partner B4U, one of India’s most renowned Entertainment companies,” said Extraordinary’s CEO Parmar.
The announcement comes following the launch of Extraordinary Entertainment at Cannes with Harlin and Parmar signaling Chinese tentpole sci-fi epic, Solara, to be written by Creighton Rothenberger and Katrin Benedikt (London Has Fallen, Expendables 3, Olympus Has Fallen). Also in tow for Harlin are Legend Of The Ancient Sword and Nick Cheung starrer, Bodies At Rest, as well as The Hanging Coffins for Shanghai Film Group, and jointly with producer Zhiyuan Zhan for Operation Somalia.
Renny Harlin is stacking up on work having based himself in China for the last four years.
The celebrated Die Hard 2 director is now adding Chinese tentpole sci-fi epic adventure, Solara, to the roster in partnership with Daljit DJ Parmar per the launch of their Beijing and Hong Kong-based production and finance company, Extraordinary Entertainment Limited. The film centers on an international team that joins forces to save Earth from a global catastrophe that can destroy mankind. Harlin will direct and produce with Kung Fu Yoga producer Parmar, from a script by Creighton Rothenberger and Katrin Benedikt (London Has Fallen, Expendables 3, Olympus Has Fallen).
“We are thrilled to announce this partnership with our combined experience in China matched with our shared global vision to focus on the tremendous opportunity to develop home-grown IP across all platforms for the China market. Solara is an exciting example where we have developed a tentpole film catered for China with the potential to have success globally,” said Extraordinary Entertainment Limited CEO Daljit DJ Parmar. “We believe that we will cater to the growing demand from Chinese audiences for universal stories that are commercial and explore cultural diversity promoting intercultural understanding. With the recent success of international films at the Chinese box office, we are excited to continue developing and acquiring global IP for China.”
Extraordinary Entertainment Limited CCO Renny Harlin commented: “My last four years working in China, have been some of the most inspiring and productive of my career. I’m excited to now fulfill my dream of expanding into developing and producing a variety of movies and TV in China, partnered with my friend, DJ Parmar, who brings in his unparalleled passion and expertise in Chinese co-productions. We want to create top quality entertainment for a Chinese audience and reach out to the international market with co-productions that authentically portray the Chinese spirit, heart, and soul. As our first original project we are excited to be developing Solara with Creighton and Katrin. Their creative vision for this epic sci-fi adventure is something completely new for the Chinese market.”
“Renny and DJ have truly immersed themselves within China and have both cultivated a broad international audience. We are confident that Extraordinary Entertainment will excel in this exciting new chapter for cross-border productions,” said UTA Head of Asian Business Development Max Michael. “As UTA has grown its business in Asia, Renny has continued to be a consummate example of western talent finding success in the Asian marketplace, and we look forward to help guide this new partnership.”
With a funding pipeline ranging from $10 million to $50 million dollars from strategic investors with an interest in the Chinese market, Solara aims to be one of several local Chinese language and international co-productions comprised of sci-fi, action, adventure and comedy films to stem from the company, as well as new age premium scripted online TV programs. The banner will serve as a directing vehicle for other helmers, as well as Harlin who will operate as Chief Creative Officer with Parmar serving as CEO.
The Skiptrace director is currently in post production with video game adaptation, The Legend of The Ancient Sword for Alibaba, and the Nick Cheung action thriller Bodies at Rest for Wanda Pictures. Harlin is also in production with Operation Somalia, produced by Zhiyuan Zhang, and is also attached to Chinese action thriller The Hanging Coffins, penned by The Shallows scribe Tony Jaswinski.
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