Despite a translation SNAFU with the Chinese print of Guardians of the Galaxy, the 1.357 billion people of China are jonesing for more superheroes these days. The country helped bolster Marvel’s Ant-Man past $500 million at the international box office, which encouraged several Marvel executives to remark that they had “felt the passion of Chinese fans” and wanted to expand the company’s market abroad. Hence why beloved Marvel geriatric Stan Lee has created a new Chinese superhero who will lead a new movie titled Realm.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, actress Li Bingbing has been cast as the film’s unnamed hero, whose origin stems from a new original idea devised by Lee himself. Fundamental Films, a Chinese production and distribution company, will co-produce the film with Stan Lee Global Entertainment. Plot details are being kept under wraps.
“What a kick it has been to create our first Chinese female superhero, and an empowering one at that,” Lee said in a statement. “It has been such a fun experience bringing to life an international woman character, and the ability to do so has been different from anything we’ve ever done! I am thoroughly enjoying every minute of it.”
While Lee’s idea serves as the basis for Realm, Predators writer and Masters of the Universe hire Alex Litvak was hired to write the film’s screenplay. Meanwhile, Bingbing — whose recent roles include Transformers: Age of Extinction and Resident Evil: Retribution — will produce, as well.
This all sounds really exciting, especially because China’s movie market is primed for some homegrown superhero flicks. Even so, I can’t help but think back to an old pitch meeting Lee once hosted that didn’t go so well. I think it was on Comedy Central…
(Via The Hollywood Reporter)