'Detective Chinatown 1900' 

An IMAX poster for "Detective Chinatown 1900." [Image courtesy of IMAX China]

The latest installment in the successful comedy-mystery franchise "Detective Chinatown," directed by Chen Sicheng and Dai Mo, follows three predecessors that grossed more than 8.7 billion yuan.

Set in 1900 San Francisco, this prequel stars Liu Haoran as Qin Fu, a traditional Chinese medicine physician, and Wang Baoqiang as Ah Gui, a Native American-adopted Chinese hunter. They investigate the murder of a white woman in Chinatown, which sends shockwaves through society. The film also delves into the origins of Chinatown in San Francisco and chronicles a century of Chinese immigrant solidarity, while examining Chinese American life under the Chinese Exclusion Act.

The star-studded cast includes legendary Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat, American actor John Cusack and Chinese comedians Bai Ke, Wei Xiang and Yue Yunpeng.

The film maintains the franchise's signature style while expanding its scope and scale. To immerse audiences in 1900s San Francisco Chinatown, crews built a 1:1 replica at Laoling Film Studio in Shandong province. Director Chen, a longtime IMAX collaborator, ensured this installment would return to IMAX screens to showcase the story's rich details.

With Chinatowns and Chinese communities serving as landmarks in countries worldwide, the film is positioned for global distribution. It will debut in Chinese theaters during the Spring Festival with simultaneous releases across North America, Australia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom.