Chinese moviegoers are likely to catch the latest installment in
the Spider-Man series before their peers in the United States.
The Shanghai Morning Post reports Spider-Man 3
recently passed examination by the State Administration of Radio,
Film, and Television. It's slated to open in theaters on the
Chinese mainland on May 1, even though it won't be released in the
United States until May 4.
Lead actor Tobey Maguire and actress Kirsten Dunst are set to
attend the world premiere ceremony in Tokyo on April 16. Sources
from the distribution company, Columbia Pictures, say they are
working to incorporate a tour of the Chinese mainland into the
stars' itinerary.
Spider-Man was a huge hit in 2002. It reported the
highest takings at the North American box office of any film
released that year, but only earned 43 million yuan (US$5.55
million) on the Chinese mainland. The 2004 sequel managed to
increase its takings at the Chinese mainland box office to 55
million yuan.
Columbia Pictures expects to make 100 million yuan at the box
office with their latest film, thanks to the efforts they have made
to reduce the impact piracy has on profits.
(CRI.cn March 12, 2007)
