THR have reported that the China release date for Tim Miller’s new Terminator movie, Terminator: Dark Fate, is set for November 1st – which is the same release date as the U.S.
As we already know, the studios behind T:DF (Skydance Media and Paramount Pictures) are expecting the China market to be of huge financial benefit the latest instalment in the tent-pole franchise – Terminator Genisys had a very similar situation.
In our June 3rd 2015 article “Terminator Genisys Is Set On Breaking Asia” we stated:
“The Asian market accounts for a huge amount of box-office revenue and could prove Genisys to be a financial success (regardless of takings from the U.S and Europe etc.) – this would mean that any positive fiscal response from China and Japan might necessitate a sequel; even if the movie doesn’t do so well in the rest of the world.”
TheTerminatorFans.com
Though Genisys failed to secure its planned trilogy – in 2018 Skydance Media partnered with Chinese Internet firm Tencent, making Skydance’s future marketing to China just that little bit easier:
“LOS ANGELES & BEIJING — Skydance Media, LLC (“Skydance”), a diversified media company that creates elevated, event-level entertainment for global audiences across multiple platforms, and Tencent Holdings Limited (“Tencent”, SEHK: 00700), a leading provider of Internet value added services in China, announced today that they have entered into a partnership, with Tencent making a strategic investment in Skydance Media. “
Business Wire January 25th 2018
Following Tencent’s partnership with Skydance, came the announcement of its investment in the Terminator franchise…
“On March 24 [2019], at Tencent’s “UP2019” Conference, Tencent Pictures CEO Cheng Wu announced the company’s upcoming films. One of the highlights on the list is Terminator: Dark Fate, the latest film of the “Terminator” series by James Cameron. Tencent Pictures co-finances and co-produces the film, which is a trilogy of stories. Terminator: Dark Fate has been set to release on November 1 in the U.S. In China, Tencent Pictures will provide marketing support to the film’s theatrical release.”
ChinaFilmInsider
THR reported:
“Terminator: Genisys, the previous film in franchise, earned $113 million in China in 2015 (despite being hurt by box office fraud designed to boost a competing Chinese propaganda film), compared to just $89.7 million in North America.
The Hollywood Reporter
The country is again expected to be a pillar market for the latest Terminator movie. China’s Tencent Pictures has an equity stake in Dark Fate, and is also a minority shareholder in David Ellison’s Skydance. The internet giant will be promoting the movie aggressively over its myriad online platforms.”
Do you think the Box Office revenue from China could cause Terminator: Dark Fate to continue with its planned trilogy even the movie isn’t as financially successful domestically (U.S) – or do you think T:DF will be successful regardless of Asia?
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