DreamWorks boss predicts 'Tibet Code' hit
Source: Xinhua |
June 9, 2013, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
POPULAR Chinese adventure novel series "The Tibet Code" will be turned into an animated film with the potential to become a global blockbuster, Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation, has said.
"I just think it's a fantastic story. It could be for China, like the Indiana Jones and 'The Da Vinci Code' films," said Katzenberg on Friday, on the sidelines of the 2013 Fortune Global Forum in southwest China's city of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, that ended yesterday.
The film will be co-produced by Oriental DreamWorks, a Chinese company co-owned by DreamWorks, and the state-owned China Film Group.
In "The Tibet Code," by Chinese novelist He Ma, an expert on the Tibetan mastiff embarks on a journey searching for ancient Buddhist treasure in Tibet that involves animal characters and ancient legends.
"The Tibet Code" series - 10 books in total - has sold more than 10 million copies in China.
"The books themselves are not political," said Katzenberg, who has read the English translations.
"The movie shouldn't be assumed to be controversial and political," he added.
Though he has never been to Tibet, Katzenberg said he and the creative team plan to visit the region in preparation for the film.
The 62-year-old is known for his sharp instinct in finding global hits. He created the "Shrek" franchise, whose five films have grossed more than US$3.5 billion worldwide.
The "Kung Fu Panda" franchise and "The Croods" are also global blockbusters.
Although China's growing animation industry still faces a shortage of creative talent and a well-developed industrial chain, Katzenberg said.
"I'm completely confident that there are talented kids here. If we give them the time and the tools and the mentorship to teach them, they will be great world-class animators," Katzenberg said.
"But it will take many years," he added.
A series of tie-ins between Hollywood and Chinese firms has been announced in recent years, trying to tap into China, now the world's second-largest movie market after the United States.
DreamWorks has been expanding its presence here. In addition to "The Tibet Code," it will co-produce "Kung Fu Panda 3" with the Shanghai-based Oriental DreamWorks.
The two partners said previously that they will make up to three films per year.
They also plan to invest over 20 billion yuan (US$3.1b) to build an animation studio and an entertainment complex in Shanghai that will include theaters, restaurants and tourist attractions.
"I just think it's a fantastic story. It could be for China, like the Indiana Jones and 'The Da Vinci Code' films," said Katzenberg on Friday, on the sidelines of the 2013 Fortune Global Forum in southwest China's city of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, that ended yesterday.
The film will be co-produced by Oriental DreamWorks, a Chinese company co-owned by DreamWorks, and the state-owned China Film Group.
In "The Tibet Code," by Chinese novelist He Ma, an expert on the Tibetan mastiff embarks on a journey searching for ancient Buddhist treasure in Tibet that involves animal characters and ancient legends.
"The Tibet Code" series - 10 books in total - has sold more than 10 million copies in China.
"The books themselves are not political," said Katzenberg, who has read the English translations.
"The movie shouldn't be assumed to be controversial and political," he added.
Though he has never been to Tibet, Katzenberg said he and the creative team plan to visit the region in preparation for the film.
The 62-year-old is known for his sharp instinct in finding global hits. He created the "Shrek" franchise, whose five films have grossed more than US$3.5 billion worldwide.
The "Kung Fu Panda" franchise and "The Croods" are also global blockbusters.
Although China's growing animation industry still faces a shortage of creative talent and a well-developed industrial chain, Katzenberg said.
"I'm completely confident that there are talented kids here. If we give them the time and the tools and the mentorship to teach them, they will be great world-class animators," Katzenberg said.
"But it will take many years," he added.
A series of tie-ins between Hollywood and Chinese firms has been announced in recent years, trying to tap into China, now the world's second-largest movie market after the United States.
DreamWorks has been expanding its presence here. In addition to "The Tibet Code," it will co-produce "Kung Fu Panda 3" with the Shanghai-based Oriental DreamWorks.
The two partners said previously that they will make up to three films per year.
They also plan to invest over 20 billion yuan (US$3.1b) to build an animation studio and an entertainment complex in Shanghai that will include theaters, restaurants and tourist attractions.
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