John Woo’s upcoming epic action film “Flying Tigers” is a joint China/Hollywood production for IMAX theaters.
The story about a squadron of Chinese and volunteer American pilots who teamed up in aerial combat against the Japanese during World War II was first brought to cinema in a 1942 John Wayne movie of the same name.
Woo and producer Terence Chang’s film, with lead financing by China Film Group, will be digitally re-mastered into The IMAX Experience and is slated for release in spring 2011. It will be the second Chinese film to be released in IMAX’s format.
“It has always been a dream of mine to explore shooting with IMAX cameras and to work in the IMAX format,” said Woo. “The strong visual element of this film is incredibly well-suited to the tastes of cinemagoers today. Using IMAX for Flying Tigers would create a new experience for the audience, and I think it would be another breakthrough for Chinese movies.”
“The combination of John Woo, Terence Chang, China Film Group and IMAX will enable this film to attract the widest possible local audience, while also presenting the charm and diversity of Chinese films for fans around the globe.” said China Film Group Chairman Han Sanping.
“Establishing relationships with top filmmakers remains an important part of IMAX’s growth strategy in China, and today’s announcement builds on the momentum created by our recent box office success in that market,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond.
“John Woo and Terence Chang have been enthusiastically integrating the IMAX format into Flying Tigers to ensure the story is told in a way that takes advantage of the unique qualities of The IMAX Experience,” added Greg Foster, Chairman and President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment.
— By Scott Hettrick