(THR) '8 First Dates' and '8 New Dates' will be first-ever Russian movies adapted by a Hollywood major in China.
Sony Pictures Entertainment has struck a deal with Russian production companies GORAD and Green Films to remake two comedies as Chinese-language films for the Chinese market.
8 First Dates and its sequel, 8 New Dates, will become the first-ever Russian movies adapted by a Hollywood major for Chinese viewers.
"We are glad that our comedies attracted Sony by their original ideas," producer Yekaterina Gorodetskaya said in a press release. "China is currently one of the world's biggest film markets, and we are glad that Chinese audience will soon see adaptations of our films, produced by a Hollywood major."
"China is just the first step in the adaptation process of 8 First Dates and 8 New Dates," said producer Marius Vaisberg, adding that a success in China could lead to more international adaptations, including those in the United States.
Romantic Comedy 8 First Dates focused on the relations between a TV star and her fiance, a tennis player, was released in Russia in 2012, followed by 8 New Dates three years later.
The franchise's two parts collectively grossed just under $15 million in theaters.
The deal comes as a second adaptation project for Russian film and TV content in China in less than two months.
In late March, China’s Ulan Culture Media and Russia’s Yellow, Black & White agreed to adapt the Russian sitcom How I Became a Russian (Kak ya stal russkim) for the Chinese market.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter by