‘S.M.A.R.T. Chase’ Set for Global Premiere on September 30

(CFI) British-Chinese action thriller ‘S.M.A.R.T. Chase: Fire & Earth’ has been set for a global release on September 30, Chinese financier-producer Bliss Media announced on Tuesday.

The Shanghai-set action movie, which stars English actor Orlando Bloom, was made in an alliance between Bliss and London-based production company 42. It’s directed by Charles Martin, best known for the TV series ‘Skins’. ‘S.M.A.R.T. Chase’ is Martin’s feature film directorial debut.

Set in Shanghai, the story centers upon private security agent Danny Stratton and his Security Management Action Recovery Team or S.M.A.R.T., as they go on a special mission to escort a rare Chinese antique out of the city, only to be ambushed en route. While Danny battles with betrayals of his teammates and a broken relationship, a dreadful conspiracy starts to unfold.

In addition to Bloom, ‘S.M.A.R.T. Chase’ features a lineup that includes Hong Kong-based Simon Yam, Lynn Hung, and Taiwanese star Hannah Quinlivan.

In a statement released on Chinese social media Tuesday, Bliss Media announced that Bloom and the rest of the cast will meet with fans in five Chinese cities ahead of the film’s premiere.

In October 2016, the Chinese film production company was embroiled in a legal dispute with its American producer from Das Films. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Das Films was suing Bliss for ‘fraud and breach of contract’, claiming it had unreasonably cut them out of the production process. The company said Bliss also blocked them from hiring lead actors for the film. Bliss Media denied the claims.

The Superior Court of Los Angeles, California ordered arbitration for the parties involved as of November 30, 2016.

Source: China Film Insider by Fergus Ryan