Meet Wang Zhongjun, China’s 50-year old film and television mogul, 1/2 of Huayi Brothers Media which he founded with his youngest brother Wang Zhonglei in 1994. (Ergo, CNN’s Harvey Weinstein comparison.) Originally doing advertising commissions, the company morphed into a film production company in 1998 and has grown to become perhaps China’s most influential film producer with over 50 films released, most of them huge box office hits in China. The company also produces numerous TV shows and represents most of China’s top acting talent. Now Wang’s Huayi Brothers Media are planning on building almost 200 cinemas this year in China. And he wants to update China’s Kung Fu films with war films, spy films, disaster films, and comedies. He’s been partnering with Sony and Disney.
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.






I sure hope that someone continues to make Kung Fu films! It remains a compelling genre.
not a chance. Harvey has 62 Oscar win and nominated, This company got 0. it’s more local boutque with government corrupted connection. check their balance sheet,70% made of out government “sponsored” TV drama,1/10 of Weinsteins, you will find out more. CNN is run out of China story.
This guy is hardly an artist of any kind. He must get approval for every little thing from his government. He isnt free to express himself. I always wonder why China continues to get a pass from most of the world while the USA is vilified constantly for everything.
Guys, you really have to understand the framework all filmmakers have to work with. In China if you don’t work with the government, you don’t work at all. Of the key local players, Huayi is the one that has been pushing the censorship envelop, despite his positive comment regarding Chinese censorship. But can you imagine him bashing about the system on CNN, he would have been banished! And please remember Oscar isn’t everything in many parts of the world, but you are right his guy is nothing like Bob or Harvey, that he actually has manner… Have to agree this CNN reporting is superficial to anyone that actually works there.
As opposed to the artistry of the corporate film industry of America? Yeah the lack of story in many American movies is a sign of artistry. Or how about the porn made for the under the age of 18 crowd like the Twilight series. No story but a lot of crap just to get young girls excited. Think about it. What you say is the definition of propaganda.
Whoever he is, he has considerably more style than the Weinsteins, and an appealing candidness. Hollywood/USA entertainment media looks so wobbly and uninteresting in comparison to other countries, the product and the people behind it. Time to step it up…
Fascinating. I always enjoy info on new and exciting trends in foreign markets, thnx Nikki.
Wang may be half of Harvey’s size, but he’s twice as tricky when it comes to accounting…!
Very interesting. I’d like to see some of the movies this company is making.
China will be a huge market for films, but the censors will make it difficult for a real diverse selection to be made. Hollywood will always be the worlds best for product – at least I hope so. I can’t imagine China making anything like Harry Potter, because they aren’t allowed to make anything with a supernatural theme. They also cannot make any Horror Movies, which will really exclude a huge source of revenue.