'Transformers 4' adds Chinese cast members to increase appeal in Asia

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Summer blockbusters aren't performing up to expectations stateside this summer, so producers seem to be hedging their bets by investing more into pleasing Chinese audiences, who may help bolster their bottom line. Michael Bay is the latest producer to get in on the game, announcing that he has cast popular Chinese actor Han Geng in the upcoming "Transformers 4."

Geng is one of the most bankable stars in China and he will appear in the film along with Chinese actress Li Bingbing, who also made an appearance in "Iron Man 3's" cut for Chinese audiences. The latest "Transformers" installment, which dropped the original franchise stars Shia LeBeouf and Megan Fox, will also star Mark Whalberg, Stanly Tucci, and Kelsey Grammer.

?Han Geng has been a sensation in China and we are happy to have him in our movie,? said Bay.

Geng was originally a pop music icon in the country and has transitioned into an actor on TV and in film. His latest role was in ?So Young? was a hit in China and generated $115 million at the box office.

Casting major stars isn't the only way Bay and Paramount Studios are attempting to appeal to China. They've also launched a reality show called "Chinese Actor Talent Search" which will help cast four actors in minor roles in the film. "Transformers 4" is also a Chinese co-production which helps it avoid some of the hassles that Hollywood productions face when trying to get a film played in the country.

The Chinese government is particularly protective of its national cinema and can end runs of American blockbusters early to ease competition with Chinese films. DreamWorks Animation's "The Croods" was pulled a couple weeks early from Chinese theaters to make room for a Chinese production. However, when the film is a Chinese co-production, the country's government has invested interest in seeing it succeed.

?Transformers: Dark of the Moon,? is the fifth-highest global grossing film of all time at $1.12 billion. It grossed $165 million in China in 2011.

Gina Hall is a Los Angeles-based writer and producer with more than 10 years experience in television, documentary and feature film production. She is a graduate of USC?s School of Cinematic Arts and blogs for the Huffington Post at huffingtonpost.com/gina-hall

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bizj_national/~3/ZKFVLZv9Ng8/transformers-4-adds-chinese-cast.html

Ryan Lochte Bayern Munich the blaze Michael Shannon Chrissy Amphlett Java stevie wonder