Song Joong Ki And Kim Tae Ri Confirmed For New Sci-Fi Film Funded By Huayi Tencent

Upcoming film “Lightning Ship” (literal title) has received a hefty investment from Huayi Tencent Entertainment.

On May 27, the film’s investment distribution company Merry Christmas revealed that Huayi Tencent Entertainment had invested 5 billion won (approximately $4.2 million).

“Lightning Ship” is a science fiction film set in the backdrop of the universe. Song Joong Ki, Kim Tae Ri, and Jin Seon Kyu were confirmed to star in the film. It will be directed by Jo Sung Hee of “A Werewolf Boy” and “Phantom Detective.”

Huayi Tencent Entertainment is a joint venture company between Huayi Brothers Media Corporations, a major Chinese film studio and publicly listed company in Hong Kong, and Tencent Holdings Limited, a global IT company and entertainment firm headquartered in China. Along with the investment, Merry Christmas has also acquired the distribution rights in China for the film, which the company explained would be an opportunity to shed new light on Korean films in the Chinese market.

CEO Yoo Jung Hoon of Merry Christmas stated, “Huayi Tencent is an entertainment investment company that represents not only the Chinese market, but also the Asian market. We are very glad that their investment increased the possibility of distribution in the Chinese market and showed the high possibility of success for ‘Lightning Ship’ in a global market. It is very meaningful that they have joined us in the vision to create a super IP (intellectual property) which will expand to various content such as webtoons, dramas, games, and more, beginning with the film ‘Lightning Ship.'”

Huayi Tencent director Hu Jun Yi shared, “With the unique world view and strong story, as confirmed through the scenario, as well as our trust in director Jo Sung Hee’s direction abilities based on his previous works, we are very happy to support Korea’s first space sci-fi film with an amazing cast made up of Korea’s top actors.”

“Lightning Ship” has wrapped up its casting and pre-production and will begin filming in July. It is slated to premiere in 2020.

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