Hollywood
Sony & CFC partner for Chinese remake of ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures and China Film Co. (CFC) have joined hands to co-produce the Chinese remake of My Best Friend’s Wedding.
The film, slated for release in China on Valentine’s Day 2016, features Shu Qi, Feng Shaofen, Song Qian aka Chinese singer and actress Victoria Song and Ye Qing.
Sony’s original film, which released in 1997, starred Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Dermot Mulroney and Rupert Everett.
Shooting will begin in late July this year in London, Italy and Beijing.
Alexi Tan will direct and produce the Chinese remake his company, Play Productions.
In the film, Journalists Gu Jia and Lin Ran have grown up together as best friends. One day, Lin Ran calls Gu Jia from the UK telling her that he is getting married to someone he only just met, a wealthy Chinese girl who has been studying in the UK, and asks Gu Jia to be his “best man.” Gu Jia finally realizes that she loves him, not just as a friend, and sets out for London a few days before the wedding determined to win him back.
Hong Jiu, Fu Linran and Alexi Tan wrote the script. Jiu has published several popular online novels including We Live Together.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with Columbia Pictures on this exciting remake of what has become an international comedy classic,” said China Film Co., Ltd executive Ling Hong.
Sony Pictures China head of production and strategic development Dede Nickerson added, “We are thrilled to be working with our partner China Film, Alexi and this incredible cast to create what is sure to be a hilarious and touching film for the Chinese audience.”
Columbia Pictures is also currently in post-production on director Chen Kaige’s dark comedy Monk Comes Down the Mountain starring Wang Baoqiang, Aaron Kwok, Chang Chen, Chiling Lin, VanNess Wu and Fan Wei, based on the novel of the same name by Xu Haofeng. The film is currently in post-production and scheduled for release on 3 July, 2015.
Sony has previously co-produced Kung Fu Hustle (2004) and Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
