A new adaptation of "Death on the Nile," directed by esteemed actor and filmmaker Kenneth Branagh, will hit Chinese movie theaters this weekend, much to the delight of fans of mystery stories.

Produced by 20th Century Studios, the film is adapted from the 1937 novel of the same name by British writer Agatha Christie, whose books have sold more than 2 billion copies in various languages. "Death on the Nile" was designed as a sequel to 2017's global hit "Murder on the Orient Express," which grossed around $352 million worldwide, including over $36 million in China. The film is actually the third screen adaptation of Christie's novel, following the 1978 film version by John Guillermin and an episode of the TV series "Agatha Christie's Poirot" broadcast in 2004. 

"Death on the Nile" reunites the filmmaking team behind "Murder on the Orient Express," especially the key figure of the franchise — the iconic detective Hercule Poirot, played by five-time Academy Award nominee Branagh himself. Branagh is joined by an all-star cast of suspects, including Gal Gadot, Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal and Dawn French.

The film tells the thrilling story of Poirot, who is travelling aboard a glamorous river steamer, as he carries out a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple's idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short.

Gadot, who is the biggest star of the film, plays Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle, one of the wealthiest heiresses in England and the victim of the story. The actress is one of Chinese audience's favorite stars due to her previous blockbusters like "Wonder Woman," and features as the main attraction in the film's marketing campaign.

Meanwhile, Gadot shares the screen with another star — the Tiffany Yellow Diamond, one of the largest yellow diamonds ever discovered. The gemstone is known to have been worn by only five women during its lifetime. Besides Gadot, it was worn by Mrs. E. Sheldon Whitehouse in 1957, then Audrey Hepburn in 1961, Lady Gaga in 2019 and Beyoncé in 2021.

Branagh opted for live-action shooting rather than CGI, which required his team to build a range of realistic sets and props. The diamond is also the tip of the iceberg in showing how exquisite and old-fashioned the costumes and sets were made to be in the film by the Oscar-winning crew. Around 150 magnificent costumes were created, while the steamboat was recreated, as was the Temple of Abu Simbel. The Egyptian scenery and landmarks look even more stunning and immersive when viewed on IMAX.

"It has a gorgeous backdrop, unforgettable characters. There is intrigue, suspense, mystery and murder, and of course, one brilliant detective. See the drama unfold on the big screen," Branagh told the Chinese audience in a pre-recorded video released online.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film has experienced several delays. It debuted in North America on Feb. 11, and thereafter took the top spot at the box office on its opening weekend with a three-day estimate of $12.9 million, and its first-week cumulative worldwide gross was $33.5 million.

The film will be released in China on Feb. 19, making it the first Hollywood blockbuster to open in the Chinese market since "The Matrix Resurrections" in January. It also heralds the arrival of a wave of foreign films, including Woody Allen's 2019 film "A Rainy Day in New York," Ruben Fleischer's "Uncharted" and Matt Reeves' much-anticipated "The Batman."

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