The sci-fi monster blockbuster "Meg 2: The Trench" held its world premiere in Beijing on July 28, amid a Hollywood strike, taking audiences on a thrilling adventure into the uncharted depths of the ocean.

Cast, crew, and film executives pose for a photo at the world premiere of "Meg 2: The Trench" in Beijing, July 28, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Dark Horse]

Directed by Ben Wheatley, "Meg 2" features characters portrayed by global action stars Jason Statham and Wu Jing, who lead a research team into the ocean's darkest depths. Elevating the thrills of its 2018 predecessor, this sequel escalates the stakes with larger creatures and new threats, including a malevolent mining operation. Their survival mission against colossal megalodons, other marine predators, and relentless environmental plunderers is set to be this summer's most pulse-pounding blockbuster, leaving many in the audience gasping at the premiere.

Due to the ongoing screenwriters' and actors' strikes in Hollywood, Statham, who had previously attended the Shanghai International Film Festival in June to promote the film, could not attend the Beijing premiere. This premiere, therefore, held the unique distinction of being the sole world premiere after the cancellation of the London event.

The grand ceremony, held at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, boasted an impressively large temporary screen equipped with a state-of-the-art Cinity projection system. The event was attended by director Wheatley, actor Wu Jing, actress Cai Shuya, several producers, film company executives, and a contingent of Wu's fellow filmmakers from the Chinese film industry. These included Fu Ruoqing, chairman of China Film Group; Catherine Ying, the president of CMC Pictures; high-profile directors Chen Kaige and Chen Sicheng; and Wu's close friend and collaborator, Frant Gwo, director of "The Wandering Earth."

At the premiere, Wu disclosed Gwo's desire to collaborate on "a Chinese monster film," remarking, "We have established our own niche in the war and science fiction genres, but when it comes to the monster genre, there aren't many mature works in the Chinese market."

By participating in "Meg 2," Wu expressed his hope that the film could inspire ocean exploration among China's youth, and that his experience could pave the way for "films that incorporate Chinese culture and contribute to the development of China's monster film genre." One of Wu's primary motivations for joining "Meg 2" was to learn from the experiences and technologies of his international colleagues. Wu noted frequent discussions with Gwo regarding industrial processes and technologies during production.

Actor Wu Jing pretends to talk to a life-like cardboard cutout of Jason Statham and greets Chinese audiences on Statham's behalf. Due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, Jason Statham was absent from the Beijing premiere of "Meg 2: The Trench" on July 28, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Dark Horse]

Director Wheatley also shared that Wu contributed numerous ideas each day during filming, all designed to enhance the film. He noted that his responsibility was to keep pace with the creativity Wu brought to the project. Several Chinese elements, including Wu's character name, "Jiuming," which translates to "ocean" and "abyss" in the ancient Chinese language, were seamlessly integrated into the film.

"Meg 2" will be recognized as a Chinese production in the country's film market, enjoying privileges and profit-sharing models, exclusive to Chinese productions. This status was approved by Chinese film authorities, owing to the significant role and control of China's CMC Pictures in the project.

While also having significant foreign involvement and investment, along with global distribution facilitated by its partner, Warner Bros. Pictures, the film demonstrates the close collaboration between Chinese and American film companies. Attendees at the Beijing premiere also included heavyweight foreign filmmakers and executives, such as Andrew Cripps, president of International Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures; Cate Adams, senior vice president at Warner Bros. Pictures; James Gibbons, president and managing director of the West Pacific Region at Warner Bros. Discovery; Gillian Zhao, president of Warner Bros. Discovery China; and Tony Qiu, senior vice president and chief commercial officer of the West Pacific Region at Warner Bros. Discovery. Producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Belle Avery were also present at the event.

The advanced screening was met with cheers and a standing ovation. Numerous Chinese filmmakers and celebrities, such as actors Huang Xiaoming and Zhang Yi, congratulated the film team and described how the movie left them breathless and covered in goosebumps. Director Chen Sicheng further added that he hoped Wu Jing, as a Chinese action hero, could be recognized by more global audiences as an icon, following in the footsteps of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.

An Imax poster for "Meg 2: The Trench." [Image courtesy of Imax China]

"Meg 2: The Trench" will be released globally and in China on Aug. 4, available in Imax and many other formats.

The first installment of "The Meg" was a successful Sino-American co-production example, appreciated in both China and the United States. It marked a milestone for a Chinese-led project, earning $145 million in North America and 1.05 billion yuan ($166.8 million) in China, contributing to a global total of $530 million. This achievement offered crucial insights for both the Chinese and American film industries.

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)