iQiyi and Sony’s Chinese-language adaptation of US drama Chosen has started shooting in Australia with Lan Cheng-lung and Deng Jiajia heading the cast.
The three-part suspense action drama tells the story of a family working and vacationing in Australia, who get mixed up in a deadly game with a mysterious killer. The project is being filmed in Sydney and other locations in Australia.
Lan Cheng-lung is a Taiwanese film and TV actor who won a Golden Bell for best actor for TV drama Apple In Your Eye in 2015. Deng Jiajia is a mainland Chinese actress who is best know for Chinese TV drama iPartment, which was streamed by iQiyi.
iQiyi is producing Chosen with Huaso, a joint venture between Chinese state-owned broadcaster CCTV6 and Sony Pictures Television (SPT). SPT will distribute the show worldwide.
Young theatre actor Han Pengyi co-stars in the drama, playing a high-flying playboy IT specialist living in Sydney.
Dou Lili, general manager of iQiyi’s web film development centre, said the producers of the Chinese adaptation have changed the plot of the US original.
“For instance, the leading man is changed from a lawyer into a doctor, thus when he faces the trials of the killer game, his struggle with humanity becomes much more profound,” said Dou.
“The Chinese trilogy Chosen will bring online audiences a new screening experience as if they were watching a premium American TV series, and will also surprise the viewers of the American original.”
“We are excited and honoured to have made such a unique collaboration with iQiyi. SPT has a wide range of shows that could be adapted into different cultures,” said Wayne Garvie, chief creative officer of international production at SPT. “We look forward to having more opportunities to work with Chinese partners in the near future.”