China’s iQiyi has struck a deal with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) to co-produce a Chinese-language adaptation of US drama Chosen.
The three-part premium series is expected to start production in spring 2017 with an anticipated launch on iQiyi’s streaming service in autumn 2017. In a statement, iQiyi said the series would feature “China’s top stars, while also utilising international actors and production crew”.
Produced by SPT’s Playmaker Media with support from Screen NSW, Chosen follows the story of a lawyer and father who one day receives a box containing a gun and a picture of a stranger, along with instructions to kill the pictured person. The series was originally streamed on Crackle.
“Quality control is key to the development of any industry and iQiyi strives to make the best possible resources available to raise the level of craft in internet film production,” said iQiyi senior vice president Yang Xianghua.
iQiyi also announced the launch of a mentoring programme in which world-class directors will mentor Chinese filmmakers in exploring new forms of filmmaking that appeal to China’s online viewers. Roger Corman is the first director to participate as a mentor for the programme.