After Alibaba’s Record Penalty Regulatory Doubts Haunt China’s Media Tech Sector

Wanda Film, part of the Dalian Wanda group, has appointed financial advisers in Australia and may be preparing to sell the Hoyts cinema chain, according to local reports.According to the Australian Financial Review newspaper, investment bank Credit Suisse has been appointed by Wanda to find bidders for Hoyts.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefZhang Yimou’s “Cliff Walkers” is kicking off a multi-territory release this weekend, with day and date outings in North America, New Zealand, and Singapore coordinating with the espionage thriller’s official launch in mainland Chinese theaters on Friday.That makes it one of the first major Chinese pictures to take advantage of the improving theatrical conditions in the U.S.

SoEndeavor is a public company. Now what? The owner of WME, IMG and UFC raised more than half a billion dollars in an IPO this week, two years after it first embarked on a path to the public markets.

Rebecca Davis editorMove over, “Nomadland” — Italy’s “Pinocchio” is now set to become the first film nominated at this year’s Oscars to hit China.Although Chloé Zhao’s film nabbed best picture and two other major prizes at the Academy Awards on Sunday, it was pulled quietly from its planned China release on April 23 in the wake of nationalist backlash against her there.

Rebecca Davis editorChinese authorities are investigating top Chinese actor Zheng Shuang for tax evasion and a sky-high salary exceeding government-approved limits, the Xinhua news agency said Wednesday.

He’s no longer singing the blues. After three months of being trapped on a Chinese boy band competition show, Russian language interpreter Vladislav Ivanov has finally been set free. “Thank y’all for your support,” said Ivanov, 27, on social media platform Weibo Saturday.

Celtic job though Eddie Howe is the clear front-runner. He's also been touted as a possible replacement for Jose Mourinho at Tottenham, while rumours of a return to Napoli have been rife since Benitez left his job in China.

Chinese filmmaker Chloé Zhao's Nomadland was the unmistakable big winner at the 93rd Academy Awards Sunday night, taking home best picture, best director and best actress. In a piece of potent history, Zhao became the first Asian woman, the first Chinese woman and first woman of color to win the top directing prize at theOscars.

With such a varied mix winners from around the world at Sunday’s Oscars, local media has been awash with praise as news of victories spread from Los Angeles to Seoul, and Copenhagen to London — but not so much in China.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterGreg Kinnear has joined the cast of “Sight,” a biopic about pioneering medical entrepreneur Dr. Ming Wang, led by actor Terry Chen.The Open River Entertainment project has commenced a six-week shoot in Vancouver.

Hong Kong has cultivated a reputation for punching above its weight. Once producing 300 films a year, the small territory hatched global martial arts superstars like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen.

Antonio Ferme editorTed Nugent, who once referred to COVID-19 as “not a real pandemic,” revealed that he was in immense pain after contracting the virus.While recording a Facebook live video at his Michigan ranch, the “Cat Scratch Fever” singer revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.“I have had flu symptoms for the last 10 days,” Nugent said. “I thought I was dying.

On Monday, musician Ted Nugent revealed he has tested positive for COVID-19 after previously declaring the pandemic was “a hoax.”

Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment's Godzilla Vs.

Rebecca Davis editor“Godzilla vs. Kong” was once again muscled out of the top China box office slot by local drama “Sister” thanks to a $13.2 million third weekend cume that was no match for the latter’s $21 million.Its China tally was a touch less than its $13.4 million second weekend sales in North America.