Disney's 'Gourd' makes $1M in China

ENTERTAINMENT / Movies

Disney's 'Gourd' makes $1M in China

(AP)
Updated: 2007-07-09 18:16

HONG KONG - The Walt Disney Co.'s first non-Hollywood movie made more
than US$1 million (euro740,000) at Chinese box offices in its first week,
but "The Secret of the Magic Gourd," lagged far behind two of this year's
biggest American releases, the company said Monday.

Disney's first major venture into localized Chinese content, made more
than US$1 million (euro740,000), or 7.6 million Chinese yuan in the week
since its debut on June 29, the company said in a statement.

By comparison, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," earned 80
million yuan (US$10.5 million; euro7.7 million) in China in its first
week since its June 12 release, while "Spider-Man 3" brought in 70
million yuan (US$9.2 million; euro6.7 million), according to China's
state-run Xinhua News Agency.

But in terms of total receipts in 2007, Sony Pictures' "Spider-Man 3" is
still the overall winner at Chinese box offices, with takings of more
than 100 million yuan (US$13.2 million; euro9.7 million) since its May 2
debut.

"Pirates," another Disney movie, scored with viewers despite scenes
involving Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat, who played a bald, scarred
pirate, being cut by censors because they were deemed insulting.

Still, Disney said it was pleased with the performance of "Magic Gourd,"
pointing out that the movie, taken together with "Pirates," "gave Disney
a nice position at the Chinese box office."

The budget for "Magic Gourd," made at Hong Kong's Centro Digital
Pictures, wasn't immediately available, but it most likely cost
significantly less than the US$258 million (euro189.8 million) spent on
"Spider-Man 3." "Pirates" cost US$300 million (euro220.7 million),
according to the box office tracking Web site Box Office Mojo.

The Chinese cinema market is much smaller than its U.S. counterpart.
While an American hit can make hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars, a
box office take in the tens of millions would be considered a success in
China.

"Magic Gourd" is the first-ever Disney-branded movie made outside
Hollywood. Disney's famed animators were not involved.

It's a significant venture into local-flavored programming for a company
that has until now mainly banked on its mainstay characters like Mickey
Mouse and Donald Duck.

Disney says it plans to launch a story book and merchandise linked to
"Magic Gourd," as well as rolling out other Chinese Disney characters to
complement its more traditional ones.

"Magic Gourd," based on a famous Chinese children's story, is about a boy
who's troubled by his magical vegetable, which steals from others to
please him.

Top Entertaiment News 

� 'Transformers' generates $67.6 million

� Earth underwhelmed by environment pop extravaganza

� Jennifer Lopez: I'm in the best place I've ever been

� Lionel Richie addresses daughter's case

� Icelandic film 'Myrin' wins main prize at Karlovy Vary film festival

Today's Top News 

� HIV-positive convicts: Prisoners of prejudice

� Legal interpretation targets bribery

� Three Chinese killed in Pakistan

� Girl, 11, charged with drunk driving

� Central banker: Monetary policies won't target stocks and properties

Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours

20071124 http://www.learnchinese.bj.cn