Vancouver-lensed "2012", directed by Roland "Independence Day" Emmerich, has become the top movie hit of all time in China, earning 460 million yuan ($67.3 million), according to the state film body, China Film Group.Opening November 13 on 1,900 screens, audiences reacted positively to the pro-China subplot in which the Chinese build arks to save a portion of humanity.
With 4,500 screens available, China enforces a quota of 20 foreign movies allowed each year on a revenue-sharing basis, rather than a flat-rate that the Hollywood studios prefer.
"2012", in which every available performer in Vancouver worked on in some capacity, (including yours truly as an 'Ark Boarding Officer'), uses 'end-of-days' prophecies to depict the world's demise after a solar meltdown.
The ensemble cast includes actors John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Thandie Newton, Oliver Platt, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Woody Harrelson, following the aftermath of a global cataclysm in the Year 2012, leading to the 'end of the world', with survivors struggling for their lives.
Premise of the feature is inspired by theories that posit the ancient Mayans predicting a doomsday event occuring during the 2012 winter solstice.On a production budget of $200 million, box office earnings for "2012" is $161,490,680 domestic and $572,791,842 foreign for a worldwide total of $734,282,522.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "2012"...
