Warner Picks Up North American Rights to "The Promise"

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Warner Picks Up North American Rights to Chen Kaige's "The Promise"

2006-02-11 17:05:18 screendaily.com

Warner Independent Pictures (WiP) has picked up North American rights to Chen Kaige's The Promise

ahead of its European premiere at Berlin.

WiP plans a May release on the epic fantasy, which last December became the third biggest grossing release ever in mainland China behind Titanic and Hero.

The picture had originally been acquired for North America by The Weinstein Co. at Cannes last year, but in December, the Weinsteins returned distribution rights to producers Moonstone Entertainment and China Film Group after a difference of opinion over awards strategy.

Now Harvey's former Miramax lieutenant Mark Gill, who heads up WiP, has the spoils. It is understood WiP will release a shorter, 102-minute Western cut. The Asian cut runs to 121 minutes.

Hiroyuki Sanada, Jang Dong-Gun, Cecilia Cheung, Nicholas Tse, Liu Ye and Chen Hong star in the story of a general and his loyal slave who fall in love with a princess, who is pursued by a vengeful duke.

Chen Hong, Han San Ping, Etchie Stroh and Moonstone Entertainment produced the Beijing 21st Century ShengKai Ltd. and China Film Group Corp. picture.

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