How Wanda’s Chen Zhixi Cracked the Code for Theatrical in Asia

Story by Patrick Brzeski

Image from The Hollywood Reporter

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How a Chinese film exec leveraged her talent-spotting skills to become one of the country's most powerful entertainment moguls and revamp the shrinking cinema industry.

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Chen Zhixi, the new CEO of Wanda Film, has an impressive track record of producing blockbuster directorial debuts for popular Chinese actors, including hits that grossed over $100 million.
To counter the declining young moviegoing audience in China, Wanda is overhauling its cinemas to become 'cultural hubs' with gaming, shopping, and improved food and beverage options, while also tapping into popular gaming IP like Genshin Impact to draw in Gen Z customers.

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Chen Zhixi, Xu Zheng, Jia Ling, Greta Gerwig, Wang Jianlin, China Ruyi Holdings, Wanda Film, Legendary Entertainment, Apollo, Blumhouse, HoYoverse, Li Wei the Magistrate, Lost in Thailand, The Breakup Guru, Jian Bing Man, Detective Chinatown, Hi, Mom, Barbie, Successor, Article 20, Boonie Bears: Time Twist, A Place Called Silence, Yuanyang Lou, Genshin Impact

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