The renowned auteur has embarked on an exciting journey to bring Liu Cixin's blockbuster science fiction novel to the big screen in China. The adaptation of "The Three-Body Problem," which has already captivated audiences worldwide in Netflix's mega-budget series, is set to take a new form under the direction of China's most esteemed filmmaker, Zhang Yimou.
At a forum held during the Shanghai International Film Festival, the news broke like wildfire across Chinese social media. Zhang Yimou, a legend in the filmmaking industry, will helm this Chinese-language feature film adaptation, marking a triumphant return of the beloved sci-fi saga to its roots.
Wang Changtian, the chairman of leading local studio Beijing Enlight Media, revealed that his company is in the early stages of developing this highly anticipated project, according to reports from the Chinese state news agency Xinhua. Three-Body Universe Cultural Development Co., a subsidiary of Yoozoo Pictures and the copyright holder of the book and related media, also confirmed that the project is indeed in the works.
The announcement sparked a flurry of excitement on Chinese social media as fans eagerly awaited Zhang's unique interpretation of this sci-fi masterpiece. "The Three-Body Problem," the first installment of Cixin's "Remembrance of Earth's Past" trilogy, has already undergone several adaptations across various media platforms since its release in 2014, each with varying degrees of success. A prior Chinese-language film adaptation helmed by Zhang Fanfan was never completed, but a Chinese TV adaptation produced by Tencent, titled "Three-Body," did make its way to the screen in 2023 and streamed on Peacock earlier this year.
In the West, the most well-known adaptation is undoubtedly Netflix's big-budget take, reimagined as "3 Body Problem" and helmed by Alexander Woo along with "Game of Thrones" showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. The U.S. version has garnered global praise, with Netflix green-lighting a second and third season that will bring the showrunners' vision of the books' complete story to life. However, in China, the reception to the Netflix version has been more mixed, with criticisms ranging from the diverse, mostly non-Chinese cast to certain liberties taken with Liu Cixin's beloved narrative. Nevertheless, many in China, where Netflix is inaccessible and piracy is the only means of accessing the series, have undoubtedly enjoyed the show, with plenty of social media chatter praising its grandeur and faithfulness to the spirit of the novels.
The "Three Body Problem" media franchise has also been shrouded in international intrigue for unfortunate reasons. In a shocking turn of events, a disgruntled employee of Three Body Universe tragically murdered Yoozoo's founder and CEO, Lin Qi, who was credited with spearheading numerous screen adaptations of the book, including the Netflix version. Despite these challenges, the upcoming Chinese-language feature film adaptation promises to bring a fresh perspective to this beloved sci-fi saga, under the guidance of the masterful Zhang Yimou.
Amidst the maze of adaptations, Zhang stands out as the safest bet for Chinese fans, a figure who commands unparalleled trust and admiration. A pivotal figure in China’s Fifth Generation of filmmakers, he has captivated film buffs worldwide with his masterpieces such as “Raise the Red Lantern,” “Red Sorghum,” “To Live,” “Hero,” and “House of the Flying Daggers.” Moreover, his directing prowess was further showcased when he helmed the breathtaking opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.
However, in recent years, Zhang has shifted his focus squarely — and successfully — towards catering to the domestic Chinese audience. Within the past year and a half, this 72-year-old director has unveiled three films that, despite receiving limited attention internationally, have raked in a staggering $1.15 billion domestically. His latest period comedy thriller, “Full River Red,” produced by Huanxi Media, emerged as China’s top-grossing movie of 2023, amassing an astonishing box office revenue of $634.6 million. This was followed by “Under the Light,” a crime drama from Beijing Enlight Pictures also released in 2023, which garnered $190 million. Rounding off his impressive streak, he returned at the start of 2024 with the Chinese Lunar New Year release of the comedy-drama “Article 20,” again produced by Enlight, and raked in $323.6 million.
Remarkably, despite his nearly four-decade-long career in cinema, Zhang has yet to delve into the realm of futuristic sci-fi — a genre that is soon set to witness his unique touch and transformation.
