The Shane Black-directed Iron Man 3 is the 3rd big franchise picture to shoot in China in recent memory. The Mouse has long been active in China and the Iron Man plan highlights the growing cross-flow between the two countries. This follows last week’s news that Disney is partnering with the culture ministry and Chinese Internet giant Tencent to develop the mainland’s animation business. Today, The Walt Disney Company China, Marvel Studios and DMG Entertainment announced that Iron Man 3 will be co-produced in China.
With the Chinese government’s relaxation of its film quota system and a theatrical market that’s projected to hit $5 billion by 2015, the Santa Anas are increasingly blowing east.
