Disney Enters Movie Co-Pro Pact with Shanghai Media Group

BURBANK: The Walt Disney Studios and Shanghai Media Group Pictures have entered into a multiyear agreement aimed at co-developing Disney-branded movies for U.S.-China co-productions.

U.S.-based action, adventure and fantasy writers will be working with locally based Chinese writers and filmmakers to develop stories and scripts that have the hallmarks of Disney films yet feature authentic Chinese elements. Tony To, the executive VP of production at The Walt Disney Studios, will oversee the co-development program.

"For over 90 years Disney has built a rich legacy of entertaining families with high-quality storytelling and compelling characters," said Alan Bergman, the president of The Walt Disney Studios. "Disney's collaboration with SMG adds an exciting chapter of new stories for the next generation of global Disney fans."

"SMG is proud to work with Disney to create a new era of classic content featuring uniquely Chinese storytelling elements for audiences around the world," said Su Xiao, the CEO of SMG Pictures. "The combination of our media coverage and understanding of the China market and Disney's long-standing success in telling magical stories will surely spark a brand new chemistry that transcends age and borders."

"It's incredibly exciting to expand our relationship with SMG to find unique and rich stories with Chinese elements for studio audiences around the world," added Stanley Cheung, the managing director of The Walt Disney Company for China.