Korean production shingle Chungeorahm and China's Stone Man Films will co-produce a Chinese sequel to Korean hit "The Host" that will be helmed and scripted by China's Ning Hao ("Crazy Stone".
Original film, which was seen by more than 12 million people and grossed some $60.6 million, was a monster movie with political undertones.
New pic will have to tread carefully to avoid criticizing the Chinese government. Story will concern a calamity caused when people ignore a monster due to their desire for money.
Production credits are shared by Chungeorahm prexy Choi Yong-bae and Daniel Yu, who produced "Crazy Stone" while at Hong Kong's Focus Films. Yu, who is now based in Beijing, retains a stake in Hong Kong- and Beijing-based October Pictures and also has a stake in Stone Man.
About half the $12 million production coin will come from China and half from Korea and Hong Kong.
"Chinese film markets are driven by blockbusters with themes of epic drama and martial arts. It's time to provide more varied types of commercial films," Choi said.Shooting is expected to start early next year for a release at the end of 2009.