[2024.02.18] THE MOVIE EMPEROR RETREATS FROM MAINLAND LUNAR NEW YEAR RACE

The Andy Lau starred THE MOVIE EMPEROR bombed at the mainland Lunar New Year box office
courtesy of on.cc

Andy Lau's THE MOVIE EMPEROR made 83 million yuan RMB over 8 days and had to retreat for another release.  Some online speculated that its lackluster box office  was due to less screens and poor show times 

The Jia Ling directed and starred YOLO made over 2.7 billion, 2.6 billion more than THE MOVIE EMPEROR

Also retreating from the mainland Lunar New Year race are VIVA LA VIDA, GOD OF MONEY and BA JIE
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Andy Lau Tak Wa starred, Ning Hao directed film THE MOVIE EMPEROR (HUNG JIN SIN SUN) opened in the mainland on the Lunar New Year's Day (February 10th). After 7 days in release it passed the 80 million yuan RMB mark, but the release company two days ago suddenly announced its retreat from the Spring Festival slot and would choose another date for release. Some online speculated that due to few cinema scheduling and poor show times, the film's box office has been impacted and left behind in the race.

The company stated, "We appreciate everyone's support of the film since its release. Film is an art that interacts with the audience. We sincerely hope to be able to have sincere interactions with even more viewers. After the team's careful consideration, the film THE MOVIE EMPEROR would retreat from the Spring Festival slot and choose a new date to see everyone again. We hereby express our sincerest apology to each of the film creators and staff, thank you for your hard work on the film. THE MOVIE EMPEROR is extremely simplistic absurd comedy, a film that because of interaction with the audience became complete. We are grateful to viewers who have already watched this film, and look forward to at an even more suitable time to encounter you who are willing to complete this film with us. Communication can never be too late, let's chat at another time. Happy Holidays everyone!"

Before THE MOVIE EMPEROR, this year already had other Lunar New Year films that announced their retreat from the Spring Festival slot. VIVA LA VIDA, GOD OF MONEY, and BA JIE have also announced its their retreat, meaning half of the mainland Lunar New Year film slate have backed out. VIVA LA VIDA's release company earlier on the 14th announced on its official site, "Due to an enormous error on scheduling, we have fallen short of the director, the actors, the cast, the crew and the staff's hard work." The film postponed its release to March 30th; the animation GOD OF MONEY two nights ago announced an early end to its run with around 910,000 yuan. Another animation BA JIE yesterday also announced its Spring Festival retreat with around 3.25 million yuan and would choose another date for release.

THE MOVIE EMPEROR has been scheduled for a February 29th release in Hong Kong. On whether the release date would be affected, Lau Tak Wa's company responded, "At this stage Wa Jai isn't certain either, everything would depend on the distributor's decision."

As of October 17th, the mainland Spring Festival total box office reached 8.04 billion yuan RMB and passed the 2021 Spring Festival's 7.84 billion yuan RMB record. The Jia Ling directed and starred YOLO even broke the Spring Festival feature film box office record with 2.6 billion yuan RMB. In second PEGASUS 2 made 2.3 billion and in third the mainland animation BOONIE BEARS: TIME TWIST made 1.4 billion yuan.

Director Lee Lik Chi two nights ago posted on Weibo to question the retreat announcements of THE MOVIE EMPEROR, VIVA LA VIDA, GOD OF MONEY were to make way for YOLO. "What strategy is this? They are all making way for the 100 catty Jia Ling?" His "make way" comment upset many online, who cited that Jia Ling's YOLO won out due to word of mouth. Lee Lik Chi has since removed the post.