‘Transformers 4’ Will Shoot In China Later This Year

Paramount Pictures is all set to shoot portions of Transformers 4 in China.

The studio will reportedly co-produce the upcoming big-budget sequel with China Movie Channel and Jiaflix Enterprises. The movie is expected to hit theaters in June of next year.

In addition to shooting part of the film in the country, Paramount will also cast a handful of Chinese actors to co-star in the feature. Michael Bay and company will also do some of the post-production work in China.

The filmmaker said in a statement:

“I’m proud and honored by how ‘Transformers’ has been embraced by Chinese audiences. I look forward to working with China Movie Channel and Jiaflix Enterprises to help reach more people here and deepen their passion for this ongoing story and its characters.”

Bay’s enthusiasm for the recent Transformers 4 deal was mirrored by China Movie Channel chairman Yan Xiaoming.

“We have been working together in the field of importing Hollywood movies for Chinese television and internet, including Paramount movies, as well as introducing Chinese movies to the North American market and are very delighted with the results we have accomplished together,” he explained.

The chairman added, “We are very confident that the China Movie Channel-Jiaflix cooperation with Paramount will result in the famous Transformers brand being an even bigger success.”

The Transformers series is considered to be one of the most successful movies ever released in China. Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon made $165 in the country back in 2011.

Paramount isn’t the only Hollywood studio looking to cater to the Chinese film market. Disney and Marvel recently announced that Shane Black’s Iron Man 3 would feature footage exclusive to China. The movie would also give plenty of screen time to a handful of Chinese actors.

Studios have also freely edited their films in order to appeal to Chinese censors. World War Z will alter certain scenes in order to avoid offending moviegoers in the country. Warner Bros. also dropped quite a bit of footage from the Wachowskis’ Cloud Atlas.

Michael Bay is expected to have Transformers 4 in the can and ready to go by next summer. Are you looking forward to the next installment in the franchise? What do you think about Paramount co-financing the film with Chinese production companies?