Imax to Screen China's 'Flying Swords of Dragon Gate' on U.S. Screens

TORONTO -- First Tsui Hark’s 3D martial arts epic Flying Swords of Dragon Gate became the highest-grossing Chinese-produced movie in the Imax format in China.

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Now the giant-screen exhibitor will show Flying Swords, co-produced by Imax with Chinese distributor Bona Film Group, on its North American network.

Imax will partner with Indomina Releasing to release Flying Swords, starring Jet Li, for an exclusive, limited run in September.

"We are honored that Imax is a platform to showcase the best in locally produced Chinese films to audiences around the world," Greg Foster, Imax chairman and president of filmed entertainment, said Monday.

Indomina acquired Flying Swords for North American release. The movie reunites director Hark with his Once Upon a Time in China star Li and also stars Zhou Xun, Aloys Chen Kun, Kwai Lun-Mei, Li Yuchun and Fan Xiaoxuan.

The epic martial arts pic also is the fourth-highest-grossing Chinese-language film of all time, behind Avatar, Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Titanic 3D. Since its December release in China, Flying Swords has grossed around $86.5 million at the box office, with about $10.6 million coming from 61 digital Imax screens across China.