Blockbuster seeks Chinese actors

A national search for Chinese actors to star in Transformers 4 commenced at the 3rd Beijing International Film Festival, April 18, 2013. [Photo/CFP]

At least four Chinese actors will join the cast of Transformers 4, thanks to cooperation between the production company, Paramount Pictures, and the China Movie Channel.

The channel and its official website M1905.com will initiate a national search for the four actors, said Mark Ganis, principal of Jiaflix Enterprises, founded by Sid Ganis, the former head of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

Jiaflix has been playing the role of a bridge between Paramount and the channel.

Casting started on Thursday on M1905.com, said Liang Longfei, Vice-President of the website.

Actors need to submit footage of their acting before June 30 and 100 will enter training and testing in July.

The judging panel, including producer Lorenzo DiBonaventura and Megan Colligan, Paramount's marketing and distribution chief, will decide the final four winners.

China overtook Japan as the second-largest box office territory after the United States in 2012.

It is the highest grossing overseas market for many Hollywood blockbusters, including Transformers 3.

China imports only 34 foreign films a year to its theaters.

"We will definitely offer suggestions for Paramount on what is the best way to ensure the film has a good launch in the Chinese market," said Liang.

Transformers 4, to be released in June 2014, will be partly shot in China, confirmed by Bay in a video but the Chinese storyline is still under discussion.

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