BEIJING, January 31, 2019 -- iQIYI, Inc. (NASDAQ: IQ) ("iQIYI" or the "Company"), an innovative market-leading online entertainment service in China, today announced that "The Knight of Shadows", a family-friendly costume fantasy film produced by iQIYI Pictures, will hit cinema screens across the country on February 5, the first day of the Lunar New Year. In addition to being shown in over 8,000 cinemas across mainland China, the film will also be released simultaneously in a number of Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Brunei.
The plot of "The Knight of Shadows" revolves around a fictionalized version of classic Chinese short story author Pu Songling, played by Jackie Chan, as he seeks to solve mysteries and battle demons. Pu Songling was an author from the Qing Dynasty, revered as the 'King of Short Stories', in the mold of Chekhov or Maupassant. "The Knight of Shadows" is loosely based on his classic novel "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio", and the film was directed by Yan Jia, with Ethan Ruan and Zhong Chuxi also starring.
"The Lunar New Year is a special time for families in many countries across Asia, and iQIYI is thrilled to bring 'The Knight of Shadows' to audiences of all ages," said Ya Ning, President of iQIYI Pictures. "With a world-class cast, richly imagined production and family-friendly comic themes, we believe this film will succeed in drawing diverse crowds and delighting parents, grandparents and children alike."
Leveraging iQIYI's rich experience in adapting its own literature IP across multiple entertainment formats, the valuable IP of "The Knight of Shadows" will be used by iQIYI in formats including feature films, VR films, online dramas, anime and more. In addition to the feature film, iQIYI will also release a 23-minute VR version of "The Knight of Shadows" available for viewing at Digital Domain Space VR cinemas across China. The tailor-made VR film will provide viewers a wholly immersive experience of "The Knight of Shadows" movie's thrilling demon-filled world.
Since its founding in 2014, iQIYI Pictures has continued to produce a number of critically acclaimed and popular films, including "Youth", "The Summer Is Gone", "The Pluto Moment" and "The Blizzard". "The Knight of Shadows" is iQIYI Pictures' first release of 2019, to be followed by the hotly anticipated "Spycies", "Master Zhong" and more.
About iQIYI Inc.
iQIYI, Inc. (NASDAQ: IQ) is an innovative market-leading online entertainment service in China. Its corporate DNA combines creative talent with technology, fostering an environment for continuous innovation and the production of blockbuster content. iQIYI's platform features highly popular original content, as well as a comprehensive library of other professionally produced content, partner-generated content and user-generated content. The company distinguishes itself in the online entertainment industry by its leading technology platform powered by advanced AI, big data analytics and other core proprietary technologies. iQIYI attracts a massive user base with tremendous user engagement, and has developed a diversified monetization model including membership services, online advertising services, content distribution, live broadcasting, online games, IP licensing, online literature and e-commerce, etc. More information on iQIYI can be found at http://ir.iqiyi.com.