Gone are the days when Chinese filmmakers were left scrambling to recreate the economic success of foreign offerings such as Kung Fu Panda.
When Kung Fu Panda clawed its way to box office glory in 2008, it sent shock waves through China. Nationalists were bitter that a smash hit banking on Chinese culture was made by Americans, and calls for a government ban ensued.
However, the success of DreamWorks’ film in China also lit a fire under China’s film industry.
Sure, there were missteps, including a 2011 knock-off film called Legend that failed to win over audiences like the rotund and punchy panda named Po.
