Lionsgate has to be excited today, as the studio announced that The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the second film in the Hunger Games franchise, has earned a November release date in China.
The studio said in a press release posted at Deadline that Catching Fire has secured a Nov. 21, 2013 release date. It will be shown at over 3,000 screens in the second-largest film market in the world. China Film Group and Lionsgate’s Beijing partner Talent International Film Co. Ltd. will release both dubbed and subtitled prints to theaters. China is now one of 50 territories that will see the film nearly at the same time as North American audiences.
Catching Fire is also the second major Hollywood blockbuster from this fall that will be released in China. Last week, Warner Bros.’ Gravity earned a November release there. It will be out a day before Catching Fire.
“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has become a truly global phenomenon, and its day-and-date release in this key territory further cements its status as a worldwide motion picture event of epic proportions,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman said in a statement.
Catching Fire hits theaters domestically on Nov. 22.
According to Box Office Mojo, The Hunger Games grossed $691.2 million worldwide last year, including $283 million overseas. Lionsgate has also had recent international success with Now You See Me.
Mockingjay - Part I and Part II will follow in November 2014 and November 2015, respectively. Jennifer Lawrence is signed to play Katniss Everdeen in both films.
image: Lionsgate