"Transformers" take over China, "Looper" director Ryan Johnson gets looped into the "Star Wars" franchise and Han Solo has a bit of a limp. It's time for On the Lot, our regular discussion of the film biz with L.A. Times writer Rebecca Keegan.
The big release this week is the new "Transformers" movie. It hits theaters Friday not just here but in China. How unusual is this? What other ways did this film engage with the Chinese market?
The film even has a number of Chinese sponsors, but apparently one of them isn't happy with the end result. China's not just interested in working with Hollywood, what's happening right now in their domestic film industry?
Former Warner Brothers president Jeff Robinov is getting in on the action. We talked about this when he formed his production company Studio 8, which is explicitly trying to collaborate with China. What's the latest with him?
The new JJ Abrams "Star Wars" installment is filming in London, and the big news last week is that Harrison Ford was injured on set. What happened?
Looking to the future of the "Star Wars" franchise, director Ryan Johnson, known recently for the time bending thriller "Looper" has been brought on. What's the buzz on him?