Eight franchises. One massive production push. Pearl River Film and Media has officially launched a dedicated studio with bestselling Chinese author Guo Ni, aiming to turn her deep catalog of youth and sci-fi literature into a cinematic powerhouse.

This isn't just a book deal. It is a strategic pivot for the state-owned studio. By partnering with Black Body Interactive and Meng Guo Ji Media, Pearl River is betting that Guo’s established fan base can anchor a long-term franchise strategy. They are bringing in Baidu AI Cloud as a technology partner to handle the heavy lifting of production.

The First Big Swing

The studio’s debut project, Dreamship, hits Chinese theaters on June 27. It is an animated feature adapted from a novel that has already moved over five million copies. The studio is already building momentum; they just dropped a music video for the film’s soundtrack, performed by the popular idol group Teens in Times.

This is a calculated move. Pearl River is leveraging its "full industry chain" resources to ensure these adaptations don't just look good, but scale efficiently. The studio’s chair, Wang Xi, framed the partnership as a synergy between historic state-owned infrastructure and high-quality YA fantasy properties. It is a classic play: take proven IP and give it the blockbuster treatment.

Beyond the First Film

The slate is aggressive. The studio has already greenlit development for seven additional Guo franchises, including Angel Street No. 23, Lady’s Revolution, and Animal Space Agency.

Chen Junjie, founder of Black Body Interactive, confirmed that Angel Street No. 23 is already in preliminary talks for a live-action series. The goal is clear. They want to own the screen, both big and small.

Guo Ni is no newcomer. She has been a fixture on China’s writers’ rich list since 2008. Her transition into sci-fi children’s fiction in 2017 provided the studio with a diverse library of properties. She isn't just selling rights. She is helping build the production pipeline.

The AI Factor

Technology is the secret sauce here. Guo noted that the partnership with Baidu AI Cloud allows for AI imaging and cloud computing to serve as "wings for human imagination." It is a bold claim. Whether it translates to the screen remains to be seen.

Pearl River has been here before. They saw success with the 2019 hit White Snake, which proved that traditional stories could be successfully modernized for a new generation. They are now applying that same logic to Guo’s entire bibliography.

Key Takeaways

  • Pearl River Film has launched a dedicated studio with author Guo Ni to adapt eight of her youth and sci-fi franchises.
  • The first project, the animated feature Dreamship, is scheduled for a June 27 theatrical release in China.
  • The studio is integrating Baidu AI Cloud technology into its production pipeline to scale the development of these properties.

Guo Ni believes these stories are "spiritual assets" for a growing generation. The studio’s launch at the Shanghai International Film Festival was just the beginning. The real test starts on June 27. If Dreamship connects with audiences, the other seven franchises will move quickly. The journey has begun.