Alibaba Sees Future in Hollywood Sci-Fi Co-Production

Alibaba’s film unit and U.S. production house STX Entertainment will co-produce the upcoming science-fiction film “Steel Soldiers,” extending a growing series of one-off tie-ups between China and Hollywood, even as the attraction of bigger alliances fades.

As part of the deal, Alibaba Pictures will get distribution rights for “Steel Soldiers” in Greater China, while STX will get rights for the U.S. and other international markets, the two companies said in an announcement in the U.S. on Tuesday. The pair may also work in the future to expand the franchise onto other non-theatrical platforms, they said.