Chinese scenic area to sue 'Transformers' producers

A scene of the film shot in Wulong. (Photo/Chinanews.com)

A scenic area in southwest China is to sue producers of "Transformers: Age of Extinction" for failing to show its logo in the movie, an executive for the area said on Monday.

Chongqing Wulong Karst Tourism (Group) Co. Ltd will sue Paramount Pictures and Beijing-based 1905 Internet Technology Co., Ltd, another of the film's producers, Huang Daosheng, the company's general manger told a press conference in Beijing.

The company will file suit at Chongqing No.3 Intermediate People's Court, according to Li Chu, marketing manager of the tourist attraction.

Wulong paid an undisclosed sum - 1 million U.S. dollars, according to some media reports - to promote the area as a world natural heritage site through the movie. The producers promised to show the Wulong logo on the screen, but it is nowhere to be seen, The film also combined images of Wulong with scenes shot in Hong Kong, confusing the audience, Li claimed.

Liang Longfei, a representative of 1905 said that the producers had indeed broken the contract, but Wulong should shoulder some responsibility as it failed to pay the agreed fee on time.

The Chongqing company has asked 1905 and Paramount to explain why they did not fulfil the agreement and to pay compensation, insisting the company had paid on time as outlined in the agreement.

After negotiation with Paramount, 1905 said all DVDs and all TV and digital platforms would show the logo, but the remedy does not satisfy Wulong.

"Wulong will defend our legitimate rights through the law," said Huang.

"Transformers: Age of Extinction," the fourth installment in the robot franchise, earned 630 million yuan (about $102 million) in its opening weekend on the Chinese mainland.

The Wulong Three Natural Bridges scenic area is a remote and spectacularly beautiful limestone karst area, listed as a world natural heritage site.