By Simon Montlake, Forbes Staff

For proof of how overseas markets drive Hollywood, look no further than Disney’s ‘Iron Man 3′. The action-hero movie was co-financed by DMG, a Chinese media company that has the rights to distribute the film in China. Disney said last week that, contrary to DMG‘s earlier hype, the film isn’t an official Chinese co-production, a status that gives foreign studios a bigger box-office cut. But Chinese audiences will see extra footage that didn’t make the cut for global audiences, including a star turn from Fan Bingbing. Director Shane Black shot these scenes and others in China last year. The film’s premiere also trumps the U.S. release: Apr. 26, the same as the U.K. and other markets. U.S. audiences will wait another week for the film to open (May 2). This upends the old Hollywood playbook of domestic premieres followed by overseas markets. Now the focus for big-budget flicks is on satisfying global audiences that can be lured into theatres while the buzz is strong, particularly in markets where piracy is rampant. …read more
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