Stars Collective has secured the rights to develop a Mandarin-language adaptation of “Thelma,” the acclaimed 2024 Sundance Film Festival entry that became Magnolia Pictures’ most successful narrative feature to date. The new film, titled “Grandma, Please,” will reimagine the original story for Chinese audiences while maintaining its core themes about aging and empowerment.
The remake centers on an elderly woman who becomes the victim of a sophisticated scam involving artificial intelligence technology used to impersonate her deceased husband. Rather than seeking help from family or authorities, she embarks on a personal mission to locate the perpetrator, which leads to an unexpected reunion with a former romantic interest from her past. What begins as a pursuit transforms into a cross-country adventure that balances humor with genuine emotional depth.
Peter Luo, a screenwriter and producer known for films including “Crazy Rich Asians” and “The Meg,” is adapting the screenplay alongside Stars Collective executives Nancy Xu and Wayne Wei Jiang. The production team believes stories centered on older protagonists have proven their box office appeal globally, citing recent successes in the genre. Filming is scheduled to commence in the latter half of 2027, with the creative team expressing enthusiasm about bringing their vision of the reimagined narrative to audiences.
Originally reported by Variety →
About the Author
