Zhang Ziyi's 'Husband-Killing' Film Flops at the Box Office, Wong Jing Criticizes Peter Chan for 'Greedy Miscalculation'

The film Solved Case at Soy Sauce Lane, directed by Peter Chan and starring Zhang Ziyi, was recently officially released. Despite assembling a star-studded cast including Zhang Ziyi, Yang Mi, Zhao Liying, Lei Jiayin, and Li Xian—arguably China's top celebrities—the glamorous lineup failed to translate into the ideal box office results. Its performance disappointed expectations, managing only a 5.9 rating on film review site Douban, which came as a surprise to many.

In the film, Zhang Ziyi pushed past her usual image, appearing without makeup, playing a woman suffering from domestic violence, and even engaging in intense scenes battling a wild boar. These bloody and violent plotlines made some viewers uncomfortable. Despite her utmost dedication to the role, she was still unable to reverse the box office downturn. In response, Zhang Ziyi shared fashion promo photos from the film's production period on Weibo, helplessly writing: “From the film to the photos, I did my best.”

Wong Jing also shared his opinion on the performance of Solved Case at Soy Sauce Lane. He bluntly stated that although the film was in preparation for seven years and featured a star-packed cast, it failed to present distinct characters, leading people to question whether it was merely a commercial ploy. Wong Jing commented: “This is not a commercial film at all; a real commercial film wouldn't be made like this. Peter Chan has been trying for years to have it both ways: aiming for awards, but unwilling to give up the box office. In the end, he ends up stuck in the middle.”

When asked which is more important, 'artistry' or 'box office success,' Wong Jing was unequivocal: “I would definitely choose box office success. I don't pursue art films at all.” He also pointed out that inviting too many A-listers for Solved Case at Soy Sauce Lane may have actually become a burden: “Packing a film with more stars doesn’t make it better. It’s about finding the right actors for the right roles, to serve the story.” He stated bluntly that just one or two suitable big names suffice. As for his own formula for success, Wong Jing candidly explained: “My method is simply to please the audience. If the audience won’t pay for it, I won’t do it.”