Doing something on vinyl is old school, but this is different. China’s Godfather of Rock Cui Jian will be getting the wax treatment, receiving a full-size likeness when Madame Tussauds opens in Beijing in May.
From promotional material, we know the Qianmen location will feature China celebrities including Jackie Chan, Fan Bingbing, and Yao Ming. Cui sat for his statue in June 2013, according to China Daily.
STORY: On Again, Off Again: Cui Jian Out for CCTV Spring Festival Gala
It will be interesting to see whether we get mulleted young star Cui Jian or musical statesman with white baseball cap Cui Jian. Cui is trying to add filmmaking to his creative resume, receiving positive reviews for his film Blue Bones at the 2013 Rome Film Festival. Most recently he was apparently slated to appear on the CCTV Spring Festival gala, but couldn’t agree with the show’s producers on which songs he could or could not play, and did not go on.
The Beijing site is being built in partnership with property developer SOHO China. “Merlin is one of the world’s most successful and biggest visitor attraction operators and we are delighted to be working with them to bring one of their best known and loved global brands, Madame Tussauds, to Beijing. It will bring a new dimension and international flavor to the Qianmen and Beijing, and we look forward to working with Merlin on more projects in the future,” said Pan Shiyi, chairman of SOHO China, and one of the Beijinger‘s 20 Most Interesting People in 2013. No word yet on whether Pan, also a popular blogger, will get waxed.
Based in the UK, Merlin Entertainments has announced its intention not only to expand the Madame Tussauds brand in China but also to bring or expand its other brands here, including Sea Life marine parks and Legoland Discovery Centers.
Photo: China Daily