Paramount is planning to premiere its 3D re-release of "Top Gun" in China potentially by the end of this year, TheWrap has learned.
Cognizant of the huge appetite for 3D films in China — and the massive box-office success of the recent 3D re-release of 'Titanic" in that country –Paramount is hoping to debut the Tom Cruise fly-boy drama there before rolling it out around the globe, according to an individual on the production.
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It's possible the premiere could be pushed back to accommodate Chinese elections, the individual said. In that case, it would premiere in the first quarter of 2013.
It's also hoped that Cruise will do publicity in China, given his close relationship to director Tony Scott, who committed suicide last summer, the individual said.
There is still one snag, however. In order to premiere in China, the country's film commission must first approve the release, which it has yet to do.
No domestic date has been set for the film.
A spokeswoman for Paramount denied that there are currently plans to release "Top Gun" in China.
"Titanic" has racked up $150.3 million in its 3D re-release since opening in April.