'Bad guys' return to Chinese theaters

Three years after their last adventure, the infamous "villains" from DreamWorks' animated franchise The Bad Guys are set to return to Chinese cinemas on Saturday.

Directed by French filmmaker Pierre Perifel, the sequel, The Bad Guys 2, follows Wolf, Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula as they struggle to adjust to life as reformed do-gooders. Just when they think they're out for good, an all-female criminal squad pulls them back in — forcing them into one final heist.

Earlier this week, a special screening was held at a cinema in Taikoo Li Sanlitun, a popular shopping complex in downtown Beijing, featuring a performer portraying Wolf as one of the event's highlights.

With China's summer movie season nearing its close, some industry insiders expect the Hollywood animation to give the market a boost. The season, which runs from June 1 to Aug 31, has already grossed over 9.3 billion yuan ($1.3 billion) at the box office.