Several classic works by China's leading sci-fi writer Liu Cixin are to be adapted into high-profile films and TV series. This includes a newly announced movie adaptation of "With Her Eyes," to be produced by Chen Sicheng, the filmmaker behind the blockbuster "Detective Chinatown" franchise.

Chen Sicheng, Liu Cixin and Dai Mo (left to right) pose for a photo at an event announcing the "With Her Eyes" movie in Wenchang, Hainan province, March 21, 2025. [Photo courtesy of As One Production]

At an event announcing the new adaptation held at the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site on March 21, As One Production confirmed Chen Sicheng as executive producer, with Dai Mo — director of hits including "Fireflies in the Sun" and "Detective Chinatown 1900" — set to direct. Meanwhile, the screenwriting team will unite Liu Cixin with Italian cinema legend Giuseppe Tornatore, the Oscar-winning creator of "Cinema Paradiso," "The Legend of 1900" and "Malèna."

The short story "With Her Eyes" won China's prestigious sci-fi Galaxy Award in 1999. It follows a space engineer who, after returning from a mission, takes a special pair of "eyes" on vacation — connecting him to a mysterious "her." Through their shared senses, they explore nature together, her shifting emotions sparking his growing curiosity. With its concept of "shared senses," the story delves into human loneliness and has been praised by readers as Liu Cixin's "most tender sci-fi parable."

Liu noted at the film's announcement that "With Her Eyes" differs from his other works, framing humanity's grand exploration of the unknown through a gentle, poetic lens tinged with melancholy. "I believe the film adaptation will create a unique sci-fi universe," he said. "Through my deep involvement in the cinematic process, we'll deliver unprecedented visual artistry and emotional impact to audiences."

During his visit to China's cutting-edge aerospace facilities at the launch site, Chen Sicheng expressed his admiration at the nation's rapid space technology advancements. "I'm fully committed to preserving Liu Cixin's poetic and romantic vision, and sharing this profoundly moving wonder with audiences," he said.

For director Dai Mo, this marks his second collaboration with Liu Cixin, having just wrapped up on the highly anticipated sci-fi series "Ball Lightning" — another Liu Cixin adaptation executive produced by Chen Sicheng.

Crew and collaborators of the "With Her Eyes" film project pose for a group photo at the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, Hainan province, March 21, 2025. [Photo courtesy of As One Production]

Liu Cixin's works have become crown jewels for sci-fi film and TV adaptations. Recently, it was reported that his military sci-fi story "Full-Spectrum Barrage Jamming" will be directed by Guan Hu, best known for his 2020 war epic "The Eight Hundred."

Other major projects in development include Frant Gwo's 2027 sci-fi epic "The Wandering Earth 3," Zhang Yimou's film adaptation of "The Three-Body Problem," and Yang Lei's TV series "Three-Body II: The Dark Forest." Additionally, a spin-off series centered on "Three-Body" protagonist Shi Qiang is in the works, while Tian Li's TV adaptation of "Sea of Dreams" is currently in post-production. A movie adaptation of "The Supernova Era" is also underway.

Previously, Liu Cixin's "The Wandering Earth" inspired two blockbuster films directed by Frant Gwo — the 2019 release grossing 4.69 billion yuan, followed in 2023 by its prequel earning 4.04 billion yuan. Director Ning Hao adapted Liu's "The Rural Teacher" into "Crazy Alien," which generated 2.2 billion yuan in 2019. The Hugo Award-winning "The Three-Body Problem" has spawned two successful TV adaptations: Tencent Video's Chinese version and Netflix's international production, both achieving critical and commercial success. Industry analysts estimate the "Three-Body" franchise — spanning publishing, film, TV, animation, digital ventures and exhibitions — has reached a total co-branded consumer market value of over 2 billion yuan.

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