Weinstein to fund Asian movies

Harvey and Bob Weinstein, the brothers who run the Weinstein Co. film studio, have raised $285 million to make movies with Asian themes, actors and directors.

The fund will pay the full cost of making, marketing and distributing 21 theatrical releases and 10 direct-to-video films over the next six years, New York-based Weinstein Co. said Monday.

Weinstein Co. will have control over development, marketing and distribution. The films will be made in Asia or will spotlight Asian themes or talent. Jackie Chan and Jet Li will star in one of the films, “Forbidden Kingdom,” the closely held company said.