"Slumdog Millionaire" is expected to make its Chinese mainland debut on March 26 in Beijing, including a visit by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle.

The movie's mainland premiere will be the fastest for any Oscar-awarded film, the Oriental Morning Post reported Tuesday, citing Edko Films Ltd, the Chinese distributor of the movie.

"Slumdog" stars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto will probably also attend, the Shanghai-based newspaper reported.

Boyle and Christian Colson, the producer of the movie, are now planning their trip to China, the paper said.

The US$15-million film has won acclaim from audiences and critics alike and has grossed more than US$200 million worldwide. The weekend after it dominated the February 22 Academy Awards it took in US$12 million at the box office.

And Boyle is now a very hot commodity. Barbara Broccoli, who now heads the huge 007 franchise at EON Productions, is after him for the next Bond film. Through a spokesman, Boyle said he has always been a 007 fan but has no plans to helm the next production. Sony Pictures is also after him to update "My Fair Lady" but has not received a response.

Boyle has been taking a break since the Academy Awards.

(Shanghai Daily March 18, 2009)