China's largest private entertainment group, Huayi Brothers, plans to release at least eight movies this year, with more productions' release dates yet to be decided.

The studio's 2010 lineup will start with the romantic comedy "Hot Summer Days," slated for release on February 11. Following is "The Informers," a gangster film co-produced by Huayi Brothers and Hong Kong's Emperor Entertainment Group and starring Nicolas Tse and Nicky Cheung.

A Chinese version of the Disney Channel's "High School Musical" is expected to attract local teenagers at the beginning of the summer season.

In the later half of the year, several blockbusters will hit Chinese cinemas.

"Xi Feng Lie," literally "Tempest of Westerly Winds," is helmed by the "Message" director Gao Qunshu. It tells a story about modern Chinese cowboys, murders and detectives set in a desolate desert in China's west.

Feng Xiaogang's much-hyped "Aftershocks" is based on the deadly earthquake that killed at least 240,000 people and flattened the city of Tangshan in Hebei Province on July 28, 1976. The film is scheduled to come out on the 34th anniversary of the quake and will also be released in an IMAX version.

The director will also make a sequel to his box office record-breaking romantic comedy "If You Are the One," which will join in the year-end box office battle in December.

Huayi Brothers' other productions of the year include "The New Shaolin Temple," the sequel to "The Message," "Detective Dee" and a cartoon movie called "Lao Fu Zi."

Still of "Hot Summer Days" [sina.com]

Hot Summer Days

Release Date: 11 February 2010

Director: Tony Chan, Wing Shya

Cast Members: Nicholas Tse, Jacky Cheung, Rene Liu, Barbie Hsu, Daniel Wu, Duan Yihong, Vivian Hsu, Angelababy, BOBO

Still of "The Informers" [sina.com/Huayi Brothers]

The Informers

Release Date: May 2010

Director: Dante Lam

Cast Members: Nicholas Tse, Nickey Cheung, Kwai Lun-Mei, Lu Yi, Miao Pu

Still of "High School Musicals". [Photo: sina.com/Huayi Brothers]

High School Musicals

Release Date: June 2010

Director: Chen Shizheng

Cast Members: Zhang Junning, Ma Zihan, Yuan Chengjie, Gu Xuan, Liu Yanchen, Lin Qi

Still of "Xi Feng Lie" [sina.com]

Xi Feng Lie

Release Date: to be announced

Director: Gao Qunshu

Cast Members: Duan Yihong, Wu Jing, Xia Yu, Yu Nan, Francis Ng, Charlie Young