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| Xiao Zhan’s Post-Agency Era Is Paying Off: New RMB 200 Million Drama, Packed Schedule and Zero Signs of Slowing Down. (Credits: HK 01) |
Xiao Zhan’s earning power appears to be in overdrive. Since the Chinese star stepped away from his long-running contract with Wajijiwa Entertainment and took full control of his own studio, the move many viewed as risky now looks more like a masterclass in timing. While others talk about independence, Xiao Zhan seems to be cashing in on it, one major project at a time.
Fresh from wrapping medical-themed drama A Good Prescription (Xiao Cheng Liang Fang), the actor has reportedly already flown from Beijing to Qingdao to begin preparations for another headline-grabbing production, the sci-fi suspense drama Ten Days Ultimatum (Shi Ri Zhong Yan).
There, he is said to have started script readings and early production work, proving once again that rest days may simply not exist in his calendar.
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| Xiao Zhan Independence Pays Off With Multiple New Projects in 2026 |
What makes this project especially interesting is the role itself. Xiao Zhan is reportedly set to leave behind his polished romantic lead image and dive into a darker, more complex character.
He will allegedly play a highly intelligent strategist carrying emotional fractures beneath the surface. In short, sharp brain, troubled soul, plenty of screen tension. The kind of role fans have been begging to see him tackle for years.
The production is also said to be throwing serious money at the screen. Reports claim the total investment has exceeded RMB 200 million, with the team determined to turn spectacle into reality.
The visual effects crew MORE VFX, known for work on The Wandering Earth, has reportedly joined the project. On top of that, an 8,000 square metre virtual studio has allegedly been built to recreate the mysterious “Land of the End” from the source material. Casual spending? Hardly.
Casting chatter has added even more heat. It is widely reported that respected younger actors Hu Xianxu and Aarif Rahman may join the series and share scenes with Xiao Zhan.
If confirmed, the drama could become one of the most watched cast combinations in recent memory, with talent, star pull and fan traffic all packed into one production.
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| Xiao Zhan’s Earning Power Surges With RMB 200 Million Drama and Packed 2026 Schedule |
And that is apparently only one chapter of the schedule madness. Once filming wraps, Xiao Zhan is rumoured to move directly into war drama Chongqing Hao, continuing a run of back-to-back projects that would exhaust most people by paragraph two.
Meanwhile, film rumours claim he is also in talks for a new movie directed by veteran filmmaker Stanley Tong, with possible female leads including Liu Yifei or Tang Yan. If true, someone clearly decided sleep is optional.
Supporters say Xiao Zhan is proving doubters wrong by thriving without a major agency behind him. Many praised his business instincts, calling this a new golden phase of his career.
Others are more cautious, questioning whether such a relentless pace could lead to burnout. Some netizens also joked that while ordinary people struggle to answer emails, Xiao Zhan is collecting dramas like loyalty points.
There is also growing interest in how this independent era may reshape his public image. Without a traditional company steering every move, fans believe he now has greater control over scripts, branding and long-term career direction.
Critics, meanwhile, say freedom also means pressure lands squarely on his own shoulders. Fair point, though judging by the current booking sheet, he seems to be coping just fine.
With several unreleased dramas already waiting in the wings, including Ten Days Ultimatum, Die Bao Shang Bu Feng Ding, and A Good Prescription, Xiao Zhan remains firmly planted on the popularity radar.