The Lunar New Year 2026 film season has become a fierce battleground for post-1995 actors, and Wang Hedi found himself at the center of attention with his leading role in Per Aspera Ad Astra.

The big-budget sci-fi film was released with priority screening slots across S+ theater systems, raising expectations for a strong commercial performance. However, as of February 24, 2026—after 8 days in theaters—the movie had yet to surpass the 100 million yuan mark. According to market analysis from Sohu, the project faces considerable financial pressure due to its high investment in visual effects and large-scale production if it fails to gain momentum in the following weeks.

Despite the meticulous character design and polished visuals showcased in promotional materials, the current box office results lag behind other releases during the same period. This gap has unexpectedly led to the phrase “Wang Hedi is over” trending in online discussions, even though the actor previously enjoyed massive popularity from his television successes.

However, industry observers point out that a single film’s performance does not fully define an actor’s standing. The Lunar New Year window is traditionally one of the most competitive seasons in Chinese cinema, often packed with blockbuster-level productions.

In contrast, the wuxia project Biao Ren, starring Yu Shi, has accelerated rapidly at the box office, earning positive reviews and impressive ticket sales. The stark difference in momentum has fueled comparisons among post-95 actors transitioning to the big screen.

Before entering the film market, Wang Hedi was considered a “traffic guarantee” on digital platforms, consistently generating high discussion volumes. However, strong online buzz does not always translate into mass audience turnout. Box office success depends on multiple factors, including script quality, release strategy, word-of-mouth reception, and market timing—not solely on star power.

Within the same generation, actors like Wang Yibo and Karry Wang have maintained relatively stable positions through steady project selections. Their trajectories suggest that cinematic longevity is not determined by one single release.

Therefore, labeling Wang Hedi as “over” may be premature. The commercial fate of Per Aspera Ad Astra represents only a short-term snapshot in a much longer career journey. Whether the actor can recalibrate his script choices and strengthen his big-screen presence will ultimately determine his future standing. Many fans remain hopeful that the film will gain late momentum and that Wang Hedi will return stronger with more strategic and impactful projects ahead.