The Monkey King (film)
Encyclopedia
The Monkey King is an upcoming Hong Kong film directed by Cheang Pou-soi
and starring Donnie Yen
as the titular protagonist
. Yen also serves as the film's action director
. Production began in Beijing
on 18 October 2010 and was filmed in IMAX 3D.
's classical novel Journey to the West
and will tell the story of how the Monkey King rebels against the Jade Emperor
of Heaven.
and Donnie Yen
was eyed for a role. On 18 May 2010, Yen was confirmed to be playing the title role of the Monkey King. The film was originally budgeted at 300 million yuan but later was raised to 400 million yuan. Filmko and Mandarin Films
share in a 65% and 35% split the production cost. Later, it was announced Chow Yun-fat
and Aaron Kwok
will be playing the Jade Emperor and Bull Demon King respectively. Kwok's role is said to be breaking traditions for being handsome, stylish and fighting for love.
Additional cast members were later announced including Cecilia Cheung
, Gigi Leung
, Kelly Chen
, Peter Ho
, Joe Chen and Liu Ye. On 17 May 2011, Zhang Zilin
, winner of Miss World 2007
, confirmed that she joined the film, playing the role of Nüwa
, replacing Cecilia Cheung, who was originally announced in the role. However, Zhang claimed that she never heard that Cheung was to be in the film.
For the 3-D shoot, Filmko recruited Hollywood talents. The crew includes David Ebner (Alice in Wonderland
, Spider-Man 3
), who will serve as visual effects
supervisor for the film and Shaun Smith (The Forbidden Kingdom, 300
, I Am Legend
) who will be the special make-up supervisor.
500 million (US$88 million) box office target in China. Recently, it was announced that it will be released on 7 July 2012.
Cheang Pou-Soi
Soi Cheang Pou-Soi is a Hong Kong film director, assistant director, screenwriter, script supervisor, and actor.-Filmography as director:* Accident * Shamo * Dog Bite Dog * Home Sweet Home...
and starring Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
as the titular protagonist
Sun Wukong
Sun Wukong , also known as the Monkey King is a main character in the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West . In the novel, he is a monkey born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices...
. Yen also serves as the film's action director
Stage combat
Stage combat is a specialized technique in theatre designed to create the illusion of physical combat without causing harm to the performers. It is employed in live stage plays as well as operatic and ballet productions. The term is also used informally to describe fight choreography for other...
. Production began in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
on 18 October 2010 and was filmed in IMAX 3D.
Plot
The film is based on selected chapters of Wu Cheng'enWu Cheng'en
Wu Cheng'en , courtesy name Ruzhong , pen name "Sheyang Hermit," was a Chinese novelist and poet of the Ming Dynasty, best known for being the attributed author of one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, Journey to the West.-Biography:Wu was born in Lianshui, in Jiangsu...
's classical novel Journey to the West
Journey to the West
Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It was written by Wu Cheng'en in the 16th century. In English-speaking countries, the tale is also often known simply as Monkey. This was one title used for a popular, abridged translation by Arthur Waley...
and will tell the story of how the Monkey King rebels against the Jade Emperor
Jade Emperor
The Jade Emperor in Chinese folk culture, is the ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to a version of Taoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon...
of Heaven.
Main cast
- Donnie YenDonnie YenDonnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
as Sun WukongSun WukongSun Wukong , also known as the Monkey King is a main character in the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West . In the novel, he is a monkey born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices...
, the Monkey King - Chow Yun-fatChow Yun-FatChow Yun-fat, SBS is an actor from Hong Kong. He is best known in Asia for his collaboration with filmmaker John Woo in heroic bloodshed genre films A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, and Hard Boiled; and to the West for his role as Li Mu-bai in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon...
as the Jade EmperorJade EmperorThe Jade Emperor in Chinese folk culture, is the ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to a version of Taoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon... - Aaron KwokAaron KwokAaron Kwok Fu-shing is a Hong Kong singer, dancer and actor. He has been active since the 1980s to the present. The media refer to him, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings . Kwok's onstage dancing and displays is influenced by Michael Jackson...
as Bull Demon King - Joe Chen as Princess Iron FanPrincess Iron FanPrincess Iron Fan is a fictional character from the Chinese classic novel Journey to the West. She is the wife of the Bull King and mother of Red Boy. She is a beautiful goddess living in an underground cave awaiting her husband's return, but also angry at him for his affair with a foxy vixen...
- Peter HoPeter HoPeter Ho Jun-tung is an American-Taiwanese singer and actor. Ho was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Taiwan and Canada...
as Erlang ShenErlang ShenErlang Shen , or Erlang is a Chinese God with a third truth-seeing eye in the middle of his forehead.Er-lang Shen may be a deified version of several semi-mythical folk heroes who help regulate China's torrential floods, dating variously from the Qin, Sui and Jin dynasties... - Kelly ChenKelly ChenKelly Chen is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. Kelly has also been known as a diva in Asia. She has a great success in Asia Entertainment industry with nearly 20 million record sales of 38 albums...
as Guan Yin - Zhang ZilinZhang ZilinZhang Zilin is a beauty queen and fashion model who won Miss China World in 2007 and was crowned Miss World 2007, representing the People's Republic of China. She is the first Miss World of East Asian origin.-Biography:...
as NüwaNüwaNüwa is a goddess in ancient Chinese mythology best known for creating mankind and repairing the wall of heaven.-Primary sources:... - Gigi LeungGigi LeungGigi Leung Wing-kei is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress.-Biography:Given the name Leung Bik-Zi at birth, at the age of 7 her mother changed her name changed to 'Wing-Kei' for superstitious reasons; as a child, Leung suffered from frequent asthma attacks and it was believed a change of name...
as Chang'eChang'eChang'e may refer to:* Chang'e - a traditional Chinese lunar goddess* The Chinese Chang'e space program, part of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program :** Chang'e 1 - the first CLEP lunar orbiter, launched on 24 October 2007... - Xia Zitong as the Nine-tailed VixenNine-tailed foxThe Nine-tailed fox is a mythological creature that has the appearance of a fox but with nine tails. This mythological creature was first created in Asia .-Mythology:...
- Louis Fan as Juling Shen
Other cast
- Cheung Siu-faiCheung Siu-FaiEddie Cheung Siu-fai is a Hong Kong actor best known for his many supporting or everyman roles similar to Liu Kai-chi.-Filmography:-TV series:-External links:* on Sina Weibo* at the Hong Kong Cinemagic* on LoveHKFilm.com...
as Li JingLi Jing (deity)Li Jing , also known as the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li is a figure in Chinese mythology and a god in Chinese folk religion. He is not one of the Four Heavenly Kings. He carries a tower that can capture any spirit, demon or god within its walls. He also appears in the classic Chinese novels...
, the Pagoda-wielding Heavenly King - Calvin Cheng as NezhaNezha (deity)Nezha, Na Zha or Nata . He was then given the title "Third Lotus Prince" after he became a deity.Modern scholarship has shown that he is based on two figures from Hindu mythology, namely Nalakubar and Krishna....
- Him LawHim LawLaw Chung-him , known as Him Law, is a Hong Kong film and television actor. Law began his acting career by starring as supporting characters in several well-known films, most notably in Mob Sister , which was also Law's debut film...
as Muzha - Liu Hua as the Dragon King of the East SeaDragon King of the East SeaAo Guang is the Dragon King of the East Sea in Chinese mythology...
- Li Ching as the Green-haired Monkey King
- Irene Wang as Fairy Caiyun
- Hai Yitian as SubhutiSubhutiSubhūti was one of the Ten Great Śrāvakas of Śākyamuni Buddha, and foremost in the understanding of emptiness. In Sanskrit, his name literally means "Good Existence" . He is also sometimes referred to as or "Elder Subhūti"...
- Cathy LeungCathy Leung-2004-2005:Just graduated from high school, Leung was discovered by Boombeat Music in 2004 for her talent in singing. After signing up and becoming an official singer, her manager and family advised her to complete her university degree before deciding whether to continue in her career or not...
as Fairy Caixia - Monica Mo
- Liu Ye
- Wang Xizhi
Production
When the film was first announced, both Jet LiJet Li
The fame gained by his sports winnings led to a career as a martial arts film star, beginning in mainland China and then continuing into Hong Kong. Li acquired his screen name in 1982 in the Philippines when a publicity company thought his real name was too hard to pronounce...
and Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
was eyed for a role. On 18 May 2010, Yen was confirmed to be playing the title role of the Monkey King. The film was originally budgeted at 300 million yuan but later was raised to 400 million yuan. Filmko and Mandarin Films
Mandarin Films Distribution Co. Ltd.
Mandarin Films Distribution Co. Ltd. , formerly known as Mandarin Films Ltd. , is a Hong Kong film production company and distributor. It was established in 1991 by film producer Raymond Wong Pak-Ming, and is a subsidiary of Mandarin Entertainment Holdings Ltd.-Company:Since its foundation,...
share in a 65% and 35% split the production cost. Later, it was announced Chow Yun-fat
Chow Yun-Fat
Chow Yun-fat, SBS is an actor from Hong Kong. He is best known in Asia for his collaboration with filmmaker John Woo in heroic bloodshed genre films A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, and Hard Boiled; and to the West for his role as Li Mu-bai in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon...
and Aaron Kwok
Aaron Kwok
Aaron Kwok Fu-shing is a Hong Kong singer, dancer and actor. He has been active since the 1980s to the present. The media refer to him, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings . Kwok's onstage dancing and displays is influenced by Michael Jackson...
will be playing the Jade Emperor and Bull Demon King respectively. Kwok's role is said to be breaking traditions for being handsome, stylish and fighting for love.
Additional cast members were later announced including Cecilia Cheung
Cecilia Cheung
Cecilia Cheung Pak-Chi is a Hong Kong actress and cantopop singer. She is the ex-wife of Nicholas Tse, thus being the daughter-in-law of Patrick Tse and Deborah Lee. She and Nicholas have two sons, Lucas and Quintus Tse...
, Gigi Leung
Gigi Leung
Gigi Leung Wing-kei is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress.-Biography:Given the name Leung Bik-Zi at birth, at the age of 7 her mother changed her name changed to 'Wing-Kei' for superstitious reasons; as a child, Leung suffered from frequent asthma attacks and it was believed a change of name...
, Kelly Chen
Kelly Chen
Kelly Chen is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. Kelly has also been known as a diva in Asia. She has a great success in Asia Entertainment industry with nearly 20 million record sales of 38 albums...
, Peter Ho
Peter Ho
Peter Ho Jun-tung is an American-Taiwanese singer and actor. Ho was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Taiwan and Canada...
, Joe Chen and Liu Ye. On 17 May 2011, Zhang Zilin
Zhang Zilin
Zhang Zilin is a beauty queen and fashion model who won Miss China World in 2007 and was crowned Miss World 2007, representing the People's Republic of China. She is the first Miss World of East Asian origin.-Biography:...
, winner of Miss World 2007
Miss World 2007
Miss World 2007, the 57th Miss World pageant was held at the Crown of Beauty Theatre, Sanya, People's Republic of China on December 1, 2007. It was hosted by Fernando Allende and Angela Chow. Zhang Zilin of the People's Republic of China won the crown and succeeded Miss World 2006, Taťána Kuchařová...
, confirmed that she joined the film, playing the role of Nüwa
Nüwa
Nüwa is a goddess in ancient Chinese mythology best known for creating mankind and repairing the wall of heaven.-Primary sources:...
, replacing Cecilia Cheung, who was originally announced in the role. However, Zhang claimed that she never heard that Cheung was to be in the film.
For the 3-D shoot, Filmko recruited Hollywood talents. The crew includes David Ebner (Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland (2010 film)
Alice in Wonderland is a 2010 American computer-animated/live action fantasy adventure film directed by Tim Burton, written by Linda Woolverton, and released by Walt Disney Pictures...
, Spider-Man 3
Spider-Man 3
Spider-Man 3 is a 2007 American superhero film written and directed by Sam Raimi, with a screenplay by Ivan Raimi and Alvin Sargent. It is the third film in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man...
), who will serve as visual effects
Visual effects
Visual effects are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or...
supervisor for the film and Shaun Smith (The Forbidden Kingdom, 300
300 (film)
300 is a 2007 American fantasy action film based on the 1998 comic series of the same name by Frank Miller. It is a fictionalized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae. The film was directed by Zack Snyder, while Miller served as executive producer and consultant...
, I Am Legend
I Am Legend (film)
I Am Legend is a 2007 post-apocalyptic science fiction film directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Will Smith. It is the third feature film adaptation of Richard Matheson's 1954 novel of the same name, following 1964's The Last Man on Earth and 1971's The Omega Man. Smith plays virologist Robert...
) who will be the special make-up supervisor.
Release
The original poster released had a release date of February 2012, but it was postponed. Filmko and Global Star Productions has its eyes on a RMBRenminbi
The Renminbi is the official currency of the People's Republic of China . Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of the PRC...
500 million (US$88 million) box office target in China. Recently, it was announced that it will be released on 7 July 2012.
See also
- Donnie Yen filmographyDonnie Yen filmography-Films:-TV series:...
- Chow Yun-fat filmographyChow Yun-Fat filmography-Films:-Television series:...
- Aaron Kwok filmographyAaron Kwok filmographyThis is the filmography of Hong Kong singer and actor Aaron Kwok....