The Monkey King 2

The Monkey King 2
Teaser film poster
Traditional	西遊記之孫悟空三打白骨精
Simplified	西游记之孙悟空三打白骨精
Mandarin	Xī Yóu Jì Zhī Sūn Wù Kōng Sān Dǎ Bái Gǔ Jīng
Cantonese	Sai1 Jau4 Gei3 Zi1 Syun1 Ng4 Hung1 Saam1 Daa2 Baak6 Gwat1 Zing1
Directed by	Cheang Pou-soi[1]
Produced by	Kiefer Liu[1]
Written by	Ran Ping[1]
Based on	Journey to the West   by Wu Cheng'en
Starring	Aaron Kwok Gong Li Feng Shaofeng Xiaoshenyang Him Law
Edited by	Angie Lam[1]
Production company	Filmko Entertainment
Release dates	8 February 2016 (2016-02-08)[1]
Country	Hong Kong
Language	Cantonese Mandarin
Budget	HK$530 million[2]

The Monkey King 2 is an upcoming Hong Kong action fantasy film based on the classic novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en. It is a sequel to the 2014 box office hit The Monkey King with Cheang Pou-soi returning as director and Sammo Hung as action director, whom replaces Donnie Yen's duty from the previous installment. Film stars Aaron Kwok, who portrayed the main antagonist in the previous installment, as the film's titular protagonist, whom also replaces Yen from the previous installment. The film will be shot in 3D^[3] and will be released on 8 February 2016, the first day of the Chinese New Year holiday period.^[1]

Cast

• Aaron Kwok as Sun Wukong, the Monkey King
• Gong Li as Baigujing
• Feng Shaofeng as Tang Sanzang
• Xiaoshenyang as Zhu Bajie
• Him Law as Sha Wujing

^[4]

Production

Filmko Entertainment first announced a sequel for The Monkey King on 13 February 2014. Wan Haifeng, Chairman of Filmko, also stated that Louis Koo has confirmed to join the sequel and portray the role of Tang Sanzang, while also negotiating with Chow Yun-fat to reprise his role as the Jade Emperor in the sequel.^[5] Aaron Kwok, who portrayed the Bull Demon King in The Monkey King, announced on his Sina Weibo account that he would be portraying Sun Wukong in the sequel, replacing Donnie Yen from the previous installment.^[6] To prepare for his role, Kwok took several months of martial arts training before the shoot.^[4] During filming, Kwok had to undergo six hours of makeup and an additional three hours to clean it up daily.^[1] On 27 November, it was reported that Gong Li will join the cast, portraying the role of Baigujing, the White Skeleton Demon, and will be paid HK$40 million for the role.^[7][8] Additional cast members that were announced by Filmko Entertainment later include Feng Shaofeng as Tang Sanzang, a role that was previously reported to be portrayed by Louis Koo, Xiaoshenyang as Zhu Bajie, and Him Law, who portrayed Muzha in the previous installments, as Sha Wujing.^[3] Filming of The Monkey King 2 began in December 2014 in Wuxi Studio^[1] and will later move on to New Zealand. 3D effects team from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to aid the production crew.^[8] Filmko Entertainment is co-producing the film with an additional 11 production companies that are not yet to be revealed.^[1] On 28 February 2015, main cast members Kwok, Gong, Feng, Xiaoshenyang and Law gave blessings at a Buddhist temple in Wuxi as the film was heading into the final stages of filming.^[2]

Release

On 24 December, the film held a press conference in Wuxi where it was attended by the film's producer Kiefer Liu, director Cheang Pou-soi, action director Sammo Hung, and main cast members Aaron Kwok, Gong Li, Feng Shaofeng, Xiaoshenyang and Him Law. During the event it was announced that the film will be released on 8 February 2016, the first day of the Chinese New Year holiday period, which is also the first day of the Year of the Monkey.^[1]

See also

• Aaron Kwok filmography
• Sammo Hung filmography

References