Monkey King's next jump
Source:Global Times Published: 2012-5-16 19:00:03
Scene from Journey to the West (TV series)
Recently, it was reported that Liu Xiao Ling Tong would star in a film adaptation of Journey to the West, potentially cooperating with well-know directors James Cameron, Steven Spielberg and others. Liu Xiao Ling Tong has confirmed this on his microblog.
Now 53, Liu Xiao Ling Tong is best known for playing the Monkey King in the 1983 TV series version of Journey to the West.
In 2007, the actor already had plans to remake the movie Journey to the West. Plans fell through because "the script [was] not good enough."
Journey to the West, written by Luo Guanzhong of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), is one of China's four great literary masterpieces.
Anti-ape
Many netizens expressed support for Liu Xiao Ling Tong, due to their attachment of his Monkey King portrayal. Zhang Wenxiong, a film critic, said that nostalgia is the dominating factor in netizens' support.
"We should support this plan! You are the only Monkey King in my heart!"said a devoted netizen.
After Liu Xiao Ling Tong released his plan to remake Journey to the West, others were skeptical. Confronted with questions about his age and health, Liu Xiao Ling Tong said he felt he was still capable of starring in the film.
But many netizens worry that Liu Xiao Ling Tong will destroy the image he carefully crafted in the legendary TV version of Journey to the West. And no matter how good the new character can be, it will be difficult to live up to the classic.
In an interview with Chinese media, Liu Xiao Ling Tong said that the film version of Journey to the West plans to collaborate with foreign directors and is looking to recruit foreign actors.
This has been met with opposition. He Jiaqi, a television host, said that Hollywood is an unsuitable vessel for the Chinese story. He worries that the film will be made into a "horror film," highlighting Hollywood theatrics and special effects.
Domestic superheroes
Some worry that Hollywood will overshadow its Chinese counterparts, and Monkey King will end up insignificant, in comparison to American comic heroes.
The Avengers, for example, is currently one of the most popular films in China. Zhang Wenxiong said during an interview that Chinese films lacked its own superheroes, and Journey to the West would provide a good opportunity to create a domestic hero series. Some netizens even proposed the creation of the Chinese version of The Avengers, starring homegrown superheroes like Monkey King, Guan Yu, Wu Song, Jiang Ziya, Yang Guo and Li Xunhuan.
One netizen commented, "Many countries have their own local heroes. Monkey King is the most representative of China. Classic stories like Havoc in Heaven, Monkey King Subdues Skeleton Demon can be made into independent films."
The adaptation of Journey to the West must keep a traditional style while reflecting modern Chinese culture. Since the 20th century, versions of Journey to the West have repeatedly been put on the television screen: the animated Monkey King and Journey to the West, Monkey King Subdues Skeleton Demon in 1960, Stephen Chow's Westward Journey in 1994, and more.
Though Monkey King evolves over time, themes of liberation, free will and discipline remain the same.
Hong Kong director Tsui Hark has repeatedly expressed his desire to take part in the film version of Journey to the West. But because of his recent box office failure, The Legend of Zu, Tsui's eagerness to make the film adaptation may be put on hold.
Recently, it was reported that Liu Xiao Ling Tong would star in a film adaptation of Journey to the West, potentially cooperating with well-know directors James Cameron, Steven Spielberg and others. Liu Xiao Ling Tong has confirmed this on his microblog.
Now 53, Liu Xiao Ling Tong is best known for playing the Monkey King in the 1983 TV series version of Journey to the West.
In 2007, the actor already had plans to remake the movie Journey to the West. Plans fell through because "the script [was] not good enough."
Journey to the West, written by Luo Guanzhong of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), is one of China's four great literary masterpieces.
Anti-ape
Many netizens expressed support for Liu Xiao Ling Tong, due to their attachment of his Monkey King portrayal. Zhang Wenxiong, a film critic, said that nostalgia is the dominating factor in netizens' support.
"We should support this plan! You are the only Monkey King in my heart!"said a devoted netizen.
After Liu Xiao Ling Tong released his plan to remake Journey to the West, others were skeptical. Confronted with questions about his age and health, Liu Xiao Ling Tong said he felt he was still capable of starring in the film.
But many netizens worry that Liu Xiao Ling Tong will destroy the image he carefully crafted in the legendary TV version of Journey to the West. And no matter how good the new character can be, it will be difficult to live up to the classic.
In an interview with Chinese media, Liu Xiao Ling Tong said that the film version of Journey to the West plans to collaborate with foreign directors and is looking to recruit foreign actors.
This has been met with opposition. He Jiaqi, a television host, said that Hollywood is an unsuitable vessel for the Chinese story. He worries that the film will be made into a "horror film," highlighting Hollywood theatrics and special effects.
Domestic superheroes
Some worry that Hollywood will overshadow its Chinese counterparts, and Monkey King will end up insignificant, in comparison to American comic heroes.
The Avengers, for example, is currently one of the most popular films in China. Zhang Wenxiong said during an interview that Chinese films lacked its own superheroes, and Journey to the West would provide a good opportunity to create a domestic hero series. Some netizens even proposed the creation of the Chinese version of The Avengers, starring homegrown superheroes like Monkey King, Guan Yu, Wu Song, Jiang Ziya, Yang Guo and Li Xunhuan.
One netizen commented, "Many countries have their own local heroes. Monkey King is the most representative of China. Classic stories like Havoc in Heaven, Monkey King Subdues Skeleton Demon can be made into independent films."
The adaptation of Journey to the West must keep a traditional style while reflecting modern Chinese culture. Since the 20th century, versions of Journey to the West have repeatedly been put on the television screen: the animated Monkey King and Journey to the West, Monkey King Subdues Skeleton Demon in 1960, Stephen Chow's Westward Journey in 1994, and more.
Though Monkey King evolves over time, themes of liberation, free will and discipline remain the same.
Hong Kong director Tsui Hark has repeatedly expressed his desire to take part in the film version of Journey to the West. But because of his recent box office failure, The Legend of Zu, Tsui's eagerness to make the film adaptation may be put on hold.
Posted in: Film