“The Monkey King”: A New Adaptation of the Chinese Classic Arrives on Netflix

The famous XNUMXth century Chinese novel "Journey to the West" and its mischievous hero, The Monkey King (or Sun Wukong), have inspired numerous film adaptations over the years, both animated and live-action. This summer, thanks to the skilled artists at Netflix and ReelFX, comes a vibrant new take on this story that offers a never-before-seen perspective on the epic classic.

Directed by Anthony Stacchi (responsible for “The Boxtrolls” and “Open Season”) and produced by Peilin Chou (known for “Over the Moon” and “Abominable”), “The Monkey King” follows the adventures of the rebellious Monkey King (voiced by Jimmy O. Yang) and his magical Staff (Nan Li) as they face off against over 100 demons, an eccentric Dragon King (Bowen Yang), and the Monkey King's worst enemy: his own ego. During the journey, a young village girl named Lin (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) teaches the Monkey King one of the most important lessons of her life. Executive producing the film is Stephen Chow, known for “Kung Fu Hustle” and “Shaolin Soccer”.

Both the director and the producer have long wanted to make an animated film about the legendary character. Chou recounts how she grew up with the original Monkey King stories and how, despite several attempted transpositions over the years, this is the edition that finally came to life.

Stacchi, for his part, had tried to create an animated version of the story, but had always been held back by the fact that many could not understand the intricate plot. However, with the entry of Netflix and the collaboration of Hong Kong filmmaker Stephen Chow, anything has become possible.

One of the most captivating aspects of this transposition is the presentation of Lin, a young woman who helps the audience discover this world through her eyes. She is described as a brave, brilliant and astute figure.

Additionally, the Staff of the Monkey King is anthropomorphized and becomes a character in its own right, with a big personality even if it doesn't speak in traditional words. His vocal "tone" is inspired by Mongolian throat singing, giving it a distinctive edge.

Stacchi emphasizes the importance of staying true to the authenticity of the book's spiritual journey. The production collaborated with production designer Kyle McQueen to achieve a special look inspired by Chinese paintings on rice paper. The challenge was to make the Monkey King figure original even though it had already had numerous interpretations in different media.

The film is the perfect opportunity for a global audience to rediscover the classic text. Watching the film is not only entertainment but also aims to convey the idea that everyone has the ability to change the world and impact the lives of others.

“The Monkey King” premieres on Netflix on August 18. Don't miss the new clip with a young Monkey King and the previously released trailer.