Who Needs American Superhero Films When China Has THE MONKEY KING!
Ride Along topped the domestic box office for the third weekend in a row, with $12.3 million. But that's a pittance compared to China's homegrown box office champ, The Monkey King. The martial arts, special effects extravaganza pulled in a $50M opening.
Is Hollywood losing it's mojo? This past weekend was the Chinese New Year and something quite remarkable took place. A Hong Kong-made film, The Monkey King, dominated the international box office. Opening with a whopping $50M, and surpassed the China IMAX records that were previously held by Marvel Studios' Iron Man 3. Check out two spectacularly bizarre trailers below. The one at the very bottom has been dubbed in English, but don't worry it is just as whacky.
The Monkey King (Sun Wukong) is a monkey born from a heavenly stone, who acquires supernatural powers. After rebelling against Heaven and being imprisoned under a mountain for 500 years, he accompanies the monk Xuanzang on a journey to India. Thus, according to legend, Buddhism is brought to ancient China. This first installment in a trilogy of live action 3D movies is actually a prequel to The Journey To The West, the much told story of the Monkey King's adventures on the road to India. The first movie is the origins story that begins with the birth of Sun Wukong and ends with his imprisonment for his crimes under the Five-Peaked Mountain. Along the way, he acquires incredible powers, battling the armies of the gods and the armies of the demons to find his rightful place in the Heavens.
Director: Cheang-Pou-soi * Lands in U.S. theaters this September
Cast: Donnie Yen, Aaron Kwok, Joe Chen Qiao-En, Chow Yun Fat, Peter Ho, Faye Wong, Gigi Leung and Fan Siu-Wong
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