Possible Collaboration With Stephen Chow and Tsui Hark for "Journey to the West" Sequel

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Stephen Chow (周星馳) and Tsui Hark (徐克) are reportedly in talks to collaborate in the sequel of Stephen’s Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons <西遊·降魔篇>. Reportedly, original cast members Shu Qi (舒淇), Wen Zhang (文章), and Huang Bo (黄渤) will return for the sequel. Stephen will stay behind-the-scenes to produce, while Tsui Hark will take the directing reigns.

Alibaba Pictures, a film company under Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba, has invested 400 million RMB on the Chinese film. Journey to the West 2 will begin filming in August 2015, and is slated for a wide release in Mainland China in January 2017 during the Lunar New Year holiday.

Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons grossed approximately $215 million USD during its theatrical run in early 2013, making it the second highest-grossing Chinese-language film in the world. Reportedly, Stephen wanted to start on the sequel soon after the success of the former film, but he decided to push the plans back as he was not satisfied with the script. He will engage in the sequel once the production for his new film, The Mermaid <美人魚>, is completed.

Upon knowing that Tsui Hark was interested in making a movie about Journey to the West, Stephen approached Tsui Hark for a possible collaboration. Though Stephen and Tsui Hark’s styles are vastly different, it was said that Stephen cherishes this collaboration opportunity with Tsui Hark and will not interfere with Tsui Hark’s directing.

However, when reporters asked Stephen about the new project, he declined to answer.



Creds: ihktv