Some people may be burned out on superhero movies, but legendary filmmaker andbeloved action movie director John Woodoesn’t seem to be one of them. Thanks to an unreleased comic by Stan Lee and Sharad Devarajan, Woo has apparently found the inspiration he was looking for to dive into that particular world, and it could be a fresh new take on an old classic.
The Hong Kong director is currently attached to produce a film adaptation ofMonkey Master, Lee and Devarajan’s unique take on the classic Chinese character known as The Monkey King, known throughoutcountless retellings of the famous 16th-century taleJourney to the West. The main character in this version is Li Yong, a New York archaeologist whose discovery of an ancient prophecy takes him on a journey to India. Once there, he releases a long hidden power, which turns him into a superhero known as The Monkey Master.
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While Lee tragically passed away before he could see his and Devarajan’s comic series published, he spoke about it in 2016, citing his fascination with the Chinese and Indian cultures which inspired him and adding, “Monkey Masterwill be unique in how it interweaves myth to create a modern-day hero that will entertain fans across the world with his martial arts skills and unstoppable superpowers.” Meanwhile Devarajan, as the other half of the team behindMonkey Master, will produce the film alongside Woo, and appeared enthusiastic about the project.
Woo is famous for directing action-packed films with intricate and over-the-top choreography such asHard BoiledandFace/Off(the latter of which is set to receive an upcoming sequel). So while he’s currently only set to produceMonkey Master, it’s still possible he may take over directing duties as the project goes on, which could have interesting implications for the film’s visual style.
Journey to the Westhas been adapted and retold into many forms, from stage plays all the way to video games like the well-regardedEnslaved: Odyssey to the West. So it’s true thatMonkey Mastermight not exactly have originality on its side. But Lee’s legacy more than speaks for itself, and that star power alone could elevate this film more than some of its contemporaries. Add into that the possibledirecting prowess of Woo, and baby, they might have a stew going.
It’ll be a while before audiences can get an idea of what to expect fromMonkey Master. But considering the talent it already has behind it, there’s sure to be something to write home about. Hey, if Lee can give a talking tree an emotional journey that touches the hearts of millions, a superhero based on a classic Chinese story will probably knock it out of the park no problem.
