A still of the Monkey King played by Liu Xiao Ling Tong in the 1986 TV adaption of "Journey to the West" (File photo)
(ECNS) -- A movie based on the Chinese classic "Journey to the West" is set to be jointly produced by American and Chinese moviemakers, according to a Beijing Times report.
Journey to the West, also known as The Monkey King, written by Wu Cheng'en in the 16th century, is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It tells the story of the legendary pilgrimage of Tang dynasty Buddhist monk Xuanzang who traveled to the 'Western Regions', or India in modern terms, to obtain sacred texts while encountering numerous challenges.
Well-known Chinese actors including Liu Xiao Ling Tong, Ma Dehua, Chi Chongrui, all from the China Central Television (CCTV) 1986 classic TV version of the novel, as well as Liu Dagang from a 1998 version, were present at a press conference to support the new movie, which will be called "Where the Road Leads to."
Liu Xiao Ling Ting, who previously portrayed the Monkey King, and Ma, who acted as Zhu Bajie the pig, have been confirmed to act in the new film.
Rob Moore, Paramount's vice president, said the Monkey King is a world-famous character, and the novel is an extremely magical story that will work marvelously with the latest movie technology.
Also confirmed to be behind the new movie is the Transformers supporting crew as well as producer Mark Johnson, who is known for "Rain Man" and "Breaking Bad."
The movie will have two episodes.
