Does this movie have any connection with The Forbidden Kingdom(2008)
Is this movie a spin-off from The Forbidden Kingdom or is this an independant movie with no reference to it?
shareThe Forbidden Kingdom is actually an original story from 2008 that is a prequal to a classic chinese tale known as "Journey to the West".
Journey to the West was written in the 16th Century and takes place after what would have been the timeline in Forbidden Kingdom. This movie seems to be a "Journey to the West" the movie, at least in part, based on its description.
In short yes the stories are connected.
*Spoiler Alert*
I'd assume this movie will be much more true to the actual chinese telling of the story and not the western version that was The Forbidden Kingdom(don't get me wrong because I do love the Forbidden Kingdom).
The actual story of the Monkey King starts w/ the Monkey King being almost evil and leading an all out war against the Heavens, whereas the Forbidden Kingdom has him being a little naughty and eating some fruit that maybe he shouldn't have.
After the War in Heaven Monkey King is punished by being bound under a mountain for 500 years (while in forbidden kingdom he is tricked and turned into a statue for that time). In the actual story of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong (the monkey king) must repent of his sins for leading the war against heaven and be a body guard for a monk who is traveling from China to India for some sacred scriptures.
I read the 100 chapter version of Journey to the West and there is no way they can fit in the 30 or more conflicts that Monkey faces on this Journey (Monsters fill the books pages and come in the disguises of evil kings, powerful warriors, pretty woman, animals and beggers. They all want to kill the monk, whose meat is said to make them immortal.
This movie, based on the characters they have listed, focuses atleast on the conflict with the bull king, and I'm hoping atleast a few others.
Sorry for the long response. I am really passionate and excited for this story to be told in a high budget film. If you have not read the books, there are a few versions of it, some of them abridged. The most complete version I have found in English is a 4 volume collector's set that can be purchased from Barnes and Noble.
Hope this helped answer your question.
I love the Monkey King mythology too! I've been watching almost everything of Monkey King/Journey to the west since I was a little kid. I just wish I could see this on the big screen in 3D here in Canada. But that will never happen.
I also can't wait for Stephen Chow's new Monkey King coming out next year! What a great year for Monkey King's fans next year.
Though I did enjoyed the Forbidden Kingdom, it was no where near to what the real story is as explained by Sharkwalker.
sharkwalker get ready for disappointment this version is not that great.
shareBeing passionate and informative are things you should never feel the need to apologize for. Enlightening post. Thanks.
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