News: "Masters of the Universe" Writer to Adapt "Monkey King"

Eracme Entertainment, a Chinese real-estate-turned-film development company, and LA-based Abstract Entertainment are partnering to bring a retelling of the Chinese legend of the Monkey King to American audiences.

Previous Chinese adapted versions of the story have already been adapted many times for Chinese audiences, accounting for major box office returns for the most recent.

This will be the first attempt to make a Monkey King adaptation in English for Western audiences.

Christopher Yost, who handled ancient myths well in his Thor: The Dark World, and it’s upcoming sequel, has been hired to write. He is also going to be adapting the new reboot of Masters of the Universe.

The myth surrounds a magical monkey, Sun Wukong, who is born from a magical stone that received the powers of heaven. In the 16th century novel, Journey to the West, Wukong begins by studying Taoist practices and amassing supernatural strength and speed. He rebels against heaven and then is trapped underneath a mountain by the Buddha. After gaining his freedom, he travels west to India with a monk. The stories have proven to be entertaining and are perfect concepts for a fantasy action franchise.

Yost is repped by Verve Talent and Industry Entertainment.

Mike Bundlie, Barry Levine, David Miller, Rob Feng and Lauren Selig are producing for Abstract. Angela Wu, Fei Tan and Amber Wang are overseeing for Eracme.

Source: The Tracking Board