Legend of Deification
Legend of Deification (Chinese: 姜子牙) is a 2020 Chinese 3D computer-animated fantasy adventure film directed by Cheng Teng and Li Wei. Featuring the popular Chinese mythological figure Jiang Ziya, the plot is loosely based on the classic novel Investiture of the Gods, attributed to Xu Zhonglin.[2] It is a follow-up to 2019's Ne Zha and the second installment of the Fengshen Cinematic Universe.[3]
Legend of Deification | |
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Chinese | 姜子牙 |
Mandarin | Jiāng Zǐyá |
Directed by | Cheng Teng Li Wei |
Produced by | Gao Weihua |
Written by | Xu Zhonglin |
Starring | Zheng Xi Yang Ning Yan Meme Ji Guanlin Jiang Guangtao |
Music by | Raymond Wong |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Country | China |
Language | Mandarin |
The film was initially scheduled for release on 25 January 2020, in China,[4] but following the COVID-19 pandemic, all Chinese New Year releases were cancelled with no new release dates announced.
Cast
- Zheng Xi as Jiang Ziya
- Yang Ning
- Yan Meme
- Yang Wei as Shen Gongbao
- Ji Guanlin as Daji
- Jiang Guangtao as Sumo
Production
Inspiration
The film tells the story of the mythological figure Jiang Ziya; who is a Taoist adept in Chinese folk religion and Taoism. Its story is loosely based on the literary version of the myth that forms two chapters of Investiture of the Gods, a Ming-dynasty (1368–1644) shenmo novel. It is traditionally attributed to Xu Zhonglin, which incorporates various existing myths into a wider narrative.[5] In the original novel, Jiang Ziya is depicted as a 72-year-old man who helps the rulers of Xiqi Kingdom to turn over the Shang King Zhou, but in the film, Jiang Ziya looks like a middle-aged man who insists on following his heart despite having a complex past.
Release
On 12 December 2019, the producers released their first trailer.
In an effort to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, distributors have rescheduled all release dates of films, including that of Legend of Deification. It was originally set for release on 25 January 2020 in China. The new release date is on the 1st of October 2020[6].
References
- http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-01/11/c_138697269.htm
- "New Chinese animated film "Legend of Deification" to hit theaters in January". Xinhua News. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- 《姜子牙》春节档上映,封神宇宙诞生,网友这份电影名单令人期待. qq.com (in Chinese). 13 December 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- "Chinese mythology series Jiangziya relay Nezha at the beginning of the new year". jqknews.com. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- "New movie "Legend of Deification" to hit Chinese cinemas". menafn.com. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- "【#姜子牙定档#国庆,太公归来】". weibo.com. 16 August 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
External links
- Legend of Deification on IMDb
- Legend of Deification at Douban (in Chinese)