According to Filmko Pictures, Mandarin Films and Beijing Wenhua Dongrun, filming of The Monkey King will begin sometimes in November of this year for February, 2012 release. It’s confirmed that the US$ 45 millions budget will star Donnie Yen as the Monkey King. And casting for Buffalo Demon King, Princess Iron Fan, Jade Emperor, Ancient Ancestor Bodhi, Nezha and Erlang Shen will be released later. Filmko Pictures plans to shoot the fantasy adaptation in 3D IMAX with Weta Digital of New Zealand already began surveying for Heavenly Palace, Sea Dragon Palace, and Fire Mountain fantasy scene location.
Filmko Pictures’ CEO Alex Wong announced that Donnie Yen would be playing the eponymous character Sun Wu Kong in The Monkey King. Chow Yun Fat and Louis Koo are also cast for the movie but their roles haven’t been announced. The Water Curtain Cave and Mountain of Fruits & Flowers will be shot on location in Zhang Jia Jie, Hunan Province.