China Goes 3D For Its Next Kung Fu Feature, SHAOLIN TEMPLE

From L to R: Shaolin Abbot Shi Yongxin and cartoonist Tsai Chih Chung at a press conference at a shaolin temple in Henan Province in China over the weekend.

It’s not everyday that we learn about a kung fu film being made that is set in the world of animation. We can officially count today out following a press conference at a Shaolin temple in China’s Henan Province that a new 85-minute 3D-animated kung fu feature is in the works titled Shaolin Temple (with no relation to the 3D remake of the Jet Li classic that was announced back in January).

The director behind this new project is none other than Tsai Chih Chung, an award-winning Taiwanese cartoomistauthor of satire and cartoonist with a distinct knack for interpreting ancient Chinese philosophy in his body of work. Tsai began drafting a script for the film in 2006, with a story that will focus on three central characters – 6th century A.D. Shaolin monk Bodhidharma and his two students who study kung fu and Zen Buddhism at the Shaolin Temple; Some detail of Bodhidharma’s life suggests he was the son of Indian royalty who forewent his prospects as king to devote himself to a life instilled in Mahayana Buddhism, ultimately traveling to China where his philosophical influences in Maharyana Buddhism would be the inception of what we now interpret as the root of Shaolin Kung Fu training today.

Not to suggest that this will be the next Kung Fu Panda or anything – point in fact, it is not yet known what movie goers will be in for aside from what Tsai says will be a film that is “funny and worth watching”. However, it is worth noting that the film does have the backing of the current Shaolin abbot, Shi Yongxin, which probably makes it a big deal.

Also worth mentioning is that the foundation of the animation attributed to the new film will be set entirely in traditional Chinese ink and wash paintings to sustain the film’s authenticity.

Shaolin Temple is expected to be completed sometime in late 2015.

H/T: Shanghaiist