Michelle Yeoh breathes life into the English adaptation of the animated film 'Ne Zha 2'
The English-language version of the Chinese animation blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" is set to premiere in North American theaters on Aug. 22, aiming to broaden its audience with the help of film studio A24 and CMC Pictures.
The decision to produce an English dub was made to make the film more accessible to a wider audience, including children and those who are not fluent in Mandarin. The idea was inspired by actress Michelle Yeoh, who found the subtitles in the original version difficult to keep up with, despite her fluency in Mandarin.
Yeoh, who saw "Ne Zha 2" in Hong Kong, expressed her belief that a dubbed version would be beneficial for a global, all-ages audience. She was later approached to voice Ne Zha's mother, Lady Yin, in the English-language version of the film.
"Ne Zha 2" took five years to make and required the work of some 4,000 people from 138 Chinese animation companies. The film, which runs an epic 143 minutes, includes 2,400 animation shots and 1,900 special effects shots. It is the highest-grossing animated film of all time, with over $2.2 billion in ticket sales.
The story continues the work of director Yang Yu, who helmed the first film, and features key figures such as director Jiaozi (for the first film's vision) and producer Liu Wenzhang. The English dub also features actors such as Michelle Yeoh and Crystal Lee.
Yeoh approved the translation for the English-language version of "Ne Zha 2," admitting that translation is a tricky art. She expressed her enthusiasm for the project, saying, "I'm thrilled to be a part of bringing this beautiful and powerful story to a wider audience."
In the second film, Ne Zha is put to the test to try to save his friend and his village. The film is a sequel to the Chinese blockbuster that tells the story of a rebellious child, Ne Zha, who is out to prove his fate is not predetermined.
With the English dub of "Ne Zha 2" set to hit theaters, audiences around the world will have the opportunity to experience this Chinese animation masterpiece in a new way.
