According to Sina, at a press conference announcing key film projects in Beijing on 16/6, the production team for 'Journey to the West: The True and False Monkey King' unveiled its first poster. The poster depicted characters Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the White Dragon Horse with expressions of doubt, unable to distinguish between the true and false Monkey King.

Animated poster for "Journey to the West: The True and False Monkey King". _Photo: Weibo_

The animated film is produced by Chen Zhihi and directed by Zhao Ji and Zhang Ke. Liu Xiao Ling Tong and Ma Dehua will take on the main roles of Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie, respectively, using motion capture technology.

This technology converts actors' movements into digital format to create vivid, realistic characters. The production team aims to balance traditional artistic style with modern graphics technology.

Liu Xiao Ling Tong, 67, performed with the Ruyi Jingu Bang at a March event. _Video: Weibo_

The work is an adaptation of Wu Cheng'en's novel, exploring themes of "truth and falsehood intertwined, the fleeting nature of good and evil," and is slated for release in 2026.

Liu Xiao Ling Tong and Ma Dehua previously played these roles in the 1982 television series. Their portrayals of Wukong and Bajie left a deep impression on generations of audiences.

Actor Ma Dehua is 81 this year. _Photo: Sina_

Liu Xiao Ling Tong, whose real name is Zhang Jinlai, was born in 1959 in Shanghai into a family with a strong artistic tradition. At 23, he joined the 'Journey to the West' film crew, and his career has since been closely linked to the image of Sun Wukong. In 1994, he established a film production company that releases cultural products, using his Sun Wukong portrayal as its logo.

Sun Wukong's appearance in "Journey to the West" 1982. _Photo: Weibo_

The artist believes in "doing one job for a lifetime and doing it as well as possible." In recent years, he has written books and given lectures at schools on monkey opera, aiming to promote traditional culture and "awaken" its roots in younger generations.

The actor stated that monkeys are his important teachers and friends. During the television series filming, he spent all day with monkeys, observing their movements and understanding their behaviors. However, he noted that Sun Wukong is a composite figure of god, human, and monkey, requiring him to select and refine an appropriate acting style. Director Yang Jie guided him in achieving this.