English version of animated Chinese hit ‘Ne Zha 2’ heading to theaters

Get ready for a major animated event! A24 and CMC Pictures are teaming up to bring the massively successful Chinese animated hit, "Ne Zha 2," to English-speaking audiences. The film is slated for a theatrical release on August 22 in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

"Ne Zha 2" has already made significant waves globally. Back in February, it reportedly surpassed Pixar's "Inside Out 2" to become the world's highest-grossing animated film, according to data from ticketing platform Maoyan. Its total box office stands at an impressive 12.3 billion yuan, which translates to approximately $1.71 billion, ranking it as the eighth highest-grossing film worldwide.

The English dub features acclaimed talent, including Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh. While other voice cast members are yet to be announced, Yeoh has shared her enthusiasm, stating she is "honored to be part of Ne Zha, a landmark in Chinese animation and a powerful reminder of how universal our stories can be."

This film is the sequel to the popular 2019 "Ne Zha" movie and draws inspiration from classic Chinese mythology. It tells the story of the titular character, Ne Zha, a rebellious young boy born with wild, uncontrollable powers that lead the gods to fear him. Despite his challenging beginnings with mortal parents, he is tasked with growing up to become the hero needed to face an ancient force threatening humanity.

Directed by Yang Yu, who also helmed the first film, "Ne Zha 2" will be presented in IMAX and 3D formats. It's noteworthy that over 99% of the mythological film's box office revenue originated from mainland China, a distribution pattern that contrasts sharply with the typically more global approach taken by Hollywood productions. The film's story is rooted in the 16th-century Chinese novel "The Investiture of the Gods," which recounts the adventures of the magical hero boy defending the fortress town of Chentangguan.