Eddie Peng on Playing Sun Wukong: “The Biggest Challenge is His Expression”

On June 8, the cast of Wu Kong <悟空傳> attended a press conference to promote the upcoming film, which opens in China on July 13. The film, adapted from the book of the same name by Jin Hezai (今何在), is loosely based on the origin story of the Monkey King, protagonist of Journey to the West <西遊記>.

Wu Kong stars Eddie Peng (彭于晏) as Sun Wukong, a rebellious monkey who defies the gods with this headstrong belief that he can change the fate of his future. It costars Ni Ni (倪妮), Shawn Yue (余文樂), and Oho (歐豪), and is directed by Hong Kong director Derek Kwok (郭子健).

“I believe that Sun Wukong’s determination is what many younger people of our generation can identify with,” said Derek. Although Wu Kong is adapted from a novel, the director said the film is not a word-for-word adaptation, but rather a new creation that holds the same spirit of the original story.

On taking on the iconic role of Sun Wukong, Eddie said he’s had his fair share of stresses and challenges. The biggest challenge by far is to act out Sun Wukong’s playful, yet determined expression. “We each have our own Sun Wukong in our hearts,” said Eddie. “He is very powerful, yet he also harbors a desire for freedom.”

Eddie nearly lost his voice during the production of the film, sharing, “We have a very good action choreographer, and Sun Wukong himself is a rather violent character as well. He doesn’t admit defeat, so when I’m acting him, I am basically always yelling. I’m killing everyday. The director wanted this monkey to be powerful, so I’m just yelling all the time.”

“Wu Kong” Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2XLClbzIb0&t=20s

Source: Sohu

This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.