Animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" is "ready for release" in Taiwan region, the film's producer said after many Taiwan netizens called on the Taiwan authorities to allow the film to be screened on the island.
The mainland-produced film, based on ancient Chinese mythology, has gained widespread recognition among people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait due to its innovative interpretation of Chinese traditional culture, compelling storyline, and stunning animation effects.
Many compatriots from Taiwan have already watched the movie in the mainland, and nearly 400,000 posts by Taiwan netizens have called for its release in Taiwan as soon as possible, according to Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday.
In response to heated discussions about "Ne Zha 2" on the island of Taiwan, Wang Changtian, producer of the film and also chairman of the Chinese media production company Beijing Enlight Media, said that there are no obstacles from the mainland for "Ne Zha 2" to be released in Taiwan, instead, the main restrictions come from the Taiwan authorities.
"Ne Zha is a traditional theme of Chinese culture, one that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are very familiar with. It is part of our shared culture. Unfortunately, whether the film can be released in Taiwan remains uncertain. We have made full preparations -- our copies and versions are ready -- so as long as Taiwan allows the screening, we can proceed immediately," Wang said.
Although it is not released on the island, "Ne Zha 2" has already sparked discussions among people in Taiwan.
"This film not only brings a traditional IP (intellectual property) to life through animation but also uses the story of mythological figures to convey the emotions and aspirations of ordinary people," said P'an K'o-shen, a resident in Taiwan.
"Whether it's pronounced 'Ne Zha' or 'Nuo Zha,' it's the same story we're talking about. It's good for both sides of the Strait to have some shared topics for discussion. Perhaps it can serve as a good medium for communication," said Lai K'o-lin, another Taiwan resident.
As the film continues its record-breaking run, it has grossed an astounding 13.5 billion yuan (1.86 billion U.S. dollars) through Sunday, according to data from ticketing platform Maoyan. "Ne Zha 2" has dethroned Disney's 2024 picture "Inside Out 2" to become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time globally.
Producer hopes "Ne Zha 2" can be released in Taiwan
Producer hopes "Ne Zha 2" can be released in Taiwan
