The sequel to breakout Chinese animated blockbuster Nezha (2019), which broke ticket sales records and was submitted as the first animated feature to represent China in the Academy Awards race, is hitting theaters in the Middle Kingdom on January 29. A trailer was recently debuted ahead of the Lunar New Year release. (Movies in China are often not previewed until shortly before they launch.)
The description of the official Nezha 2 trailer posted to Bilibili reads:
I am Nezha the Third Prince, and I am back with the first trailer! The four sea dragon kings are approaching Chentang Pass, and millions of monsters are approaching. I must protect my homeland! On the first day of the Lunar New Year, I will celebrate the New Year with you in the sea!
Inspired by the tales of the 16th century novel Investiture of the Gods, Nezha 2 is again directed by Jiaozi (Yu Yang).
The first film in the franchise was produced by Chengdu Coco Cartoon and released in China by Beijing Enlight Pictures. The CG-animated mythic adventure soared to $725 million worldwide, became the highest-grossing animated film in China and the highest-grossing animated film not produced in the U.S. that year, as well as the fourth highest-grossing animated film worldwide in 2019 and the fourth-highest grossing Chinese film of all time.
A second film in the Investiture of the Gods universe, Legend of Deification (known as Jiang Ziya in English-speaking markets), premiered in October 2020 after a delay from COVID-19.
Both Nezha and Jiang Ziya received limited theatrical and IMAX releases in the U.S. and Canada through Well Go USA Entertainment. The English dub cast featured Jordan Cole, Aleks Le, Vincent Rodriguez, Stephanie Sheh and Mike Pollock.
[H/T Catsuka]
