The first installment of the trilogy, “Creation of the Gods,” directed by Wuershan (known for “Painted Skin: The Resurrection” and “Mojin: The Lost Legend”), has come to the United States.
This ambitious cinematic endeavor, which spanned nine years and boasted a staggering $400 million investment, first graced Chinese screens on July 20, accumulating domestic box office earnings of approximately $358 million. Now, it’s going to Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., Ireland and the U.S.
The narrative is an adaptation of the classic Chinese novel, “Creation of the Gods,” a magical war epic that chronicles the struggle between humans, immortals and demons — also known as the Chinese version of “The Lord of the Rings.”
In this first installment, the focus lies on Yin Shou, the king of the Shang Dynasty, who joins forces with a fox demon, plunging his kingdom into tyranny and enraging the heavens. Jiang Ziya, an immortal, descends from celestial mountains on a quest to find a rightful owner of the “Gods’ Investiture List” and to rescue the beleaguered populace. The main character, Ji Fa, aided by Jiang Ziya, gradually unravels the true nature of the tyrannical king, sparking a rebellion against his rule.
Remarkably, the series cast a host of newcomers in leading roles. According to the documentary “Road to Creation of the God I,” after a year-long audition process that drew more than 150,000 aspiring actors from across the globe, a select 30 individuals embarked on a rigorous six-month closed training camp.
Here, they honed their acting skills and immersed themselves in Chinese history, equestrianism, horseback riding, musical instruments and additional activities of relevant value. Wuershan remarked in the documentary, “Only those with unwavering determination and a profound love for acting could endure such an intensive training regimen.”
Beyond the actors’ rigorous training, the production boasts world-class artistry. The directing team painstakingly researched and collaborated with hundreds of craftsmen, including heirs of China’s intangible cultural heritage, to craft exquisite character designs, costumes, scenery, props and music.
A shining example of this meticulous craftsmanship is Longde Hall, a central setting in the story. Drawing inspiration from Ming and Qing Dynasty architectural styles, it took 800 artisans approximately three months to handcraft every wooden and clay piece, followed by an additional six months to assemble them.
As James Schamus also noted in the documentary, “If you go into the Longde Hall, and you see the massiveness, the scale of the palace, but then you get close to the set and you realize that everything has been carved individually and to perfection, [you can see] little stories in every piece of the set, so that the actors are really existing in a fantasy world that is real. That’s what’s astonishing.”
David Stratton, former chairman of the Sydney International Film Festival and current film critic for Variety, commented on the movie in the newspaper “The Australian” as follows: “The combination of expertly staged action scenes, including some superb equestrian stunts, and the impressive visual effects proves to be most satisfying. The acting is robust, the photography (by Wang Yu) is first class and the film should prove to be a rewarding entertainment for audiences who enjoy this kind of super-production -- if they can adjust to the fact the dialogue is in Mandarin. The subtitles are fine.”
“Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms” made its U.S. debut on September 21, promising audiences an unforgettable journey into the realms of ancient Chinese mythology and fantasy.