Stan Lee’s unpublished comic that he co-wrote is getting its own live-action film. Before the legend passed away, he had co-written a comic alongside Graphic India CEO Sharad Devarajan to develop the new comic book series. The comic did not see the light of day after Stan Lee’s death. However, the iconic filmmaker John Woo has decided to produce a movie based on the comic. For reference, he has produced movies such as Hard Boiled and Face/Off. Due to John, we’ll get to see what Stan had created before he left us.
The comic was about a new Chinese superhero called Monkey Master. Therefore, the film will go by the same name. According to Variety, the movie is directly inspired by its comic counterpart. It will follow “New York City archeologist Li Yong who discovers an ancient prophecy about the Chinese legend of The Monkey King that brings him to India where he uncovers a hidden power that transforms him into a modern-day superhero – the Monkey Master.”
When Stan was still with us, he and Devarajan had worked together to create the Indian superhero project Chakra: The Invincible. The project had worked out quite successfully as it garnered multiple graphic novels and three movies. As for the movie, Devarajan and Woo will be teaming up to produce the project alongside Lee’s longtime business partner, Gill Champion of POW! Entertainment along with Lori Tilkin, who heads Woo’s A Better Tomorrow Films.
Statements made on the movie and Stan Lee’s comic:
“I have always been fascinated by the Chinese and Indian cultures which are so philosophical and rich in tradition and morality,” Stan Lee said of his plans for Monkey master in 2016. “I’ve written countless superheroes of every nationality and every part of the world before, I’ve even created many heroes from other planets and galaxies, but ‘Monkey Master’ will be unique in how it interweaves myth to create a modern-day hero that will entertain fans across the world with his martial arts skills and unstoppable super-powers.”
“I have always wanted to make a film based on the Monkey King story of China but have struggled with a new way to present it,” John Woo also said recently of the upcoming feature. “The story by Stan Lee was such a unique version of it that incorporated the mythological characters unexplored journey to India and had all the elements I enjoy in filmmaking – great characters, action, and adventure. I am excited to work with Sharad and Gill to bring Stan’s vision for this new superhero character to the screen.”
Devarajan added: “Stan Lee was a mentor and friend who was one of the most influential creators of the twentieth century. His characters are the modern mythologies of our time, transcending nations and culture and speaking to us in the primal language of human imagination.”
The joy of seeing the comic that was never released by Stan Lee come to life on the big screen is immeasurable as we cannot wait to get more news on the movie.
Follow us for more entertainment coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd.
Let us know what are your thoughts about Monkey Master in the comment section below:
