Besides Superheroes the next few years will see its share of giant monster movies. First is the new Japanese Godzilla, which right now only has a Japanese release schedule (which won’t stop us from seeing it I’m sure!), we’ll have Pete’s Dragon – while not technically a giant monster he is a giant dragon of the distinctly less imaginary kind than the original – there will be Kong: Skull Island, the return of Legendary’s Godzilla, Giant robots and Giant monsters will face off in Pacific Rim 2, and then a King Kong vs Godzilla is planned for 2020.
In the midst of all this comes an unlikely candidate for the Giant Monster Throne. “The Great Wall” is a historical fantasy monster movie directed by the master of spectacle himself, Zhang Yimou. Besides “House of Flying Daggers” you may remember him for directing the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
“Fortunately, I directed the 2008 Olympic Ceremonies. Perhaps there’s nothing grander than that. So the size of a production doesn’t make a difference to me. I didn’t feel any pressure.” he replied to a question by EW on if he felt pressure on the making of this film.
There is a lot of reason to feel pressure. “The Great Wall” is the most expensive movie ever made in China, it stars Matt Damon (who it seems is to the rescue this time instead of the one needing rescued), and tells an entirely new story placed 1,000 years ago. The fantastical reason for why the Great Wall of China was really built.
The production has had a tight seal on it with very little information or pictures escaping to the internet. The new film, which will be released in 3D on Feb. 17, 2017, stars Matt Damon, leading an international cast of actors that also includes Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones), Willem Dafoe (Platoon), Chinese superstar Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs, which was remade as The Departed), pop icon Luhan, and actress Jing Tian (who will also appear in next year’s Kong: Skull Island). World War Z author Max Brooks had a hand in developing the film’s screenplay.
I’ve been watching the news on this for over a year now and I can’t wait for it to come out!
