Legendary Director John Woo to Produce Stan Lee’s Unpublished ‘Monkey King’ Project

The 74-year-old Hong Kong director expressed in a statement his excitement about work on the live-action adaptation of “Monkey Master” alongside Sharad Devarajan, founder and CEO of Graphic India, and Gill Champion, president of POW! Entertainment, as co-producers, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“The story by Stan Lee was such a unique version of it that incorporated the mythological character’s unexplored journey to India and had all the elements I enjoy in filmmaking — great characters, action and adventure,” Woo said. “I am excited to work with Sharad and Gill to bring Stan’s vision for this new superhero character to the screen.”

Lori Tilkin, who worked as head of production for Woo in his “A Better Tomorrow” films, will also act as co-producer for “Monkey Master.”

Created in 2016 by Lee and Devarajan, “Monkey Master” follows the story of New York City archeologist Li Yong who discovers an ancient prophecy about the Monkey King. This leads him to India, where he uncovers a supernatural power that turns him into a superhero.

In a statement released by Graphics India in 2016, Lee said he had always been fascinated with Chinese and Indian cultures, which he described as “philosophical and rich in tradition and morality.”

“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 Chinese and Indian myth to create a hero that will entertain fans across the world with his martial arts skills and unstoppable super-powers,” the late comic book writer said.

Lee and Devarajan previously worked on the Indian superhero project “Chakra: The Invincible,” Variety reported. The project also received a graphics novel adaptation and three films.

“Stan Lee was a mentor and friend who was one of the most influential creators of the twentieth century,” Devarajan said in a recent statement. “His characters are the modern mythologies of our time, transcending nations and culture and speaking to us in the primal language of human imagination.”

Featured Image via Getty (left), Graphic India and Jeevan J. Kang (right)