The main cast of the much-anticipated Chinese sci-fi epic "The Wandering Earth 2" showed up at the 2022 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival over the weekend.

The cast includes Wu Jing, Li Xuejian, Sha Yi, Ning Li, Wang Zhi, and Zhu Yanmanzi, as well as a special performance from Hong Kong megastar Andy Lau. The artificial intelligence character MOSS will also return.

The crew is busy with post-production, with the film set for release during the 2023 Spring Festival. "The Wandering Earth 2" is not a sequel to the phenomenal first installment in 2019, which grossed 4.69 billion yuan ($690 million) at the box office to become one of the highest-grossing films of all time in China and the most influential sci-fi film ever in the country. Instead, "The Wandering Earth 2," three years in making, is a prequel. Therefore, the already dead character played by Wu Jing will return.

"We are here today because many people helped and supported us. You have seen us and the film grow up," said director Frant Gwo at a press conference held in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Nov. 11. 

"Before making the new film, I thought it would be easy based on what we had done for the first one, but I later found out we had to start all over again and face the difficulties we had never encountered before and bear heavier pressure. But we have been trying to innovate and advance, making everything in the film as real as we can for the audience, and building non-existent things into reality. I can't say if there are many breakthroughs, but we are exploring all the time," Gwo told the press conference. 

Fu Ruoqing, chairman of China Film Group and a producer, revealed that the movie strictly adhered to the industrialization process, from script planning to preview shooting to later actual film shooting. The process was implemented with all the new production philosophy and creative vision of director Gwo and his crew. "Everyone from the main creative team united to complete the Chinese sci-fi together with heart."

Participating in this film was the dream of many actors, even veterans like Li Xuejian and Andy Lau. "During the filming, I could feel the extraordinary cohesion of the crew. All of us are exploring and climbing this peak called science fiction film," Li said. Meanwhile, Andy Lau, who plays a scientist in the new film, said, "my sci-fi dream is fulfilled, and I still feel immersed in the character today and don't want to wake up."

It was revealed at the press conference that there are also many foreigners starring in the film, making it a truly global event.

"With my wife's support, I starred in the first 'The Wandering Earth,' trying to plant a seed of imagination for children, " leading actor Wu Jing said. "This time in the film, many things have upgraded. The seed we planted has grown big and is actively sprouting. I feel so accomplished."

The film is based on a novel by the world-famous Chinese sci-fi writer Liu Cixin, who also sent a congratulatory video to the press event, saying, "it is my happiest moment as a writer to see my writing become a film. Thank you all for turning imagination into reality."

The cast and crew of the film also attended other promotional events during the China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, including the closing ceremony on Nov. 12, where director Gwo revealed that unlike the cold and cool tone of many other sci-fi movies, "The Wandering Earth 2" will bring warmth and comfort to the audience.

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