The creators of the epic fantasy sequel "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force" said the new film will showcase the beauty and wonders of Chinese culture and mythology to audiences worldwide.

The cast and crew of "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force" pose for a photo at the premiere in Beijing, Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

Pop icon and actor Kris Phillips reprises his role as the main villain, King Zhou, in the second installment of Wuershan's ambitious trilogy. However, he also took on another crucial role in this film: translation.

"I have seen the film six or seven times already on various occasions because I was working on the English subtitles for its international release," Phillips said. During the Spring Festival, "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force" debuted in Chinese theaters and was simultaneously screened in nearly 20 countries and regions, including North America, Australia and the United Kingdom, starting Jan. 29, the first day of Chinese New Year.

Phillips emphasized the importance of accurate translation: "I particularly cared about the English translation because it was essential for global audiences to understand 'Creation of the Gods,' a complex story filled with numerous characters. There were many Chinese terms, such as 'Kunlun' and the distinction between immortals and gods, that foreign viewers might not understand. Therefore, I had to find ways within the subtitle lines to include explanatory information."

A still from "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force" shows King Zhou, portrayed by Kris Phillips. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

As a Chinese American who has immersed himself in both cultures for decades, Phillips was well-suited for the role. Once his English subtitles were completed, translations into other languages, such as French and German, followed based on his work.

In the wake of the first film's success, overseas audiences actively pushed for a simultaneous release of the sequel. "Now we have done it, fulfilling our promise," director Wuershan said. "We will let audiences around the world experience the charm of Chinese culture."

After dedicating more than a decade to creating and crafting the trilogy, Wuershan saw "Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms" earn 2.64 billion yuan ($363 million) at the box office in 2023. The film became a cultural phenomenon, launching and revitalizing the careers of both young and veteran actors like Yu Shi and Kris Phillips.

The second film, "Demon Force," also based on the Ming dynasty novel "The Investiture of the Gods," follows Ji Fa, the future founding king of the Zhou dynasty, and strategist Jiang Ziya as they defend their homeland, Xiqi. With the support of Kunlun immortals Yang Jian and Ne Zha, the heroes face off against the formidable demonic army of King Zhou's Shang dynasty, commanded by the cunning Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong and the fierce female general Deng Chanyu.

A still from "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force" depicts an epic battle scene infused with magic. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

Before the film's premiere in Beijing on Jan. 29, the cast and crew toured eight cities to promote it, starting in Zhengzhou, Henan province. Wuershan noted that they had visited Zhengzhou many times to explore museums and draw inspiration from local culture during the creative process, as this area was the heart of the Shang dynasty and its capital. The crew also visited other historic sites and museums across China, including locations in Shaanxi province, where the Zhou dynasty originated, to gather ideas for props and costumes.

"Integrating traditional culture into the 'Creation of the Gods' trilogy is something I am passionate about," Wuershan said. "Traditional culture needs to come alive, blend with our lives, and become a source of strength. In areas such as costumes, character designs, weapons, and sets, we invited many inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to collaborate on the designs. We hope to demonstrate that Chinese traditional culture is still powerful and encourage more inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to join us in building this mythological epic."

Even the two new significant characters are deeply rooted in Chinese culture. Deng Chanyu is a Mulan-style warrior, inspired in part by Lady Fu Hao, the first Chinese female general and royal consort during the Shang dynasty. The crew visited Fu Hao's tomb and memorial site for research, and actor Nashi dedicated 506 days to training and filming. "History gives me strength, inspiration, and motivation, driving me to bring the brilliance of the character Deng Chanyu to the big screen," she said.

Still photos from "Creation of the Gods II" showcase Deng Chanyu and Wen Zhong, two major new characters in the film. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

For the role of Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong, actor Wu Hsing-kuo — also a theater actor and Peking Opera performer — deliberately integrated movements and techniques from traditional opera into the character's gestures and fighting styles. His approach aimed to ensure that Wen not only maintained a dignified posture but also embodied the essence of Chinese aesthetics.

The furious charge of iron-shod hooves, dazzling displays of magic, and the presence of mythical beasts come together to create striking visual moments, reflecting the crew's dedication to their craft. Since work began in June 2014, the "Creation of the Gods" trilogy has involved extensive preparation, filming and post-production, now in its eleventh year. The "Demon Force" production team included 14 creative departments and over 11,000 staff members from 21 countries and regions. This vast team managed all aspects of the film, including acting, stunts, filming, props and special effects. Every detail was meticulously crafted, contributing to a vivid and engaging Chinese mythological epic.

The film benefited from the support of an Oscar-winning team. Barrie M. Osborne, known for his work on "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, served as a production consultant. James Schamus, who contributed to the Oscar-winning "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," consulted on the script. Tim Yip, who won the Oscar for best art direction for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" in 2001, took on the role of art and costume design consultant. Douglas Hans Smith, recognized for his work on "Independence Day," which won the Oscar for best visual effects in 1997, served as the film's senior visual effects supervisor. This collaboration of artistic vision and rich traditional Chinese culture results in a stunning array of visuals.

A poster for "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force." [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

"After the first movie laid the foundation and introduced the characters, the second installment broadens the narrative to feature epic battles between gods and demons. It is truly a brilliant and amazing film!" Phillips told China.org.cn.

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