Wukong Warrior Taps High School Musical Master!
When the producer of the $4 billion 'High School Musical' franchise decides an animated monkey warrior has global potential, you know you've got something special.
Emmy-winning producer Bill Borden — the mastermind who turned teenage drama club into a worldwide phenomenon — is now spearheading international adaptation and distribution for Mili Pictures' family action-adventure Wukong Warrior, set to launch at MIP Jr and MIPCOM.
And if his track record is any indication, this mischievous Monkey King is about to take over the world.
The film follows Sun Wukong, a rebellious stone-born warrior on a quest for redemption alongside the most unlikely crew ever assembled: a comically greedy pig-warrior, a sorrowful river demon, and a mysterious talking horse. Think Guardians of the Galaxy meets ancient Chinese folklore — an action-packed kung-fu spectacle with the kind of humor that makes kids giggle and parents genuinely entertained.
Borden's been working with Mili Pictures for over a decade, watching their animation evolve from their breakthrough Dragon Nest to today's stunning visuals. His involvement through Summit International Pictures — teamed with Disney distribution veteran Todd Barasch — signals this isn't just another animated export, but a serious play for global family entertainment.
Wukong Warrior hits Chinese theaters in September 2025, with international buyers getting their first look at MIP Jr and MIPCOM this October in Cannes. Given Borden's proven formula for turning Eastern stories into Western blockbusters (hello, Kung Fu Hustle), this classic Monkey King tale might just be the next big thing your audiences have been waiting for. This is the first of a planned three-film saga of Wukong Warrior films from Mili Pictures.
500 - Year - Old Hero,
Modern Appeal
The archetypal hero's journey of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, resonates across cultures - redemption through service, found family dynamics, and the classic "power without wisdom" dilemma that speaks to contemporary audiences. In this modern retelling of the classic tale, the irreverent humor and rebellious spirit of Wukong Warrior echo through everything from Shrek to Guardians of the Galaxy.
The tale originates from "Journey to the West," one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, written in the 16th century but rooted in folk traditions stretching back over a millennium. Long before Marvel heroes and Disney princesses, there was Sun Wukong — the original rebel with supernatural powers who defied gods, cheated death, and learned that true strength comes from protecting others.
"Sun Wukong possesses every superpower a modern audience could want—he can transform into 72 different forms, travel 34,000 miles in a single somersault, and wield a magical staff that can shrink to the size of a needle or grow to support the heavens," says producer Bill Borden. "Yet his greatest battles aren't against demons or dragons, but against his own pride and impulsiveness."
In an era where audiences hunger for authentic mythology beyond Western traditions, Wukong Warrior represents a treasure trove of stories waiting to be rediscovered by new generations worldwide.
