The Forbidden Kingdom is a 2008 wuxia film written by John Fusco and directed by Rob Minkoff, starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Loosely based on the 16th-century novel Journey to the West, it is the first film to star Chan and Li together. The action sequences were choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping.
Theatrical release poster
Wuxia is a genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists in ancient China. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of historical fantasy literature, its popularity has caused it to be adapted for such diverse art forms as Chinese opera, manhua, television dramas, films, and video games. It forms part of popular culture in many Chinese-speaking communities around the world. According to Hong Kong film director, producer, and movie writer Ronny Yu, wuxia movies are not to be confused with martial arts movies.
A 17th-century woodblock print of a scene from a play on the Kunlun Nu story.