When Michelle Yeoh first watched Ne Zha 2 in Hong Kong, she couldn’t help but imagine it with an English-language dub. The vibrant Chinese animated epic — now the highest-grossing animated film in history with over $2.2 billion in global ticket sales — struck her as a story with universal appeal, especially for younger audiences. But even for Yeoh, who speaks Mandarin, the combination of fast-paced subtitles and dazzling visuals was a challenge to follow. “How would a kid stand a chance?” she thought.
She wasn’t the only one with that idea. A24, in collaboration with CMC Pictures, was already planning an English dub to bring the film to a wider international audience. Soon after, Yeoh was invited to voice Lady Yin, the mother of the film’s main character, Ne Zha. Her enthusiastic answer? “Hell yes.”
The English-language version of Ne Zha 2 is set to hit over 2,500 theaters across North America on August 22.
The film continues the mythological saga of Ne Zha, a rebellious child born as the reincarnation of a demon. While he sacrificed himself in the first film, the sequel tests his strength and character as he fights to protect his friend and village. Even those unfamiliar with the first movie can jump into the story, as it includes all the necessary backstory.
In China, the tale of Ne Zha is part of well-known folklore. Yeoh, who grew up watching adaptations of the legend, was awestruck by how Ne Zha 2 brought the story to life with unprecedented animation quality. The production took five years and involved 4,000 professionals from 138 Chinese animation companies. The film’s epic 143-minute runtime features 2,400 animation shots and 1,900 special effects shots.
“I think the director and his team pushed all boundaries,” Yeoh said. “They created a magical world with animation I hadn’t seen at this level before. The details are astonishing.”
Yeoh also praised the effort behind the English translation. Translating Chinese folklore is no easy feat due to the poetic and nuanced language. “A lot can get lost in translation — especially with syncing lines and maintaining the tone,” she noted. But the filmmakers struck a balance between traditional and modern language, making it accessible yet respectful of its roots.
Earlier this year, the subtitled version of Ne Zha 2 generated more than $20 million at the North American box office, with many Chinese communities in the U.S. organizing private screenings. Yeoh believes the English version will further broaden its impact.
“It’s a universal story — about love, family, feeling misunderstood, being an underdog,” she said. “It draws you into our culture in a beautiful way. This is a film that builds bridges.”
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