With the success of the global animated phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters, it’s no surprise that its creators are looking to explore a sequel, although a live-action adaptation is not in the cards for now.
Speaking during an interview with the BBC, KPop Demon Hunters creator and co-director Maggie Kang explained that although that was “nothing official we can talk about”, she believed that “there’s definitely more we can do with these characters in this world”, adding that “it will be a story that deserves to be a sequel, and it will be something that we want to see.”
Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix have already been in early talks for a sequel since August, following the movie’s massive success on the streamer, climbing its ranks to achieve the golden status as Netflix’s most-watched film of all time. The film also scored a box office win, with its sing-along release dominating the U.S box office over its opening weekend with an estimated US$18 million haul, making it the streamer’s first-ever theatrical win.
KPop Demon Hunters centres on a fictional K-pop girl group, HUNTR/X, who lead double lives as demon hunters, and face off against a rival boy band called Saja Boys, whose members are secretly demons. Arden Cho (Teen Wolf), May Hong (High Maintenance), and Ji-young Yoo (Moxie) voice the lead trio of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, respectively.
Despite hyping up the prospects of a sequel, Kang was quick to rule out the possibility of a live-action adaptation. “There’s so many elements of the tone and the comedy that are so suited for animation,” she explained, “It’s really hard to imagine these characters in a live action world. It would feel too grounded. So totally it wouldn’t work for me.”
“One of the great things about animation is that you make these composites of impossibly great attributes,” added co-director Chris Appelhans, “Rumi can be this goofy comedian and then singing and doing a spinning back-kick a second later and then free-falling through the sky.”
“The joy of animation is how far you can push and elevate what’s possible. I remember they adapted a lot of different animes and oftentimes, it just feels a little stilted.”
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
Si Jia
