Ai-driven Adaptation of 'Journey to the West' in the Works

WHO:

Variety - Utopai Studios and Huace are the companies involved in the project.

Deadline - Utopai Studios is an AI firm, and Huace is a Chinese producer-distributor.

WHAT:

Variety - The project is a fully AI-generated adaptation of the Chinese literary classic “Journey to the West.”

Deadline - The series is titled "Journey to the West: The Lost Five Hundred Years" and is designed as the opening chapter in a planned theatrical franchise.

Deadline - The series will explore the "untold origin" story of the protagonist from the 1592 mythological book.

WHERE:

Variety - The adaptation is being developed in China, as indicated by the involvement of Huace.

WHEN:

Deadline - The series is part of a planned theatrical franchise, but no specific release date is mentioned.

WHY:

Deadline - The adaptation aims to reimagine one of China’s most influential literary and mythological classics.

HOW:

Deadline - The series will utilize Utopai's AI system PAI for its production.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 14:55 UTC)

Utopai Studios and Huace are collaborating on a groundbreaking project that will bring a fully AI-generated adaptation of the Chinese literary classic “Journey to the West” to life. Titled "Journey to the West: The Lost Five Hundred Years," this series will delve into the untold origin story of the protagonist from the 1592 mythological book and is intended to kick off a theatrical franchise. Developed in China, the series will leverage Utopai's advanced AI system, PAI, for its production, although a specific release date has yet to be announced.