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Besides, this is not the first time that overseas filmmakers have shown interest in the Journey to the West. The novel has already been adapted for films and/or TV series in the United States, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam. Since the story is rather popular in Japan, it has found its way into films, animations, TV series and even video games.

In fact, the recent past has seen Japanese TV stations churning out at least five versions of the classic tale. And perhaps the most bizarre version was made by Fuji TV in 2006. The TV station did invite popular actors, including one from Japanese national idol group SMAP, to play the role of the three apprentices of the Buddhist monk. But then it offered the role of the monk to Eri Fukatsu, that year's most popular actress. As if the absurdity of the monk being turned into a nun was not enough, the series makers also made her fall in love with the Monkey King.

Fuji TV's treatment of the novel was as ridiculous as the one in the 2001 American version, The Lost Empire, which portrayed the monk (fortunately, played by a male actor) and Guanyin (the goddess of mercy) as lovers.