Martial arts legend and Hollywood's cultural icon Jackie Chan joined the cast of "The Nut Job 2" along with Katherine Heigl, Maya Rudolph and Will Arnett. The film is a sequel of the highly-successful animated movie in 2014 and is set to release on May 19, 2017.
"The Nut Job" has the biggest opening in the box office for an animated, independent movie, grossing $64.2 million and $120.8 million locally and globally. Its sequel is about Surly Squirrel and his fight against the Oakton mayor who decides to destroy Liberty Park and build an amusement park in its place. Surly and his animal friends unite to defeat the mayor to save their home and their park.
The news of Chan joining the cast of "The Nut Job 2" was announced by Open Road Films on July 5, Tuesday, according to The Wrap. The Hong Kong-born actor is to voice Mr. Feng, the leader of the city mice gang. Mr. Feng looks amiable and cute, but is a menacing and fierce Kung-Fu master who is determined to protect their territory from trespassers.
Renowned for his roles in "Rush Hour," "Shanghai Noon" and "The Karate Kid" reboot in years 1998, 2000 and 2010, the multi-awarded actor has been acclaimed by the Kids' Choice Awards, MTV Movie Awards, People's Choice Awards, Hollywood Film Awards among others. The Chinese actor's name is also on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Famous for his comedy and action in his five-decade career in the entertainment industry, Chan has been in more than 100 films, including animation such as his own animated series, the "Jackie Chan Adventures" in 2002 to 2008. In the 1998 movie "Mulan," he voiced Shang in Cantonese and Mandarin. He was part of the three "Kung Fu Panda" movies released in 2008, 2012 and in this year.
"The Nut Job" sequel is penned by Bob Barlen, Scott Bindley Brunker, while Open Road Films will release the film in United States cinemas with The Weinstein Company holding sales rights worldwide except Korea and China. The film's producers are ToonBox Entertainment, Gulfstream Pictures, Shanghai Hoongman Technology Co and Redrover Co Ltd., Deadline reported.
Check on the "The Nut Job 2" trailer below.