While there hasn't been much news on the Big Trouble in Little China sequel, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and John Carpenter fans are anxious to learn more about what may be planned for a return to San Francisco's Chinatown. Perhaps we will be exploring other Chinatowns, like the one in Los Angeles or New York (which is the biggest). Every Chinatown in the United States stands to have mystical portals into macabre Eastern mythology where demons dwell and sorcery reigns supreme.
Chinese themes incorporated into Western media are experiencing somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, with Disney films like the live-action Mulan, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Turning Red dominating streaming services and theaters across the globe, as well as Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings being a slam dunk hit. Big Trouble in Little China wowed audiences in 1986 with a comic book-style approach to Eastern mysticism combined with John Carpenter's creative instincts resulting in an action/fantasy/comedy hybrid that draws you in at every turn. The film's unique vibe is comparable to The Golden Child, Paramount Pictures' approach to similar material that suspiciously came out the same year.
Perhaps Big Trouble's most important ingredient was the era in which it was made. There was no shame in leaning into stylized action, practical fx, and neon lights. The film is an unapologetic deep dive into mystical Chinese action while keeping things light with charismatic characters, clever writing, and quippy banter. It may be the film's horror elements that help it to really pop, with some terrifying creatures and abrupt moments of violence. The film is often credited for informing Mortal Kombat of its characters and tone. It's one of John Carpenter's most beloved films with a fan base that would surely turn out for a sequel that authentically manages to revisit the world and expand the mythology.
Big Trouble Legacy
Big Trouble in Little China's only other expansion has been in the comic book realm, with direct continuations from BOOM! Studios with creative input from John Carpenter. The first line of comics was a direct continuation of the original movie. A follow-up series called Old Man Jack was also released, picking up a modern timeline for the Jack Burton character. The comics could inspire Big Trouble in Little China 2 if not adapted outright. Kurt Russel has not been announced as a returning cast member, but it may be too early to determine his involvement with the project.
It's possible that once any purported legal dust settles, we may begin to hear more news of the project's development which currently sits at the top of Dwayne Johnson's IMDB page. While the movie's relevance has undoubtedly waned over the last twenty-five years, the involvement of Johnson could be just what the sequel needs to capture a younger audience's interest. With shows like Cobra Kai and The Mandalorian setting new benchmarks for how to revisit these staple 1980s properties, the movie will likely take careful measures to ensure the spirit of Big Trouble is revived in an authentic way.
James Hong on Lo Pan
In a recent interview with Polygon, actor James Hong cited his character from Big Trouble in Little China as one of the most influential in his approach to creating characters that followed.
“I always recall upon Big Trouble in Little China and Lo Pan. It was a great thing for me to be in that movie with John Carpenter and accomplish what I did. That character, of course, replays in my mind, and the creation [of him] jumped into other characters. There is almost always a facet of Lo Pan in other characters I play.”
Although the iconic villain is remembered fondly by genre fans, it is unclear if Hong will reprise his role in the sequel. While we did see a definitive death of his character in the first movie, the dream logic of Big Trouble's universe could make it relatively easy to bring Lo Pan back. While a new villain could help bring something fresh, Hong certainly created big shoes to fill.
The actor has one of the most extensive resumes on IMDB, with over eighty roles to his credit. Hong, who is in his 90s, recently appeared in Everything Everywhere All At Once. The actor was a founding member of the Asian American theater organization, East West Players, founded in 1965, which helped increase Asian representation in the performing arts. Perhaps the filmmakers will find a way to have Hong be a part of the sequel, even as a different character or relative of Lo Pan. It would also be nice to see Kim Cattrall and Dennis Dun return as well. We'll just have to wait and see. Anything is possible in the realm of Chinese black magic.