Don't let your expectations soar, soar, soar for a live-action remake of "KPop Demon Hunters." Despite the colossal success of Netflix's animated musical extravaganza, the film's creator, Maggie Kang, has made it clear that she harbors no ambition to transplant the fictional K-pop ensemble HUNTR/X into the flesh-and-blood realm.
"There are so many aspects of the tone and humor that are simply tailor-made for animation," she confided to the BBC in an interview published on October 11. "Envisioning these characters in a live-action setting is truly challenging. It would feel overly grounded. So, in essence, it just wouldn't resonate with me." Echoing her sentiment, co-director Chris Appelhans expressed reservations about delving into live-action storytelling.
"The beauty of animation lies in its ability to stretch and amplify possibilities to extraordinary heights," he mused, noting that past anime adaptations have sometimes felt "a tad stilted." Yet, while the filmmakers intend to keep the franchise firmly ensconced in the animated sphere, Maggie hinted at her enthusiasm for exploring further narratives within the film's universe.
"There's undoubtedly more we can mine from these characters in this world," she teased. "Whatever it evolves into, it will be a tale worthy of a sequel, something we're genuinely eager to witness." Since its June debut, "KPop Demon Hunters" has ascended to become Netflix's most-watched original release in history, making it no shocker that its stars—EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami—are all game for a potential continuation.
"We're on standby for that call too," Audrey divulged to E! News in September, with EJAE chiming in, "Stay tuned." In the interim, the trio is still grappling with their newfound stardom.
"We're all still in the process of absorbing it," Rei confessed. "It's overwhelming. Every day brings a new milestone, a new record. We're obviously incredibly grateful and honored, but it's really challenging to fully digest."
