August 29, 2021, 12:09 PM
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American actor Dylan Sprouse, who starred in the popular Disney Channel series "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" alongside his twin brother Cole Sprouse, will be starring in the upcoming Chinese film "The Curse of Turandot".
In order to prepare for his role, Sprouse reportedly spent six months learning Mandarin, in addition to sword fighting and horseback riding.
Based on Italian opera
"The Curse of Turandot" is adapted from the 1926 opera "Turandot" by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, which featured the well-known aria "Nessun dorma".
The fantasy romance film stars Sprouse as Calaf, an ordinary citizen who risks his life to answer three riddles in an attempt to save Princess Turandot, who is under the curse of three bracelets that cause her to lose her humanity, Deadline announced in 2018.
The movie is directed by Chinese director Zheng Xiaolong and stars actress Guan Xiaotong as Turandot. The film's cast also includes veteran Chinese actors Jiang Wen and Hu Jun, and French actress Sophie Marceau.
"Life changing" experience filming
In an Instagram post on Aug. 24, Sprouse wrote that his experience filming the movie in China was "life changing", and that he spent six months learning Mandarin, sword fighting, and horseback riding.
"I always wanted to be in a film like this since I binge watched this genre since a kid," he added.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CS7ZBbQphay/
The official release date of the film has not yet been announced.
Online reactions
Many online have reacted with excitement at Sprouse's involvement in "The Curse of Turandot", and some have also expressed surprise at the fact that he picked up Mandarin to do so.
https://twitter.com/eeveenara/status/1430148747212722179
dylan sprouse speaking mandarin chinese in “the curse of turandot” film 💕💕💕💕💕💕
— keisha (@papertideswp) August 26, 2021
I am actually so impressed that Dylan Sprouse learnt Mandarin for Turandot bc acting is hard enough on its own, but acting while speaking a second language that you’re not entirely fluent in, especially one that is so different from your first language? That is actually insane
— aslan #ratcube (@earlofpudding) August 25, 2021
Dylan Sprouse was always my favorite twin. Now that he’s starring in a C-Drama I’m once again reminded why I loved him for all these years 🤧🤧 pic.twitter.com/kDkEUvDxAQ
— 👑🍁Ichigo’s Wife🍁👑|| BLM || (@CayLuhsYah) August 25, 2021
Some also made jokes based on Sprouse's casting:
The Wuxia Life of Zack and Cody https://t.co/EGvNtFfPOz
— Belle ❌ QRT(引用RT)/repost my art (@LeBearPolarr) August 23, 2021
Others online, however, also shared their criticism of Sprouse's casting and the opera in general:
They really got dylan sprouse to do chinese dramas as the token white boy
— 🏳️⚧️ (@hulknaps) August 23, 2021
Dylan Sprouse pulling a Matt Damon white savior of the Asians role. pic.twitter.com/Pr1kqsdyEQ
— ScarredRomeo (@ScarredRomeo) August 24, 2021
like. a whole-ass italian opera. that's set in china, because puccini Thought That Was Neat. that's...um...considering the whole history of exoticism that's certainly a Thing to make a cdrama about, i guess?
— Hannah (@swordsoprano) August 25, 2021
I HATE TURANDOT (OPERA) IT IS AWFUL IT REALLY IS. but theyre turning it into a drama starring dylan sprouse. society!
— amelia’m ☀️ (@ylissebian) August 23, 2021
"Turandot" the opera has previously been criticised for being sexist, Orientalist, and racist.
The full trailer of the movie can be watched here:
Top photo via Weibo / 白狮 Dylan Sprouse.
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