Looking for epic 3D China’s Journey To The West movie as cool as Avatar and Lord of The Ring

Neil Gaiman and Zhang Jizhong  

The "Sandman" and "Coraline" scribe signs with producer Zhang Jizhong.

Science fiction and fantasy writer Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline and the Sandman, has grand plans. He has just signed a deal with producer Zhang Jizhong which could result in Journey to the West, the classic novel from China about the Monkey King, brought to the theatres in a series of big budget 3D movies.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, while shopping around in Hollywood for the project recently, Zhang met Avatar director James Cameron who, he says, has agreed to help figure out how best to convey the story.

 In Zhang's grand plan, the films will be in English and will target the global market. He hopes to rope in an international crew and cast, including both Chinese and Western filmmakers, and is courting Mexican Guillermo del Toro to direct. He expects the first installment to rake in 1.2 billion yuan ($176 million) from the local market alone. (Via usa.chinadaily.com.cn)

The new 2D movie Journey To The West 2011 will be broadcasted in China in April.

 Trailer after the jump