Divine Heists and Mythic Reimagining: Pearl Studio Unveils ‘All Wishes Come True!’

SHANGHAI — In a move that signals a bold new chapter for Chinese animation on the global stage, Pearl Studio and CMC Pictures have officially released the international trailer for All Wishes Come True!. This sprawling animated fantasy comedy represents a significant pivot for the studio formerly known as Oriental DreamWorks, blending high-stakes heist tropes with one of the most revered cornerstones of Chinese folklore: the legend of the Eight Immortals.

Directed and written by Mu Zhengyang, the film is poised to be more than just a domestic blockbuster; it is a calculated effort to capitalize on the "Guofeng" (national style) animation trend that has recently seen Chinese features shattering global box office records. With an expansive 143-minute runtime and a narrative that bridges the gap between mortal ambition and divine bureaucracy, All Wishes Come True! is being positioned as a tentpole event for the summer of 2026.

Main Facts: A Supernatural Heist of Mythic Proportions

At its core, All Wishes Come True! is a genre-bending reimagining of The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea. However, rather than a traditional pious retelling, Mu Zhengyang has framed the story as a high-octane supernatural heist.

The narrative is set on a visually stunning island where the veil between the mundane and the celestial is thin, allowing mortals and immortals to coexist in a rigid social hierarchy. The plot follows two ambitious mortals, Lü Dongbin and Zhongli Quan, who harbor a daring—and arguably blasphemous—ambition: to rob a legendary vault belonging to the gods.

To execute the job, the duo must pose as immortals themselves, recruiting a ragtag crew of six other accomplices: He Xiangu, Tieguai Li, Han Xiangzi, Cao Guojiu, Lan Caihe, and Zhang Guolao. Each character brings a specific skill set to the "team," mirroring the structure of modern heist classics like Ocean’s Eleven, but set against a backdrop of ancient temples, floating palaces, and Taoist magic. As the "Eight" delve deeper into the divine vault, they inadvertently stumble into a sprawling conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of the mortal and divine realms.

The production boasts a high-pedigree creative team. The film’s action choreography and kinetic design were spearheaded by Su Hang, a Hong Kong Film Awards winner known for his work on The Shadow’s Edge. The vocal performances were directed by Chen Hao, the veteran voice director behind the original Ne Zha (2019), ensuring that the film’s blend of broad comedy and high-stakes drama resonates with emotional authenticity.

Chronology: The Evolution of Pearl Studio

To understand the significance of All Wishes Come True!, one must look at the decade-long evolution of its production house. Pearl Studio’s journey is a microcosm of the Chinese animation industry’s shift from Western collaboration to domestic independence.

• 2012–2015: The DreamWorks Era. Founded as Oriental DreamWorks, a joint venture between DreamWorks Animation and Chinese investment groups, the studio’s primary mission was to facilitate co-productions. This era peaked with Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016), which successfully blended Western storytelling structures with Chinese cultural nuances.
• 2018: The Relaunch. CMC (China Media Capital) took full ownership of the studio, rebranding it as Pearl Studio. This marked a strategic shift toward developing original Chinese intellectual property (IP) for a global audience.
• 2019–2021: Global Recognition. Pearl Studio released Abominable (co-produced with DreamWorks) and the Oscar-nominated Over the Moon, directed by Disney legend Glen Keane. These films established Pearl as a studio capable of world-class CGI and sophisticated storytelling.
• 2024–2026: The New Golden Age. Following the unprecedented success of Ne Zha 2 (which earned a staggering $2.2 billion globally) and the 2D breakout hit Nobody, the Chinese market shifted. There is now a massive appetite for "high-concept mythology"—stories that take traditional legends and update them with modern cinematic sensibilities. All Wishes Come True! is the culmination of this trend.

Supporting Data: The Power of the Eight Immortals

The choice of the Eight Immortals as the film’s subject matter is a calculated move. In Chinese mythology, the Eight Immortals (Ba Xian) represent a cross-section of society—the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the male, and the female. This inherent diversity makes the group uniquely suited for an ensemble "team-up" movie.

The Team Composition:

1. Lü Dongbin: Often depicted with a demon-slaying sword; in the film, he serves as the charismatic mastermind.
2. Zhongli Quan: Traditionally shown with a fan that can resurrect the dead; here, he acts as the tactical muscle.
3. He Xiangu: The only female in the group, often associated with a lotus flower.
4. Tieguai Li (Iron Crutch Li): A grumpier, more weathered figure who uses a crutch and a gourd.
5. Han Xiangzi: The flutist, representing the artistic and spiritual.
6. Cao Guojiu: A former royal official, bringing "inside" knowledge of bureaucracy.
7. Lan Caihe: Often depicted as gender-fluid or a young busker, bringing a wildcard energy.
8. Zhang Guolao: An eccentric elder who rides a donkey backward, providing the film’s comic relief.

The film’s runtime of 143 minutes is notably longer than the standard 90-to-100-minute window for Western animated features. This suggests a dense, epic narrative structure akin to live-action wuxia films, allowing for extensive character development for all eight protagonists.

Official Responses and Strategic Global Push

CMC Pictures and Pearl Studio have expressed high confidence in the film’s crossover appeal. While many Chinese animated features struggle to find a foothold in Western theaters, the "day-and-date" (or near day-and-date) release strategy for All Wishes Come True! suggests a push for a truly global audience.

In a statement accompanying the trailer release, the production team emphasized the film’s dual nature: "We wanted to honor the spirit of the legends that have been told for centuries, but we also wanted to make a movie that feels contemporary. By framing this as a heist, we create a bridge for international audiences who might not be familiar with the Eight Immortals but understand the thrill of a ‘perfect crime’ story."

The distribution rollout is aggressive:

• China: July 24, 2026
• Australia/New Zealand: August 13, 2026
• United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Canada, Netherlands: August 14, 2026

The decision to screen the film in its original Mandarin with English subtitles—rather than a dubbed version—reflects a growing trend among international film buffs who prefer the original vocal performances of high-end foreign animation, a trend previously solidified by the success of Japanese anime in Western markets.

Implications: A New Era for Global Animation

The release of All Wishes Come True! carries several implications for the future of the animation industry.

1. The End of the "Co-Production" Necessity

For years, Chinese studios felt they needed a Western partner (like Disney or DreamWorks) to achieve global distribution. Pearl Studio’s transition from Oriental DreamWorks to an independent powerhouse producing high-budget mythic epics suggests that Chinese animation has reached a level of technical and narrative maturity where it can stand on its own.

2. Mythological Modernization

The film follows the "Ne Zha Blueprint"—taking a well-known deity or legend and giving them a "rebellious" or "modern" makeover. This has proven to be the most lucrative genre in the Chinese box office. If All Wishes Come True! succeeds, it will likely trigger a wave of "mythic-modern" films, potentially creating a "Chinese Mythological Universe" to rival the superhero franchises of the West.

3. Technical Parity

The trailer for All Wishes Come True! showcases environmental rendering and character animation that rivals the "Big Three" (Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks). The involvement of Su Hang indicates a focus on "cinematic" action—using virtual cameras to mimic the kinetic energy of live-action martial arts films. This technical prowess is becoming a hallmark of the new wave of Chinese CGI.

4. Cultural Soft Power

By exporting a story about the Eight Immortals, CMC Pictures is engaging in significant cultural diplomacy. The film introduces Western audiences to the Taoist concepts of balance and immortality, but packages them in a relatable, humorous, and action-packed format.

Conclusion

All Wishes Come True! is more than just a summer blockbuster; it is a litmus test for the international viability of the modern Chinese animated epic. With the weight of Pearl Studio’s history and the momentum of a record-breaking domestic industry behind it, the film seeks to prove that ancient legends can be the foundation for the most modern of cinematic experiences. When the "Eight" attempt their divine heist this August, they may just end up stealing the spotlight on the global stage.