Wolf Warrior 2: Imagining the Chinese Century

Abstract

How has contemporary Chinese cinema responded to China's new outward focus as global trade and military presence? Until recently, representations of the country's overseas military presence have been few and far between, that is until the release of Zhanlang 2 (Wolf Warrior 2, 2017), a phenomenally successful Rambo-style action adventure. This article explores the ways in which Wolf Warrior 2 adapts Hollywood conventions to China's current nationalist ambitions, with particular regard to issues of genre and masculinity.