It seems Malaysian film studios are leaning on nostalgia, as another long-awaited sequel has been announced. Previously, KRU Studios revealed that a script for “Magika 2” was in development. However, fans were more cautious than expected, with many expressing concerns that the studio might use generative AI in the film’s post-production.
It appears that another sequel from the company has also been met with criticism. Many were unimpressed after the first teaser for the upcoming sequel to the 2008 hit “Duyung” was released. Here’s why:
Maya Karin has played a number of iconic roles in her career, including Puteri, a mermaid in KRU Studios’ fantasy-romantic comedy “Duyung” back in 2008. When it was announced that Anna Jobling would play her daughter in the sequel, fans were initially thrilled — but that excitement soon turned to disappointment after the first teaser for “Duyung: Lagenda Aurora” was released.
In the video, the 25-year-old is seen walking along a wooden pier before jumping into the ocean and transforming into her mermaid form. At first glance, the shot of her swimming as the mythical creature appears majestic, but many viewers quickly noticed that her tail looked noticeably cheap and fake. Unlike the iconic costume worn by Maya Karin in 2008, which featured realistic fish scales, the one seen in the latest teaser resembled a piece of fabric with scales printed onto it.
This disappointed many fans, who had expected improvements in the costumes and practical effects after 16 years. Some likened the new outfit to something purchased from Shopee, while others said it reminded them of the lightweight fabric used for curtains. Maya Karin addressed the backlash, explaining that the new costume was designed for practicality: it is lighter, allowing her to swim more freely, whereas the original was much heavier due to the scales.
However, the explanation did little to appease critics. While fans acknowledged that comfort and mobility are important, they argued that the costume’s craftsmanship should not have been compromised. They suggested that there must have been alternative ways to design a costume that remained true to the original while still being safe and comfortable for the performer.
It’s definitely not looking good for KRU Studios now that two of their sequels are receiving backlash and they haven’t even hit cinemas yet. What do you think about the situation? Are fans right to be upset about the costume?
Watch the teaser below and let us know what you think:
