 |
| Blades of the Guardians Recasts Naer Naxi as Chen Lijun Becomes Surprise Breakout Star. (Photo: Weibo) |
Blades of the Guardians (镖人: 风起大漠) has officially replaced Nashi aka Naer NaXi in the role of A Yu Ya, and the decision has changed the trajectory of the entire film. The big-budget wuxia epic, produced on a staggering 700 million yuan investment, crossed 500 million yuan at the box office as of 21 February. While its commercial numbers may not have exploded as initially projected, it currently stands as the best-reviewed Spring Festival release, with much of the praise directed at its last-minute recast.
Originally, Naer Naxi was set to portray the female warrior A Yu Ya, a central character whose presence runs through nearly a third of the film. However, controversy surrounding her college admission allegations in 2025 triggered strong public backlash.
Although she was never officially labelled a “tainted artist,” broadcasters removed previous projects and brands reportedly distanced themselves. For a production of this scale, the timing could not have been worse.
By mid-2025, nearly 30 percent of the film had already been shot. A Yu Ya’s character is not a supporting cameo; she drives the narrative, with over 60 percent of her scenes involving intense action choreography. Cutting the character would fracture the storyline.
Using digital replacement technology was reportedly dismissed. The creative team insisted that a wuxia film depends on physical force, precision, and emotional sharpness that cannot simply be edited in post-production.
Instead, the production chose the most expensive option: reshoot.
An additional 150 million yuan was poured into the project to redo key scenes. That decision pushed the total cost to 700 million yuan.
According to roadshow comments from the team, the film would need to surpass 1.5 billion yuan at the box office just to break even. It was a high-stakes move that could have backfired spectacularly.
 |
In August 2025, Yue opera performer Chen Lijun stepped in. Known primarily for her stage work rather than blockbuster cinema, her casting raised eyebrows at first. Yet within days of filming, early on-set buzz suggested something different was happening.
Chen Lijun reportedly had just 11 days to complete 32 action-heavy sequences.
Drawing from two decades of traditional opera training, she adapted stage combat techniques into screen-ready choreography. Horse-riding scenes, blade work, controlled falls — all executed under intense desert conditions.
The result? Audiences are now calling her the breakout star of Blades of the Guardians. Social media discussions have highlighted her controlled intensity, sharp gaze, and physical credibility in action sequences. Many viewers feel her background in opera gave the character a grounded yet fierce presence that elevated the film’s emotional core.
Some viewers argue that the recast was necessary to protect the film’s long-term prospects. They praise the production for choosing quality over shortcuts and commend Chen Lijun for delivering under extreme pressure.
Others remain curious.
Naer Naxi previously gained recognition for strong roles in large-scale fantasy productions such as Creation of the Gods, and a portion of fans believe she might have offered a different, perhaps equally compelling interpretation of A YuYa had circumstances been different.
 |
| Sina |
There is also discussion around industry standards. Some netizens see this case as an example of studios acting cautiously to shield investments. Others question whether controversy should permanently halt an actor’s momentum, especially when no official industry ban was issued.
For Chen Lijun, this project marks a breakthrough moment from traditional theatre to mainstream cinema. For Naer Naxi, her future in entertainment remains uncertain and largely dependent on upcoming projects and public sentiment over time.
Blades of the Guardians may not yet be the runaway box office phenomenon investors hoped for, but it has sparked one of the most talked-about production stories of the year. In an industry where risk and reputation often collide, this film chose to gamble big and reshuffle the board at the final hour.
Now the bigger question is this: did the recast ultimately strengthen the film, or will audiences always wonder about the version that never was? Let us know your thoughts — was Chen Lijun the perfect A Yu Ya, or are you still imagining what could have been?