Michelle Yeoh thinks Ne Zha 2 could prove to be an important "cultural exchange".

The 63-year-old actress voices the part of Lady Yin -- the mother of Ne Zha -- in the English-language version of the Chinese box-office hit, and Michelle is thrilled to be part of the project, suggesting that it could have a huge long-term impact on the film industry.

Speaking to People, Michelle explained: "I had seen Ne Zha II in Chinese, and even at that time I thought, 'I hope they do an English version, because you want little kids to be able to see it and understand'.

"So when they did come to me and said, 'Would this interest you?' I jumped right in … Somehow, when A24 and I get together, we get a little magic going."

Michelle believes that Ne Zha 2 could lead to more "Chinese stories" being told in Western cinemas.

The actress - who began her career in Hong Kong, before making the move to Hollywood - said: "It is so important as a cultural exchange; an opening for more Chinese stories that need to be told. Especially the mythological side of it.

"We're so rich in lore with the three realms: the heavens, the earth and the seas."

Ne Zha 2 focuses on the Chinese mythological character Ne Zha and his friend Ao Bing. Michelle loves that the movie manages to bridge the gap between traditional Chinese mythology and young film fans.

She explained: "The storytelling is so amazing because they have kept intact the classic myth of how it was before, but added that contemporary way of storytelling.

"So that's the bridge for the generational gap. Like we say, it is timeless, but timely."

Michelle also revealed that Ne Zha is "one of [her] favourite characters", revealing that she was inspired by the "spunky kid riding on fire wheels" during her younger years.

Michelle - whose previous film credits include Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Crazy Rich Asians, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - reflected: "This is for people who always felt that they're not seen, or they have been ostracised, or they don't look right, or they don't fit in, so that they don't give up.

"And that's why Ne Zha has always been one of my favourite characters because he fought injustice. I think from the minute he was born, he felt very rejected.

"When I was a kid, I used to be so fascinated and inspired by this spunky kid riding on fire wheels. I wanted to be that cool demigod that fought for justice."