The Bumilangit Cinematic Universe (BCU) () is an Indonesian media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films produced by Bumilangit Studios based on characters that appear in comic books published by Bumilangit. Volume 1 of the series began with Gundala in 2019 and will conclude with the release of a team-up film Patriot.
Joko Anwar was announced as the executive producer that will oversee the development of all films in Volume 1 of the series. He wrote and directed Gundala as well as co-wrote Sri Asih.
Development The development of the film series came on the heel of the success of Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. The production of several films into planned volumes with individual superhero films released before a team-up film resembles the strategy employed by Marvel Studios.
During a Disney+ event in 2020, President of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige spoke with the Bumilangit Cinematic Universe executive producer Joko Anwar and expressed support for the Indonesian superhero franchise while saying that the project is "in the right hands".
Production of several films in the franchise faced delays upon the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia.
Background The Bumilangit Universe in the comic book series began in the ancient times and continue well into present day. It is divided into four eras:
The Legends era, set after the volcanic eruption of Mount Toba which pushed humans to near extinction and revolve around three fictional kingdoms that lead the recovery of human civilizations: the Kingdom of Wiba with its advanced scientific achievements, the Kingdom of Godam with its strong warriors, and the Kingdom of Rawaya with its spiritual devotion. The Swordsmen era, set in the 17th century with key characters who are known for their swordsmanship, such as Mandala, Barda Mandrawata, Purnama Wulan Dewi Sartikawati, Selendang Mayang, and Rahayu. The Patriot era, with characters such as Mardhanus, Nani Wijaya, Sancaka, and Adam. The Revolution era, set in present day.
Films FilmRelease dateDirectorScreenwriter(s)Producer(s) Ref. Volume 1GundalaJoko AnwarSukhdev Singh, Wicky V. Olindo & Bismarka KurniawanReleasedSri Asih UpiJoko Anwar & Upi Wicky V. Olindo, Bismarka Kurniawan & Joko AnwarReleasedVirgo and the SparklingsMarch 2, 2023Ody C. HarahapRafki Hidayat & Johanna WattimenaReleasedGodam & Tira2026 or ?Zahir OmarPost-productionThe Blind of the Phantom CaveTimo TjahjantoPre-productionMandala: The Devil's SwordTBA Pre-productionGundala the Son of LightningJoko AnwarPatriot
Gundala (2019) Sancaka, an astraphobic son of an Indonesian factory worker who's now a security guard and mechanic in a newspaper printing factory, uses his superpowers to defeat the corrupt crime boss Pengkor. After his allies poison a large shipment of rice, Pengkor uses his undue political influence to force the local legislature's hand in passing a bill to approve the hasty production and distribution of an unproven antidote – unknowingly made by a pharmaceutical company he secretly owns – that will ultimately harm pregnant women.
Bumilangit Studios, as the owner of Gundala's intellectual property, has been developing the idea of making a Gundala movie since 2014. The search for the right director and scriptwriter for Gundala was not easy, and took Bumilangit years to finally find the perfect match. On April 4, 2018, Joko Anwar was announced as the writer and the director for the film. He is one of Indonesia's most prolific and celebrated film directors.
Joko Anwar admitted that the scriptwriting process for Gundala has been the hardest work of his career so far. Usually, he spends one to two months on a typical script, but he eventually ended up spending a total of seven months for this project. Reinterpreting Gundala's origin from the original 1969 comic, he reworked the story in a way that could attract millennials and Gen Z. Hasmi's comics and notes about Gundala helped him write the script.
The film stars Abimana Aryasatya as Sancaka/Gundala, alongside Tara Basro, Bront Palarae, Ario Bayu, Cecep Arif Rahman, Rio Dewanto, and Muzakki Ramdhan. The film received positive reviews from the audience and critics with praise for Abimana's performance, Anwar's direction, and the visual effects, costume design, and originality. Throughout its domestic run, the film garnered over 1.6 million admissions, with an estimate gross of $4.7 million.
Sri Asih (2022)
Alana didn't understand why she was always overcome by anger. But she always tried to fight it. She was born during a volcanic eruption that separated her from her parents. She is then adopted by a rich woman who tries to help her live a normal life. As an adult, Alana discovers the truth about her origins. She's not an ordinary human. She can be good or be evil if she can not control her anger.
On December 7, 2019, Joko Anwar as the creative producer of Bumilangit Cinematic Universe announced that Pevita Pearce would play Sri Asih in Bumilangit Cinematic Universe after her first appearance at the ending of Gundala (2019). The film also stars Christine Hakim as Eyang Mariani, Surya Saputra as Prayogo Adinegara, Jefri Nichol as Tangguh, Reza Rahadian as Jatmiko, Randy Pangalila as Mateo Adinegara, Jenny Zhang as Sarita Hamzah, Dimas Anggara as Kala, Revaldo as Jagau, Faradina Mufti as Renjana, Fadly Faisal as Gilang, Messi Gusti as Young Alana and a special appearance by Najwa Shihab as Nani Wijaya, the first Sri Asih. The film was directed by Upi, written by Upi and Joko Anwar.
In Indonesian history of fiction literature, Sri Asih is the first hero to appear in Indonesian comics. Sri Asih first appeared about half a century ago, in 1953. Its creator, R.A. Kosasih is recognized as the “Father of Indonesian Comics.”
The shooting process began on November 18, 2020, and finished on April 1, 2021. On July 6, 2022, Sri Asih released her first teaser trailer. The film was released in cinemas on November 17, 2022 as the second entry of BCU.
Web series
+YearTitleDirectorNotes2023TiraZahir OmarDisney+ Original
Main cast and characters Volume 1 Character Gundala Sri Asih Virgo and the Sparklings Godam & Tira The Blind of the Phantom Cave Mandala: The Devil's Sword Gundala the Son of Lightning Patriot 2019 2022 2023 2025 TBA Introduced in Gundala Sancaka Abimana Aryasatya colspan="2" colspan="3" Abimana Aryasatya Sedhah Esti Wulan Tara Basro colspan="5" Tara Barso Pengkor Bront Palarae colspan="5" Ghani "Ghazul" Zulham Ario Bayu colspan="5" Ario Bayu Ridwan Bahri Lukman Sardi colspan="3" Lukman Sardi Awang Faris Fadjar Munggaran Chicco Jerikho Chicco Jerikho colspan="3" Chicco Jerikho Motila / Camar Hannah Al Rashid colspan="6" Hannah Al Rashid Purnama Wulan Dewi Sartikawati / Eagle-Eyed Angel Kelly Tandiono colspan="3" Kelly Tandiono colspan="2" Kelly Tandiono Desti Nikita Asmara Abigail colspan="7" Swara Batin Cecep Arif Rahman colspan="7" Kamal Atmaja Ari Tulang colspan="7" Tanto Ginanjar Daniel Adnan colspan="7" Kanigara Cornelio Sunny colspan="7" Jack Mandagi Andrew Suleiman colspan="7" Sam Buadi Aming Sugandhi colspan="7" Adi Sulaiman Rendra Bagus Pamungkas colspan="7" Ki Wilawuk Sujiwo Tejo colspan="6" Sujiwo Tejo Alana Pevita Pearce Pevita Pearcecolspan="5" Pevita PearceIntroduced in Sri Asih Roh Setan Reza Rahadian colspan="5" rowspan="3" Eyang Mariani Christine Hakim colspan="5" Tangguh Jefri Nichol colspan="5" Kala Dimas Anggara colspan="6" Prayogo Adinegara Surya Saputra colspan="6" Sarita Hamzah Jenny Zhang colspan="6" Mateo Adinegara Randy Pangalila colspan="6" Jagau Revaldo colspan="6" Renjana Faradina Mufti colspan="6" Gilang Fadly Faisal colspan="6" Ratna Kumala Unique Priscilla colspan="6" Leon Abdurrahman Arif colspan="6" Nani Wijaya Najwa Shihab colspan="5" The Fire Goddess Dian Sastrowardoyo colspan="5" Dian SastrowardoyoIntroduced in Virgo and the Sparklings Riani colspan="2" Adhisty Zara colspan="4" Adhisty Zara Leo colspan="2" Bryan Domani colspan="5" Carmine colspan="2" Mawar Eva de Jongh colspan="5" Monica colspan="2" Ashira Zamita colspan="5" Ussy colspan="2" Satine Zaneta colspan="5" Sasmi colspan="2" Rebecca Klopper colspan="5" Ranti colspan="2" Indahkus colspan="5" Hannah colspan="2" Mentari Novel colspan="5" Cempaka colspan="2" Vanesha Prescilla colspan="4" Vanesha PrescillaIntroduced in Godam & Tira Suci colspan="3" Chelsea Islan colspan="3" Chelsea IslanIntroduced in The Blind of the Phantom Cave Barda Mandrawata colspan="4" Iko Uwais colspan="2" Iko Uwais Mandala colspan="4" Joe Taslim Joe Taslim Joe TaslimIntroduced in Patriot Mardhanus colspan="7" Nicholas Saputra
Powers and abilities CharacterCreatorPowers and abilitiesSancakaGundalaHarya SuraminataGenerate lightning bolts, lightning punch, and superhuman speed.Sedhah Esti WulanMerpatiFlight, superhuman navigation sense, and superhuman strength equal to 20 male adults.Nani WijayaSri AsihR. A. KosasihSuperhuman strength equal to 250 male adults, flight, martial arts, body enlargement, and body multiplication.CempakaMartial artsAwangGodamWid N. S.Superhuman strength, supersonic flight, and supersonic speed.MardhanusAquanusSwim faster than any aquatic life forms and possess a belt that could blast powerful rainbow rays.MotilaCamarCommunications with birds, martial arts, and superhuman leap.Barda MandrawataSi Buta dari Gua HantuGanes T. H.Sword and stick fighting, martial arts, and superhuman senses.MandalaMansyur DamanMartial arts, sword fighting, and an ability to crush rocks without physical contact (named the 'rock tidal wave' technique).Purnama Wulan Dewi SartikawatiEagle-Eyed AngelMartial arts using a chain whip with sharp blade at its end as weapon.SusieTiraNono G. M.Martial arts, high-tech combat gadgets, and ability to summon mystical spirits.Rini/RianiVirgoJan MintaragaAnnisa NisfihaniEllie GohGenerate scorching fire flames from her hands, and ability to see or feel certain colors when listening to music (named the 'Synesthesia').
Main villains The film producers have not confirmed the villain character that will be the main enemy in the film series. However, a scene in Gundala depicting Ghazul (Ario Bayu) summoning the ancient figure Ki Wilawuk (Sujiwo Tejo) led to speculations that the character will serve as the mega-villain for the superhero team-up in later film. But later in the second film of the cinematic universe, Sri Asih, it was revealed that Ki Wilawuk was only one of the five commanders of the suspected ultimate villain namely The Fire Goddess (Dewi Api) who has been sealed for centuries in an unknown volcano by her nemesis, Dewi Asih. These five commanders need to be resurrected in order to free her from the captive and spread terror to the entire world. FilmMain villainPortrayed byGundalaPengkorBront PalaraeSri AsihRoh SetanReza RahadianVirgo and the SparklingsCarmineMawar De JonghGodam & Tiracolspan="2" The Blind of the Phantom Cave: Angel's Eyescolspan="2" Mandala: The Devil's Swordcolspan="2" Gundala the Son of Lightningcolspan="2" Patriotcolspan="2"
See also Satria Dewa Universe, another Indonesian superhero film franchise Superhero film, a film genre
References