A sequel to the hit Malaysian fantasy-comedy film Duyung (Mermaid) will hit theatres in 2025 – 17 years after the original movie's release. In a press conference held on Tuesday (Sep 3), the film's director Abdul Razak Mohaideen and production company KRU Studios revealed the full cast of the movie – titled Duyung Lagenda Aurora (Mermaid: The Legend Of Aurora) – which includes original stars Saiful Apek, Maya Karin, Yasmin Hani and Yassin Yahya.

Joining them is rising starlet Anna Jobling who will play the daughter of Maya Karin's character.

The original Duyung film was released in 2008 and centred around a village outcast named Jimmy (Saiful Apek) who befriends a mermaid named Puteri (Maya Karin), and the hijinks that ensue from their friendship. It grossed over RM4.6 million (US$1.06 million) in Malaysia and won a special prize at the 2008 Malaysia Film Festival.

According to director Abdul Razak Mohaideen, Duyung Lagenda Aurora will be filmed at 22 locations including Langkawi, Putrajaya and Lembah Klang. Filming is set to take place from Sep 13 to Oct 13, and the movie will be released in the third quarter of 2025.

Speaking to reporters at the press release, Saiful Apek revealed that Maya Karin almost drowned while filming the original Duyung movie.

"Maya was supposed to rise from the sea but she didn't appear... At that time, she was wearing a wig with lots of pins and clips. One of the clips was caught in a net."

Saiful noticed that Maya was panicking and gulping water. As such, he swam towards her and pushed her body to the surface.

"When she was brought up, Maya was screaming... The shoot was cancelled immediately and that scene was cut from the film," he added.

Hit Malaysian film Duyung getting sequel after 16 years, with original stars reprising roles