Blades of the Guardians has replaced female lead Naer Naxi, who was originally cast as A Yu Ya. As of February 21, the film has surpassed 500 million yuan at the box office . While it may not be performing as strongly as initially hoped and still a ways to go to reach the billion milestone it reportedly needs to breakeven, it has received the best reviews out of the Spring Festival movies. Yue opera actress Chen Lijun who was recast in the role last minute has since emerged as the film’s breakout star, with many viewers praising her performance as the female warrior A Yu Ya. Still, some can’t help but wonder how Naer Naxi might have shined in the role had the controversy not happened especially since she became known for strong roles like in Creation of the Gods.
In 2025, Naer Naxi, a Chinese actress from the Mongolian ethnic tribe, became embroiled in a scandal regarding her college admission. Reports alleged irregularities in how she gained entry, sparking public fury. As a big-budget production, Blades of the Guardians faced a major challenge because the character A Yu Ya appears throughout the entire film. The production abandoned the idea of using AI and instead opted for expensive reshoots. Chen Lijun officially took over the role in August 2025.
Meanwhile, Naer Naxi was never officially labeled a “tainted artist.” The decision to replace her is seen as a precaution amid concerns the controversy could affect the film’s box office performance. As for whether the actress can ever return to showbiz, it depends largely on the fate of her future projects.
