KUNG Fu star Jackie Chan has announced he will co-star with a Hollywood A-lister in the historical epic “Dragon Blade,” but he remained discreet about the name of his opposite. Chinese media have locked on Mel Gibson to be the one.

    The film will be directed by Daniel Lee, who also directed “Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon.” The film tells a story about Roman soldiers lost in ancient China.

    A lot of action scenes can be expected. Chan said he has been preparing the film for more than seven years. He was inspired by the documented evidence of Roman descendants and Roman ruins in Liqian Village in Northwest China’s Gansu Province during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.). Chan said the film will have a record-breaking budget for China.

    The investment could reach 2 billion yuan (US$320 million). Investors include Beijing Cultural Assets Chinese Film & Television Fund, Huayi Brothers and Shanghai Film Group.

    “Dragon Blade” is scheduled for release in 3D IMAX in China and international markets on the Chinese Lunar New Year’s Day next year.

    (SD-Agencies)