The previously untitled Jackie Chan and Jet Li actioner now has a title and a studio as the two will pair for the first time in The Forbidden Kingdom with Lionsgate set to distribute.
The film is based on the legend of the monkey king and his quest to achieve immortality. Li is set to play two roles, that of the monkey king and the silent monk. Chan will play the monk T’sa-Ho. The story revolves around an American teenager who discovers the king’s legendary stick weapon in a pawn shop. The teen is transported back in time to ancient China, where he joins a crew of warriors fighting to free the imprisoned king.
Rob Minkoff is directing the feature with shooting scheduled to begin in China on May 2 from a script by John Fusco. Action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping, who has worked on films including The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, is creating the fight sequences.
Lionsgate is planning a September 2008 domestic release.
