I’m excited about the upcoming pairing of Jackie Chan and Sylvester Stallone as co-stars in a new film, Ex-Baghdad. In a world that seems to be bonkers on a regular basis, we need more heroes. Chan and Stallone exemplify men of courage and they still do it with class and humor.

Jackie Chan turned 63 on April 7.  The multi-talented martial artist, actor, producer, film director, stuntman and singer was born in Hong Kong.  Chan is an international star who achieved a lifetime achievement Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2016.

Chan had roles in movies like Who am I, Drunken Master II and Rumble in the Bronx, etc. His first major breakthrough was in the 1978 film, Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow.  The martial arts star with the irreverent wit and non-ending creativity has made at least 99 films.

Sylvester Stallone has been around in films for over 30 years. The actor, screenwriter and director turns 71 this July 6. Everyone associates Rocky with Sly Stallone. The 1976 film Rocky became one of the most successful movies in history—garnering ten Academy Award nominations and winning the Best Picture Award of 1976. Boxer Rocky Balboa resurfaced in the 1979 sequel Rocky II. The most recent stat I read said Stallone has made at least 59 films.

The athleticism of Stallone parallels Chan’s prowess as a martial artist. Both actors/athletes are spectacular with their super-human feats coupled with extraordinary charisma on screen. Both are street-wise, edgy and brim over with deadpan humor.

Ex-Baghdad, is an action thriller that Scott Waugh is scheduled to direct. Waugh is best known for directing the 2012 war film Act of Valor. The budget for Ex-Baghdad is set for $80 million, which will make it one of the biggest budget films to be produced out of China. Chan will serve as a producer through his company SR Media, which will play a large part in financing the movie.

The plot looks good. In short, a Chinese-run oil refinery is attacked in Mosul, Iraq. A Chinese private security contractor, played by Chan, is hired to get the oil workers out safely. However, when Chan learns the real goal of the refinery attackers is to steal a fortune in oil, he gets an American former marine on board, played by Stallone, to stop them. The script was written by Arash Amel, who penned the acclaimed Princess Grace of Monaco in 2011. A release date has not been set.

This is going to be an engaging film with lots of action and star power--- brilliant idea to team up Chan with Stallone and I can’t wait to see it!