Viacom18 Motion Pictures India is partnering with China's Taihe Entertainment Corp. and Shinework Media on Jackie Chan project Kung-Fu Yoga. Described as an action comedy, the film will star Chan and reunite him with director Stanley Tong following their earlier projects Rumble in the Bronx, Police Story and The Myth.
According to a statement from Mumbai-based Viacom18, an Indian joint venture of entertainment conglomerate Viacom, the project is considered the first under a recently signed India-China co-production treaty.
The studio said it has signed a letter of intent for the film "which gives us three months to discuss and finalize the details on the main agreement (including the casting of Indian actors)."
"Considering the government's latest step to invite Chinese investments and collaborate with a civilization as old and rich as our own, the alliance stands to offer a unique opportunity to co-create and develop strong cultural experiences and exchange of talent," said Viacom18 Motion Pictures COO Ajit Andhare.
With a variety of Chinese TV productions to its credit, Taihe's movie projects include Call for Love and Crossed Lines. Last year, Paris-based Wild Bunch and Taihe joined forces to create a Beijing-based sales and distribution company. The venture's focus includes developing Chinese talent and international sales rights and distribution for Chinese films, while combing the Wild Bunch catalog for possible remakes in China.
Beijing-based cultural promoter Shinework Media, which produces various programs for Chinese television, has pacted with Mike Medavoy's Phoenix Pictures for a multi-film co-production deal in 2010.
An equal joint venture between Viacom and leading Indian broadcasting and media group Network18, Viacom18's interests include television (including MTV India and VH1 India), while its film arm has produced major releases such as recent sports biopic Mary Kom.