‘Armour of God: Ultimatum’: Jackie Chan starts shooting in Kazakhstan
Jackie Chan Begins Filming 'Armour of God: Ultimatum' in Kazakhstan
Usagevpn.com – Legendary Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, and stunt performer Jackie Chan has officially arrived in Kazakhstan to commence production on the highly anticipated fourth installment of the Armour of God franchise. The veteran star will reprise his iconic role as Asian Hawk, the intrepid treasure hunter who embarks on a thrilling quest to locate the legendary Tumar—an ancient artifact valued at over €20 million. On Saturday, the production crew celebrated the beginning of filming with a traditional ceremonial dish-breaking ceremony, marking the official start of this ambitious international project.
"Many years of preparation, finally, we start the movie. We have a long way to go. Only the first shot, we have a thousand shots," Jackie Chan shared with enthusiasm, reflecting on the extensive journey that led to this moment. His words capture both the excitement and the magnitude of the undertaking that lies ahead for the entire production team.
Expansive Filming Locations Across Central Asia
The production schedule for Armour of God: Ultimatum spans from July through October 2026, with principal photography taking place across multiple stunning locations. Filming will occur in Almaty city, the Almaty and Mangystau regions, and Baku, with select scenes also captured in Hong Kong. The breathtaking Bozzhyra Grand Canyon in the Mangystau region will serve as the primary filming location, providing dramatic backdrops for the action sequences. This film represents a significant Kazakhstan-China collaboration, jointly produced by the Kazakh company Sәlem Entertainment and Hong Kong's Billion Target.
Igor Tsay, Executive Producer at Salem Entertainment, revealed to Euronews that Central Asia represents an entirely new filming territory for Jackie Chan, which was a key factor in his decision to choose this region for the next chapter of the franchise. "Kazakhstan has great potential for filming large-scale, A+ class movies with world-famous stars, and Jackie Chan was the first to pay attention to our region," Tsay explained. He further noted that Chan was particularly drawn to the country's unique natural landscapes, diverse locations, and the special atmosphere that permeates the region.
"All we had to do was seamlessly weave Kazakhstani locations into the script so that they became not just a beautiful backdrop, but an important part of the film's on-screen world," the producer added, emphasizing the creative integration of setting and story.
Tsay also highlighted the productive collaboration between Chinese and Kazakh teams, noting that each side is eager to share experiences and learn from one another. "As a veteran of the film industry, Jackie exemplifies the key qualities of professionalism, discipline, determination and passion, both on screen and on set," he said, underscoring the star's enduring influence on the production.
New Direction and Stunt Innovation for the Franchise
In a notable departure from previous entries, Armour of God: Ultimatum marks the first time in the franchise's history that the film will be directed by someone other than Chan himself. Kazakh director Robert Kun, whose career began with stunt performances, brings extensive experience from working on major projects for Disney, Paramount, Universal, and 20th Century Fox. "Robert is the perfect bridge between ideas and their implementation. He has the most extensive directing experience in our region working on action projects of this scale, which is probably why he was chosen," Tsay explained.
Despite handing over the directorial reins, Chan remains deeply involved in the creative process. He oversees all creative decisions and continues to serve as the primary bearer of the franchise's spirit and values. Every decision in the production process undergoes a rigorous approval process, ensuring that the final product remains true to the Armour of God legacy that audiences have come to love.
The film's action sequences will feature a dynamic collaboration between JC Stunt Team and the Kazakhstani action studio Kun-Do. Robert Kun previously mentioned that Chan conceived the idea of combining several distinct styles in staging the larger-scale fight scenes. "Jackie always wants to do something he's never done before in his life, and, as you understand, over more than half a century of his career, he's performed so many stunts that there's not much room for imagination, but our team is capable of surprising not only the franchise's main star, but also future audience," said Igor Tsay.
With production underway and all elements falling into place, Armour of God: Ultimatum is scheduled to premiere in February 2027, promising to deliver an action-packed adventure that honors the franchise's rich history while embracing new creative possibilities.