Another Hollywood actor makes a play for China. This one has a really dumb title. I hope it'll have swordfights.

Orlando Bloom Joins Action Thriller ‘Smart Chase: Fire & Earth,’ Partners With Bliss Media On New Production Vehicle (EXCLUSIVE)
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent @elsakeslassy


Orlando Bloom MATTEO PRANDONI/BFA/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
JUNE 16, 2016 | 07:26PM PT

Orlando Bloom has joined the cast of “Smart Chase: Fire & Earth,” a Shanghai-set action-packed thriller that will be directed by French helmer Julien Seri (“Night Fare”).

“Smart Chase” is the first project produced by BlissBloom Productions, a joint production vehicle co-created by Chinese powerhouse Bliss Media and Bloom (under his Viddywell Productions banner).

Bloom is also co-producing via BlissBloom Productions will be headed by Bloom and Bliss Media CEO Wei Han.

Bliss Media will finance, produce and oversee the Chinese distribution for the action-adventure, with Jérôme Salle (Zulu, The Tourist) co-producing.

CAA packaged and arranged financing, and represents the film’s domestic rights.

Pic will start shooting in August.

Written by Kevin Bernhardt (“Elephant White”), “Smart Chase” centers on a washed-up private security agent who gets ambushed as he attempts to escort a pricey Chinese antique out of Shanghai.

Bloom will star alongside Jing Tian (“Great Wall”), Leo Wu (“The Wonder”), Cao Kefan (“The Flowers of War”) and up-and-comer Liu Enyou.

A sales agent has not yet been announced, although it will likely be Insiders, which counts Bliss Media as one of its shareholders.

Bliss Media’s slate also includes Michael Mann’s “Enzo Ferrari,” sold by Insiders. Based in Shanghai, Bliss Media recently bowed Yoozoo Bliss Film Fund, a $100 million equity fund aimed at bankrolling 10 international productions and Chinese co-productions over the next five years.

A genre specialist, Seri previously directed the thriller “Night Fare,” which was a sleeper hit in France, where Universal distributed, and sold worldwide.

Bloom and Seri presented the project today during the Bliss Media presser at the Shanghai International Film Festival.

Seri is repped by Sophie Lemaitre, and Bloom by CAA and Lighthouse Management & Media. CAA also represents Bliss and BlissBloom Productions.