Jackie Chan is officially returning to one of his most iconic action franchises, with Armour of God IV: Ultimatum marking his comeback to the series 13 years after the last instalment.
The film sees Chan reprise his role as the globe-trotting adventurer Asian Hawk, a character he last played in 2012’s Chinese Zodiac. This fourth chapter continues the franchise’s signature treasure-hunting premise, with Asian Hawk drawn back into action amid a high-stakes global chase for an ancient artifact known as the Tumar, which carries a bounty of more than $20 million.
Directed by Robert Kun and produced by Salem Entertainment, the film is set to begin principal photography in July, with a worldwide release targeted for the second quarter of 2027. In a first for Chan, production will take place across Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, marking his debut shoot in Central Asia.
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The project is backed by Alem Fund, an Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC)-registered initiative aimed at boosting Kazakhstan’s global film presence. Produced by Esmond Ren and Igor Tsay, Armour of God IV: Ultimatum is the first of six titles currently in development under the fund.
Chan highlighted the significance of the collaboration and the new filming location. “This is my first project with Kazakh partners, but it will not be the last. We will be announcing much more soon. I have never filmed there before, and it opens up many new visual and creative ideas that we will be able to bring to audiences.”
First launched in 1986, the Armour of God franchise has been a defining part of Chan’s action legacy, blending stunt-driven spectacle with international adventures. Chan directed and starred in the original trilogy — Armour of God, Armour of God II: Operation Condor (1991), and Chinese Zodiac (2012) — all centered on the exploits of Asian Hawk.
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Director Robert Kun brings experience from more than 40 action films, including Day Watch, Wanted and Major Grom, while Salem Entertainment continues to expand its regional and international production slate across film, series and digital formats.
For producers, the film also represents a milestone for the region’s industry ambitions. “Having worked on productions around the world, I can say that this is an absolutely historic moment for Central Asian filmmaking — to host a legendary franchise starring Jackie Chan,” said Tsay. “For us, it is both a great honor and a great responsibility toward the development of the region’s creative industry.”
