Jackie Chan picks Gao Yuanyuan for new film

Backed by Jackie Chan's JCE Movies, "Project BB" secretly started shooting in Hong Kong. Mainland leading actress Gao Yuanyuan began work on the film a week ago, The Beijing News reported.

"Project BB" reportedly continues Chan's kung fu comedies, with three robbers who kidnap a baby. Familiar faces from Chan's "Project A," including Yuen Biao and Sammo Hung, are on board with the baby.

"Project BB" is directed by Benny Chen with screenplay by Yuen Kam-lun. Chan's previous project, "New Police Story," was a big box-office success on the mainland.

Gao met Chan at this year's Cannes Film Festival, where her movie "Shanghai Dreams" was in competition. Chan has characterized Gao as a fresh, chaste spirit no Hong Kong actress could approach, according to a source close to the situation.

Chan, Gao and her agent connected in Hong Kong in October at the celebration of the centennial of the Chinese film industry. And now she's on the set with "Project BB."