Jackie Chan announces Armour of God IV: Ultimatum, begins filming in July after 13-year gap

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• The Return of the Asian Hawk After Nearly a Decade and a Half
• Kazakhstan Takes Center Stage as New Filming Destination
• The Franchise Timeline: Four Decades of Asian Hawk Adventures
• A Legacy That Spans Action Cinema History
• What Makes This the Ultimate Return for an Action Legend?
  • Sources

Jackie Chan is finally returning to his beloved Armour of God franchise after a 13-year gap. The legendary action star just announced Armour of God IV: Ultimatum, with filming set to begin this July 2026. This marks Chan’s long-awaited comeback to the globetrotting adventure saga that made him an international icon.

The Return of the Asian Hawk After Nearly a Decade and a Half

The Armour of God franchise continues its legendary saga in 2026. Jackie Chan will reprise his iconic role as the Asian Hawk, a globe-trotting adventurer drawn into a perilous new mission. The hero faces a global hunt erupting over an ancient artifact known as the Tumar, with a reward exceeding $20 million. This high-stakes premise promises explosive action sequences and daring stunts that define the franchise. Chan’s return comes after staying away from the franchise for 13 years following Chinese Zodiac in 2012.

Directed by Robert Kun, an accomplished action director with credits spanning 40+ films including Day Watch and Wanted, the production signals a fresh creative vision. The collaboration brings together Salem Entertainment, a Kazakh production company specializing in regional and international projects. Producer Igor Tsay emphasized the historical significance, calling this moment “absolutely historic for Central Asian filmmaking.”

Kazakhstan Takes Center Stage as New Filming Destination

Armour of God IV: Ultimatum represents a groundbreaking choice for action cinema in Central Asia. For the first time, Jackie Chan will film a major production in the region, specifically across Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. The production team selected the Mangystau region of southwestern Kazakhstan as a primary filming hub, chosen for its dramatic desert landscapes and unique visual opportunities. Additional scenes will shoot in Kaskelen town in the Almaty region, leveraging the area’s architectural and natural diversity.

Chan himself expressed excitement about the new territory, stating: “This is my first project with Kazakh partners, but it will not be the last.” He highlighted how Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan open “many new visual and creative ideas” previously unexplored in the franchise. The Alem Fund, an Astana International Financial Centre entity created to elevate Kazakhstan’s film industry, officially backs the production.

The Franchise Timeline: Four Decades of Asian Hawk Adventures

Film Title	Release Year	Director
Armour of God	1986	Jackie Chan
Armour of God II: Operation Condor	1991	Jackie Chan
Chinese Zodiac (Armour of God III)	2012	Jackie Chan
Armour of God IV: Ultimatum	2027 (projected)	Robert Kun

“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. For us, it is both a great honor and a great responsibility toward the development of the region’s creative industry.”

— Igor Tsay, Producer

A Legacy That Spans Action Cinema History

The Armour of God franchise stands as a cornerstone of action filmmaking. The original 1986 film established the Asian Hawk character and launched an adventure saga spanning 40 years. Jackie Chan directed the first three installments, personally helming the action choreography and performing death-defying stunts throughout. The franchise built its reputation on practical effects, elaborate stunt sequences, and globe-trotting narratives. Each film sent Chan’s character hunting artifacts across exotic locations, from Yugoslavia to Spain to Morocco to China. The 2012 sequel, titled Chinese Zodiac (also called CZ12), grossed over $171 million worldwide, proving the franchise’s enduring commercial appeal.

Now, with a fresh director and new regional setting, the franchise enters an exciting new chapter. The Ultimatum subtitle signals higher stakes and greater danger than previous installments. Production schedules indicate July 2026 filming with a Q2 2027 release, positioning the film for a major international rollout next year.

What Makes This the Ultimate Return for an Action Legend?

Jackie Chan’s comeback to the franchise answers a question fans have pondered for years. Will this new adventure match the high-octane spectacle of his previous triumphs? The legendary star, now in his early 70s, continues proving that age is no barrier to performing demanding action sequences. His commitment to practical stunts remains unmatched in Hollywood. The thirteen-year absence from the Asian Hawk character makes this return especially meaningful, particularly given Chan’s recent focus on diverse roles spanning comedy, drama, and international cinema.

Producer involvement from Salem Entertainment and backing from the Alem Fund ensures substantial resources support the production. The strategic choice of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan provides visually stunning backdrops for the adventure narrative. Director Robert Kun’s track record managing complex action sequences across 40+ films suggests the franchise will evolve while respecting its legacy. Will the 2027 release become a box office phenomenon like previous installments, or will the market reception surprise audiences? Either way, Jackie Chan fans worldwide are counting down to July 2026 when production finally rolls.

Sources

• Variety – Exclusive reporting on Jackie Chan’s Kazakhstan film production and 2027 release timeline
• IMDb – Official film database with cast, crew, and production information for Armour of God IV
• Resonate Voices – Feature analysis on Jackie Chan’s 13-year franchise return and cultural impact