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Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Singer and actor Jay Chou is set to star alongside Vin Diesel in the new action film xXx 4, as part of the xXx franchise. The Taiwanese pop star, known as the "King of Mandopop" (Mandarin popular music) across Asia, made his first appearance in a feature film as Seth Rogen's side-kick in Green Hornet and more recently as Li in Now You See Me 2.
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Diesel will return in the film as Xander Cage and Deepika Padukone is attached to the project and will reprise her role as Serena Unger from xXx: Return of Xander Cage. Director D.J. Caruso, who helmed xXx: Return of Xander Cage, will be directing this installment in the series as well.
Chinese actress Zoe Zhang, who has worked closely with Jackie Chan throughout her career, will also appear in the film.
Chou isn't the only pop star that has been recruited for the film. Chinese singer Roy Wang of TFboys is listed in the cast as well.
The film will be produced in part by Diesel's production company One Race Films in collaboration with The H Collective, alongside Jackie Chan's Sparkle Roll Media, iQiyi Pictures, Dadi Huarui, Star League Media, and Fulcrum Management Co.
One Race Films acquired the rights to the xXx films from Revolution Studios earlier this year and H Collective CEO Nic Crawley is "excited" to start working on the project.
Crowley said of the cast, "We are looking to build a well-rounded international cast and introduce bold new characters that are sure to have longevity in the continued franchise."
Chou will also sing on the soundtrack of the film, as he did in other films he acted in like The Green Hornet and Now You See Me 2, as well as Kung Fu Panda, among others.
