US-Egyptian actor Sayed Badreya is set to appear alongside Jackie Chan in a new spy adventure movie, which was part filmed in Dubai.
Vanguard was originally slated to be released during the Chinese Lunar New Year in January. However, the film's release was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will now hit cinemas worldwide on Wednesday, September 30.
The film – directed by Hong Kong action-filmmaker Stanley Tong – tells the story of an international security company hired to protect a Chinese businessman and his daughter from a shadowy terrorist group. It also stars Chinese actors Yang Yang, Ai Lun, Zhu Zhengting, Jackson Lou and Mia.
Vanguard marks the first time that Badreya and Chan appear in a film together. In an interview with Egypt Today, Badreya said he plays the role of an Arab helping Chan combat terrorism through the Vanguard security group. He also revealed that parts of the film were shot in Dubai.
"We have already shot some scenes in a number of countries such as Dubai, London, and China. We are currently shooting in India," he said.
The movie was shot in various location around the emirate including Dubai Studio City, Downtown Dubai, City Walk and its surroundings. Chan was spotted in Dubai last year while in town to shoot the film. During a break from filming, the 66-year-old talked about how he much he enjoyed coming back to the emirate to film another movie.
"I am happy to be back in Dubai three years after the shooting of Kung Fu Yoga. Dubai is a good place to film. This is why I have come back," he said. "I will come back again and again in the future."
Badreya has appeared in a number of Hollywood blockbusters including Iron Man (2008) opposite Robert Downey Jr, and You Don't Mess With The Zohan (2008) alongside Adam Sandler. He has also had minor roles in Three Kings (1999) and Independence Day (1996).
Last year, Badreya released a short film Al-Masry Life (The Egyptian Life), which he co-wrote and directed with Mico Saad, an Egyptian actor living in the US. Al-Masry Life went on to be featured in a number of international film festivals, and won the Best Short Film award at the Action on Film International Film Festival and the Festival Award at the Chelsea Film Festival.