After a six-year break, the action star is back in a major new martial arts film called Blades of the Guardians. The first trailer has just been released, and it’s impressive. Though he stepped away from acting with a brief appearance in the live-action Mulan, this legendary actor—known for classics like Once Upon a Time in China, Fist of Legend, Kiss of the Dragon, Fearless, Hero, and The Expendables—is making a powerful return to showcase his incredible skills.
As a huge martial arts fan, I was thrilled to see Jet Li return in Blades of the Guardians (also known as Biao Ren), and it’s packed with so many action stars! What really got me excited was that it’s directed by the legendary Yuen Woo-ping – the guy behind the incredible fight choreography in films like Jackie Chan’s Drunken Master, Donnie Yen’s Iron Monkey, and even The Matrix and Kill Bill. And the cast? Absolutely incredible. You’ve got Wu Jing (Wolf Warrior, Meg 2: The Trench), Nicolas Tse (New Police Story, Raging Fire), Yu Rongguang (Iron Monkey, The Karate Kid), Tony Leung Ka-fai (The Shadow’s Edge), and Kara Hui (Sakra) all delivering the action alongside Jet Li. It’s a wuxia dream team!
Inspired by a 2015 comic and a 2023 anime series, Blades of the Guardians is set in 607 AD. The story follows talented warriors-for-hire who often protect people targeted by the government. Get ready for exciting action! While we learn more about the release date for Blades of the Guardians (currently scheduled for February 17, 2026, in China during the New Year celebration), you can watch the impressive trailer and read a summary of the plot below.
Dao Ma, a highly sought-after fugitive himself, receives a crucial task from the head of the Mo family: escorting the most wanted fugitive all the way to Chang’an.
‘Blades of the Guardians’ Is Expected to Be a Major Box Office Hit
The first look at Blades of the Guardians showcases stunning, acrobatic martial arts action, with characters leaping, fighting with swords, and exchanging powerful blows. The film promises to be one of the most impressive martial arts epics in recent years. Alongside Jet Li, the film stars Wu Jing – an incredibly talented action star who gained more recognition in the West with Meg 2: The Trench (2023) – and gives him a leading role in what’s expected to be a major blockbuster.
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There’s already a lot of buzz about how successful Blades of the Guardians might be. Industry experts believe the film, packed with action stars, could earn over 10 billion yuan, putting it in the same league as the recent hit Ne Zha 2. It remains to be seen if those predictions are correct, but fans are sure to be excited to see Jet Li back on the big screen after several years of retirement due to injuries from his action films.
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2026-01-27 15:32