says that director Rob Minkoff has been locked to helm the first on-screen pairing of Jackie Chan and Jet Li (per an article in the Chinese newspaper Southern Metropolis Daily).

If Minkoff sounds familiar to you, you're probably remembering him as the director of HAUNTED MANSION, TUMMY TROUBLE and ROLLER COASTER RABBIT (both are Roger Rabbit shorts), the two STUART LITTLE theatrical films, and co-director of THE LION KING.

At first the selection of Minkoff sounds odd, but Li & Chan's new film is rumored to be geared towards younger people. This, and Minkoff's experience with practical/visual effects that would presumably be used in the film, might make him seem a more logical choice (although strange and unexpected choice, to be sure).

CLICK HERE TO READ A RUMORED-BUT-PROBABLE PLOTLINE FOR THE FILM!!!

A while back, it was reported that Stephen Chow, director/writer/star of SHAOLIN SOCCER and director/writer/producer/star of KUNG FU HUSTLE, would delay his KFH sequel in order to tackle a science fiction film.

At a press conference yesterday, a few more details about this project were gleaned: its title is LONG RIVER 7 -- which refers to a satellite. Also, Chow apparently implied the move's plotline had something to do with an alien and a dinosaur. The film, which Chow says will be his most effects intensive work to date, will go into production later this month.

Chow...aliens...and dinosaurs? Chow...aliens...and dinosaurs!!! Good God! it sounds too cool to even bear. Funny things are happening in my pants right now, and boy do I like it!

READ MORE ABOUT IT HERE!!!