Actor Andy Lau. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The Bodyguard

, a Chinese film starring Hong Kong-based martial arts hero Sammo Hung and popular actor Andy Lau, is expected to be released on the mainland on April 1.

The film narrates the story of a retired special force officer's return to action in the streets as he looks to rescue a kidnapped young girl from his neighborhood.

"It is an unlikely action thriller," 67-year-old Hung, who is also the film's action director, told reporters in Beijing recently.

The Bodyguard also brings Hung and Lau together in a film since the action epic Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon eight years ago.

Lau, 55, also a producer of the new film, said the emotional element of The Bodyguard would distinguish it from traditional, "cold-blooded" thrillers, featuring criminal gangs.