Leon Lai promotes his directorial debut Wine War in Beijing on March 19. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Canton-pop megastar Leon Lai unveiled the backdrop of his directorial debut, Wine War, on Sunday in Beijing.

The 50-year-old singer-actor from Beijing, who's hailed as one of the four "heavenly kings" in Hong Kong, has starred in a number of hit TV series and movies, such as the 2003 Berlin International Film Festival-nominated film, Three.

Lai will show his new talents behind the camera in the forthcoming thriller.

The movie, which will open across the Chinese mainland on May 19, portrays a shoot'em-up quest to possess a precious bottle of red wine produced in 1855.

Lai plays the lead.

The cast also includes supermodel-turned-actress Du Juan, Taiwan actor David Wang and model-actor Nan Fulong from Tianjin.

Wine War cast (from left) includes Nan Fulong, Du Juan, Leon Lai and David Wang. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Lai says China's historical connection with wine culture inspired the plot.

"I've read some papers that say China made red wine as long ago as during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). I then learned some top Chinese winemakers immigrated to Europe centuries ago," Lai says.

A Wine War trailer released at the Sunday event is packed with explosions, chases and stunts.

Lai, who earned Western recognition with the 1997 romantic classic Comrades, Almost a Love Story, says he prefers brotherhood themes to romance.