Taiwan actor Mark Chao reprises his role of the titular detective in the new movie. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A king of martial arts and fantasy movies, Hong Kong director Tsui Hark released the first trailer of his latest Detective Dee movie in Beijing on Sept 21.

In the clip, a giant flower-like monster is seen swinging its red tentacles, signifying the new movie will continue on the visual style of Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010) and Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon (2013). The third in the series, Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings will open at Chinese mainland cinemas in July 2018.

Taiwan actor Mark Chao reprises his role of Di Renjie, the titular detective serving the 7th- century Chinese empresses Wu Zetian. Mainland actors Feng Shaofeng and Lin Gengxin return to play their characters, too. But the female protagonist will star mainland actress Ma Sichun, who wasn't cast in the previous two movies.

The movie is jointly produced by the Beijing-based studio Huayi Brothers and Taiwan filmmaker's Chen Kuo-fu's movie firm CKF Pictures.

Wang Zhonglei, vice-chairman and CEO of Huayi Brothers, said the investors decided to develop the detective story into a full-fledged franchise in 2009.

It is among the most successful movie franchises in China.

Stars of Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings [Photo provided to China Daily]