From left: Kris Wu, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Tang Yan and Du Juan promote the latest installment of the hit film franchise Raiders in Beijing on Monday. [Photo provided to China Daily]

As Hong Kong's answer to the enduring James Bond franchise, the third Raiders movie sees Tony Leung Chiu-wai team up with Kris Wu for a new mission, Xu Fan reports.

For many fans of Hong Kong cinema, Tony Leung Chiu-wai was born to be an actor whose "eyes can speak".

But the top performer, who has earned five best actor prizes at the Hong Kong Film Awards and taken three top honors at the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, is recognized for more than just action.

That makes the upcoming action-packed comedy Europe Raiders something of a surprise.

In the new film-the third installment of the 18-year-old hit Raiders franchise-Leung reprises the lead role of Lam, a secret agent who has free reign to engage in any type of law enforcement he chooses.

Co-starring in the film with singer-actor Kris Wu, actress Tang Yan and model-turned-actress Du Juan, the latest flick directed by Hong Kong veteran Jingle Ma Chor-sing is set to open across mainland theaters on Friday.

"My character will take on the rival CIA in Italy," said Leung, with a smile at a promotional event in Beijing on Monday.