Andy Garcia, Chinese Star Duan Yihong Join 'Iron Sky: The Ark'

The third feature in the sci-fi franchise has begun shooting at Wanda Studios in China.

Andy Garcia and Chinese star Duan Yihong have joined the cast of Iron Sky: The Ark, marking the most prominent actors to attach their names to the cult comedy sci-fi franchise.

Garcia, an Oscar nominee for his performance in The Godfather: Part III and who recently appeared in Dean Devlin's Geostorm, will play William Russell, an Illuminati mastermind billionaire.

Duan, who just picked up the best actor award at the Tokyo International Film Festival for his starring role in Dong Yue's thriller The Looming Storm, plays the Greenwood scientist Fang Mingtao.

Co-starring in the feature, from Finnish director Timo Vuorensola, are Lin Yi, Vivienne Tien, Rhydian Vaughan (aka Rhydian Yue) and German actor Udo Kier.

The third edition in the Iron Sky franchise has been shooting at Wanda Studios in Qingdao, China, since October. The film has been set up as a China-Finland co-production and relocates the action to China, linking the Iron Sky's sci-fi universe with the ancient Chinese fairytale of Chang’e. China Film Co., Jiabo Culture Investment Co. and Jetsen Cultural Media Group are producing.

Iron Sky: The Ark is set to shoot through early 2018 and is eyeing an early 2019 release in China.

Vuorensola's Iron Sky was released in 2012. The sequel, Iron Sky: The Coming Race, is set to bow early next year.