Former mixed martial arts star Dave Bautista (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) and Sienna Guillory head the cast of “Warrior’s Gate,” an epic saga represented by Luc Besson’s EuropaCorp and financed by China’s Fundamental Films.

The picture, which is now shooting, is directed by Matthias Hoene. Written by Besson and Robert Kamen (“Taken”), the story follows a teenager who is magically transported to China and learns to convert his videogame skills into those of a Kung Fu warrior.

Production in China began May 4 and will later move to Canada. Previously confirmed cast includes Uriah Shelton (“The Glades”), Taiwan’s Mark Chao (“Monga”) and Chinese actress Ni Ni (“The Flowers of War”).

“Warrior’s Gate” is structured as a Chinese-French co-venture with Fundamental Films’ Mark Gao and EuropaCorp’s Luc Besson as producers, with Fundamental financing, and Fundamental’s Gregory Ouanhon and J.C. Cheng executive producing.

“Dave Bautista is the perfect blockbuster villain – his star quality and international standing will entertain cinemagoers worldwide. Though his opponents in the film will perhaps be less pleased,” said Fundamental chairman Gao. Bautista, who next appears in James Bond picture “Spectre,” is represented by the Gersh Agency and DMBV. Guillory is represented by Independent Talent Group.

Fundamental Films has previously launched EuropaCorp titles such as “Brick Mansions,” “Lucy” and “Taken 3” with success in China. “Warrior’s Gate” is set to be the first of several co-production ventures between the two companies.

The company, which has offices in Beijing and Los Angeles, and was founded by Gao in 2008, is involved in co-production, financing and distribution. It has strategic production and development deals with EuropaCorp, Basil Iwanyk’s Thunder Road, Keanu Reeves’ Company Films and Mark Johnson’s Gran Via.