Universal Pictureshas acquired all rights to New PoliceStory, starring and produced by Jackie Chan, for Japan and Korea.

Co-produced byChan's JCE Movies and the China Film Group, the US$15m action blockbuster isdirected by Benny Chan and also stars Nicholas Tse, Daniel Wu, Charlie Youngand Charlene Choi.

The deal wasnegotiated by Keizo Kabata of Universal Pictures Japan and Albert Lee of HongKong production and sales outfit Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP), which ishandling Asian rights on behalf of JCE.

Lee added that a USdeal is close to being secured through Sydney-based sales outfit Arclight Filmswhich should be inked at the forthcoming AFM. "Other than that, we're nearlysold out on New Police Story," Leesaid.

Universal plans torelease the film theatrically in Korea in December through Fillin Corporationand in Japan through Toho-Towa in March 2005.

It openedsimultaneously in seven Asian territories, including Hong Kong and China, onSeptember 24 and has grossed more than US$12m to date, setting recordsthroughout the region.