The most expensive "Made in China" movie yet stars Jackie Chan, as expected, but Mel Gibson too?

That's what the rumor mill's saying about Dragon Blade, the big bucks historical drama backed by some of China's leading entertainment companies.

The story of Dragon Blade is basically the great Han Empire meets the great Roman Empire.

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The Dragon Blade storyline sees a Roman military commander, presumably Gibson, who finds himself lost in China. He encounters Jackie, who plays Huo An, the commander of a Han Dynasty military unit protecting China's western border. The story revolves around their adventures.

The epic will be directed by Hong Kong's Daniel Lee. Much of the filming will take place in the Dunhuang and the Gobi Desert. Jackie has been said to have been preparing for this role for seven years.

The choice of Gibson, if true, is bound to be controversial considering the Australian's alleged racist tendencies. He's been quoted as ranting against "wetbacks" and using the "N-word" to describe African Americans.

Media rumors about Gibson being the Roman were sparked by Jackie's veiled description of his co-star.

"All I can say is that he's a foreigner--an A-list Hollywood star, a big name," Jackie said at the Beijing International Film Festival. But he could also be referring to Russell Crowe or Brad Pitt.

Whoever Jackie's real co-star is, there is no doubting Dragon Blade is big. The epic is being bankrolled by some of the biggest boys in China's entertainment sector. These backers include CITIC Asset Management Corporation, Sparkle Roll Cultural Media and Huayi Brothers Media Corporation.

Other sponsors are China Film Foundation, the Shanghai Film Group, Beijing All Media and Culture Group, Cultural Assets Supervision and Administration Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality and the Beijing Cultural Assets Chinese Film and Television Fund.

Dragon Blade will have its global debut on Feb. 15, 2015, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. The movie will be released on 3D IMAX in China.

The movie is inspired by documented evidence of Roman descendants and Roman ruins in Liqian village in northwest Gansu province. The ruins probably date back to the Han Dynasty.