EXCLUSIVE: Jackie Chan will star in the action thriller project that already has buyers buzzing in the run-up to Cannes.

Basil Iwanyk of Thunder Road, who has his fingerprints all over the Cannes market with Sicario, will produce the story of a salesman who finds himself at the centre of a terror attack at an arms convention. WME represents US rights.

According to buyers it is understood Civilian will also star a female sidekick to be announced in the coming weeks.

Peter Segal, whose credits include Grudge Match and 50 First Dates, will direct.

PalmStar Media Capital CEO Kevin Frakes and business associate Raj Singh of private investment firm EBF & Associates are financing Civilian.

The project is scheduled to start production in Johannesburg, South Africa, in early 2015.

IM Global did not return calls to confirm the title on its sales slate.

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