Hong Kong’s Universe Films Distribution is launching four new titles at Cannes, including an untitled $20m action film from Benny Chan.

Set in China after World War II, the film is scheduled to start shooting before the end of 2011. Cast is still being finalised. One of Hong Kong’s leading action directors, Chan recently directed Universe’s City Under Siege, which the company sold to North American distributor FUNimation Entertainment on the eve of the Cannes market.

Universe is also lining up a new horror title from the Pang Brothers who regularly work with the studio. The as-yet-untitled project – described as a contemporary horror about an exorcist – has a budget of $4.5m and is scheduled to start shooting in the last quarter of this year.

Also new on the company’s slate is Modern Love Story, directed by Patrick Kong, who in recent years has turned out a string of hit romantic dramas and comedies in Hong Kong. Herman Yau, whose credits include True Women For Sale and The Legend Is Born – Ip Man, is also preparing a new project for the company.

Universe has also sealed a North American deal on the Pang Brothers’ 3D horror The Child’s Eye which has been acquired by Grindstone Entertainment. The film premiered at the Venice film festival last year before having a successful run at the South-East Asian box office.

Other Pang Brothers titles on Universe’s slate include Fairy Tale Killer, directed by Danny Pang and starring Lau Ching Wan, and a second 3D production, Sleepwalker, directed by Oxide Pang and starring Lee Sinjie. Both films are in post-production.

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