Hong Kong comic filmmaker Stephen Chow will help Hollywood studio Twentieth Century Fox produce a movie based on the popular Japanese cartoon book series "Dragonball", Shanghai's Oriental Morning Post reported yesterday.

Chinese-American director James Wong, whose credits include "Final Destination" and the TV series "The X Files", will direct the movie. Filming is scheduled to start within the year.

"War of the Worlds" actor Justin Chatwin, who played the son of Tom Cruise's character, will portray the lead character Goku. Chatwin is currently receiving strict physical training under the guidance of a stunt company.

Fox is still casting the other roles.

"I have been a Dragonball fan for a long time," Stephen Chow told a reporter with the Oriental Morning Post, "the airy and unstrained story leaves much room for creation."

Chow also explained why he would not take up the job of the movie's director, "I only direct original movies composed by myself. This is my principle."

Chow is recommending Zhang Yuqi, leading actress in his new sci-fi film "CJ7", play the role of Goku's girlfriend in the film.

"Dragonball," created by Akiry Toriyama, is one of Japan's most successful cartoons of all time. It was first published on a magazine in 1985 and lasted for seven years. A TV series adaptation of the work has been popular in many countries and regions around the world, including China.