Blades of the Guardians(2026)

Release Date: Feb 17, 2026 | Limited

In a harsh desert during the early Sui Dynasty, a battle-scarred mercenary accepts a high-risk escort mission to transport a notorious fugitive to the imperial capital. What seems like a straightforward assignment quickly becomes a treacherous journey through lawless lands, unearthing conspiracies and testing loyalties as rival forces close in and the fate of the realm hangs in the balance.

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Releases

Original Release | Feb 17, 2026

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Director & Top Cast

Yuen Woo-Ping
Director

Jing Wu
Dao Ma

Nicholas Tse
Di Ting

Jet Li
Chang Guiren

Tony Ka Fai Leung
Mo

Jin Zhang
Double-head Snake

CiSha

He Yi Xuan

Xing Yu

One-eye

Kara Ying Hung Wai

Mrs. Yuchi

Yosh Yu

ShU

Qiunan Lin

Lai

Yi Zhang

Pei Zhiju

Yaowen Liu

Pei Xingyan

Technical Specifications

Sound Mix: 5.1

Other Details

Country of Origin: China

Language: Mandarin

Summaries

Plot Summary

Blades of the Guardians is a 2026 Chinese historical action film directed by acclaimed martial arts choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping, marking his return to high-profile filmmaking. The screenplay is adapted from the popular Chinese manhua Biao Ren by Xu Xianzhe, known for its grounded wuxia storytelling and stark desert landscapes. The story follows Dao Ma (portrayed by Wu Jing), a skilled mercenary and the “second most wanted fugitive,” tasked by a benefactor with escorting the “most wanted fugitive” to Chang’an, the imperial capital. Their mission leads them through perilous terrain where they face hostile forces and uncover deeper plots that threaten the empire itself. Alongside Dao Ma, the ensemble cast includes Jet Li, Nicholas Tse, Yosh Yu, Chen Lijun, Sun Yizhou, CiSha, Li Yunxiao, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Max Zhang, and Kara Wai, among others, bringing together multiple generations of Chinese martial arts talent. Set against the backdrop of political intrigue and unrest, the film blends kinetic combat choreography with character-driven drama. Filmed on location across rugged desert vistas and evocative historical backdrops, Blades of the Guardians merges classic wuxia themes — loyalty, honour, sacrifice, and survival — with large-scale action spectacle. Scheduled for release during the Chinese New Year period, it is poised to appeal to fans of martial arts epics and historical action cinema.

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Fun Facts

Set during China's Sui Dynasty amid brutal desert landscapes, Wu Jing stars as Dao Ma, the "second most wanted fugitive," tasked by the Mo family clan chief to escort the empire's top fugitive to Chang'an—a treacherous road movie sparking clan rivalries and martial arts showdowns.