Keanu Reeves (L) and Chen Hu are seen in a scene in Reeves' director debut Man of Tai Chi. Photo provided to China Daily

Keanu Reeves' involvement with Chinese martial arts goes beyond the sci-fi trilogy that added punch to his career and is the force behind his directorial kickoff. Liu Wei reports in Beijing.

In the blockbuster The Matrix, Keanu Reeves declared: "I know kung fu".

He made the declaration after the martial art was virtually uploaded into his mind in the sci-fi hit.

But his directorial debut Man of Tai Chi suggests he actually has had ancient Chinese fighting styles on the brain for the six years since work started on the film.

The movie will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September.

It's a personal undertaking for the 48-year-old, who reunites with Matrix choreographer Yuen Woo-ping and Chen Hu, his kung fu trainer during the trilogy's creation.

The film's regular and IMAX versions are packed with Chinese tai chi and mixed martial arts.

Reeves plays the boss of an underground fighting club, who lures a young tai chi practitioner, played by Chen Hu, to fight and kill for money. 

Director Keanu Reeves promotes 'Man of Tai Chi'	Keanu Reeves promotes director debut in Hangzhou	Keanu Reeves makes director debut with modern kungfu film