The RZA’s kung fu flick The Man with the Iron Fists is rolling with help from Eli Roth

That’s The RZA with Eli Roth on the set of THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS, the rapper-actor-writer-director’s old-school kung fu flick now underway in China. The pic was snapped by actor Daniel Wu, a Hong Kong superstar who filmed a cameo for the movie.

Wu is part of a cast that also includes Lucy Liu, MMA fighter Cung Le (PANDORUM), WWE star Dave Batista, Rick Yune (NINJA ASSASSIN), Byron Mann (STREET FIGHTER), and as was rumored months ago, RZA’s AMERICAN GANGSTER co-star Russell Crowe.

Wu-Tang Clan fan Wu was effusive about working the RZA, as he posted on his blog: “I’m actually writing from Hengdian, China where I’ve spent a couple days on set playing a nice little cameo in this project. When I heard about this project, I knew that this was the realization of a lifelong dream for RZA so I wanted to be a part of it no matter what. It makes me happy to know that I can help out someone who has so very much influenced my life.“

The $20 million-budgeted Shaw Brothers-influenced production features RZA as a feudal China weapons forger who helps a village defend against invaders. RZA co-wrote the script with Eli Roth, who’s also producing… although it sounds like the HOSTEL helmer is helping out in hands-on fashion.

As actor/stuntman Darren E. Scott recently wrote on his own blog: “Being that RZA is acting directing and producing I unfortunately didn’t get to work with him, however I had the pleasure of being directed by Eli Roth. Eli was great to work with and keeps his direction simple & straight to the point. He complimented my performance and I was flattered beyond belief.”

Additionally, Hong Kong veteran Corey Yuen (THE TRANSPORTER, KISS OF THE DRAGON) is directing the action scenes, so this thing is shaping up to be an intriguing collaboration.