Jacky Chan is the spy next door

MANILA, Philippines - Jacky Chan stars in a new action-comedy The Spy Next Door bound to give people countless laughs. This is his return to Hollywood after the groundbreaking Forbidden Kingdom he starred in with Jet Li. Jacky plays an inactive spy who suddenly finds himself reluctantly in for another mission challenging his espionage skills and high hopes of becoming stepdad to his girlfriend’s kids.

Lions Gate Films cast him as spy next door Bob Ho, who settles down with his girlfriend Gillian (Amber Valletta). He spies no more and focuses on winning the hearts of his girlfriend’s three children from a previous relationship — a requirement the latter set before she marries him.

When Gillian got scheduled to leave town, Bob babysits her smart kids. One of these little mischiefs mistakenly downloads a top-secret formula off his computer files. Bob’s arch-enemy, a Russian terrorist, discovered this and readies for attack.

To be released locally by Viva International Pictures, The Spy Next Door is directed by Brian Levant and also stars George Lopes, Lucas Till and Bill Ray Cyrus.

The movie opens nationwide on Jan. 15.