Lionsgate is taking their lucrative Step Up franchise overseas, with a new Chinese sequel Step Up 6. This new movie will bring in an all new Chinese cast, although no cast members have been announced at this time. Production is already set to begin December 9, with filming taking place in both Beijing, China and Los Angeles. This new sequel will add another twist to the franchise as well, incorporating martial arts into the story. Lionsgate has also released the first poster, which you can check out below.

Deadline broke the news about this dance sequel, which "celebrates the underdog, bringing characters from different worlds together through dance." No details were given about how martial arts will fit into the story, but the film will be directed by Ron Yuan, a longtime stuntman, actor and fight choreographer. Here's what Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chairman Patrick Wachsberger and Motion Picture Group Co-President Erik Feig said in a joint statement.

"The Step Up franchise is celebrating its 10th anniversary stronger than ever. We're proud to partner with Infinity and Yue Hua Entertainment on the next exciting chapter of a dance phenomenon that continues to grow in popularity around the world."

Dede Nickerson (Kill Bill, Shaolin Soccer) is producing alongside Du Hua, an influencer who has deep ties to talent in the Chinese film, music and dance communities. Li Wei wrote the screenplay, with Lionsgate planning to release the film at some point next year in Greater China. It remains to be seen if the studio will give this dance sequel a domestic release date. Here's what Dede Nickerson had to say in a brief statement.

"We are excited to be a partner in this celebrated franchise and believe Step Up 6 will wow the Chinese audience."

The franchise kicked off with 2006's Step Up, starring Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, who went onto get married in 2009. The 2008 sequel Step Up 2 The Streets followed, along with 2010's Step Up 3D, 2012's Step Up: Revolution and 2014's Step Up All In, which brought together stars from various sequels such as Ryan Guzman, Briana Evigan, Adam Sevani, Stephen Boss and more. Since it seems this sequel will have an all-Chinese cast, it may be the last we've seen of the characters that have been established thus far, but that hasn't been confirmed.

The Step Up movies were never box office juggernauts, but they usually performed much better overseas than they did in the United States. 2010's Step Up 3D earned an impressive $20 million in Asian territories, with Step Up Revolution grossing $30 million in the same regions. Lionsgate is also teaming with YouTube Red for a drama TV series based on the franchise, and a television series and a live stage event for the Motiongate theme park, opening next year from Dubai Parks & Resorts. Take a look at the first poster for Step Up 6 below. With production starting in just a few weeks, there should be casting news arriving soon, so stay tuned.