We have some exciting news about Stephen Chow's next directorial effort CJ7. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chow will be using state-of-the-art digital effects "up to international standards that will withstand comparison."

This is the first time a Chinese production has featured an entirely digitally produced creature. The film, which was also written and will star Chow, is a sci-fi comedy about a strange pet from outer space that shakes up the lives of its young owner and his father. Chow said that the film was heavily influenced by Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and called it "the most expensive in my career." Apparently the creature featured in the film is in the shape of a dog.

The film will open in Hong Kong during Chinese New Year on January 31st. The film will then hit the United States on March 7th.

Chow hopes to next work with Will Smith. Smith had previously asked Chow to either direct, produce, or star in a remake of The Karate Kid. Chow, in turn, asked Smith to star in the Lord of the Rings-style adaptation of the Chinese literary classic The Journey to the West with a reported budget of $100 million.

CJ7 was released March 7th, 2008 and stars Stephen Chow, Jiao Xu, Lei Huang, Kitty Zhang Yuqi, Chi Chung Lam, Shing-Cheung Lee, Wen Xue Yao, Min Hun Fung. The film is directed by Stephen Chow.