"Star Wars" franchise veteran Hayden Christensen will play the title role in Paramount Pictures' action fantasy "Marco Polo."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Rob Cohen-directed feature is co-production between the studio and China Film Group, with several other Chinese companies involved as co-producers.

The film is based on the Venetian merchant who in 1271, at age 17, set off with his father and uncle across Asia to China and the court of Kublai Khan. They returned home 24 years later with fabulous wealth and stories about Chinese culture. Imprisoned by Genoa, which was at war with Venice, Polo dictated an account of his adventures to a fellow inmate, who published it under the title "The Travels of Marco Polo."

The website notes that Hayden, whose last studio film was the 2010 crime thriller "Takers," has an international following.