Man Of Tai Chi: Keanu Reeves' directorial debut 'a contemporary Kung Fu film' snapped up at Cannes

Keanu Reeves at a 'Man of Tai Chi' film photocall, 66th Cannes Film Festival (Rex Features)

The rights to Keanu Reeves' directorial debut Man Of Tai Chi have been snapped up by Radius-TWC at Cannes 2013, according to Deadline.

The film set in Beijing and follows a young martial artist (Tiger Hu Chen) who uses his incredible Tai Chi abilities in an underground fight club.

Reeves showcased clips from the film to a select crowd earlier this week. Speaking of the transition from actor to director he said: "The first day of was not too much fun."

"As an actor you are concerned with your role, you are concerned with your story," he told AP. "The director's side is much more other, it is looking out. ... The first day I just didn't quite have it. It wasn't pleasurable."

Reeves also stars in the film, which is in both English and Cantonese, and which he describes as "a contemporary Kung Fu film".

The actor/director said he became inspired after working closely with a martial arts specialist called Chen Hu when making The Matrix franchise.

"[Chen Hu] is who the story is based around. He has a traditional past, he was a young person, Tai Chi champion, National Chinese champion," Reeves said.

"On the other hand, he is also a stunt man who has worked in Beijing and Hong Kong and Hollywood. He has gone out into the world."