Tao becomes one of main character in the new Jacky Chan movie “Railroad Tigers” and prepares for three movie projects in 2017. He decided to continue his career after the lawsuit with former agency SM Entertainment ended.

Singer and actor whose real name is Huang Zitao uses his real name in the credit title of the movie. “Railroad Tigers” is an action comedy directed by Ding Sheng. The movie was premiered in China on Dec. 23 and its international release is scheduled starting Dec. 30.

Tao is playing as one of the main character, a freedom fighter in the 1940’s China under Japanese colonial rule. Many consider him as the young Jacky Chan, but according to YTN, he refused to be named the successor of Jacky Chan.

The 23-year old has left behind his one year long legal battle with his agency SM Entertainment. Prior to start his solo career, Tao was the member of Korean boy group EXO since 2011. He was the third member who departed from EXO after Kris and Luhan filed the lawsuit to terminate their contract with SM Entertainment in 2014.

He filed a lawsuit on Aug. 24 2015 to the central court in Seoul to end his contract with EXO. Previously, his father posted a message in China’s social media Weibo in April wishing him to quit from SM Entertainment after mistreatment fromt the agency. His father pointed the reason that SM Entertainment didn’t support their artist properly, especially after Tao suffered ankle injury in February 2015.

Legal battle between Tao and SM Entertainment ended earlier this December. The court was reported to grant his petition to nullify his contract with SM Entertainment. EXO is now a 9-member boy group. They just attended the year-end music broadcast 2016 SBS Gayo Dajejeon along with other musicians as reported by MBN News.

Meawnwhile, after his legal battle ended, Tao is now fully prepared to launch his international career. Watch the trailer of his movie with Jacky Chan “Railroad Tigers” below: