Jay Chou, director of the upcoming television series "Pandamen", shares his inspirations at a press conference in Beijing on February 16, 2009. [ent.sina.com.cn]

Pop star-turned director Jay Chou thinks Chinese people lack a superhero who can rival Spiderman and Batman, so he is determined to create two, not one, Panda-men.

Chou on Monday held a press conference in Beijing to introduce the concept for his small-screen directorial debut, "Pandamen".

"We have seen such Western superheroes as Spiderman and Batman," said Chou, "but Chinese people need their own heroes, and that will be the pandamen."

"Pandamen" depicts two future superheroes in the year 2030 who fight to protect the city they live in.

Jay Chou, director of the upcoming television series "Pandamen", shares his inspirations at a press conference in Beijing on February 16, 2009. [ent.sina.com.cn]

A rendering of the superpanda unveiled at the press conference shows a human-like panda wearing tight, leather suit and a red scarf resembling the cape of Superman.

Chou, who is also an actor, will appear in the drama but not as the pandamen, the star says. The two protagonists will be portrayed by Devon Song and Zhan Yuhao from the Taiwan music group Nan Quan Mama.

Shooting will begin on February 25.

(CRI February 18, 2009)