Sky Hunter showcases the achievements of the Chinese air force. [Photo provided to China Daily]

In the wake of Wolf Warrior 2, China's most successful movie of people in uniform, the big screen will soon see a new patriotic movie to praise the heroes of the People's Liberation Army.

Sky Hunter, China's first big film to demonstrate modern aerial combat, will open on the mainland on Sept 29.

Centering on a group of elite Chinese pilots who are trained in a secret base, the film's story narrates their bravery while rescuing hostages detained by a group of foreign terrorists who occupy a missile-launching site.

For Li Chen, the director and lead star, the movie is a dream project.

"I believe to pilot a plane is a dream for most boys. I am lucky to see my dream come true through the big screen," Li said during a sneak preview in Beijing last week.

As his grandfather and mother once served in the Chinese military, Li says he has always been a fan of heroic stories.

With a film production center affiliated to the PLA Air Force as one of the film's producers, the movie has gained a lot of support from the military. Some of China's most advanced fighter jets such as the Y-20 airlifter and the J-20 stealth fighter were used to shoot some action-studded scenes, and many Chinese air force experts helped the film with their professional knowledge.

With most of the scenes shot in China and Kazakhstan, Li and his 500-member crew toured more than 13 areas, including mountains and deserts.