Actor Liu Ye (R) plays the role of Mao Zedong. [Photo/VCG]

The Founding of an Army directed by Andrew Lau, a Hong Kong filmmaker known for his stylish action sequences, is listed as one of the most anticipated films on some movie portals and the Chinese social media.

It starts with Chiang Kai-shek's annihilation of Communist members in Shanghai on April 12, 1927, and chronicles the formation of the Party-led armies through milestones such as the 1927 Nanchang Uprising and 1928 joining forces at the Jinggang Mountain.

Starring a group of young leading actors, the film The Founding of an Army is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the establishment of People's Liberation Army.

It is also the third work of the "Founding of New China" trilogy. The first two were the 2009 movie The Founding of a Republic and the 2011 film The Founding of the Party.

Liu Ye played the role of Mao Zedong, which was his second time starring as the great founder of New China. Other popular young actors, including Zhu Yawen, Ou Hao and Ma Tianyu, also joined the cast.

As a tribute to the PLA's 90th anniversary, which falls on Aug 1, the movie is set to open in Chinese mainland theaters on Thursday.

At the moment, let’s take a closer look at a series of photos that compare the cast to real people.