CCI Entertainment, HQ’d in Toronto, Canada, is getting into family film production in a big way with an ambitious seven-picture production slate.

The launch project Iron Road is the first official co-pro between Canada and China in 25 years. Famed thespians Peter O’Toole and Sam Neill have signed on to star in the epic that takes place in the late 1800’s and chronicles the construction of the North American transcontinental railroad.

Mainland Productions and Iron Road Productions, in association with the CBC, are helming the project with CCI that is aiming for a 2009 completion. Also, the COGECO Program Development Fund, the Shaw Rocket Fund and the Canadian Television Fund have all kicked in cash to get the film off the ground.

And perhaps taking a page from National Treasure: Book of Secrets, which has grossed close to US$200 million at the US box office since it’s December release, CCI is following up with a series of family adventure movies based on The Connor Rourke Chronicles. Co-produced by CCI and Nearly Normal Productions, filming on the first two features, The Myth of Gaia and the Spear of Destiny, is slated to start this fall in Buenos Aires, targeting a spring 2009 delivery.