American director Antoine Fuqua, known for the award-winning film Training Day, will introduce ancient Chinese beauty Yang Guifei to Western audiences in his new film.

Actress Yin Tao plays Yang Guifei in the Chinese TV drama Secret Anecdotes of Yang Guifei. American director Antoine Fuqua has signed on to direct a biopic on Yang Guifei as well. [Photo: yule.sohu.com]

Fuqua has signed on to direct a biopic on Yang Guifei, an imperial concubine who lived in the 8th century during the Tang Dynasty, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Yang Guifei was hailed by the Chinese as one of the four ancient beauties. Fuqua's movie, which is yet to be named, will focus on her legendary romance with Emperor Xuanzong.

"It's a big subject, well known in Chinese circles around the world," Zhao An, Chairman of Xi'an Qujiang, the company that is producing the film, told The Hollywood Reporter. "With director Antoine Fuqua at the helm, we're hoping to bring this story to the international stage."

The film is budgeted at 200 million yuan (US$30.5 million). Chinese and Hollywood writers are working together to finalize the script, and casting is underway.

Filming is scheduled to begin later this year, with a release set for 2012.

Fuqua's 2001 police drama Training Day helped lead actor Denzel Washington win a best actor Oscar.

(CRI March 31, 2011)