Catherine Hardwicke, director of the blockbuster hit "Twilight," announced Thursday that she is set to create an ancient romantic epic on the streets of present-day China.

The film is based on the ancient city and kingdom of Loulan that mysteriously disappeared centuries ago.

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Loulan is a kingdom surrounded by a desert in the Xinjiang region of China. In recent decades, a mummy called "Loulan Beauty" had been unearthed in the region. Reports said that the beauty had Caucasian and European features.

Catherine Hardwicke's China-set film is currently produced by Loulan Mystery Movie in partnership with Village Roadshow Pictures Asia and TV Culture (Beijing) Co. Ltd., which is a private special purpose company shaped with investments in China, according to The Associated Press.

According to Hardwicke, the China-U.S. co-production, which costs $50 million, is centered on the life of a princess who could possibly be the mummified Loulan Beauty's "great-great granddaughter." The princess will likely be played by an English or American actress.

Set in 200 BC, the script for "Loulan" is currently under way. The story of "Loulan" is reportedly only the first part of a trilogy.

The city will be fought over by the Han Chinese and the Huns in the next films.

"We have the princess who is in a kind of neutral kingdom at the nexus to the Silk Road, Loulan, and she's trying to keep peace and stay neutral, try to stay like Switzerland between the Huns to the north and the Han dynasty to the east," according to Hardwicke, adding that the war will involve sending "young charismatic hot men diplomats to try to win her heart and her loyalty."

Hardwicke recently told The Associated Press that she thought she was chosen to direct "Loulan" because of "Twilight."

In October 2013, Hardwicke said that it had not been an easy road for her despite the success of "Twilight," which grossed nearly $400 million worldwide. Hardwicke broke records for female filmmaking with the film.

"I thought after 'Twilight' my life was going to be easy," she said in an interview. "I was the first woman to do that. But no, it hasn't been easy."

Because of scheduling disputes with Summit Entertainment, Hardwicke quit the "New Moon" sequel. No lucrative deals followed after that, reported Variety.

A "Hamlet" modern retelling was supposed to be her next project following "Twilight," but that did not push through either. In 2011, Warner Bros. tapped her for "Red Riding Hood," but she had to cut her paycheck to get it.

"I ended up taking a pay cut," said Hardwicke. "I guess I thought after the success of 'Twilight,' I might have had a bigger opportunity instead of a smaller one."

It appears now that she may be faring well in the film industry.

To date, Hardwicke's top 5 films include "Twilight," "The Nativity Story," "Thirteen," "Red Riding Hood," and "Lords of Dogtown," cited website Ranker.

This new Catherine Hardwicke China-set film was taken on by the director since she said she loved "the idea of this mix of cultures and these young kids that are in love and that are struggling with very heavy issues of war and peace."

Filming for "Loulan" will begin August 2016 in Xinjiang and Beijing, with release dates targeted in late 2017 or early 2018.

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