Report: Gus Van Sant Involved with Queer Historical Drama

Out filmmaker and "Milk" director Gus Van Sant is now involved with Stuart Sandford's historical drama "Antinous," titled for the gay lover of the Roman emperor Hadrian, according to Variety.

Sandford, a "visual artist," is both the writer and anticipated director of the movie, in which "a present-day young actor... becomes convinced he is the reincarnation of Antinous, sparking a psychosexual drama that bridges the grandeur of ancient Rome with Hollywood's obsession with youth, beauty and immortality," Variety said.

The specifics of Van Sant's participation in the production were not clarified, though it seems probable that he is acting as a producer.

Hadrian's 21-year reign over Imperial Rome lasted from 117 AD to 138 AD. Among his accomplishments was the building of Hadrian's Wall, a 73-mile fortification that stretches across England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. The wall served to secure the border between what was, at the time, Roman territory in Britannia and Caledonia.

Hadrian declared Antinous a deity and established a cult devoted to him after Antinous' death around the age of 18 or 19. The cause of his death is uncertain.

"Antinous has been on my mind for more than a decade, and his story is one that few people know about," Sandford told Variety, noting the "profound significance" his story still holds today.

"His life reminds us of the fear and vulnerability that comes with living authentically under oppressive systems," Sandford explained.

"As an artist, my work brings together ideas from classical antiquity into a contemporary context," Sandford told the entertainment publication. "This film takes that concept and expands it greatly. It's a reflection of enduring struggles with identity, desire, sexuality, obsession, fame, power and societal expectations–themes just as relevant today as they were in antiquity."

Production on the film is expected to commence later this year.