LOS ANGELES, Aug. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- STARLIGHT Media and K.JAM Media announced today that they will develop and produce a new television series EMPRESS, with Award-Winning producer Christopher Newman (GAME OF THRONES). The series is an epic historical story centered around the only female empress in the history of China. Production is slated to begin in Sichuan China in late 2017—with the first episode to air in late 2018.

EMPRESS will tell the storied tale of the only female empress in the history of China—Empress Wu Zetian. Living during the Tang dynasty (618-906 AD)—a time of relative freedom for women—she was known for her wit, intelligence and humor; as well as being ruthless, cunning and a political force to be reckoned with. EMPRESS follows her ascent through the court of Emperor Tai Tsung; life as his favorite concubine—and ultimately her rise to power.

Celebrating the official start to the partnership, all parties joined at an event in Los Angeles this past Saturday to ceremonially mark the beginning of the project. Attendees included Xu Yan (Chairman of STARLIGHT Media), Peter Luo (CEO of STARLIGHT Media), Beely Lee (STARLIGHT Media), Christopher Newman (Producer GAME OF THRONES) who will produce EMPRESS, and Kia Jam (CEO of K.JAM Media, Producer LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN) who will serve as Executive Producer of the series. Additional guests included Laurence Fishburne (THE MATRIX), Zhu Huilong (Senior Partner, CDH Investments Management), Andrew Lazar (Producer AMERICAN SNIPER), Chuck Russell (Director, THE MASK, THE SCORPION KING), and Ariel Qixing (China Film Corporation LTD).

Chairman Yan had the following to say about the evening: "I am very happy to announce this partnership and am looking forward to working with this excellent creative team to bring the story of the Empress Wu to a global audience."  Jam added: "My partner Chris and I have already started to assemble a world class team and are thrilled to be in business with our friends at STARLIGHT Media.  The story of the Empress is a story of intrigue, history and power that provides a deep storytelling well that we hope will have numerous seasons to follow."

STARLIGHT Media has committed to fully financing the series—with $70m budgeted for the first season's 13 episodes. 

ABOUT STARLIGHT MEDIA
STARLIGHT Media, Inc. is a U.S. -based entertainment company, formed in 2013 by founder and principal owner of Chengdu Sunny Property Development Co. Ltd., Mr. Yan, STARLIGHT Media STARLIGHT Media, Inc. was formed to diversify the company's business activities into the global entertainment and media sector.  STARLIGHT Media, based in Los Angeles, has hired an experienced team of entertainment professionals and partnered with Hero Film to develop and grow its entertainment business.  They just wrapped principle photography on MARSHALL.  Directed by Reginald Hudlin and produced by Paula Wagner and Jonathan Sanger, MARSHALL stars Kate Hudson Chadwick Boseman and Josh Gad.  Starlight has many other properties in various stages of development.

ABOUT K.JAM MEDIA
K.JAM Media is an independent film and television production company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The company was founded by independent film producer Kia Jam in order to expand his passion of producing superior content. Kia has participated in over $2 billion globally in entertainment transactions and has produced/co-produced and/or financed/co-financed over 20 motion pictures and television productions.  Kia has a multitude of pictures in various stages of development and has 3 films slated to go to into production over the next 9 months.

Event Photo available here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fkwf4mtgt2nu596/IMG_3314.jpg?dl=0
From left:
Chris Newman (Producer, GAME OF THRONES; to produce EMPRESS), Xu Yan (Chairman, Starlight Media) and Kia Jam (K. Jam Media; Producer, LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN; to EP EMPRESS) mark the launch of EMPRESS with a traditional signing ceremony.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160816/398756

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160816/398766LOGO

SOURCE K.JAM Media