Filmmaker Gus Van Sant, best known for Oscar winners “Good Will Hunting” and “Milk,” has come on board to back psychosexual thriller “Antinous,” a modern-day drama inspired by the life and death of Antinous, the gay lover of the Roman emperor Hadrian. Visual artist Stuart Sandford wrote and will direct the film, which will be his feature film debut.

“Antinous” tells the story of a present-day young actor, who 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.

Van Sant said: “I’m excited to see Stuart Sandford, an amazing photographer and sculptor, create a beautiful film inspired by the historical relationship between Hadrian and Antinous.”

“Antinous has been on my mind for more than a decade, and his story is one that few people know about,” Sandford said. “As an artist,...