Poster of The Story of the Stone. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Director Hu Mei, who has planned the trilogy, The Story of the Stone, has kicked off a global campaign to select his cast members.

The movies will be based on Dream of the Red Chamber, an 18th-century Chinese novel that chronicles the fall of four powerful families. The classic has inspired many movies and TV shows.

Hu, a veteran director known for a number of historical-themed movies, said she dreamed of producing the trilogy for years.

As most of the main characters in the novel are young, Hu said she has to select young Chinese people from across the world.

"I had considered using established stars earlier, ... but their ages might be an obstacle to bring to life the youth and vigor the novel features," Hu, 59, said at a news conference in Beijing on Sept 24.

The selection requires aspirants aged between 14 and 26 to hand in their photos and resumes. Those who will join the cast will receive a training program on acting and ancient Chinese culture.

The first movie will begin filming in early 2018. The sets to relive the iconic houses and yards in the novel will be built in Langfang, Hebei province, and some scenes will also be shot in Suzhou and Yangzhou, both in Jiangsu province, as well as in Shanghai.

Director Hu Mei will shoot the feature trilogy The Story of the Stone, based on the classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber. [Photo provided to China Daily]