Santa Monica’s Lions Gate Entertainment is in advanced talks with China’s second-largest broadcaster, Hunan TV & Broadcast Intermediary Co., about a deal that would see the companies invest a combined $1.5 billion in film production and distribution over a three-year period.

As part of the agreement, Lions Gate would help to distribute Chinese films produced by Hunan TV in overseas markets, and Hunan would set up a unit in the United States, Reuters first reported Wednesday, citing a regulatory filing on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Hunan TV is expected to contribute about 25 percent of the $1.5 billion investment.

Lions Gate did not immediately return requests for comment.

Lions Gate fell 57 cents, or 2 percent, on Wednesday to close at $28.75.