Renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou has filed a lawsuit against Hong Kong-based New Pictures Film Company, claiming he is owed 15 million yuan, or some 2.4 million U.S. dollars on July 23, 2014. [Photo: sina.com]

Renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou has filed a lawsuit against Hong Kong-based New Pictures Film Company, claiming he is owed 15 million yuan, or some 2.4 million U.S. dollars.

Zhang claims New Pictures never paid him money owed after both parties made a deal to equally share revenues minus promotional costs for the director's 2009 film, A Simple Noodle Story, according to the Beijing Dongcheng District People's Court.

Zhang said he signed an agreement with New Pictures in 2009.

According to media reports, Zhang and New Pictures ended their decade-long working relationship in 2012.