Chinese conglomerate Fosun Group is investing $200 million in U.S. media company Studio 8, a startup led by former Warner Bros executive Jeff Robinov, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The deal marks the biggest investment to date by a Chinese company in U.S. film production, the Journal wrote.

Fosun said in June that it would partner with Studio 8, but the size of the investment was not disclosed, the Journal said.

Studio 8 has a five-year tie-up with Sony Corp's Sony Pictures Entertainment to distribute 24 of its movies, the first of which is likely to hit cinemas by 2016, the report added.

Sony is investing $50 million in Studio 8. The U.S. studio is also finalising a credit facility of at least $300 million, the Journal cited its sources as saying.

Fosun Group could not be reached for comment.