Steve Martin is set to join newcomer Joe Alwyn in Ang Lee‘s next movie “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.
Based on the bestselling novel by Ben Fountain, story follows 19-year-old Texas-born infantryman Billy Lynn (Alwyn) and his fellow U.S. servicemen who survive a firefight in Iraq in 2005. The Bush administration brings the veterans home for a victory lap that leads them to the Dallas Cowboys’ football stadium where they’re honored during the team’s Thanksgiving halftime show before they return to war in Iraq.
Also Read: Steve Martin in Negotiations to Star in Disney’s ‘Magic Camp’
While Martin’s role is being kept under wraps, he has has likely been cast as Albert, a Hollywood wheeler-dealer who tries to set up a movie based on Billy Lynn’s experiences with the rest of Bravo company.
Meanwhile, “Unbroken’s” Garrett Hedlund is being eyed to play the protagonist’s moody, hard-as-nails drill sergeant.
Jeff Robinov’s Studio 8 and Chinese distribution company Bona Film Group are onboard alongside TriStar and Film4. Production is slated to start in April.
Also Read: Steve Martin to Receive AFI Life Achievement Award
Simon Beaufoy, who won an Oscar for writing “Slumdog Millionaire,” adapted the book for Film4 and The Ink Factory. The film will be produced by Marc Platt, Ink Factory’s Stephen Cornwell, Rhodri Thomas and Simon Cornwell, as well as Lee.
Martin last starred in the “The Big Year” and will soon be heard as one of the lead characters in DreamWorks Animation’s “Home.” He’s represented by WME and attorney Michael Gendler.
The news was first reported by Deadline.
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