Garrett Hedlund and Steve Martin join Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk

Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee decided on an adaptation of the novel BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK as his next project and now has his lead actors sealed. Joining newcomer Joe Alwyn, who will play Billy Lynn, will be TRON: LEGACY and PAN actor Garrett Hedlund. Steve Martin is also in talks for a role in the film.

Hedlund will portray Sgt. Dime, the leader of Bravo Company of which Billy Lynn is a member. The film is primarily a war movie but will be told in a very unconventional way. Check out the synopsis below.

19-year-old private Billy Lynn, who with his mates survived a harrowing Iraq battle that is captured by news cameras. They are brought home by the U.S. administration for a promotional tour, culminating at the spectacular halftime show of a Thanksgiving Day football game, all while facing an imminent return to the war. Almost the entire movie takes place during the day of the game, with flashes back to the underlying events and Billy’s heroism. Lee cast newcomer Joe Alwyn for the title role and Steve Martin is also in talks to star.

Ang Lee has proven through his career that he can handle any type of movie, regardless of genre. From SENSE AND SENSIBILITY and BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN to HULK and LIFE OF PI, Lee finds a way to creatively use the medium to tell stories some would consider un-filmable. At the same time, the selection of Hedlund for such a key role fits perfectly. Hedlund was looked at as the next big thing after he was cast in TRON: LEGACY and has since turned in a nice number of quality roles in films like INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS, UNBROKEN, ON THE ROAD, and more. I like his selection here which is very different than his portrayal of Captain Hook in Joe Wright‘s upcoming PAN.

BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK is set to begin production in the coming months, likely for a 2016 release.