Gary Ross (The Hunger Games, Pleasantville) and Matthew McConaughey (Interstellar, Dallas Buyers Club) have teamed up for the epic action-drama The Free State of Jones, chronicling the true events surrounding Confederate soldier Newton Knight as he defects to Jones City, Mississippi – where he eventually stirs up a rebellion against the Confederacy at the peak of the Civil War.

Although the movie doesn’t hit theaters until March 11th, 2016 (just about a year from now), STX Entertainment has released its first official photo from the production, seen below:

The still reveals Knight (McConaughey) in the throes of a battle, and appears to capture the intensity and heightened drama of war as the man pulls a younger soldier protectively behind him.

Principal photography has officially kicked off for The Free State of Jones, with Oscar-nominated Gary Ross doubling as screenwriter as well as director; at one point he wore the producer’s hat exclusively, but soon traded it in for more creative control.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Beyond the Lights) is also signed on with the project, along with Keri Russell (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, August Rush) and Mahershala Ali (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1).

Keep reading mxdwn for breaking news on McConaughey, Ross, and The Free State of Jones.