Win a Tony, get a role in Steven Spielberg’s next movie? Winning a Tony certainly has its perks, and Steven Spielberg’s latest project, a Cold War thriller starring Tom Hanks, appears to have added a new cast member. British actor (and just recent Tony winner) Mark Rylance is in negotiations to join the project, as reported by Variety.

The as-of-yet untitled Cold War Thriller’s profile has steadily been ramping up momentum in recent months as Spielberg had been circling the project for some time, among other possible film projects. In April we reported that Spielberg and Hanks would be re-teaming on the project. In May, we noted that the Coen brothers had been enlisted to pen the script. Those enticing bits of news are enough to get most film goers excited. Rylance’s choice is an interesting and fresh addition, though we don’t know yet the extent of the role he’ll play. It’s safe to say, Spielberg will use Rylance’s talents well. Hanks will play American lawyer James Donovan who is recruited by the CIA to help rescue an American pilot detained in the Soviet Union

Rylance is no stranger to movies. He’s had a number of bit parts in several high profile films, including Justin Chadwick’s The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and Roland Emmerich’s Anonymous (2011). He recently finished filming for Pierre Morel’s international spy thriller The Gunman starring a slew of big names, including Idris Elba, Javier Bardem, Sean Penn, and Ray Winstone. 

Rylance won a Tony Award for his work on stage in Twelfth Night. He is expected to begin filming for Spielberg’s Cold War Thriller this Fall.