Actors Vin Diesel (Furious 7, Riddick) and Chris Tucker (Rush Hour, The Fifth Element) are lending their talents to the upcoming war drama Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, joining the likes of Kristen Stewart (Still Alice), Garrett Hedlund (Pan, Unbroken), and Steve Martin. Newcomer Joe Alwyn has been cast in the movie’s title role.
Adapted from Ben Fountain’s best-selling novel of the same name, the movie centers on 19-year-old Billy Flynn and his Bravo Company, whose battle in Iraq is recorded and televised across the nation. His accidental notoriety escalates into a parade of publicity junkets, namely the halftime show during a Thanksgiving Day football game, during which he is told he will have to return to war.
The script for Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk was authored by Slumdog Millionaire writer Simon Beaufoy and will be directed by the Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee (Life of Pi, Brokeback Mountain, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon).
Diesel and Tucker’s roles have not been announced as of yet. According to Deadline, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk will feature innovative 3D and 4K technology, boasting a new and “revolutionary” high-rate frame.
Stay tuned for more breaking news on Lee’s anticipated war drama.