With his latest franchise entry, Furious 7, having already surpassed $400 million at the worldwide box office, Vin Diesel is planning a very different big screen role. According to a story today at Deadline, the Guardians of the Galaxy star will be joining Ang Lee’s all-star ensemble Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk. What’s more, Chris Tucker (Silver Linings Playbook, Rush Hour) is also signing on. The pair join a cast that currently includes Joe Alwyn, Garrett Hedlund, Steve Martin, Ben Platt and Kristen Stewart.
The film will tell the story of 19-year-old soldier Billy Lynn and his squad, who survive an Iraq battle that is captured by embedded news cameras, causing them to become celebrated as heroes. They are brought home by the US administration for a promotional tour that culminates at the halftime show of a Thanksgiving Day football game in Texas, before they are returned to the war. Almost the entire movie takes place during the game, with flashes away to other events.
Originally optioned by Film4 — who will produce alongside Lee, Ink Factory’s Stephen and Simon Cornwell and Rhodri Thomas — Fountain’s novel has been adapted by Simon Beaufoy, who took home an Academy Award for his work on Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire.
(Photo Credit: Brian To / HRC / WENN.com)
