Berlin 2013: Nicholas Hoult Joins Cast of 'Birdsong'

Nicholas Hoult, the star of zombie rom com Warm Bodies, has signed to star in a big-screen adaptation of Sebastian Faulks’ novel Birdsong.

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Hoult will play the role of 21-year-old Stephen Wraysford, a WWI army officer who falls in love with a beautiful older married woman.

The screenplay is written by Rupert Wyatt based on Faulks’ book and will shoot later this year with a fall 2014 delivery date planned.

It is being touted for worldwide pre-sales during the EFM by U.K. banner Embankment Films, headed by Tim Haslam and Hugo Grumbar.

The project will be produced by Alan Moloney (Albert Nobbs, Haywire, The Escapist) and Wyatt, shooting on location in Belgium and the U.K.  

Wyatt described Hoult as the "holy grail" in his search for a male lead to play the officer.

"[Hoult's] great weight, depth and range as a fearless young actor allow us to explore this timeless story of a boy broken by a tragic love affair and what it means for young men to experience the real horror of war."

The British actor's résumé boasts the $20 million Warm Bodies. He also will be seen in Jack The Giant Slayer and Mad Max: Fury Road and X Men: Days of Future Past.