Kristen in talks for Ang Lee's new project 'Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk’

The Wrap

Kristen Stewart is in negotiations to join Ang Lee‘s “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

Newcomer Joe Alwyn was cast in the titular role, while Steve Martin and Garrett Hedlund are also part of the cast.

Based on the bestselling novel by Ben Fountain, story follows 19-year-old Texas-born infantryman Billy Lynn (Alwyn) and his fellow U.S. servicemen who survive a firefight in Iraq in 2005. The Bush administration brings the veterans home for a victory lap that leads them to the Dallas Cowboys’ football stadium where they’re honored during the team’s Thanksgiving halftime show before they return to war in Iraq.

Stewart is lining up the role of Kathryn, Billy’s older sister.

Jeff Robinov’s Studio 8 and Chinese distribution company Bona Film Group are onboard alongside TriStar and Film4. Production is slated to start this month.

Simon Beaufoy, who won an Oscar for writing “Slumdog Millionaire,” adapted the book for Film4 and The Ink Factory. The film will be produced by Marc Platt, Ink Factory’s Stephen Cornwell, Rhodri Thomas and Simon Cornwell, as well as Lee.

Stewart, best known for “The Twilight Saga,” most recently won raves for her roles in “Still Alice” opposite Julianne Moore and “Clouds of Sils Maria” opposite Juliette Binoche. She will next be seen in Drake Doremus’ “Equals” and recently signed on to star in Woody Allen’s next film.

She is represented by Gersh.

Variety

Kristen Stewart is in talks to join the cast of the TriStar pic “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” directed by Ang Lee.

Joe Alwyn stars as the title character along with Garrett Hedlund.

Based on the Ben Fountain novel, “Billy Lynn” will be co-financed by Jeff Robinov’s Fosun-backed Studio 8, together with Chinese distribution company Bona Film Group.

Sony Pictures is handling worldwide distribution except for China, where Bona Film will release the film.

In the fictional story, Bravo Company and 19-year-old private Billy Lynn survive a harrowing Iraq battle that is captured by news cameras. They are brought home by the U.S. administration for a promotional tour, culminating at the spectacular halftime show of a Thanksgiving Day football game, all while facing an imminent return to the war. Almost the entire movie takes place during the day of the game, with flashes back to the underlying events and Billy’s heroism.

Lee will be using new methods, both technological and artistic, with the goal of further engaging the audience. Lee will use the Sony F65 camera shooting in native 3D, high resolution, and with an ultra-high frame rate to create a different cinematic syntax in service of the story. He envisions creating a new way for audiences to experience drama, including the heightened sensation that soldiers really feel on the battlefield and on the home front.

Per Backstage (via @Gossipgyal)

A young private is brought home for a promotional tour after a battle he's involved with in Iraq is caught on camera.

With Joe Alwyn, Garrett Hedlund, Beau Knapp, and Steve Martin.

Produced by TriStar Productions, Bona Film Group, Ink Factory.

Shoots April 15–June 15 in Atlanta and the Middle East.