Christopher Nolan fans have waited several years for the director to reveal his next project, and today, studio Warner Bros. confirmed that that film will be a World War II drama.

Nolan is set to direct "Dunkirk," which tells the story of the evacuation of the titular French city during the early 1940s. Last week, French newspaper La Voix du Nord first leaked the news that Nolan and his crew had been scouting locations in the city over the summer months; on Monday, Warner Bros. followed up that report with an official announcement of the project.

According to Variety, Nolan is writing the screenplay, and will produce the film with his wife and producing partner Emma Thomas. Big names such as Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, and Kenneth Branagh are all reportedly in talks for supporting roles, per Variety, and producers are currently looking for unknowns to play the leads.

"We are thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with Christopher Nolan, a singular filmmaker who has created some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful films of all time," said Greg Silverman, president of creative development and worldwide production at Warner Bros., in a statement. "'Dunkirk' is a gripping and powerful story and we are excited to see Chris, Emma and their cast realize it on the big screen."

"Dunkirk" is currently slated for release on July 21, 2017.

[via: La Voix du Nord, Variety]

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