If you were anticipating watching Benedict Cumberbatch in David Lowery’s developing new war drama The Yellow Birds, we have disappointing news: no Sherlock for you, as his busy schedule means he had to drop out. Will Poulter has also jumped ship, but now Alden Ehrenreich and remaining original Tye Sheridan will be joined by Jack Huston and Jennifer Aniston.
Adapted by Lowery and Iraq War veteran author Kevin Powers from the latter’s book, the story focuses on two young soldiers, 21-year-old Private Bartle (Ehrenreich) and 18-year-old Private Murphy (Sheridan), who meet and become friends in boot camp while preparing to head off for combat in Iraq. Bartle promise’s Murphy’s mother (Aniston) that he’ll bring him home safely, but they discover that keeping such oaths is difficult in a place where death lurks all around.
Huston is taking Cumberbatch’s place as Staff Sergeant Sterling, who oversees the younger soldiers. The film is in pre-production and will likely kick off filming next year, once Lowery has finished work on Disney’s new version of Pete’s Dragon.
Huston, much in demand at the moment, will be seen in Pride And Prejudice And Zombies, which finally arrives here on February 12 next year. And he has the lead in the new take on Ben-Hur, riding its cine-chariot to UK screens on March 11. Aniston is at work on Garry Marshall’s new holiday anthology film Mother’s Day.