As we try to hold ourselves back from making the obvious “his career looks like it’s galloping ahead!” crack, things certainly seem to be moving swiftly for Jeremy Irvine, who was picked by Steven Spielberg to star in War Horse. Now he’s in talks for the lead in Mike Newell’s planned version of Great Expectations.

While Irvine hasn’t signed a deal yet, Variety reports that he’s in negotiations, which is usually a pretty clear sign that he’s close to being cast. Of course, things can change even at this stage – see Hugh Jackman deciding to pass on Snow White and the Huntsman – but at Irvine’s level, there’s not quite the same degree of choice.

If all goes to plan, he’ll play Dickens’ hero, Pip, an orphan who rises up through society to become a gentleman thanks to an unknown benefactor. Through most of his life, he’s also obsessed with the cruel and beautiful Estella, who he’s first introduced to via her guardian, Miss Havisham. Newell is talking to Helena Bonham Carter about taking that role, which would certainly ensure that the famously withdrawn jilted bride gets a special dose of crazy.

Rowan Joffe wrote the latest script and Newell aims to kick off shooting later this year in order to have the movie ready for 2012 as part of the 2012 Dickens bicentenary celebrations. War Horse, meanwhile, will arrive on our screens on January 13 next year.