Colin Firth to star in WWII drama THE RAILWAY MAN

Colin Firth is set to star in the WWII drama, The Railway Man. THR reports that the adaptation by Frank Cottrell Boyce and Andy Paterson for Lionsgate International is being sold at the Toronto Film Festival. The project is the first major investment from Daria Jovicic’s Latitude Media and will be distributed in the U.K. by Lionsgate UK.

Railway Man is based on "former British army officer Eric Lomax’s best-selling account of his torture by the Japanese during the construction of the “death railway” during World War II and his mission decades later to seek revenge on his tormentor." Jonathan Teplitzky is directing based on the adapted script by Boyce and Paterson. Paterson is also producing with Chris Brown, Bill Curbishley, while Lionsgate UK CEO Zygi Kamasa is executive producer.

Here is what Kamasa had to say in a statement:

“To have Colin Firth in such a compelling story as The Railway Man is a real coup for us. We’re looking forward to working with Andy, Chris, Bill and Jonathan on this epic tale of love and redemption which we think will have universal appeal for audiences around the world."

The project reteams Paterson and Firth, who worked on Girl With A Pearl Earring. Filming is slated to begin in February on location in the U.K., Thailand and Queensland, Australia. Firth seems to fit in perfectly in period films like this. I am reminded of Bridge on the River Kwai. What are youre thoughts on this news?