Gerard Butler to Lead DYNAMO

Butler set for WWII soccer drama.

Gerard Butler (‘Movie 43,’ ‘Chasing Mavericks’) has been tapped to star in ‘Dynamo,’ a true story based on Andy Dougan’s novel ‘Dynamo: Defending the Honour of Kiev.’

Adapted by Eli Richbourg, ‘Dynamo’ is set in 1942 during the Nazi Occupation of Kiev and centres on “The Death Match,” a landmark soccer match that took place between FC Start, an occupied Ukrainian soccer team, and an elite force of German Luftwaffe pilots, named Flakelf.

Deadline reports that Butler will be taking the role of Ukrainian goalkeeper Nikolai Trusevich, who served as a cornerstone and leader for his team, and ultimately inspired the entire battered city of Kiev.

Principal photography will kick off in Europe in 2013. A director has yet to be chosen.