Nicholas Hoult Builds SAND CASTLE

British star set for Iraq war movie…

Nicholas Hoult (‘X-Men: First Class,’ ‘Warm Bodies’) has closed a deal to star in the Iraqi war drama ‘Sand Castle,’ says THR.

Scripted by Chris Roessner, the film is based on true events and chronicles the story of Roessner’s two years and more than 200 missions as a machine gunner in Iraq’s Sunni Triangle. Hoult will play Matt Ocre who, along with Rossener and their platoon leader, Sergeant Baker, attempt to protect the dangerous farming village of Baqubah.

The film marks the feature directorial debut of commercials helmer Seb Edwards. Mark Gordon (‘Source Code,’ ‘The Messenger,’ ‘Saving Private Ryan’) is on board to produce.