‘War Horse’ cast confirmed

Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg has announced his British cast for World War I epic 'War Horse'.

Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo and the stage adaptation by Nick Stafford, 'War Horse' will feature well known British talents Emily Watson, Peter Mullan, David Thewlis and Benedict Cumberbatch and National Youth Theatre and RSC young actor Jeremy Irvine taking the reigns as Albert.

'War Horse' traces the friendship between Joey, a farm horse sold into the British army and sent off to serve on the battlefields of France during World War 1, and Albert (Irvine), his young owner. Watson and Mullan play Albert’s parents. Cumberbatch, so good as the quiz captain in 'Starter For 10' and the oily confectionery magnate in 'Atonement', will play military man Major Stewart.

Rounding out the internationally diverse cast are Niels Arestrup ('A Prophet', 'The Diving Bell And The Butterfly') as the grandfather of a young French girl (Celine Buckens) who takes Joey in, plus Nicolas Bro, David Kross, Leonard Carow, Rainer Bock, Robert Emms and Patrick Kennedy. Also in talks to join the cast are Tom Hiddleston, who is on villain duties as Loki in Kenneth Branagh’s 'Thor', and Stephen Graham, the 'This Is England' powerhouse last seen on the big screen in Michael Mann’s 'Public Enemies'.