via The Wrap.com – Newcomer Joe Alywn plays the titular character in adaptation of Ben Fountain bestseller

Kristen Stewart is in negotiations to join Ang Lee‘s “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

Newcomer Joe Alwyn was cast in the titular role, while Steve Martin and Garrett Hedlund are also part of the cast.

Based on the bestselling novel by Ben Fountain, story follows 19-year-old Texas-born infantryman Billy Lynn (Alwyn) and his fellow U.S. servicemen who survive a firefight in Iraq in 2005. The Bush administration brings the veterans home for a victory lap that leads them to the Dallas Cowboys’ football stadium where they’re honored during the team’s Thanksgiving halftime show before they return to war in Iraq.

Stewart is lining up the role of Kathryn, Billy’s older sister.

Jeff Robinov’s Studio 8 and Chinese distribution company Bona Film Group are onboard alongside TriStar and Film4. Production is slated to start this month.

Simon Beaufoy, who won an Oscar for writing “Slumdog Millionaire,” adapted the book for Film4 and The Ink Factory. The film will be produced by Marc Platt, Ink Factory’s Stephen Cornwell, Rhodri Thomas and Simon Cornwell, as well as Lee.

Stewart, best known for “The Twilight Saga,” most recently won raves for her roles in “Still Alice” opposite Julianne Moore and “Clouds of Sils Maria” opposite Juliette Binoche. She will next be seen in Drake Doremus’ “Equals” and recently signed on to star in Woody Allen’s next film.

She is represented by Gersh.

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