Forget the prior casting rumors for Steven Spielberg's next film War Horse, because the full character lineup has been announced:

  • Jeremy Irvine (Albert)
  • Peter Mullan (Dad)
  • Emily Watson (Mum)
  • David Thewlis (Lyons)
  • Benedict Cumberbatch (Major Stewart)
  • Stephen Graham (Sgt. Sam Perkins)
  • Tom Hiddleston (Captain Nichols)
  • Niels Arestrup (Grandfather)
  • Celine Buckens (Emilie)
  • David Kross (Gunther)
  • Patrick Kennedy (Lieutenant Waverly)
  • Rainier Bock (Brandt)
  • Nicolas Bro (Friedrich)
  • Leonard Carow (Michael)
  • Robert Emms (David Lyons)

No word yet on who will play Joey, the horse.  Details after the jump.

war_horse_michael_morpurgo_book_cover

Irvine is very much a newcomer to the scene, with only two seasons (twelve episodes) of UK series Life Bites under his belt.  I am unfamiliar with the show, and welcome comments from those who are as to Irvine's apparent ability to anchor a Spielberg movie.

Gotta respect the supporting cast with which Spielberg surrounded the youth, though.  Watson is a favorite of mine, and Hiddleston adds another impressive listing to his resume after Thor and Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris.

The film is an adaptation of the Michael Morpurgo children's novel, which tells the story of a boy, Albert, and his horse, Joey.  The pair are separated when Joey is sold to the army, though not even World War I can keep them apart.  War Horse hits theaters on August 10, 2011.

Here’s the literary synopsis via Amazon:

In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey’s courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer’s son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

The casting announcement, as well as this handy playbill of sorts, comes courtesy of Empire.

war_horse_cast_playbill