Production is officially underway on the next Christopher Nolan film. The Batman Begins and Inception helmer is tackling a new genre for the first time—World War II—with Dunkirk, which chronicles the evacuation of Dunkirk during the British military operation that saved 330,000 lives as Allied soldiers were surrounded by German forces. Nolan is directing from an original screenplay he wrote himself, but while one may instantly think this is a World War II drama, the Warner Bros. picture is officially described as an “action-thriller” and Nolan is shooting the whole thing on a combination of IMAX 65mm and 65mm large-format photography. So, essentially, hold on to your butts.

Along with the announcement of the commencement of principal photography, Warner Bros. has also unveiled the film’s official synopsis, which points to the “action-thriller” aspect of the story:

Dunkirk opens as hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in.

Nolan is reteaming with his Interstellar cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema for the pic, which features a terrific cast led by Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, and newcomer Fionn Whitehead. The ensemble is filled out by Aneurin Barnard, James D’Arcy, Jack Lowden, Barry Keoghan, Tom Glynn-Carney, and of course One Direction member Harry Styles, as Nolan set out to cast fresh faces to play the film’s leading men. One actor noticeably absent from this cast list is Michael Caine, who has been in every Christopher Nolan movie since Batman Begins, but it’s possible he could still be added to the ensemble—I'd be shocked if he didn't appear in some way, shape, or form.

Moreover, the first set photos from Dunkirk have arrived courtesy of photographer Pierre Volot as filming is taking place in France, with locations in Holland, the UK, and Los Angeles also planned. Check out the set photos below (via The Film Stage), followed by the full press release. Dunkirk opens in theaters on July 21, 2017.

Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that principal photography on the epic action thriller “Dunkirk” is underway in Dunkirk, France. Christopher Nolan (“Interstellar,” “Inception,” “The Dark Knight” Trilogy) is directing “Dunkirk” from his own original screenplay, utilizing a mixture of IMAX® and 65mm film to bring the story to the screen. The production will shoot in France, Holland, the UK and Los Angeles.

 

“Dunkirk” opens as hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in.

 

“Dunkirk” features a prestigious cast, including Tom Hardy (“The Revenant,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Inception”), Mark Rylance (“Bridge of Spies,” “Wolf Hall”), Kenneth Branagh (“My Week with Marilyn,” “Hamlet,” “Henry V”) and Cillian Murphy (“Inception,” “The Dark Knight” Trilogy), as well as newcomer Fionn Whitehead. The ensemble cast also includes Aneurin Barnard, Harry Styles, James D’Arcy, Jack Lowden, Barry Keoghan and Tom Glynn-Carney.

 

The film is being produced by Nolan and Emma Thomas (“Interstellar,” “Inception,” “The Dark Knight” Trilogy). Jake Myers (“The Revenant,” “Interstellar,” “Jack Reacher”) is serving as executive producer.

 

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Hoyte van Hoytema (“Interstellar,” “Spectre,” “The Fighter”), production designer Nathan Crowley (“Interstellar,” “The Dark Knight” Trilogy), editor Lee Smith (“The Dark Knight” Trilogy, “Elysium”), costume designer Jeffrey Kurland (“Inception,” “Bullets Over Broadway”), and visual effects supervisor Andrew Jackson (“Mad Max: Fury Road”).

 

Warner Bros. Pictures is distributing “Dunkirk” worldwide and has slated the film for a July 21, 2017 release.