Image caption Jude Law and Sir Christopher Lee head a strong British contingent on the film

Jude Law and Sir Christopher Lee are among the British actors confirmed in the cast of Martin Scorsese's latest movie, The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Sacha Baron Cohen, Ray Winstone, Sir Ben Kingsley and Richard Griffiths will also appear in the film, which has started production in London.

The movie, which is the Oscar-winning film maker's first move into 3D, is due for release in December 2011.

It is about boy who secretly lives in the walls of a Paris train station.

Hugo becomes caught up in a mysterious adventure involving an eccentric girl, his late father and a robot.

Best seller

Frances de la Tour will also join the cast which already includes 13-year-old US actress Chloe Moretz, who starred in Kick-Ass.

Asa Butterfield, who recently starred in Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang, has already been confirmed in the role of 12-year-old orphan Hugo.

Image caption Butterfield also starred in The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas

The film is based on a 2007 book by Brian Selznick which topped the New York Times best seller list.

It has been adapted for the screen by John Logan, screenwriter of Scorsese's 2004 film The Aviator.

Scorsese won his first best director Oscar in 2007 for The Departed following six unsuccessful nominations.