Worldview Entertainment has signed on to finance and produce Takashi Miike’s crime thriller “The Outsider” starring Tom Hardy, the company announced Tuesday.

Before he plays Elton John in “Rocketman,” Hardy (seen above in “Warrior”) will play an American former G.I. in post-WWII Japan who joins a Yakuza crime family.

Andrew Baldwin wrote the screenplay based on an idea by Linson Entertainment’s John Linson, who will produce with Art Linson alongside Worldview’s Christopher Woodrow and Molly Conners and QED’s Bill Block.

Also Read: Tom Hardy to Play Elton John in ‘Rocketman'; Focus to Distribute in U.S.

Worldview’s Maria Cestone and Sarah E. Johnson will executive produce with Anton Lessine and Sasha Shapiro.

Principal photography will commence in Japan in early 2014.

QED International will handle foreign sales and introduce the film to buyers next week at the American Film Market, while CAA, which packaged and arranged financing, will represent domestic rights.

“‘The Outsider’ is an action-packed, hard-hitting thriller with huge commercial potential. We are excited to do our second film in less than six months with Tom Hardy and look forward to working with Bill Block and his team at QED,” said Woodrow.

“We’re excited to partner with Worldview on this outstanding international thriller,” added Block. “The combination of Tom Hardy and Takashi Miike, along with Andrew’s electrifying script, is exactly the kind of package that our distribution partners are seeking to drive their theatrical business worldwide.”

Also Read: Cannes Review: Without the Blood Lust, Takashi Miike’s ‘Shield of Straw’ Draws Boos

Worldview’s 2013 slate includes two studio co-financing deals — Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu’s comedy, “Birdman” with Fox Searchlight and New Regency, and Daniel Espinosa’s crime thriller “Child 44,” with Summit/Lionsgate. The latter film also stars Hardy. Worldview also financed and produced Kate Barker Froyland’s drama “Song One” starring Anne Hathaway, as well as Zach Braff’s drama “Wish I Was Here.”

QED’s slate at AFM also includes Barry Levinson’s “Rock the Kasbah” starring Bill Murray, Andrew Renzi’s “Franny” starring Richard Gere and David Ayer’s “Fury,” which stars Brad Pitt and Shia LaBeouf.