Screen Daily reports that noted action director Simon West (Con Air, The Expendables 2) will direct Henry Cavill (Man of Steel) in Stratton, which will shoot in the UK and Italy this summer.

The special forces thriller will feature Cavill as the title character John Stratton tracking down an international terrorist cell. The film is based on the first in a series of eight novels by pseudonymous author Duncan Falconer, an ex-SBS (Special Boat Service) commando.

“I’ve long wanted to tell a story about the British Special Forces and finally the opportunity has come around,” Cavill said. “Duncan Falconer’s work is fantastic and we are incredibly fortunate to be working with him so closely. We plan to convert the books to cinema as accurately as possible while keeping them topical. Simon West is a perfect match for this movie with his ability to marry story-telling and action, both of which are essential to do this project justice!”

West stated, “I have been looking for an opportunity to establish a new UK based action character for some time and Stratton fits the bill perfectly. The greatest challenge was always going to be who can play a character like that and bring depth and realism. I have followed Henry Cavill’s work for while now and I cannot imagine a better actor to take on this role. Henry is the reason this project is now possible.”

Ileen Maisel and Lawrence Elman’s Amber Entertainment Ltd will co-produce with Cavill’s Promethean Productions, with GFM Films providing finance and worldwide sales.

Cavill will next be seen as secret agent Napoleon Solo in Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. before he takes on the caped crusader in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

(Photo Credit: WENN)