Barry Keoghan is to play the lead role in Sapphire, a drama-thriller about a world champion snooker player whose gambling addiction brings him to the crossroads in his life.
US entertainment trade website Deadline, which first reported the story, says that the plot of Sapphire sees Keoghan's character flee to China in a bid for a fresh start. There, he finds himself on the hook to illegal bookmakers and must choose between throwing the biggest match of his life or saving his soul.
Sapphire will be directed by award-winning Catch Me Daddy filmmaker Daniel Wolfe and his brother Matthew. They have co-written the script, as they did on Catch Me Daddy. Filming is due to begin in the autumn in Taiwan.
Oscar-nominated Irish cinematographer Robbie Ryan (The Favourite) will be the Director of Photography on Sapphire. He was also the cinematographer on Catch Me Daddy.
Daniel and Matthew Wolfe said: "We're really excited to bring Sapphire to life, Barry is an incredible actor and really connected with the material... Sapphire will be an operatic and highly visual film. Snooker shot in a dynamic and balletic style."
Keoghan's latest film, the Irish thriller Calm with Horses, is currently streaming on Netflix.
His upcoming films include the fantasy The Green Knight, The Batman and Marvel's Eternals.
