Chris O'Dowd is to star as Irish Voice founder Niall O'Dowd in Ceasefire, a new all-star thriller about the peace process that is due to film in Ireland later this year.
US entertainment trade publication Deadline, which first reported the story, says Ceasefire is written and directed by Belfast filmmaker Terry George, the writer-director of the Oscar-winning short The Shore, whose credits also include Hotel Rwanda and the script for In the Name of the Father.
Joining Chris O'Dowd in George's film are Jane Fonda as the late US Ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith; Ciarán Hinds as late Irish-American CEO Bill Flynn; John C Reilly as former US Congressman Bruce Morrison; and BAFTA winner Tom Hollander.
"Ceasefire is about the fragile, dangerous, often invisible work required to end conflict," said writer-director George.
"It's about the belief that dialogue can triumph over violence. It's a message and a story that is dramatic, moving, and vital. I am honoured to tell it."
Ceasefire will be produced by Belfast's Fine Point Films and Dublin's Wildcard.
They described the film's central character, Tipperary-born Niall O'Dowd, as "the courageous Irish-American journalist who gambles everything to broker a secret backchannel between the IRA and a wary Clinton administration".
"As bombings, political betrayal, and mistrust close in, he risks his life to secure a lasting ceasefire between the deadliest enemies," they said.
Producers Trevor Birney of Fine Point Films and Patrick O'Neill of Wildcard added: "The war in Northern Ireland was an intractable conflict. After 25 years, any hope for an end to the violence had all but gone.
"The story behind the process that led to peace is thrilling and emotional and a critical contemporary reminder that individuals - not governments - can bring about change that can save the lives of innocents caught up in a war they didn't want.
"Terry is one of Ireland's greatest filmmakers, and he has assembled an amazing cast for the film. We are beyond excited to be going into production on Ceasefire later this year."
UK distributor Bankside Films is launching world sales for Ceasefire at the Marché du Film, which will take place as part of the Cannes Film Festival from 12 to 20 May.
