EMPIRE reports that Steven Spielberg has locked down his cast for WAR HORSE. Newcomer Jeremy Irvine will take the lead role of Albert, the young man separated from his horse Joey during World War I. Emily Watson (PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE) and Peter Mullan (TRAINSPOTTING) play his parents. Benedict Cumberbatch (ATONEMENT) will take the role of Major Stewart and David Thewlis (HARRY POTTER) will play Lyons.

The rest of the cast includes Niels Arestrup (A PROPHET), Celine Buckens, Nicolas Bro, David Kross, Leonard Carow, Rainer Bock, Robert Emms and Patrick Kennedy. In talks to join the cast are Tom Hiddleston, who is playing Loki in Kenneth Branagh’s THOR, and Stephen Graham, who just signed on to PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 4.

Lee Hall (BILLY ELLIOT) and Richard Curtis (FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL) are writing the screen adaptation from Michael Morpurgo’s novel and Nick Stafford’s stage version. Spielberg will produce with Kathleen Kennedy.

Production begins in August in the U.K. August 10, 2011 has been set for the film's release.