Christopher Nolan starts shooting war picture 'Dunkirk' in France

BURBANK, Calif., May 28 (UPI) -- Warner Bros. Pictures says director Christopher Nolan has begun principal photography on his World War II-set, action-thriller Dunkirk in France.

Nolan, who also penned the film's screenplay, will shoot scenes in Holland, the United Kingdom and Los Angeles, as well.

Set for theatrical release July 21, 2017, the movie will star Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh and Cillian Murphy. Rounding out the ensemble are Aneurin Barnard, Harry Styles, James D'Arcy, Jack Lowden, Barry Keoghan and Tom Glynn-Carney.

"Dunkirk opens as hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea, they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in," a synopsis said.

Nolan's films include the blockbusters Interstellar, Inception, The Dark Knight trilogy and Memento.