Martin Scorsese's 'Silence' starring Liam Neeson and Adam Driver to open Dec. 23

HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Martin Scorsese's Silence will get an Oscar-qualifying, limited release on Dec. 23, followed by a wider, theatrical rollout in January.

The big-screen adaptation of Shusaku Endo's novel stars Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Tadanobu Asano, Issey Ogata, Ciaran Hinds, Yosuke Kubozuka and Yoshi Oida.

The film follows 17th-century Portuguese Jesuits who face intense persecution during their mission to isolated Japan.

Paramount Pictures is releasing the epic in association with Fabrica de Cine and Ai Films.