Jack O'Connell, who will be seen in 300: Rise of an Empire next month, has signed on to star as the younger lead in Universal Pictures' spy thriller Section 6.

Aaron Berg wrote the script, which the studio acquired in October after a heated bidding war, that also landed on the 2013 Black List. The story centers on the formation of British spy agency MI6 during World War I, and its first director, Sir George Mansfield Cummings, who served as the inspiration for M in Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. No details were given for Jack O'Connell's character.

The project doesn't have a director attached at this time, with the studio set to begin its search for a filmmaker in the near future. Lawrence Grey, who helped develop the script with Aaron Berg, is producing alongside Marc Platt and Adam Siegel. No production schedule was given at this time.

After 300: Rise of an Empire, Jack O'Connell will next be seen in Universal's Unbroken, which was directed by Angelina Jolie, along with Starred Up and '71. The actor's other credits include Tower Block, Harry Brown, Eden Lake and the U.K. TV series Skins.