Chloe Moretz and Asa Butterfield have joined the cast of Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski feature film debut The White Circus. Andrea Riseborough and Christian Friedel are also in talks for roles.

The film is described as a dark fairytale and follows a downed pilot's journey across a war-torn land. During his travels he runs into a talking circus bear, falls head over heels for a cabaret singer and challenges the power of a tyrant.

Chloe Moretz will next be seen in Kimberly Peirce's Stephen King reboot Carrie, while Asa Butterfield stars in Gavin Hood's Ender's Game. They previously starred together in Martin Scorsese's Hugo.

Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski are best known for their award-winning animated shorts Madame Tutli Putli and Higglety Pigglety Pop!.

Production is scheduled to begin in February 2014 in Germany and Serbia.