Derek Luke is set to star in Lions for Lambs, the Robert Redford-directed drama for United Artists, according to Variety.

He joins a cast that includes Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Redford and Michael Pena.

Shooting begins later this month on the first film since United Artists was relaunched under the control of Cruise and partner Paula Wagner.

Luke plays one of two soldiers who find themselves cut off from their platoon in unfriendly territory in Afghanistan. They become the catalyst for several intersecting storylines.

Matthew Michael Carnahan wrote the script.

Luke has appeared in the films Antwone Fisher, Catch a Fire and Glory Road.