Kevin Costner has signed on to direct and star in the action-adventure A Little War of Our Own, portraying a sheriff during World War II, for Beacon Pictures.

According to Variety, A Little War of Our Own was penned by Dan Gordon, and centers on a sheriff who must try to keep a town from exploding into violence. Beacon and Costner are beginning to cast, including pic's other lead role -- that of a German U-boat commander.

"This has been a dream project for Kevin and I for years," Bernstein said. "The themes are timeless -- war, peace and reconciliation. The canvas is epic -- look at the movies Kevin has directed."

Production will begin in the fall.