Actress Rachel Weisz has joined The Railway Man for Lionsgate and director Jonathan Teplitzky (Burning Man).

The story is based on Eric Lomax's autobiography, which details his capture by Japanese soldiers in World War II, where he was sent to work on the infamous "death railway" in Burma. The story is split between his capture as a young soldier, and his life as an adult who still can't fully grasp the torturous experience.

Colin Firth will play the adult Eric Lomax, and Jeremy Irvine will portray the younger version. Rachel Weisz will portray his wife, Patti, who convinces him to set off on a journey to try and reconcile with his former captors.

Jonathan Teplitzky is directing The Railway Man from a screenplay by Frank Cottrell Boyce and Andy Paterson, which is adapted from Eric Lomax's autobiography.

Production begins on The Railway Man in February, which will film on location in the U.K., Thailand, and Australia.