EXCLUSIVE: Skins and 300: Rise of an Empire star to play lead in Northern Ireland thriller.

Rising star Jack O’Connell, fresh off Warner Bros.’ 300: Rise of an Empire is to play the lead in Yann Demange’s anticipated Northern Ireland thriller 71.

In-demand Top Boy director Demange will direct Black Watch writer Gregory Burke’s buzzed about script, which was pre-bought by StudioCanal for UK.

The 1971-set film follows a teenage British soldier who has to navigate the dangerous Belfast streets after he is accidentally left behind by his unit.

The original screenplay comes from award-winning playwright Burke, whose play Black Watch has been on two world tours.

The film is set to shoot starting in April.