Christopher Nolan casts Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki and John David Washington in 'innovative action' film

Production on the film begins later this year

Christopher Nolan has cast the lead roles in his next film, which is set to be released next summer.

The filmmaker, whose most recent film was 2017 war thriller Dunkirk, has signed up Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki and John David Washington as leads in the release that’s being described as an “event film”.

Debicki scored rave reviews for her recent performance in Widows, while Pattinson is receiving acclaim for his forthcoming role in Claire Denis film High Life, which is released on 10 May.

Washington’s breakout role came in Spike Lee’s Oscar-winning BlacKkKlansman, which he starred in alongside Adam Driver. The former American football player, who also starred in HBO series Ballers and The Old Man and the Gun, is the son of actor Denzel Washington.

According to reports, the lead roles became the most coveted in Hollywood following the announcement of Nolan's new film.

Nolan – whose past credits include Memento, the Dark Knight trilogy and Inception – is keeping his next film shrouded in secrecy. Variety reports how an inside has called the project a “massive, innovative, action blockbuster” that will be shown in Imax.

John David Washington will star in Christopher Nolan's new film (Getty Images for SBIFF)

Production is set to begin later this year with Nolan set to produce alongside wife Emma Thomas, with whom he regularly collaborates.

Nolan’s new film will be released in July 2020.