The British actor, Hugh Laurie, who in recent years has starred in the US television drama House, will take a key role in a New Zealand film to be shot in Papua New Guinea.
He will play Mister Pip in a film based on the 2006 novel of New Zealander Lloyd Jones set during the civil war on the PNG island of Bougainville.
Filming is to begin next month and will be directed by New Zealander Andrew Adamson, who directed the first two Shrek films.
The New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand on Air, TV3 and a number of overseas parties are funding the project.
