The film concerns religious persecution in 17th century Japan and will begin filming in June 2014

The Spider-Man star has landed a lead role in the acclaimed director’s adaptation of the famous 1966 novel by Japanese writer according to Variety.

The publication reports Martin has secured financing with Emmett/Furla Films and Corsan Films after a long period of behind-the-scenes work on the project.

Ken Watanabe will also feature in the film, which will take on the historical fiction book about a Jesuit missionary. The apostle suffers through religious persecution in 17th century Japan.

Andrew will star as Portuguese Jesuit Father Rodrigues, who travels to the country to investigate reports his mentor has left the Church. Inception star Ken will play an interpreter.

Star of Alexander Sokurov’s The Sun Issei Ogata will also feature in the Japanese-language production.

Martin has been speaking with singer-songwriter Robbie Robertson about working on the soundtrack.

“He and I started talking about this a year and a half ago… about ideas for certain kinds of sounds,” he told Variety.

Location scouting is ongoing with shooting scheduled to begin next summer.

Martin’s next directorial effort, The Wolf of Wall Street starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is due for US release in November.

Andrew is currently filming his duel role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the latest installment of the superhero action franchise, The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The feature is scheduled for release next year.