Joe Cornish to direct spy thriller Section 6

Joe Cornish will direct spy thriller ‘Section 6’.

The writer-and-director behind the cult hit ‘Attack of the Block’ is set helm the upcoming Universal Studios project, which will feature rising star Jack O’Connell in a lead role.

The film – which is being eyed as the start of a new franchise – follows the formation of British intelligence agency MI6 during the First World War and will depict its first director, Sir George Mansfield Cummings.

Many A-list actors have expressed interested in playing Cummings, according to TheWrap, while O’Connell will play a ”promising young” MI6 operative in the flick.

Cummings is widely recognised as the inspiration for M in the James Bond feature films.

Screenwriter Aaron Berg’s script for ‘Section 6’ was at the centre of a ferocious studio bidding war last October, but Universal ultimately outbid Sony Pictures for the rights to the film.

Cornish has recently been linked to direct ‘Star Trek 3’, however, it’s thought he has been selective about his next project and was more enticed by the prospect of launching a franchise with ‘Section 6’.

The writer-director co-wrote Marvel’s upcoming superhero action feature ‘Ant-Man’, which will be directed by Edgar Wright and star Paul Rudd.

Meanwhile, O’Connell is quickly becoming one of the hottest prospects in Hollywood since finding fame in British TV drama ‘Skins’.

He has earned critical acclaim for independent Brit drama ‘Starred Up’ and will next be seen in Angelina Jolie’s next directorial effort, ‘Unbroken’, for which he is already earning awards buzz.