Martin Freeman On For The Operative

Back in February, we reported on Diane Kruger and Eric Bana signing up to star in spy thriller The Operative. Things appear to have quickly changed for the film, with word that Martin Freeman will now instead join Kruger.

Deadline's report on the latest casting makes no mention of Bana, instead putting Freeman in the role of Mossad agent handler Thomas. He's summoned from Germany to Israel when his former operative turned rogue spy Rachel (Kruger) vanishes while attending her father's funeral in London.

Her mission, at least before she disappeared, was to work against Iran's nuclear programme and the authorities are concerned she may now pose a threat. Thomas will have to retrace her steps and try to protect her.

Writer/director Yuval Adler adapted the script from former Israeli intelligence officer Yiftach Reicher Atir's bestseller The English Teacher and is scheduled to start filming next month in Israel and Bulgaria. Freeman last showed up in Ghost Stories and will next be seen in Netflix's zombie pic Cargo, due on 18 May.