Benedict Cumberbatch in Iraq war drama The Yellow Birds

The Sherlock star will play the role of a sergeant who takes two young soldiers -- played by Will Poulter and Tye Sheridan -- under his wing.

Actor

Benedict-Cumberbatch-arrives-at-the-Oscars-on-Sunday-March-2-2014-at-the-Dolby-Theatre-in-Los-Angeles-AP-Photo

Benedict Cumberbatch

has signed on to star in the movie adaptation of The Yellow Birds.

The book by Kevin Powers revolves around Iraq war, reported Entertainment Weekly.

The

Sherlock star

will play the role of a sergeant who takes two young soldiers -- played by Will Poulter and Tye Sheridan -- under his wing.

The story focuses on 21-year-old Private Bartle and the teenaged Private Murphy, who meet at boot camp and are deployed to Iraq. Some of the story is autobiographical; Powers served as an Army machine gunner in Iraq after enlisting at the age of 17.

David Lowery of Ain't Them Bodies Saints will write the script and direct.