Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man) is set to star in Martin Scorsese's (Hugo, Shutter Island) next project, Silence. The director's long-gestating adaptation of Japanese author Shusaku Endo's novel has secured financing and a production greenlight for June 2014. Garfield will play Father Rodrigues, a 17th-century Portuguese Jesuit who travels to Japan with a fellow priest amid rumors that his mentor has abandoned the Church. It is a time of religious persecution in the Asian nation, with Christians forced to practice their faith in secret. Ken Watanabe (Inception) will star as the priests' interpreter, alongside a Japanese cast.
Location scouting is currently underway for the film, which is being co-financed by Emmett/Furla Films and Corsan Films. Silence is due to start shooting next summer.
Garfield is currently filming The Amazing Spider-Man 2 alongside Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, and Paul Giamatti.