Matthew McConaughey is in line to star in Free State of Jones.

The True Detective actor has teamed up with writer-director Gary Ross (The Hunger Games) for the American Civil War drama, Digital Spy reports citing Deadline.

The movie will tell the little-known tale of military leader Newton Knight.

McConaughey is in line to play the Confederate solider, who defected and attempted to found his own state in Mississippi at the height of the conflict.

The actor will next be seen in Christopher Nolan's Interstellar.

He recently threatened a return to romantic comedies.

STX Entertainment is reportedly considering acquiring Free State of Jones, which could begin shooting in early 2015.