Jeremy Irons and Jonathan Rhys Meyers in 'The Secret Scripture'

Actors Jeremy Irons and Jonathan Rhys Meyers are set to join the cast of the silver screen adaptation of Sebastian Barry’s The Secret Scripture.

The Irish Independent has learnt that the two well-known stars are in negotiations to join female leads Jessica Chastain and Vanessa Redgrave in the big budget production, which will start filming this June, and are expected to sign contracts in the next 10 days.

Rhys Meyers (36) returned to work in front of the camera last year after a lengthy absence from the screen.

He appeared in Hollywood blockbuster The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones and also played the lead in Sky series Dracula.

Academy Award winning Irons last featured in Neil Jordan’s period drama The Borgias, which was axed by Showtime mid way through its third season in June 2013.

The 65-year-old husband of Sinead Cusack has since signed on to star in The Man Who Knew Infinity and is also connected to the Man of Steel sequel.

It is not yet known what characters Irons and Rhys Meyers are being lined-up to play in The Secret Scripture, but a source confirmed they will both take on prominent roles.

The project, which has been in the pipeline for nearly two years, will be entirely shot in Ireland over the summer, with an Irish crew – giving a further boost to the film industry as well as the Irish economy.