J.R.R. Tolkien has created some of the most beloved fantasy stories ever told, but in a new film starring Nicholas Hoult, it will be the famed author’s life story that will be the focus. The acclaimed storyteller has long been an enigmatic figure whose problematic beliefs sometimes made it into the pages of his beloved books. Though it’s unlikely that aspect will be explored in this heartfelt biopic, it sounds like it will still be a rare look into the inner life of the mind behind The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.

As reported by The Wrap, the biopic has already finished shooting and has secured a May 10 release date. Other cast members who’ve been announced for Tolkien include Lily Collins, Colm Meaney, Anthony Boyle, Patrick Gibson, Tom Glynn-Carney, Craig Roberts, Laura Donnelly, Genevieve O’Reilly, Pam Ferris, and Derek Jacobi.

The Wrap describes the plot of the upcoming release as a story which “explores the formative years of the orphaned author as he finds friendship, love, and artistic inspiration among a group of fellow outcasts at school. This takes him into the outbreak of World War I, which threatens to tear the “Fellowship” apart. All of these experiences would inspire Tolkien to write his famous Middle-earth novel.”

We’ll be very interested to see just what director Dome Karukoski cooks up and just how much it delves into the impact of the war on the author, his politics, and of course his storytelling when the film hits later this year.

Images: New Line Cinema, Fox,