Jonathan Rhys Meyers will play Joe Strummer in a The Clash film.

The Irish actor has been cast as the punk frontman in the forthcoming film titled 'London Town', which will be set in 1970s London.

The drama will tell the tale of a teenager whose life changes dramatically when his estranged mother introduces him to the music of The Clash, who formed in 1976 before going on to release six studio albums.

The 37-year-old actor began shooting the movie in London at the end of last month under the director Derrick Borte and alonside co-stars including Dougray Scott, Natascha McElhone and Daniel Huttlestone.

ScreenDaily reports filming is expected to wrap by the end of July, with the film set to feature several of the band's classic tracks after producers secured the rights to use the songs.

The news comes as the troubled star attempts to get his career back on track following six stints in rehab in the last few years.

And the hunk - who got engaged to actress Mara Lane last December after seven months of dating - recently used his fiancée's Twitter account to issue a statement explaining his troubles.

He wrote: ''Mara and I are thankful for your support and kindness during this time. I apologizes for having a minor relapse and hope that people don't think too badly of me.

''I am on the mend and thank well wishers and sorry for my dishevelled appearance as I was on my way home from a friends and had not changed.

''I feel I made a mistake and feel quite embarrassed but this was just a blip in my recovery otherwise I'm living a healthy life. (sic)''