Hilary Swank and Tom Wilkinson are set to star in a new film about historian David Irving’s attempt to sue Deborah Lipstadt for calling him a Holocaust denier.

Oscar-winning Ms Swank will reportedly play Ms Lipstadt, while it is unclear whether Mr Wilkinson will play a courtroom barrister or Irving.

“Denial” – which will be based on Ms Lipstadt’s book: History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier – will focus on the libel battle between the two historians, which Irving lost.

Producers Gary Foster and Russ Krasnoff said: “This is a powerful story about the legal and personal battle Deborah Lipstadt fought to defend the veracity of historical facts.

“No one has the right to erase history by distorting the truth and David Hare’s brilliant script weaves a relevant and thrilling journey.”