Countdown to D-Day: Brian Cox puffs on a trademark Churchill cigar in new film focusing on tension between Britain's wartime leader and General Eisenhower

Brian Cox has been seen for the first time shooting scenes for a major new movie about British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

The Scottish actor was seen shooting scenes in Edinburgh on Tuesday in full costume, joined by Mad Men star John Slattery, who is playing US Army General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Puffing away on a cigar and with Churchill's signature ‘Homburg’ hat on his head, the 69-year-old actor looked the spitting image of the World War 2 leader.

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Talented cast: Brian Cox (right) has been cast as Winston Churchill in an upcoming film about the D-Day landings while US actor John Slattery (left), best known for his role in Mad Men, was also seen on set in Edinburgh in character as General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Strong likeness: Brian (left) was channelling the former Prime Minister Winston Churchill (right) in his trademark hat and bow tie as filming began on Tuesday

Brian and John were seen shooting in the Scottish city for the film titled Churchill, which is set in the 48 hours leading up to the D-Day landings in June 1944.

Eisenhower served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II and would go on to serve as 34th President of the US from 1953 until 1961. 

Stanley Tucci had previously been lined up for the role but was unable to commit due to scheduling conflicts. 

Plum role: Brian was seen for the first time shooting scenes for a major new movie about British Prime Minister Winston Churchill

Iconic: Dressed in a black overcoat layered over a grey pinstripe suit and bow tie, the Royal Shakespeare Company veteran looked uncannily like Churchill

The pair appeared to be engaged in a heated discussion, seemingly disagreeing about how to proceed with the operation.

Churchill was involved in a security row with Eisenhower in the hours before D-Day, according to a secret document released for the first time in 2002. 

The British leader blocked the United States' attempts to extend a diplomatic black-out beyond the day of the 157,000-strong invasion of the Nazi-held French coast.

Taking a break: Mad Men star John Slattery, who has also appeared in Sex And The City and Desperate Housewives, was seen checking his messages 

Important role: The suited and booted actor plays US Army General Dwight D. Eisenhower in the film. Churchill blocked the United States' attempts to extend a diplomatic black-out beyond the day of the 157,000-strong invasion of the Nazi-held French coast

Clash: Churchill was involved in a security row with Eisenhower in the hours before D-Day, according to a secret document released for the first time in 2002

Difference of opinion: The British leader blocked the United States' attempts to extend a diplomatic black-out beyond the day of the 157,000-strong invasion of the Nazi-held French coast

However, Eisenhower wanted to avoid British and American diplomatic activity to prevent the D-Day plans leaking out. 

Brian was surrounded by a large crew as shots were set up in a city park, while further scenes were filmed at the National Monument. 

Dressed in a black overcoat layered over a grey pinstripe suit and bow tie, the Royal Shakespeare Company veteran looked uncannily like Churchill. 

Leading man: Puffing away on a cigar and with Churchill's signature ‘Homburg’ hat on his head, the 69-year-old actor looked the spitting image of the World War 2 leader

Historical drama: Brian takes centre stage as the film focuses on the Prime Minister's 48 hours leading up to the allied invasion of Normandy in 1944

Major new movie: Brian was seen shooting in the Scottish city for the film titled Churchill, which is set in the 48 hours leading up to the D-Day landings in June 1944

Action! Jonathan Teplitzky, who has worked on TV hits like the recent Marcella and Indian Summers, will direct the new film, while author and historian Alex von Tunzelmann has written her debut screenplay

History: As well as Churchill's personal relationships, the film will focus on the huge D-Day operation, which saw Allied forces launch a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France

Brian takes centre stage though, as the film focuses on the Prime Minister's 48 hours leading up to the allied invasion of Normandy in 1944.  

It's thought the movie will focus heavily on Churchill's relationship during this short period with his wife Clementine, played by Miranda Richardson.  

British model turned actress Suki Waterhouse has also joined the cast, alongside James Purefoy who will play King George VI. 

Key moment in his leadership: While the operation contributed to the Allied victory on the Western Front, on the eve of the launch Churchill and his commanders were anxious

In character: Brian was seen puffing on a cigar as he waited for shots to be set up near Edinburgh's National Monument

Dapper: The stage and screen star has called the part 'the role of a lifetime'

Jonathan Teplitzky, who has worked on TV hits like the recent Marcella and Indian Summers, will direct the new film, while author and historian Alex von Tunzelmann has written her debut screenplay.

'I'm looking forward to bringing this iconic but complex figure to life,' says Cox of the project.  

'It's the role of a lifetime for me and I'm so pleased to be taking this journey with both Jonathan and our great cast.' 

As well as Churchill's personal relationships, the film will focus on the planning for the huge D-Day operation, which saw Allied forces launch a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France.

While the operation contributed to the Allied victory on the Western Front, on the eve of the launch Churchill and his commanders were anxious, leading to the PM to bid his wife goodnight with the words, 'Do you realise that by the time you wake up in the morning twenty thousand men may have been killed?' 

What a setting: Brian was surrounded by a large crew as shots were set up in a city park, while further scenes were filmed at the National Monument

Historically accurate: The film, which also stars Angela Costello, pays great attention to detail and costumes will be true to the war era 

Shortly after midnight on 6 June, over 18,000 Allied paratroopers were dropped into the invasion area, Allied air forces flew over 14,000 sorties in support of the landings and nearly 7,000 naval vessels were launched.

Nearly 160,000 troops crossed the English Channel on D-Day, marking the the largest seaborne invasion in history. 

German casualties on D-Day were around 1,000 men. Allied casualties were at least 10,000, with 4,414 confirmed dead. 

Stocking up on supplies: Brian was seen trying out different types of cigars with the help of a crew member 

Nice view: A vintage car was parked up overlooking the city as Brian discussed the scene

Personal story: It's thought the movie will focus heavily on Churchill's relationship with his wife Clementine, played by Miranda Richardson

Leading lady: Harry Potter star Miranda Richardson, 58, is playing the politician's wife 

All-star cast: British model turned actress Suki Waterhouse has also joined the cast, alongside James Purefoy who will play King George VI