The 39-year-old 'Sherlock' actor will drop his usual villainy to take up the role of a truck driver who becomes obsessed with the death of a young boy.
The child is found dead in Pennsylvania and the further the trucker delves into the murder the more disturbing the details become.
'Steel Country' has been scripted by Brendan Higgins, will be directed by Simon Fellows and produced by Gareth Ellis-Unwin who is "delighted" with the project and Scott's casting.
Speaking to Screen International, the 'King's Speech' producer Gareth said: "We're absolutely delighted to be able to announce this brilliant cast boarding 'Steel Country'.
"It's a whip smart script, that I am sure in Simon's capable hands will deliver a fantastic contemporary film with a classic sheen. It's the quality of script I've always dreamt of finding."
Joining Scott on the film's cast will be Bronagh Waugh, who stars in the BBC drama 'The Fall,' and Denise Gough who achieved lots of plaudits for her recent turn in the West End play 'People, Places and Things'.
Scott can be seen on screen next in the drama 'Denial' based on Deborah E. Lipstadt's book 'History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier'.
The film charts a court room battle between a woman accused of libel after she deems a man a holocaust denier, and it will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 11 September 2016.
