Shia LaBeouf is beyond excited about starring in the upcoming John McEnroe sports drama Borg vs. McEnroe, telling Variety: “This is epic. It’s f—ing epic. This is the biggest movie I’ve been in lately.”

The film, which begins shooting in August, is not a conventional biopic. It explores the relationship between Swedish tennis star Björn Borg and the legendary John McEnroe, while focusing on the rivals’ famous 1980 Wimbledon final.

The actor was particularly enthusiastic about working with popular Danish director Janus Metz Pederson, known for his work on True Detective and the documentary Armadillo.

LaBeouf is also a big fan of Ronnie Sandahl’s screenplay, which he describes as “brilliant,” adding ” We are all here because of that. I cried the first time I read it. It’s not based on a book or a biography. It’s based on hard work.”

Starring as Björn Borg is actor Sverrir Gudnason, whose most recent work includes the miniseries Gentlemen & Gangsters. The only other cast member to be announced so far is Stellan Skarsgård, who previously starred with LaBeouf in the Nymphomaniac film series.

Considering how eccentric and controversial LaBeouf’s own behavior can be, he seems well suited to play the outrageous, and infamously temperamental John McEnroe. When asked what he and the tennis great have in common, LaBeouf replied, “Everything in common. Passionate. Perfectionist. Narcissistic. I’m a bit of a caricature also.”

LaBeouf will soon be seen in the offbeat dramedy American Honey, which made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May.