Netflix has launched the first teaser trailer for a new Original Film starring Brad Pitt; a military satire entitled 'War Machine', which follows the exploits of real life US Army General Stanley A. McChrystal during the war in Afghanistan, and the embarrassing nature of his subsequent resignation.

War MachineBrad Pitt stars in 'War Machine'

The film is a tongue-in-cheek look at the controversial former leader of the US military, taking shots at his over-confident and over-honest demeanour and his ultimate fall from grace following exposure by a Rolling Stone journalist in 2010, who cited unflattering remarks about President Obama and Vice President Biden made by McChrystal.

Based on the 2012 book 'The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan' by the journalist in question, Michael Hastings, 'War Machine' has been directed and written by the award-winning David Michôd ('The Rover', 'Animal Kingdom') and stars Tilda Swinton, Sir Ben Kingsley, Will Poulter and Scoot McNairy. Lakeith Stanfield will play Cpl. Billy Cole, with Alan Ruck as Pat McKinnon, Meg Tilly as Jeanie McChrystal and RJ Cyler as Andy Moon.

Brad Pitt is in the lead role of Stanley McChrystal and follows a string of previous war films for the actor including the likes of last year's 'Allied', 2014's 'Fury' and 2009's 'Inglourious Basterds'. It's also not the first Netflix Original Film that Tilda Swinton will star in this year; she is also set to appear as Nancy Mirando in Joon-ho Bong's sci-fi drama 'Okja' which arrives later this year.

More: Tilda Swinton stars in Netflix's 'Okja'

War was a big theme for cinema last year with the release of 'Allied', 'Hacksaw Ridge', 'Free State of Jones' and 'Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk' among others, and this year is no different. The adaptation for Iraq war drama 'The Yellow Birds' premiered at Sundance in January, and Christopher Nolan's World War 2 film 'Dunkirk' arrives in July. 'The Wall' is another Iraq thriller coming in May, while 'The Man with the Iron Heart' explores the Czech resistance in London during WW2.

'War Machine' is set to be released on Netflix on May 26th 2017.