Emma Thompson (Saving Mr. Banks) takes on the role of a courtroom judge, presiding over a life-changing case in the forthcoming film The Children Act, reports Deadline Hollywood.

In the film — based on Ian McEwan‘s 2014 novel and directed by Notes on a Scandal‘s Richard Eyre — The High Court judge meets 17-year-old Adam (Dunkirk's Fionn Whitehead), who has been diagnosed with leukemia. His disease is treatable, but he does not want a blood transfusion based on his religious beliefs — Adam is a Jehovah's Witness.

Maye is given the responsibility of deciding Adam's fate — with him being just a few months away from his 18th birthday — which could result in forcing him to accept medical treatment against his will. The hospital has called on the court to step in as Adam's parents, also Jehovah's Witnesses, believe refusing treatment is the right thing to do.

Thompson's character's intent is to figure out if Adam is capable of making this decision on his own:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=0J-_v38DBgU

In addition to Thompson and Whitehead, we can look for Stanley Tucci (The Hunger Games) as Maye's less-than-supportive husband. Ben Chaplin (Apple Tree Yard) plays Adam's father.

The Children Act, which pulls its name from the U.K.'s 1989 Children Act, will hit theaters on September 14, later this year.

What do you think of Emma Thompson choosing such a controversial role?