Jaguar is aiming for the stars after signing up Homeland star Damian Lewis and director Ridley Scott’s firm for a film promoting its new F-Type.

Desire – directed by Adam Smith – will be filmed on location in the deserts of Chile and will have its first showing early next year.

The firm has revealed Emmy Award-winning actor Lewis would star in the short film, being produced in partnership with Ridley Scott Associates in the run-up to the car’s launch in the US.

It will also feature a soundtrack written by Lana Del Rey and actors Jordi Molla and Shannyn Sossamon have also been cast in lead roles.

Lewis will play the part of car delivery worker Clark, who runs into trouble after a chance encounter with a mysterious, young woman (Sossamon) in the middle of a lawless desert.

Molla will play the villain in the film, which Jaguar said would be “a story of betrayal, retribution, passion and greed”.

“When Jaguar approached me about the F-Type Desire film I was intrigued,” said Lewis. “I read the script and decided it was definitely a project I wanted to be part of.

“Jaguar cars have played some iconic roles in film for many years and I’m looking forward to being the first to drive the F-Type on film.”

Enthusiasts are being given the chance to see how the crafting of the film unfolds over the weeks ahead via a website (www.ftype.com/desire) featuring everything from buttonhole camera footage attached to the cast and crew to insights from stunt co-ordinators.

Jaguar global brand director Adrian Hallmark said: “Jaguar is synonymous with some of the most iconic moments in cinematic history, and we’re excited about reigniting this powerful combination through a British led, world-class artistic project.

“Our aim is to craft the most visionary and highest quality filmic product ever created in conjunction with a brand, as a platform for our most important product launch in 50 years.”