The novel is written by Ben Fountain. The film, titled "Billy Lynn", stars newcomer Joe Alwyn along with Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart and Vin Diesel, said The Hollywood Reporter.
Simon Beaufoy has written the screenplay. The movie centres around a 19-year-old private (Alwyn) who survives a battle in Iraq, which is captured by news cameras.
He and his company of soldiers are brought back to the US for a promotional tour culminating in a halftime show at a Thanksgiving Day football game.
Nelson, 50, will play Wayne Foster in the film.