David Beckham is to star in Guy Richie's 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E'.

The 40-year-old retired soccer star will appear in the action adventure movie, directed by his pal Guy Richie and starring Henry Cavill, about secret agents working to stop criminals using nuclear weapons.

A source said: ''He was very grateful to Guy for getting him a small role and it was a great experience.''

The Brit will appear early on as he plays the part of a projectionist who reveals the mission for the main characters in the film, set for release on August 1.

The insider told The Sun newspaper: ''Becks gets the plot going and sets the scene for the rest of the movie.

''He only needed a day on set to film it so it didn't take too much time out of his schedule.

''Guy thinks it's great Becks is involved. It would make great viewing seeing him pop up as random characters in future.

David was confirmed for the cameo following a snap that wife Victoria, 41, posted on Twitter of him pointing at a movie poster.

Meanwhile, Guy Richie told Access Hollywood: ''He's in the film. He's in there... He's marginally disguised, but he's in the movie. I mean, once you know who it is, you'll know who it is!''