Two upcoming projects from the award-winning director Steven Spielberg take a big step closer in production.

Disney and DreamWorks issued release dates in 2015 and 2016 for the upcoming films.

The first to be released is Spielberg's untitled Cold War Thriller, which will see him reunite with Tom Hanks, hitting theatres on October 16th, 2015.

The live-action adaptation of Roald Dahl's 'The BFG' is scheduled to open almost 9 months later on July 1st, 2016.

Hanks will star as the main character in the true story of James Donovan, who was an attorney hired by the CIA to negotiate the release of downed U2 pilot Gary Powers.

The forthcoming movie's screenplay will be penned by screenwriter Matt Charman and be produced by Marc Platt.

This will be their forth project together after working on the hugely successful flicks, 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Catch Me If You Can' and 'The Terminal.'