Gilgun, who plays Eli Dingle in the ITV1 soap, has been allowed time off to star in British crime thriller Harry Brown.
A spokesperson for the actor said: "Emmerdale has managed to work the storylines around to give him the time off to film on Harry Brown, which Joseph is thrilled about."
It is also reported that the 24-year-old turned down a movie role alongside Nicolas Cage because of a clash with Emmerdale's filming schedule.
Gilgun has previously appeared in Coronation Street and Shane Meadows film This Is England.
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