Robert Pattinson Butches Up for ‘Mission: Blacklist’

What's the best way to prove you're no longer a sparkly vampire? Hunt down Saddam Hussein. Robert Pattinson, he of the 'Twilight' franchise, has signed on to star in 'Mission: Blacklist' in which he would play the man who helped track and hunt down the former Iraqi dictator.

This would be following his turn in David Cronenberg's 'Cosmopolis,' which suggests that Pattinson is not looking to be pigeon-holed. Or perhaps after the modestly received romantic efforts like 'Water for Elephants' and 'Remember Me' he realized that if he wants to keep working he needs to do something not so Team Edward. But - unlike 'Twilight' co-star Taylor Lautner - Pattinson can show range and is more than competent.

The film would be directed by Jean-Stephane Sauvaire, who's directed one feature: 'Johnny Mad Dog,' which is about children fighting in Africa. 'Mission: Blacklist' has a script by Erik Jendresen - who also wrote on 'Band of Brothers' - based on the book by Eric Maddox, who Pattinson would be playing. As The Hollywood Reporter notes this came together at Cannes, which is about to start its world famous film festival. As there is much wheeling and dealing, this won't be the last such announcements over the course of the next couples of days.