Robert Pattinson to play financier in Cosmopolis

Robert Pattinson is to play a high-flying financier in 'Cosmopolis'.

The 'Twilight' actor will star in the David Cronenberg-directed film, which is based the Don DeLillo novel, and will take on the role of Eric Packer.

In the movie, Eric risks his entire fortune to bet against Japanese currency the yen on a tumultuous day and his act puts him in the crosshairs for assassination.

The 24-year-old star is said to have taken on the role because he is a big fan of Cronenberg's work and an admirer of DeLillo's books, Deadline.com reports.

Marion Cotillard and Paul Giamatti are also set to star in the film, which is set to start shooting later this year.

It will be Robert's first major film after completing 'The Twilight Saga', in which he plays vampire Edward Cullen.

He will next be seen on screen in 'Water For Elephants', starring alongside Reese Witherspoon in the Francis Lawrence-directed adaptation of the Sara Gruen novel.