A couple days ago we reported that both Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker had signed on for a movie from first-time director David A. Armstrong called Pawn. Both actors are known for their powerhouse performances and they even squared off against each other for a season of FX's critically acclaimed drama The Shield. So naturally two of their co-stars will come from the worlds of Twilight and The Vampire Diaries.
THR has learned that Nikki Reed, who recently came out with The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, and Sean Faris, who did a three-episode stint on the supernatural CW program last year, have both signed on for parts in the upcoming crime drama along with Stephen Lang, Marton Csokas, Jessica Szohr and Jonathan Bennett. The story, based on a script by Jay Anthony White, is about a group of gunmen who try and hold up a diner only to discover that the establishment is owned by the mob. The situation quickly escalates and cops, feds and mafioso are introduced to the hostage situation. Common and Ray Liotta are also signed on for the film. Though the project will be the first time that Armstrong has headed up a production, he has vast experience as a cinematographer, having worked on all of the Saw films (except for the last one) and other thrillers like Skinwalkers and 2009's The Lodger. In addition to starring, Chiklis is producing the film under his Extravaganza Films banner, as are Michael Becker, Jeff Most and Brad Luff.
The film goes into production today and while it doesn't yet have a distributor, it's expected that the movie will be released in 2013.
