David Cronenberg's followup to 2005's critical success A History of Violence is lining up a cast. The movie is called Eastern Promises, and actor Vincent Cassel has just signed on.

You probably know Cassel's name, but it might not be easy placing his face. His last role of note was as the villain in Clooney's Ocean's 12. He also had a bit of success as the lead in the cult hit French actioner Brotherhood of the Wolf.

The Hollywood Reporter says in Eastern Promises he'll star opposite Naomi Watts as Petrid, a man whose family owns a Russian brothel. Watts plays a midwife investigating the identity of a young Russian prostitute who dies in childbirth on Christmas Eve.

Written by Dirty Pretty Things scribe Steve Knight, Eastern Promises is a thriller set in London. Look for it in theaters in September of 2007.