In the same week Robert Pattinson started promotion for Cosmopolis, comes word that the actor has already joined another indie. This one will be Werner Herzog’s Queen of the Desert starring Naomi Watts as a political traveler for the British Empire in the early 1900′s. Watts’ character is that of Gertrude Bell who is described a kingmaker who helped found the states of Iraq and Jordan.
Pattinson will be playing Lawrence of Arabia who is the historical figure best known for his central role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks. This is the same part that Peter O’Toole received his first Oscar nomination for, but then again that picture had him playing the title role. Conversely, the Twilight actor looks to be filling a part that will be largely second fiddle to Watts’ Bell.
Queen of the Desert joins Mission: Blacklist and The Rover on Pattinson’s far-off pre-production slate. The actor’s next big movie will show its face soon enough though as Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part II will end up in theaters this November.