Robert De Niro joins Clive Owen in 'Killer Elite'

The cast for Gary McKendry's upcoming action flick "The Killer Elite" is really starting to look impressive. Clive Owen and Jason Statham are already on board, and Moviehole now reports Robert De Niro and Aden Young are also joining the project. Ben Mendelsohn and Lachy Hulme have also joined the cast.

The film is based on Ranulph Fiennes' novel "The Feather Men," and it follows a team of former British soldiers hunted by assassins. Statham plays a former Navy Seal, and De Niro will apparently play his mentor, who gets kidnapped. Owen's character is a field operative heading out to protect the soliders.

Clive Owen boards 'Killer Elite' thriller

Clive Owen will join Gary McKendry's upcoming action flick "The Killer Elite," which already stars Jason Statham. The film is based on Ranulph Fiennes' novel "The Feather Men," and it follows a team of former British soldiers hunted by assassins. Variety says Statham plays a former Navy Seal.

Owen's character is a senior field operative setting out to protect the soliders and their families. Owen, who was last seen in "The Boys Are Back," has "Trust" and "Intruders" coming soon. McKendry directed the Academy Award-nominated short film "Everything in This Country Must" in 2004.

Daily news dose: Jason Statham boards 'Killer Elite;' Jerry Lewis joins 'Max Rose'

Here's your dose of film news for May 16, 2009:

• Jason Statham is set to star in "The Killer Elite" directed by Gary McKendry. Based on Ranulph Fiennes' novel "The Feathermen," the film follows a bunch of former British special forces members tracked down by ruthless killers. Statham, who also stars in the upcoming "The Expendables," plays a Navy Seal leaving retirement to save a good friend. (Variety)

• Spiros Stathoulopoulos is in talks to direct "Love and Let Die," about an expert seducer who runs into his long-lost childhood love. Asimakis "Alfa" Pagidas wrote the script, and Theo Alexander is in talks to play the title role. Stathoulopoulos also directed "P.V.C.-1." (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Jerry Lewis will play the lead in Daniel Noah's "Max Rose," a drama following a widower who decides to turn to his past to unlock the mysteries of his marriage and family life. Lewis last appeared on the big screen in Peter Chelsom's 1995 comedy "Funny Bones." (Variety)

• Alfred Molina and Ed Speleers will star in Guido Chiesa's "The Good War," which follows a British major as he leads a poorly equipped team of soldiers into the battle against the Nazis on the island of Malta. ean-Pierre Magro, Matthew Hobbs, James W. Mitchell, Valentine Stockdale and Mark Thomas wrote the script. (THR)