Robert Pattinson has booked his first major lead for when he completes The Twilight Saga. Pattinson will star in Cosmopolis, the Don DeLillo novel adaptation that David Cronenberg wrote and will direct. Pattinson, who just starred with Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz in Fox 2000's Francis Lawrence-directed adaptation of the Elizabeth Gruen novel Water For Elephants, will play Eric Packer. A financial wunderkind, Packer risks his entire fortune to bet against the yen on a tumultuous day. His deed puts him in the crosshairs for assassination in a drama that is a study of capitalism in a slightly futuristic metropolis. Most of the scenes in the book take place in the limousine that transports Packer from place to place. Marion Cotillard and Paul Giamatti are also reportedly doing the film.

As Pattinson and his Twilight Saga castmates plan their careers after the series is completed--Bill Condon is directing the final film right now, Pattinson is following a path based on strong filmmakers and tasteful source material. He took the role because he is a big fan of Cronenberg's work and an admirer of DeLillo's books. He's repped by WME and 3 Arts.

The actor will be stepping into the shoes that were to be worn by Colin Farrell.

Paul Giamatti and Marion Cotillard are already on board the film, which is eyeing a mid-May start in Toronto.

The project centers on a 28-year-old financial wizard and billionaire, to be played by Pattinson, as he traverses Manhattan in his stretch limo.

His goal is to get a haircut at Anthony's, his father's barber, but on this day his driver has to navigate a presidential visit, an attack by anarchists and a rapper's funeral. Stuck in traffic, he anxiously monitors the value of the yen on the limo's computer, his fortune in the balance.

Farrell was attached to play the lead but segued to a remake of "Total Recall," which also shoots in the spring.

Will Robert Pattinson spend a day having lots of sex, shooting someone and losing billions of dollars when he finishes up with Twilight?

On film he may…

While a report today claims Pattinson will star in Cosmopolis for edgy director David Cronenberg, I'm told the deal isn't done just yet. In other words, everyone wants it to happen, but they're still in negotiations.

If it happens, Pattinson will be taking a very big (and very smart) step away from his vampire alter-ego. Based on Don De Lillo's novel of the same name, Cosmpolis centers around Eric Packer, multi-billionaire finance man (that would be Rob's part) who finds himself targeted by assassins after he loses a ton of money by betting against the rise of the yen.

The book takes place over the span of just one day with Packer crisscrossing through New York City in a high-tech limo to get a haircut at his father's favorite barber shop.

"He has sex with two women, his art consultant and a bodyguard," reads a review in Publisher's Weekly. "He is hit in the face with a pie by a protester. He knows he is being stalked, and the novel stages a final convergence between the ex-tycoon and his stalker."

Oh, he also shoots someone as the limo driver has to navigate around a presidential motorcade, an attack by anarchists and a rapper's funeral. Packer has several meetings in the limo with folks like his doctor and some finance men.

Did I mention this is a very big step away from Pattinson's vampire alter-ego?

Other names reportedly attached to the flick are Oscar winner Marion Cotillard, Colin Farrell and Paul Giamatti.

Robert Pattinson has reportedly signed on to star in David Cronenberg’s upcoming adaptation of Cosmopolis.

It’s not a done deal quite yet.

A source in Pattinson’s camp tells Gossip Cop they’re in “negotiations.”

Barring a hitch in the talks, Cosmopolis will be Pattinson’s next major role.

The movie, based on a novel by Don DeLillo, follows a young financial whiz named Eric Packer as he journeys across a major city by limo during one tumultuous day.

Marion Cotillard and Paul Giamatti are reportedly attached to the project

We have to admit, our first words upon hearing this were: “What the shit?” Haters gonna hate, but like it or not, Robert Pattinson is in a position to get things green lit, as he is taking over for Colin Farrell in David Cronenberg‘s “Cosmopolis.”

Based on Don DeLillo‘s book of the same name, the film follows 24 hours in the life of a newly married billionaire Eric Packer (Pattinson) as he cheats on his wife, is pursued by a stalker, gets attacked by a protester and gradually loses his entire fortune over the course of a single day. The adaptation was penned by Cronenberg himself and cast is currently rounded out by Marion Cotillard who will play Pattinson’s wife and Paul Giamatti as one of the two men stalking the billionaire. Let’s just slow this down for a second: Robert Pattinson and Marion Cotillard are going to play a married couple? Please.

So why has Farrell bailed? Well, with the actor signed recently signed on to star in the “Total Recall” reboot that is scheduled to go in front of cameras this spring, roughly around the same time as Cronenberg’s film and we figure the bigger paycheck won out. The current plan is for Pattinson to finish his work on “Twilight: Breaking Dawn” with Bill Condon and move right on over to Cronenberg’s film.

Well, we suppose we’re glad “Cosmopolis” is still getting made but we think the Pattinson casting is totally, totally wrong. But maybe he’ll prove us wrong…..right?