Twilight star Robert Pattinson has signed up to appear alongside Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz in the period drama Unbound Captives.

The film, written by Madeleine Stowe, tells the story of a woman whose husband is killed and children taken captive in 1859.

Stowe will also direct the movie, while Gil Netter and Grant Hill are to produce, trade magazine Variety reports.

The film will mark Stowe's directorial debut after she reportedly turned down a $5million offer to sell the script to Fox.

The picture house are believed to have wanted Ridley Scott to direct the film and Russell Crowe play the lead.

However, Stowe refused to agree to the deal after she was told she could be no more than a screenwriter.

Robert agreed to appear in the movie last autumn, while X-Men's Hugh and Rachel signed up to the project within the last few weeks.

Production is due to begin at the end of the year.

Robert is currently shooting New Moon, the second film in the Twilight series, in Vancouver BC.

Robert Pattinson's Film History