Pattinson To Join Penn And Witherspoon In Elephants?

Current heartthrob of the moment Robert Pattinson is in negotiations to star opposite two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn in the film, Water For Elephants.

According to Variety, the story centres on "a Cornell University veterinary student who leaves his studies after his parents are killed and joins up with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, working as a vet for the circus." Reese Witherspoon will play Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to Sean Penn's character, a charismatic but twisted animal trainer.

Apparently Pattinson and Witherspoon are pretty much locked for their roles, but Penn is off in Haiti doing charity work, mulling over the offer. Pattinson has his pick of roles, and seems to be going for the overtly dramatic ones after Twilight - a good sign that he wants to actually have career longevity and challenge himself. I Am Legend helmer Francis Lawrence is directing, so expect stunning visuals of the David Fincher variety.