Academy Award nominee Jude Law has joined Oscar nominee Naomi Watts and Robert Pattinson in Queen of the Desert, a period drama written and directed by Academy Award nominee Werner Herzog. Nick N. Raslan will produce via his Palmyra Films banner along with Cassian Elwes and Michael Benaroya. Benaroya's Benaroya Pictures banner will finance the film. Sierra/Affinity will handle international sales and will make it available to buyers during this year's American Film Market.

The film stars Naomi Watts as Gertrude Bell, an explorer, writer, archeologist and attaché for the British Empire, who is credited with helping to catalyze the formation of the Middle East at the dawn of the 20th Century.

Principal photography is scheduled to begin in Morocco in March 2013. Here's what producer Nick N. Raslan had to say about the project.

"It is great to be working with Herzog again on this epic story as Ms. Bell been called the female Lawrence of Arabia."

Nick Meyer, Sierra/Affinity's CEO, also expressed his excitement about the project.

"It is a great opportunity to be working with such acclaimed talent on such an important project. We look forward to seeing Werner Herzog make this exciting piece of history come alive for a global audience."

Jude Law has most recently been seen in Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, as well as Hugo, 360, and Contagion. He was nominated for Oscars for his roles in Cold Mountain and The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Jude Law is represented by Julian Belfrage Associates and WME.