Screenwriter William Monahan has assembled quite a cast for his first directing gig. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Keira Knightley and Colin Farrell have signed on to star in London Boulevard.

David Thewlis, Anna Friel, Ben Chaplin and Ray Winstone have also been cast in the film, which Monahan, who won an Oscar for his screenplay for The Departed, adapated for the screen from Ken Bruen's novel.

The story follows a London criminal as he's just released from prison and becomes romantically involved with a young actress. The movie is set to start shooting in London this week.