Viggo Mortensen has been cast in the upcoming film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s “The Two Faces of January”, Collider is reporting. The ‘Lord of the Rings’ actor will appear as one of the three starring roles in screenwriter Hossein Amini’s directorial debut.

The 1964 psychological thriller novel follows an American con artist, his wife and a stranger traveling in Athens. Hotel owner Rydal Keener is waiting for something exciting to happen while he’s on duty. Manipulator and fraud Chester MacFarland, meanwhile, has been waiting for his wife Colette to find him in the hotel. After the three meet, they realize that while silence can be bought, their lives cost the most.

Highsmith’s work has been adapted into films several times, most notably her novel “Strangers on a Train”, which was released by Alfred Hitchock in 1951. She also created the character Tom Ripley, the title character of the movies ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley,’ ‘Ripley Under Ground’ and ‘Ripley’s Game.’

The news of Mortensens’ casting comes as he finished work on the upcoming drama-thriller ‘A Dangerous Method,’ in which he will portray Sigmund Frued. He’ll also be seen in the adventure drama ‘On the Road’ and the drama ‘Everyone Has a Plan.’

Amini’s next writing effort, the anticipated action-thriller ‘Drive’ starring Ryan Gosling and Christina Hendricks, is set to be released on September 16, 2011. His following writing effort, the action drama ’47 Ronin,’ which stars Keanu Reeves, is scheduled to be released on November 21, 2012. But Amini’s most widely-known upcoming writing effort, the action-adventure-fantasy ‘Snow White and the Huntsman,’ which is currently in pre-production, is scheduled for a June 1, 2012 release.

Written by: Karen Benardello

Viggo Mortensen