Twilight's Pattinson cast in Cronenberg film

Canadian director David Cronenberg has chosen Twilight star Robert Pattinson to star in his adaptation of Cosmopolis.

Pattinson will put aside his vampire persona for a role as a 28-year-old billionaire asset manager who moves through an eventful day in Manhattan.

The book by American novelist Don DeLillo follows the young financial wizard as mired in traffic by a presidential visit, a public protest and a celebrity funeral he conducts his affairs in the car.

Cronenberg was slated to write and direct. There are reports that filming may go ahead this spring in Toronto.

Cronenberg got his start with innovative horror films, but has recently made more mainstream thrillers such as Eastern Promises and A History of Violence. His most recent film, A Dangerous Method, about the roots of psychoanalysis, is set for release in 2011.

British-born Pattinson, 24, has moved from the teen-oriented Twilight movies into circus drama Water for Elephants in 2011.