With a first class international ensemble cast and premiere production support, it’s no wonder Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects, HBO’s In Treatment) has signed on to star in The 33, the true story of the 2010 Chilean Copiapo gold and copper mine collapse and the 33 miners trapped underground for 69 days.

Gabriel Byrne will play the engineering genius Andre Sougarret , brought in to mastermind the search and rescue, whose efforts played out live daily to a worldwide audience. Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots, Desperado), Juliette Binoche (Chocolat), Lou Diamond Phillips (La Bamba, Longmire), Oscar Nunez (The Proposal, The Office), and James Brolin (The Amityville Horror) also star. Two weeks ago NCIS’ Cote de Pablo joined the ensemble. It’s de Pablo’s first role since leaving the popular series, and the role no doubt carries some sentimental influence – de Pablo was born in Chile and her mother still lives there. Jennifer Lopez (Parker, Monster-In-Law) had originally signed on but dropped out due to scheduling after she decided to return to American Idol.

Patricia Riggen (Girl In Progress, La Misma Luna) is directing from a script boasting an ensemble of international writers as well, including Craig Borten (Dallas Buyers Club), Michael Thomas (Scandal), Michael John Bell (Elsa & Fred) and Jose Rivera, the first Puerto Rican  ever nominated for an Academy Award for a screenplay (Motorcycle Diaries).

Academy Award winner and current chairman and CEO of Phoenix Pictures Mike Medavoy (Black Swan, Shutter Island) is producing with Robert Katz (Crash, Seabiscuit) and Edward McGurn (Shutter Island). No release date is available at this time.