Sam Worthington (Avatar) and Idris Elba (Pacific Rim) have signed on to join Noomi Rapace (Prometheus) in the New York-based thriller Alive Alone.

Hmmm. Maybe Worthington can do the bad guy gig after all…

Elba, who is coming off a powerful performance in Mandella: Long Walk to Freedom, will star as a cab driver and former Guantanamo Bay detainee who crosses paths with a prostitute (Rapace) on the run from a crime boss (Worthington). The two unexpectedly find redemption, as each is able to help the other.

Since Worthington is typically known for his roles as the likeable action hero (Avatar, Clash of the Titans, Terminator Salvation), Alive Alone will give him a chance to show his range as he is cast against type as a ruthless criminal.

Rapace will fill the role of executive producer for the film, which will serve as the feature debut of director Khurram Longi.

While there is no concrete production schedule yet, filming will presumably start before Worthington’s calendar becomes consumed with the next three Avatar films.