Cassel to take on crime role

French actor Vincent Cassel is to appear in two new films in the role of real-life thief Jacques Mesrine.

Mesrine was a renowned robber who specialised in cunning heists, elaborate disguises and womanising.

Cassel's most recent role came in Ocean's Twelve, and he will again return to the shady world of crime in the films Death Instinct and Public Enemy Number One.

The films are to be directed by Jean-Francois Richet, who this year made the Assault On Precinct 13 re-make, which starred Ja Rule, Mario Bello and Gabriel Byrne.

Cassel is fast becoming one of France's leading lights in the film industry, having enjoyed success in the two French hits, La Haine and L'Appartement.

Since then, he has also lent his voice to popular animation Shrek, and starred in Birthday Girl, with Nicole Kidman and Ben Chaplin.

Most recently, he has just completed filming for the film Derailed, in which he stars alongside Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston.

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