Cast Blast: Pattinson hunts Saddam, Wood plays a ‘Grand Piano,’ and more

It's that time again! Cast Blast is Wide Screen's weekly round-up of all the notable casting bits from Hollywood and beyond. Agents and casting directors have been busy handing out big parts over the past week, so there's no shortage of news to cover.

"Twilight" star Robert Pattinson is set to play one of them men responsible for the capture of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. According to the Hollywood Reporter, RPattz is currently attached to star in "Mission: Blacklist," a military thriller about the hunt for the brutal strongman.

The actor, who is clearly trying to branch out as "The Twilight Saga" wraps up, will play Eric Maddox, an American military interrogator who was integral to Hussein's capture. Based on the real-life Maddox's book, "Mission: Blacklist" is being directed by Jean-Stephane Sauvaire ("Johnny Mad Dog") and produced by "Band of Brothers"' writer/producer Erik Jendresen. Interrogated by RPattz, eh? The dreams of millions of Twi-hards are about to become Saddam Hussein's worst nightmare.

Academy Award nominee Demián Bichir ("A Better Life") may not have taken home the Oscar, but he did make the cut for Robert Rodriguez's schlock sequel "Machete Kills." Variety reports that Bichir will join Rodriguez's grindhouse picture, and has also been cast in legendary director William Friedkin's upcoming thriller "Trapped." Bicher will play an Israeli agent in the Friedkin pic, but his role in the Rodriguez film is still a mystery. Danny Trejo's Machete is said to be taking on a drug cartel this time out, so the film could be familiar territory for Bichir. The actor first came to American attention playing drug kingpin Esteban Reyes on Showtime's series "Weeds."

Sharlto Copley of "District 9" and "The A-Team" is Spike Lee's villain in the director's highly-anticipated remake of the Korean revenge drama "Old Boy." The film stars Josh Brolin as a man who is kidnapped and thrown into solitary confinement -- seemingly without reason -- for 15 years. Upon his release, he is given just five days to figure out who imprisoned him and why. Copley will play that secretive jailer in question, an eccentric billionare with a serious grudge against Brolin's character. The film also stars Elizabeth Olsen ("Martha Marcy May Marlene") as Marie, a young woman who attempts to help the Brolin character.

Elijah Wood hasn't really done much since finishing "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy about a decade ago. Aside from a few film roles here and there, a whole lot of voice work, and his oddball FX series "Wilfred," the actor seems content to sit back and enjoy his "Rings" money. Things may be set to change for the former Hobbit. Wood just signed to star in "Buried" director Rodrigo Cortes' new thriller "Grand Piano." The actor will play a famed pianist who comes out of semi-retirement and is forced to play the concert of his life after his wife is taken hostage. The film seems to employ the same "against the clock" formula that Cortes' last movie did, but it nevertheless sounds intriguing. Wood better start practicing.