“Twilight” star Robert Pattinson is in the news for more than just his recent girlfriend troubles. Pattinson has recently signed to star in Werner Herzog’s “Queen of the Desert.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pattinson will play T.E. Lawrence, the archeologist-turned-British Army officer who played key roles in Middle Eastern revolutions and became close friends with Bell. Peter O’Toole was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of the explorer in the 1962 classic, “Lawrence of Arabia.”

Naomi Watts (“J. Edgar,” “The International”) is starring as Bell, who has been described as the female Lawrence of Arabia for the impact the English woman had in the Middle East and her work in establishing what would become the modern framework for Jordan and Iraq. She was an explorer, writer, archeologist and political attache and worked for British Intelligence during World War I.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the screenplay is written by Herzog (“On Death Row,” “Into The Abyss”). Nick Raslan (“Bottoms Up,” “Rescue Dawn”) is producing with Cassian Elwes (“Lawless,” “The Words”).

This is yet another role that cements Pattinson’s role as a sought-after actor in America. Personal troubles aside, Pattinson seems to be in the middle of a swell of new roles.