Djimon Hounsou has signed up to African thriller The Blood Diamond, reports Variety.

The story, created by Charles Leavitt and C. Gaby Mitchell, follows a smuggler (Leonardo DiCaprio) who deals in 'blood diamonds' or 'conflict diamonds', precious stones used to fund rebellions and mercenaries in the civil war of Sierra Leone.

The smuggler's life receives a change of direction when he becomes linked with a farmer whose young son has disappeared into the Revolutionary United Front's child army.

Edward Zwick will direct the thriller from a screenplay by himself, Charles Leavitt and Marshall Herskovitz.

It was reported earlier this week that Jennifer Connelly is on talks to board the project.