John Cusack to play Poe in 'The Raven'

John Cusack has announced that he will star as writer Edgar Allan Poe in The Raven.

The High Fidelity actor revealed his latest role via a post on his Twitter page, claiming that shooting will begin this autumn.

Cusack wrote: "officiali- will play edgar allen poe in fall-a-film called the raven, send any poe- gold - my way as i begin this journey into the abyss (sic)"

V For Vendetta director James McTeigue is making the movie, which will be a fictionalised account of the final five days of Poe's life tracking the American writer as he chases a serial killer taking inspiration from his works.

Ewan McGregor and The Hurt Locker's Jeremy Renner had previously been in talks for The Raven, but their roles were not specified and it is unclear if the duo are still involved with the project.

Last week reports surfaced stating that The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo star Noomi Rapace had met with McTeigue for an undisclosed role in the period thriller.

Cusack last appeared in sci-fi comedy Hot Tub Time Machine and Roland Emmerich disaster movie 2012.