DenzelWashington has singed on to star in Imagine Entertainment's robbery thriller InsideMan for Universal, whichSpike Lee will direct and Brian Grazer will produce.

The film marksWashington's fourth collaboration with Lee after Mo Better Blues (1990), MalcolmX (1992) and He GotGame (1998).

British Golden Globe winner Clive Owen is in talks to jointhe project, which centres on a battle of wits between a police officer and abank robber planning the perfect heist.

Russell Gewirtzand Menno Meyjes wrote the screenplay and Daniel Rosenberg will serve asexecutive producers.

Universal's vice chairman worldwide production ScottStuber and executive vice president of production Donna Langley will overseefor the studio, with Karen Kehela-Sherwood and Kim Roth overseeing for Imagine.

Washington isexpected to begin filming this summer once his Broadway run as Brutus in JuliusCaesar ends.

The Oscar winnerwas planning to shoot American Gangster with Grazer and Universal until the project fell throughlate last year.

Owen's recentcredits include Sin City, Closerand the upcoming thriller Derailed opposite Jennifer Aniston.

Washington is represented byICM and attorney Walter Teller, Lee is represented by WMA, and Owen is handledby CAA.

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