There are 27 ways for an up and coming actor to silence his critics and prove his acting chops, and one of those ways is to star alongside Sean Penn.

Penn and Robert Pattinson are in talks to star in Fox 2000's Water For Elephants, based on the novel by Sara Gruen.

Reese Witherspoon is already onboard the adaptation, which is being penned by P.S. I Love You's Richard LaGravenese and directed by I Am Legend helmer Francis Lawrence.

Gruen's novel is told from perspective of Jacob, a 90 year old former circus vet. Sat in his nursing home, Jacob reminisces about how he fled college and stumbled into joining the circus during the Great Depression.

Whilst Jacob is on the road with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, he falls for the wife of the animal trainer, who torments the animals and the circus staff.

No one has been named for any particular part, but it's more than likely Witherspoon would play the object of Jacob's affection.

Pattinson would presumbaly play Jacob, which would confuse the hell out of the Team Edward vs. Team Jacob brigade.

And, since the story is told in flashbacks, it's not absurd to suggest that Penn would play the old, nostaligic and prosthetics slathered Jacob.

Otherwise, Penn would be a good candidate for the animal trainer.

R-Pattz bitten off more than he can chew...? Leave a comment