Cassel, an original fan favorite to have played 'The Joker' in director Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight", can also be seen in the upcoming Canada/France co-production "Mesrine".
Cronenberg will direct "Eastern Promises 2" in Russia (and Toronto) from a screenplay by Steve Knight, writer of the first film, exploring government agent Nikolai's further infiltration of the Russian mob.
The original film, lensed in England, produced by Webster and Canada's Robert Lantos, follows a British midwife's interactions with Russian gangsters in London.
The thriller received three Golden Globe Award nominations, with Mortensen also nominated for an Oscar as 'Best Actor'.
Domestic box office for the film was $17,266,000, with foreign earnings of $38,839,902, totaling a worldwide theatrical take of $56,105,902.
Domestic box office for the film was $17,266,000, with foreign earnings of $38,839,902, totaling a worldwide theatrical take of $56,105,902.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Eastern Promises"...