James McAvoy In Talks to Star in "Welcome to the Punch"

He plays a young Professor X in the upcoming "X-Men: First class," and now James McAvoy is readying himself for the a new project as he finalizes negotiations to star in "Welcome to the Punch."

The thriller-flick will have Eran Creevy, known for his BAFTA-nominated film "Shifty," at the helm as writer-director alongside producers Rory Aitken, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Ben Pugh.

Creevy has described his latest effort as "an epic crime thriller in the mould of 'Heat' or 'Internal Affairs.'"

Deadline reports that filming on the London set is expected to begin in July, which leaves time for James to make his rumored reunion with "Atonement" director Joe Wright in an adaptation of "Anna Karenina."