Winstone Has Penn's Back In "Gunman"

Ray Winstone has joined the cast of the action thriller "The Gunman" says Deadline.

Based on author Jean-Patrick Manchette's novel, the story centers on an international operative named Martin Terrier (Sean Penn) who is betrayed by the organization he works for. He then goes on the run in a relentless game of cat-and-mouse across Europe.

The author's work has been described as "existentialist and involving explorations of politics as well as the human condition."

Winstone plays Penn's mentor

Javier Bardem and Idris Elba play the villains. Jasmine Trinca stars as the female lead.

Peter Travis is writing the adapted script from which French filmmaker Pierre Morel ("Taken") will direct.

Joel Silver and Andrew Rona will produce the film.

Production begins later this month.