Farrell to play Italian immigrant

Colin Farrell is to play an Italian immigrant in Ask The Dust, a film based on a book written in 1939.

His co-star, Cuban actress Eva Mendes, will play a Mexican.

The film will be directed by Robert Towne, who used the book as a touchstone for his Oscar-nominated Chinatown script, reports Daily Variety.

Farrell, who is currently filming the Oliver Stone epic Alexander, will play Arturo Bandini, an Italian whose pursuit of the American dream leads him to a Mexican beauty.