Relativity Media is excited to present the official first look of their upcoming film THE RAVEN.

In this gritty thriller, Edgar Allen Poe (John Cusack, Being John Malkovich) joins forces with a young Baltimore detective (Luke Evans, Immortals) to hunt down a mad serial killer who’s using Poe’s own works as the basis in a string of brutal murders. Directed by James McTeigue (V for Vendetta), the film also stars Alice Eve (Sex and the City 2), Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges) and Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Faster).

When a mother and daughter are found brutally murdered in 19th century Baltimore, Detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) makes a startling discovery: the crime resembles a fictional murder described in gory detail in the local newspaper—part of a collection of stories penned by struggling writer and social pariah Edgar Allan Poe. But even as Poe is questioned by police, another grisly murder occurs, also inspired by a popular Poe story.

Realizing a serial killer is on the loose using Poe’s writings as the backdrop for his bloody rampage, Fields enlists the author’s help in stopping the attacks. But when it appears someone close to Poe may become the murderer’s next victim, the stakes become even higher and the inventor of the detective story calls on his own powers of deduction to try to solve the case before it’s too late.

I’m disappointed with the synopsis of this movie. I was really hoping they were making a movie based on Poe’s life, because he had such a fascinating and brief life! Between marrying his cousin when she was 13 – to her early death (which many said his macabre poems were based on) – to him dying of mysterious causes when he was just 40. I wish they would have gone that route – not this one.

Looks to me like they’re just using his name – and his likeness – and inserting it into a serial-killer movie. Gotta admit, I’m a little bummed!

Either way – I love John Cusack, so hopefully this movie will be good!

The Raven opens March 9, 2012.

Here’s John Cusack doing a spot-on Edgar Allan Poe for the upcoming psychological thriller ‘The Raven.’

Cusack announced his involved in the James McTeigue-directed film in August.

“official- will play edgar allen poe in fall-a-film called the raven, send any poe- gold – my way as i begin this journey into the abyss,” he tweeted.

The movie is a fictionalized account of Poe’s mysterious last days–spent, as speculated by some, following a serial killer inspired by his horror stories.

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This seems like really bizarre casting. John Cusack as Edgar Allen Poe? I just don’t see it!

John Cusack has confirmed he is set to play Edgar Allan Poe in a new murder mystery.

The actor will star as the horror writer in director James McTeigue’s forthcoming “The Raven,” a fictionalized account of Poe’s mysterious last days chasing a serial killer.

In a post on Twitter, Cusack announces: “Official I will play Edgar Allen Poe in fall. A film called The Raven, send any Poe gold my way as I begin this journey into the abyss.”

Ewan McGregor and Jeremy Renner were previously in talks for the project but their parts were not specified. It is unclear if either actor is still involved.

The period thriller is due to begin filming in autumn and is set to hit theatres next year.

John Cusack has scored a former Baywatch babe! The Say Anything star, 43, is dating Brooke Burns, 31. “They’ve been going out seriously for more than a month,” says an insider close to the couple. “She’s super sweet and definitely has a type — she dates older men.” Brooke, who was engaged to Bruce Willis, has a daughter, Madison, 9, with ex-husband (Nip/Tuck’s Christian Troy) Julian McMahon. “John’s met Madison,” notes the insider.

Bauer Griffin

A woman accused of stalking actor John Cusack will get her day in court – but she won’t be able to represent herself.

Diane Leatherman was arrested outside the High Fidelity star’s California home in March and charged with one felony count of stalking.

And, on Wednesday, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled she is competent to stand trial, based partly on a court-appointed psychiatrist’s report.

The trial will begin on September 9th. She faces three years in prison if convicted.

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WENN

John Cusack is suing a movie production company over claims he was not paid for his role in unfinished movie Stopping Power.

The High Fidelity star filed a lawsuit at Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday against Intermedia Film Equities USA.

He claims the production company convinced him to star in the movie and would pay him $4.5 million even if it was axed.

Cusack further claims he was promised all his expenses would be paid, including $50,000 to cover the costs of his staff on location in Germany.

But Cusack insists he was never paid, and is seeking $5.6 million in compensation, according to TMZ.com.

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WENN