Clooney

Nazi art heist enlists an impressive cast.

It appears that George Clooney has begun filling out the cast of his next directorial effort, the WWII-set heist drama ‘Monuments Men’ by signing up ‘Skyfall’ star Daniel Craig, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, French star Jean Dujardin (‘The Artist’), John Goodman, Hugh Bonneville (‘Downton Abbey’) and Bob Balaban (‘Moonrise Kingdom’).

Based on Robert M. Edsel’s 2009 book ‘Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History,’ the story tells of a hand-picked group of art historians and museum curators chosen by the U.S. government to retrieve artwork stolen by the Nazis before Hitler destroys them.

Clooney adapted the screenplay with long time writing and producing partner Grant Heslov (‘Ides of March,’ ‘Good Night and Good Luck’). Production is now set for March 2013.