John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe in 'The Raven' action pic? Nevermore

John Cusack has announces on his Twitter page that he's playing the mystery and macabre writer Edgar Allan Poe  in a new film titled "The Raven."

The movie starts shooting this fall and he asks Twitter fans to send any "poe-gold" to help him for research:

"officiali- 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."

Cusack, best known for "Being John Malkovich," "High Fidelity," "The Grifters," and most recently, "Hot Tub Time Machine," is a quirky actor capable of comedy and drama.

But true Poe fanatics may be disappointed. "Raven" won't be a factual bio pic of the manic-depressive alcoholic poet/author. Far from it.

"V For Vendetta" director James McTeigue is helming this fictional account of the final five days of Poe's life as he chases a serial killer who is taking inspiration from his classic works. Hate it when they do that.

First, Sherlock Holmes becomes an action flick. Now Edgar? He must be rolling over in his cask of Amontillado. The big question is will cryptography -- an obsession of Poe's -- play a role in this serial killer detective tale? Your thoughts?

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Photo credits: Getty Images/Internet Fair Use