Robert Pattinson cast as Lawrence of Arabia in 'Queen of the Desert' - report

Robert Pattinson may be in the throws of personal drama with the whole Kristen Stewart cheating pics scandal, but his professional life seems to be holding up pretty well. Days before his new film "Cosmopolis" opens on Friday (Aug. 17), Variety reports that the "Twilight" actor has joined the cast of Werner Herzog's indie flick "Queen of the Desert," starring Naomi Watts as English writer Gertrude Bell.

Pattinson will reportedly play T.E. Lawrence, a British Army officer and writer better known as Lawrence of Arabia. Lawrence and Bell were friends who together established the Hashemite dynasties in Jordan and Iraq.  

According to the report, the film is aiming to start production in late fall. Also coming around that time for Pattinson will be the release -- and all the associated promotion hoopla -- of "Breaking Dawn - Part 2."