Fans of the “Twilight” series and hardcore horror fans finally have something in common. Both will no doubt be scandalized by Wednesday’s announcement that none other than Robert Pattinson himself is set to star in David Cronenberg’s much-hyped thriller “Cosmopolis.”

The film, which Cronenberg has been developing for several years, is adapted from a Don DeLillo novel and focuses on Pattinson’s character, a financial genius whose pride turns out to be his downfall. Taking place over a single day, the protagonist is chased across a futuristic city as he loses massive amounts of money after making a bad bet against the yen. The novel’s synopsis includes sex, financial gymnastics, and shadowy hit men–what more could you ask for in a thriller?

Then again, can you really imagine Cronenberg –the man who brought us such body-horror masterpieces as “Videodrome” and “The Fly,” not to mention “Dead Ringers”–doing a straight, Hollywood-style thriller? Even in his most recent films, “A History of Violence” and “Eastern Promises,” extreme violence and some over-the-top gore managed to sneak their way in past the films’ veneer of respectability. It’ll certainly be interesting to see if Cronenberg can restrain himself from tormenting his new star a la Hitchcock’s blondes. But for those of us who love Cronenberg’s old-school work (and aren’t enamored of the “Twilight” films), that’s honestly what we’re hoping for.

“Cosmopolis” was originally scheduled to begin shooting in 2010 with Colin Farrell starring, opposite Marion Cotillard and Paul Giamatti. Now that Farrell has bowed out to pursue the “Total Recall” remake and Pattinson has been announced as the lead, all other roles are up in the air, as is the shooting schedule. With Cronenberg’s Freudian period piece “A Dangerous Method” possibly coming out later this year, it may be a while before we get to see “Cosmopolis” — but here’s hoping it’s everything we Cronenbergians could wish for. Watch out, Robert!