March 29, 2005 - Jessica Biel (Blade: Trinity, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and Rufus Sewell (A Knight's Tale, Cold Comfort Farm) have joined the cast of The Illiusionist, according to today's edition of the Hollywood Reporter.

Biel and Sewell will star opposite Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti in the period tale of a streetwise magician (Norton) who uses his dark arts to win Princess Sophie (Biel) away from Crown Prince Leopold (Sewell). Neil Burger (Interview with the Assassin) is writing and directing the film which is based on the short story Eisenheim the Illusionist, by Steven Millhauseris.

THR adds that famous magician/historian Ricky Jay is consulting on the film.

For the female lead, filmmakers were reportedly looking for an actress that could " bring a contemporary feel to a period yarn" (the story is set in Vienna around 1900). Producer Michael London told THR that Biel, who actively pursued the role, fit the bill.  Biel can next be seen in Stealth and Cameron Crowe's Elizabethtown.

Sewell is set to appear in Tristan & Isolde and The Legend of Zorro.

The Illusionist, budgeted at around $17 million, is set to start shooting on April 4 in Prague.