Denzel Washington has signed on to star in the upcoming Spike Lee film "Inside Man," according to a Universal Pictures spokesperson.

Set during a tense hostage negotiation, the film pits a hard-nosed cop against a wily bank robber out to pull off the perfect crime. Clive Owen, currently exploring the dark side of black-and-white filmmaking with "Sin City," is in negotiations to co-star.

Imagine Entertainment and mega-producer Brian Grazer ("8 Mile," "A Beautiful Mind") will produce the drama alongside executive producer Daniel Rosenberg. The film does not yet have a release date or an anticipated start for principal photography.

Oscar winner Washington is currently stretching his stage muscles on Broadway, playing Brutus in "Julius Caesar." Lee, who'll be reuniting with the star he directed in such career highpoints as "Malcolm X," "Mo' Better Blues" and "He Got Game," most recently helmed "She Hate Me" and the critically acclaimed Edward Norton film "25th Hour." The red-hot Owen won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for his recent work in the Mike Nichols drama "Closer."

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