Dawson enters 'Fire with Fire'

Rosario Dawson will play the female lead in indie drama "Fire with Fire" opposite Josh Duhamel, Bruce Willis and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.

Eclectic cast includes NFL All-Pro Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (making his feature debut), Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Richard Schiff, Vinnie Jones and Bonnie Sommerville have also joined the cast, with Emmett/Furla and Cheetah Vision producing.

Story centers on a fireman in the witness protection program (Duhamel) who takes matters into his own hands when he's threatened by the man against whom he's set to testify.

Producers are Randall Emmett, George Furla, Matthew Rhodes and Andrew Deane with Richard Jackson, Envision and Paradox exec producing. David Barrett is directing from a script by Tom O'Connor.

Voltage Pictures had been selling the pic at Cannes last month. Production is expected to start Monday.

"Fire With Fire" is part of a 10-picture deal announced last fall that is backed by a $200 million fund, with Lionsgate releasing the films domestically. Pics under that deal include "Setup," which completed principal photography earlier this year with Curtis Jackson, Willis and Ryan Phillippe starring; and police drama "Freelancers."

Dawson will be seen next in "Zookeeper," opening July 8. Asomugha has appeared on TV series including "Friday Night Lights," "Leverage" and "The Game."

Dawson and Asomugha are repped by CAA.

Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com