David Bowie to play inventor Tesla

David Bowie will join the Christopher Nolan-directed "The Prestige," the Touchstone Pictures/Warner Bros. drama that stars Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale and Michael Caine. Bowie cameo'd in "Zoolander"but hasn't starred in a film since he played Andy Warhol in "Basquiat" in 1996. Here he'll play inventor and electrical wizard Nikola Tesla, who is approached by one of two competing magicians for help in pulling off the ultimate magic trick in 1878. Bowie became friendly with Nolan when he provided the tune "Something in the Air" for the close of Nolan's breakthrough film, "Memento." Bowie was impressed enough by the script and Nolan's talent to take part. "The Prestige," adapted from Christopher Priest's novel by Jonathan Nolan, will shoot in January. Nolan is producing with Emma Thomas and Aaron Ryder. Kristen Burr is overseeing the pic for Disney, which has domestic distribution rights on the film. WB is taking overseas territories. [Variety]