British hunk Clive Owen ("Inside Man," "Children of Men") has signed on to star in the Sony Pictures action thriller "The International."

Directed by Tom Tykwer ("Run Lola Run") from an original script by Eric Singer, the story centers on an obsessive Interpol agent (Owen) who spearheads an investigation into one of the world's most high-profile and powerful banking institutions in an attempt to expose its role in worldwide arms brokering, corruption and murder.

His efforts quickly turn into a deeper obsession when he comes up against more resistance by the very law enforcement system he serves.

Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, John Woo, Terence Chang and Jeff Lurie are producing. Shooting is scheduled to start in September in Europe.

Owen next appears in "Shoot 'Em Up" and the "Elizabeth" sequel "The Golden Age."