More casting out of Cannes today.  A lead has been set for the long-gestating sci-fi thriller The Raven, as Heat Vision reports that Gerard Butler is now in talks to star.  Universal acquired the project in 2010 based off a short film directed by Ricardo de Montreuil.  The story of the short focuses on a young man with powers who is being chased around downtown Los Angeles by robotic police drones.  The feature film is described as a conspiracy thriller set in the future, and Gold Circle has come onboard to co-finance alongside Universal Pictures.

Liam Hemsworth was previously in talks for the lead role, but it appears that Butler will now be toplining the pic following his action turn in Olympus Has Fallen.  De Montreuil is still onboard to direct, and with a star and financing coming together, The Raven might start production as early as this year.  Hit the jump for casting news and a director change concerning the thriller Autobahn.

Additionally, a couple of very pretty faces are set to lead the actioner Autobahn.  Screen Daily reports that Zac Efron and Amber Heard (The Rum Diary) have signed on to lead the Europe-set car chase thriller.  Additionally, though Daredevil helmer Mark Steven Johnson was previously attached to direct, it appears that Welcome to The Punch director Eran Creevy will now take the reins.  The story centers on “an American backpacker who must protect his girlfriend and flee Europe after he ends up as a driver for German drug smugglers.”

Creevy wrote the screenplay alongside F. Scott Frazier, and IM Global is looking to start production this fall in Germany.  Efron is currently filming the comedy Townies opposite Seth Rogen and Heard will be seen later this year in the thriller Paranoia with Liam Hemsworth and Harrison Ford.