With her Twilight duties nearly complete, Kristen Stewart is looking to branch out in a big way.  We recently reported that the actress has signed on to star in the gritty action pic Cali, which takes place in L.A. and revolves around two San Fernando Valley lovers who sell a fake snuff film and take off with the cash.  Years later, the girl (Stewart) must “return from the dead” in order to save the younger sister she abandoned.  With Stewart set as the female lead, it now appears that The Notebook director Nick Cassavetes will be taking the helm.  Hit the jump for more.Per Variety, Cassavetes has signed on to direct the project.  Lest you lament the fact that the director of The Notebook is taking on this crime-centered pic, Cassavetes has a varied resume that alternates between dark (Alpha Dog) and lighter (My Sister’s Keeper) material.  He recently wrapped the drug-centered dramedy Yellow with Lucy Punch, Ray Liotta, and Sienna Miller.In addition to starring, Stewart will also be picking up her first producer credit on Cali.  Her lead character comes face-to-face with “homicidal porn stars, stoner vet techs and an unstoppable killing machine in a cowboy hat,” so it’s safe to say that this isn’t exactly Twilight territory.  I’m excited to see Stewart and Robert Pattinson branch out now that the romance series is coming to an end, and both appear to have incredibly promising projects on the horizon; Pattinson’s Cosmopolis looks insane.  With Cassavetes set in the director chair, hopefully we hear news on the male lead-casting front soon.