Simon Baker (The Mentalist) and Paul Bettany (Legion) are in talks to join Kevin Spacey, Stanley Tucci and Zachary Quinto in the corporate thriller Margin Call.  Written and directed by rookie J.C. Chandor, Margin Call depicts 24 hours in the life of an investment bank during the 2008 financial crisis.

If cast, Bettany would portray a top-tier trader, while the Emmy-nominated Baker would play “a ruthless, high-powered securities broker . . . [who] drives his colleagues to win by any means necessary.”

THR reports that Margin Call begins shooting next week, and is being produced by Quinto’s Before the Door production company.

If you’re wondering why there’s been so much casting news lately (I’m sure it’s plaguing your every thought), it’s because of all the deal-making going on at the Cannes Film Festival.  So here are three more deals: Stanley Tucci and Carla Gugino have joined Kevin Spacey and Zachary Quinto in Margin Call; Lauren German, Milo Ventimiglia, Michael Biehn and Rosanna Arquette have signed up for The Divide; and Pierce Brosnan, Billy Bob Thornton, Maria Bello, and Giovanni Ribisi are on board for St. Vincent.  Hit the jump for details on all three films.