Catherine Zeta-Jones has joined the cast of Death Defying Acts opposite Guy Pearce.

The indie biopic centers on the life of Harry Houdini (Pearce) during the height of his career in 1926, when he toured the world, amassing large crowds with his elaborate and daring escape performances. Zeta-Jones is set to play an exotic psychic with whom Houdini embarks on a passionate affair. Rachel Weisz was originally tipped for the part when the project was first announced back in July 2005.

The picture will be directed by Gillian Armstrong and is scheduled to start filming in the U.K. later this summer.