Gemma and Garfield pair up for Mann's 'Capa'

Two of 2010's hot young film stars, Gemma Arterton ( Clash of the Titans, Prince of Persia) and Andrew Garfield ( The Social Network and upcoming Spider-Man film) have signed on for a new Michael Mann ( Public Enemies, Miami Vice, Ali) period film, Capa.

The story of a romance between war photographers Robert Capa and Gerda Taro, who met in Paris in 1935, the screenplay is based on Susana Fortes' award-winning novel Waiting for Robert Capa.

During the Spanish Civil War, the German woman and Hungarian man, both Jewish exiles, changed their identities to cover the war, and fell in love, until tragedy struck at the Battle of Brunette.

Her real name, Gerta Pohorylle, became Taro as a homage to the Japanese artist Taro Okamoto. Endre Friedmann chose Robert Capa as a mix of actor Robert Taylor and film director Frank Capra, so he might appear American.

Garfield is currently shooting the as yet untitled Spider-Man reboot in the lead role and recently costarred in Never Let Me Go as well as The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus.

Arterton has shot blockbusters like Quantum of Solace, as well as independent films such as Tamara Drewe and Pirate Radio.

According to Collider, Mann is seeking to make a gritty low-budget film.

RC