Aaron Johnson Joins Mia Wasikowska in ‘Albert Nobbs’

Glenn Close will star in, produce and co-write the period passion project

"Kick-Ass" star Aaron Johnson has joined the cast of Rodrigo Garcia's "Albert Nobbs," the actor's publicist has confirmed to TheWrap.

Described as a cross between "Boys Don't Cry" and the "below stairs" drama of "Gosford Park," the film stars Glenn Close as a woman who disguises herself as a man in order to survive in 19th century Ireland. Her ruse is successful, for the most part, but her deception leads her to become involved in an unusual love triangle.

Close will play the title character, a shy butler who believes she has found a soulmate in a saucy young maid (Mia Wasikowska), who in turn has her own eye on the new bad-boy handyman (Johnson).

Johnson replaces Orlando Bloom in the ensemble cast, which also includes Jonathan Rhys-Meyers ("The Tudors").

Close is producing the passion project, which she also co-wrote with John Banville, based on a short story of the same name by Irish author George Moore.

Production is scheduled to begin later this month in Dublin.

Johnson recently played a young John Lennon in "Nowhere Boy," and tested for the lead role in Bryan Singer's upcoming blockbuster "Jack the Giant Killer. He is represented by WME and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

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