Robert Pattinson. (WENN)

Twilight star Robert Pattinson is set to follow in the footsteps of acting legend Peter O’Toole and portray Lawrence of Arabia in a new movie.

The Hollywood hunk has been cast as British Army officer T.E. Lawrence in upcoming project Queen of the Desert, alongside Naomi Watts as writer Gertrude Bell, according to industry publication Variety.com.

Pattinson's new film character was made most famous by O'Toole in the 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia.

The new job will be a welcome distraction for the young actor, who has thrown himself into his work since news of his girlfriend Kristen Stewart's cheating scandal hit headlines last month.

Pattinson faced fans and the media for the first time since the tabloid drama on Monday at the New York premiere of his new movie Cosmopolis.