In "Machine Gun Preacher," Shannon will play Delane, the friend of Sam Childers (played by former screen "Phantom of the Opera," Gerard Butler), a real-life former drug dealer who went on to rescue child victims of war in Sudan and Uganda. The film will be directed by Marc Forster with a screenplay by Jason Keller.

"Premium Rush," Shannon's next project, will pair him with Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("(500) Days of Summer," Uncle Bob). Shannon will play a cop pursuing bike messenger Gordon-Levitt, who picks up a mysterious envelope at Columbia University. David Koepp co-wrote the screenplay with John Kamps and will direct the film.

Shannon received an Oscar nod for "Revolutionary Road." His other stage credits include Bug at the Barrow Street and Man from Nebraska at Steppenwolf. He also appeared in the film of "Bug" and in "Jonah Hex," "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" and "World Trade Center."