It's official. John Abraham who said he wouldn't ever tom-tom his prospects abroad until a project crystallizes in Hollywood, has done it.

He's all set to play the male lead opposite the Constant Gardner, Constantine, Mummy actress Rachel Weisz in Deepa Mehta's Luna.

The deal was finalized just a few days ago. John flew off to Cannes on Saturday ostensibly to support his new UTV venture Goal.

Now we hear that he may share screen space with Hollywood doyen Dustin Hoffman playing a character that is not Indian.

Hoffman, according to a leading tabloid may play the antagonist opposite John in Deepa's much-talked-about film Luna, based on the real life story of American environmentalist Julia Hill.

According to Deepa Mehta, Dustin will probably play the role of the chief of the lumber company with whom Julia Hill fought a battle of wits in 1997 by doing a two year 'tree-sit' and ended up starting a whole new movement.

Dustin will act the kingpin industrialist who pushed environmentalist in the US into a battle for conservation.

Deepa has confirmed the report and is quoted as saying, "My producers Warner Brothers are in the final stage of negotiations with Dustin Hoffman to play the head of the timber mafia."

Deepa, who had earlier cast John in her film Water, is obviously very excited about the possibility of getting John and Dustin together in a film.

The film will go on the floors by the end of June.

Since John is playing the lead role in the film without being presented as an Asian or ethnic character, this could be his chance to carve a place for himself in international cinema.

Aishwarya has done some international films but always as an Indian woman. Similarly, Salman Khan plays an Asian character in the film Marigold which is currently in the process of being wrapped up.