German actor-writer-director Til Schweiger and Splitsville star Charlie Gillespie have jumped on board Contra, an underground chess thriller.

They join Kal Penn, Booboo Stewart and Nicole Elizabeth Berger in the directorial debut for Emmy-nominated producer Artisha Mann-Cooper. Contra centers on a young chess prodigy, played by Stewart, who is drawn into a dangerous underground circuit where every chess move carries life-or-death consequences.

Schweiger will play The Wizard, a reclusive figure who becomes both mentor and nemesis to the chess prodigy, as he guides him through a psychological battleground where intellect and survival collide. Gillespie will play the prodigys loyal friend whose faith and friendship are tested as the high-stakes chess match spirals out of control. Schweiger has produced and directed movies like Knockin on Heavens Door and the Head Full of Honey dramedy and is known stateside for roles in Atomic Blonde,King ArthurorInglourious Basterds. The German actor also starred in Guy Ritchies The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, alongside Henry Cavill.

Gillespie recently starred in Splitsville, which bowed at Cannes, and has upcoming Shattered Ice,about a New England teenage hockey player who attempts to navigate life after his best friend the schools star player dies by suicide.

Mann-Cooper directed Contra from a screenplay written by chess specialists Jerry Stokes and Ahyende Sandy, with additional writing by Garrett Ratcliff and Luke Genton. The ensemble cast includes newcomers Nina Tang and dArquoia Connor, who will also co-produce.

Til (Schweiger) is a powerhouse. He brings an intensity and sophistication that perfectly embodies this world. His presence elevates every scene,hes the kind of actor who makes everyone around him better, Mann-Cooper said in a statement. The producer credits on Contra are shared by Sasha Yelaun, Jeremy OKeefe, Burns Burns, Damon H. Chung, Nick Theurer, Kevin Weisberg and Ryan Martin.

Jonathan J. Cooper, Fon Paing, Ego Mikitas, Alex Wice, Tara Lucia Prades and Galen Christy will executive produce. Rebel Raider Media is handling international sales.

Schweiger is repped by Independent Artist Group and Luminary Partners. Gillespie is repped by Vanderwerff Talent, David Dean Management and Emily Downs at Meyers Downs.