Keri Russell, just off a joyous reunion with Felicity creator J.J. Abrams on the set of Mission: Impossible III, has now signed on to co-star with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers in August Rush, a drama from Warner Brothers. The film is the story of its titular character, "a young musical prodigy performing on the streets of New York who uses his talent to seek his parents." Freddie Highmore - the kid from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - has been cast as August, and Russell and Meyers will play his parents; Russell's character is "a sheltered cellist," and music "plays an integral role in the story." And for those of you who love a good-hearted, hairy mentor, the news is fantastic: Robin Williams has been cast in the role. Woo hoo.

The film, which will be directed by Kirsten Sheridan (an Oscar nominee for In America's screenplay), starts shooting in New York this summer. Rhys-Meyers is so hot right now that anything with him attached has a chance at success. That said, though, the presence of Williams as "mentor" is undeniably scary - the man can be great when he manages to act in a way that fits into a film's tone, but otherwise he's a walking disaster.