Christensen played the future Darth Vader in the Star Wars films

Poker Night will be directed by Nick Gillard, who has worked as a stunt co-ordinator on a host of Hollywood films including the Star Wars series.

Christensen will play a detective who is kidnapped by a serial killer, said industry newspaper Daily Variety.

He took on the role of Anakin Skywalker in the two most recent Star Wars films, while Jackson played Jedi Mace Windu.

Jackson also appeared in Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 1999.

Typecast fears

Cinemagoers saw Christensen's character turn into Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode III, which was released earlier this year.

The high-profile role brought massive attention to the 24-year-old Canadian actor but he has said he does not fear being typecast.

Christensen will next be seen in The Decameron, the film adaptation of Boccaccio's 14th century Italian tales.

He is currently filming psychological thriller Awake with Jessica Alba and Sam Robards in New York.