When news of Emma Watson leading Your Voice in My Head — one of her very first steps into the world of adult acting — came down the wire, we heard Warner Bros. was hopeful in landing George Clooney or Tom Hanks for the male lead. While it’s indicated that the former actually weighed his options when it came to this project, we’re now hearing the production’s grabbing someone who, as far as I’m concerned, is just as good.

So, Variety now reports that Stanley Tucci has entered negotiations for Voice, a film that tells the story of Emma Forest (Watson), who, after the death of her older lover, is saved from a suicide attempt by “a terminally ill psychiatrist” (Tucci). Signs indicate that it’s the kind of role capable of generating some real buzz — it’s already Warners’ potential horse in the 2013 Oscar race — and, if so, they’ve found the right guy. There have been misses on his part (God, The Lovely Bones), but I’m 100% on board with this choice.

It also means we’ve got two strong performers starring for a director capable of extracting great performances. Interesting, promising source material, too? I can’t wait, and it only makes a summer start date all the better.

Are you happy with this casting? Do you think Tucci can pull this off?